1. TEST REPORT IPTV Operator Software System – Part 2
AmiNET130M
The back panel sports an HDMI output,
optical audio output and network inter-
face as well as USB connection.
IPTV receiver The box comes complete with a sort
of pedestal which you may use in case
Thomas Haring
■ The TELE-satellite website as presented via
• Now that we‘re the Amino IPTV set-top box
through with the
features and potential of
the NetUP IPTV Combine
4x server it‘s time to 0.52
have a closer look at one
of the compatible IPTV
boxes. We have selected
the AmiNET 130M
from manufacturer
Amino. One of the most
striking characteristics
is its small size,
which measures only
114x102x35 mm, and
its solid build quality.
The chassis is made
of genuine aluminium,
which suggests the box
is built to last.
All you can
see on the front
panel is a status
LED indicat-
ing the current
operating mode.
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2. 1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
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3. 11 16
12 17
13 18
14 IPTV receiver OSD
1. Favourites list with EPG
2. EPG overview of all available channels
3. List with IPTV channels
4. Additional channels can be purchased
and added by simply using the remote
control
5. VOD content by genre
6. Access to personal user account
7. The current channel package can be
changed directly on the set-top box using
the remote control
8. Customer account overview (credits /
debits)
15 9. A PIN code can be activated to avoid
unauthorised access to the IPTV box
10. IP status information
11. Available OSD skins
12. The OSD can be translated into
additional languages by the operator, if
required
13. Marking an event in the EPG overview for
automatic channel switching
14. Listing and editing timer entries
15. Keying in an address in the web browser
16. Favourites list of the web browser
17. Info bar with details about the current
event
18. Language selection
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1 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine 39

4. 19
you want or need to place IPTV server takes over the
the receiver in an upright task of setting up your box.
position to save valuable All required settings and
space. Also included in the parameters are provided
package are HDMI cable and by the IPTV server, which
remote control with a con- means they will always be
venient design and nicely correct.
laid out buttons that pro-
vide just the feedback you While in theory this
require. At the time of our almost sounds to good to
test the operating manual be true, in actual use the
20
was available in Russian DHCP server of the IPTV
only, but even with addi- Combine 4x must be acti-
tional languages provided vated so that each new
in future chances are you IPTV box within the existing
will never need to open it. IPTV network is assigned
This is because – contrary an individual IP address
to a satellite receiver – an immediately and automati-
IPTV box receives its entire cally. This at the same time
OSD and control interfaces makes sure the box is able
from the IPTV server and to receive IP data from the
requires no user input in server and its DNS server.
this regard. So we first have to acti-
21 vate all required functions
Installation via the web interface of the
IPTV Combine 4x and define
Before we even begin
a range of IP addresses to
with the first step we have
be assigned to IPTV boxes.
to discard conventional
Only then can we connect
thinking stemming by and
the AmiNET130M to our flat
large from satellite receiv-
screen TV via HDMI and to
ers. Terrestrial, cable or
the IPTV network with an
satellite receivers come
RJ45 cable. Finally, we con-
complete with pre-set soft-
nect the supplied power
ware and all we need to
unit to the mains. The box
do is hook up all required
powers up, immediately
cables and press the ON
22 button. It‘s a totally differ-
detects the IPTV Combine
4x server and downloads
ent story with an IPTV box,
all software elements. One
which runs via middleware
minute later this process is
and therefore has no inte-
finished and we are asked
grated default operating
to key in a valid activation
software. With the middle-
key.
ware structure an IPTV box
connects to the IPTV server
which then provides the Everyday use
user software. This is to With regard to the IPTV
make sure both IPTV server Combine 4x we have men-
and IPTV box are perfectly tioned before that the acti-
compatible with each other, vation key is required to
23
and it makes setting up a customise the IPTV box
new box so much easier. and to create a tailor-made
After all, there‘s nothing channel list, channel avail-
you can do wrong if the ability and billing system for
19. Each channel can be stored with a short station description and
channel logo (seen here: Das Erste HD from Germany)
20. Each channel can be stored with a short station description and
channel logo (seen here: MBC 4 from Dubai)
21. Changing the rate plan
22. Radio stations can be transmitted as well via the IPTV network
23. Selecting VOD content from the dedicated menu item using the IPTV
set-top box software
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5. each registered customer. The ‘Radio’ section is not the solutions provided by a favourites list for easy
As we have already created shown right below the ‘TV NetUP chances are custom- access at a later stage.
