Video distribution is transitioning from Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) to delivery over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. These IP networks are delivering video content to subscribers via many distribution paths to many IP-connected devices, including mobile phones, tablets and game consoles for video content of all forms, including Video on Demand (VOD) and linear, live content.
Many QAM systems were developed to enable programmers to inform and affect the content delivery to subscribers. For example, during a regional sports blackout, a video provider may use an Integrated Receiver and Decoder (IRD) to provide alternate content to a unique geographic area serving a set of subscribers.
As distributors migrate to IP-delivered content, systems must be created to replicate the traditional functional systems in order to create a contiguous service capability between QAM and IP video delivery. Additionally, providers are also delivering single mezzanine quality feeds to the distributor. This requires the distributor to also replicate the functionality on the traditional delivery system.