SAT-IP - New IP based architecture for satellite signals

Hexen

Last April/May the satellite operator SES (Astra 2) announced the development of a new format for receiving satellite signals called SAT-IP. It seems that the Satellite signal travels from dish down coax to a SAT-IP server where it is demodulated and converted to IP for distribution over an IP network.

Here's a diagram of the system layout in a home
http://www.ses.com/11737222/sat-ip-network.pdf

Press Release by SES
http://recombu.com/digital/news/home-network-tech-for-satellite-tv-could-revolutionise-multi-room-viewing-digital-home_M10420.htm

Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sat-IP

Receiver released for SAT-IP system.
http://www.inverto.tv/products/product.php?section=2&id=242&cat=96

SES white paper on SAT-IP
http://www.ses.com/11193301/SATIP-White-Paper

I thought this might be interesting for those with home networks who wanted multi-room viewing ... do people think it would be any use? Does it do anything that conventional TV tuner cards don't?

zg3409

It seems to be just like a 3 tuner slingbox. Basically the computer or device requests a channel which is then streamed to the device over an internal internet stream. This setup can already be done with many receivers. The main thing is they want an industry standard and it seems as if Sky is behind it already. It may be possible for existing Sky boxes with ethernet ports to have a software upgrade to enable this.

Then the Sky app for the iPad etc could request TV channels direct from the box.

Johnboy1951

4 Satellite input signals streaming out selected TV/Radio programs to 4 users

This is the bit that confuses me.

Apparently it can use multicast so the number of devices receiving any of the available TV channels would be limited by the LAN hardware not something else.

I am guessing it means that only four users can determine/control the content that is available.

I don't see it being of much benefit to fixed devices like TVs, as it seems it can make only 4 transponders available at any one time.

Has anyone used one of these devices and can comment on how well they work in various situations?

Of course I might be misunderstanding how it works ...