a specific customer account channels’ section, which ers will use the on-demand
through the billing feature presumably is for commer- feature more readily. During our test we noticed
of the IPTV Combine 4x we cial reasons. We should still that NetUP has also thought
can quickly key in the acti- like to mention it at this The ‘Personal account’ about implementing basic
vation code generated by stage, as it is organised section provides access to functions in TV, radio and
the system. The code con- just like the TV section. user data, selected pack- on-demand modes. For
sists of a total of six blocks ages and account credit. example, the colour-coded
with five digits each. The second menu item Here, customers can also function keys can be used
deals with ‘Video-on- upgrade to an extended to change the language of
We did not specifically demand’ content, which package or look at all past the current event (in case
define each and every is organised according to transactions (credit top- more than one is available),
option for our test environ- name, group or genre. up, used credit). With this and a smartly designed
ment, so the AmiNET130M Every available film is feature in place customers info bar is inserted in the
first wants to know our pre- shown on the upper area of can change packages, buy lower section of the screen
ferred skin and presents us the screen complete with on-demand content and every time a new channel is
with all available OSD lan- its title. The screen sec- keep a check on purchases selected. Apart from chan-
guages. tion dedicated to EPG infor- without requiring assis- nel name this info bar also
mation in TV mode shows tance from hotel staff (as shows program informa-
As soon as these basic extended information about in our test scenario). This tion for the current chan-
settings are determined the each video-on-demand gives customers full control nel. We were impressed at
IPTV box switches to the (text, cover image, price, while not wasting valuable how quickly a new channels
etc.). If you decide to buy staff resources. In the ‘Set- shows up on screen – it only
first available channel and
content you only need to tings’ menu it is possible to takes about one second,
TV viewing please is about
press the OK button, with change OSD language and and together with very fast
to begin. With a touch of
the price of the film being appearance, and for service reaction to commands sent
the MENU button the main
deducted from your credit. technicians to call up infor- from the remote control
menu pops up on screen
Purchased on-demand con- mation on IP data and other zapping is real fun with the
and is divided into six sec-
tent is shown in a dedicated relevant network param- AmiNET130M.
tions with the skin we have
sub-menu that lists all con- eters.
chosen before: TV chan-
tent you have purchased During playback of on-
nels, Video-on-demand,
with your available credit. The range of features of demand content it is of
Radio, Personal account,
the AmiNET130M is com- course possible to rewind
Settings and Extras.
This is also the menu sec- pleted with the ‘Extras’ sec- and fast-forward (at dif-
tion you may use to select tion of the main menu. All ferent speeds) and pause.
The ‘TV channels’ section
and activate near-VOD con- timer entries can be listed A PVR system at large,
shows a list of all TV con-
tent. here, and a rather basic but however, cannot be imple-
tent available to the respec-
nonetheless very functional mented with the IPTV
tive customer. If required,
Thanks to the sheer size web browser is available for set-up tested by
individual entries can be
of the IPTV server hard surfing the web. To that end us.
added to a favourites list for
disk it is possible to make a virtual keyboard is shown
quick access. EPG data is
available quite an impres- on screen, and frequently
available either for a single
sive range of on-demand visited sites can
channel or as an overview
content, and a virtual key- even saved
so that it is easy to check
board assists customers in onto
at a glance what is cur-
looking for specific content.
rently shown on available
User-friendliness is the
channels. It is of course key to success,
possible to call up EPG data and with
for events on coming days,
and timer entries can be
created directly by mark-
ing an event so that the box
will automatically switch to
the corresponding channel
before that event starts.
The system we tested,
however, does not support
a PVR feature for selecting
events to be recorded.
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6. As far as security and without default software, that comes with the IPTV and logical control of the
access control are con- which means our conclu- box. Apart from its high- box which should be self-
cerned either the entire sion covers the Amino box quality appearance it can explanatory even to the
IPTV box or only the pur- as the hardware component also be used as a universal technologically challenged.
chasing function can be on the one hand, and NetUP remote to control all cur- If you add to that the com-
blocked by way of an access as software provider on the rently available TV panels
plex control module of the
code. other hand. To put it short, – who could ask for more?
IPTV server for business
the Amino hardware leaves
applications the two are
nothing to be desired. Thanks to the fact that
Conclusion What‘s more, the build server and receiver are in
a perfect match. With a
The AmiNET130M IPTV whole range of customis-
quality achieved by Amino perfect harmony the IPTV
box from Amino is a per- surpasses that of many box is in a brilliant posi- able settings the IPTV Com-
fectly capable and well- competitors and easily sets tion for exploiting all fea- bine 4x together with the
built IPTV box. Contrary to an example when it comes tures provided by the IPTV AmiNET130M should to the
DVB-S, DVB-T and DVB-C to workmanship. The same Combine 4x. In particular, trick for almost any scope
reception IPTV boxes come goes for the remote control we appreciated the simple of application.
ENERGY
DIAGRAM
Apparent Power
Mode Apparent Active Factor
Reception 11.4 W 6W 0.52
Active Power
Active use with channel switching and watching live TV during the first 15
minutes, standby during the second 15 minutes.
TECHNICAL
DATA
Manufacturer Amino Technologies, Buckingway Business Park,
Anderson Road, Swavesey, Cambridge CB24 4UQ,
United Kingdom
Fax +44 (0) 1954 234 101
Email info@aminocom.com
Model AmiNET130M
Function IPTV Set-top-Box
HDMI connector yes (HDMI 1.2a with HDCP)
Scart connector no
Audio/Video output analogue no
YUV output no
S-Video output no
Digital audio output yes (optical)
Ehternet yes
WLAN no
USB connector yes
Codecs MPEG-2 MP@HL, MPEG-4 pt10 A, VC/H.264 HP@L4
Video resolutions up to 720p and 1080i
Input Voltage 5V DC
Dimensions 114x102x35mm
Weight 262g
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