Tektronix MTX100A MPEG-2 Recorder and Player

The Tektronix MTX100A MPEG-2 Recorder and Player offers a flexible, affordable solution for design evaluation and conformance testing of digital video products using MPEG-2 technology. The MTX100A records and plays out MPEG-2 transport streams compliant with ATSC, DVB and ISDB standards at the high data rates needed to verify and troubleshoot designs for highperformance video products and systems. The large internal storage, DVD drive and Ethernet download capability help you build and maintain a large library of test streams. The MTX100A offers continuous, error-free transport stream looping for long duration playout and PCR jitter insertion for stressing designs. Users can continuously loop all sample streams, including updating of all timestamps, continuity counters, time tables (TDT, TOT and STT), Normal Play-Time Reference and ISDB-T Reed Solomon FEC, without fear of buffer under- or overflow. New Ethernet network remote control functionality enables control of functions such as Play, Record, Clock Rate and Jitter Insertion using the SCPI (Standard Control for Programmable Instruments) command set.

The Tektronix MTX100A can play any transport stream files, including custom transport streams created with off line multiplexers in the Tektronix MPEG Analysis Tools. In addition, the MTX100A can play data files in other formats, including elementary streams and files in DSS format.

For the development of instruments that process digital television signals, the MTX100A is a powerful signal source for parametric stress tests and evaluation. Streams can be repeatedly played out into development systems and equipment without timing discontinuities, simulating transmissions easily and consistently.

The ability to repeatedly playout a range of transport streams directly into equipment in a manufacturing environment is crucial when checking quality and conformance. The user interface makes control of MTX100A intuitive and simple and remote control interfaces provide the flexibility of remote and automated control.

The MTX100A can be used as a broadcast simulator when installing and debugging transmission chains by using test streams and recording transmissions. The user’s control over the source material removes a major element of uncertainty when installing systems and equipment. This speeds up the installation and debugging process, and helps ensure a better end result. The large number of physical and electrical transport stream interfaces that Tektronix supports means that interfacing to other pieces of equipment in the transmission chain is easy.

For error analysis of Transport Streams, the Tek MTX100A provides continuous recording that can be controlled by external trigger signals from the MTM400 Transport Stream monitoring tool. Digital TV broadcasters and Network operators can analyze captured streams in depth using Industry leading Tektronix Analysis Tools. A Scheduler application enables the MTX100A to be used as a simple content scenario server for transport stream based transmissions. The extendable storage allows users to tailor the amount of storage they require.

Features & Benefits of the Tektronix MTX100A include:

• High Capacity Storage and High Data-rate Recording and Playout of MPEG Transport Streams Let You Build, Maintain and Use a Large Local Library of Test Streams
• IEEE 1394b, USB 2.0, DVD Drive and GbE Interface Download of Transport Streams for Optimum Flexibility in Storing and Managing Transport Stream Libraries
• Real-time Updating of Timestamps and Time Tables for Error-free Looping
• PCR Jitter Insertion to Help You Fully Stress Your Product or System Design
• Remote Control via Ethernet with Standard Command for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) Command Set
• Sample Transport Streams Provided to Get You Started Quickly
• Easy Integration With Tektronix MPEG Analysis Tools for Transport Stream Creation to Support Compliance and Stress Testing of Video Products Using MPEG-2 Technology
• Integrated with Tektronix Monitoring Tools for Powerful and Cost-effective Transport Stream Monitoring and Error Recording
• Color Hierarchical Display of Transport Stream Components for Quick and Easy Interpretation of Complex Structures
• A Full Suite of Electrical Interfaces Lets You Address a Wide Range of Applications

MTX100A specifications include:

• MPEG Stream Source Characteristics – Supports MPEG-2, DVB, ATSC and ISDB protocols. Records and plays out MPEG streams in multiple formats. Error-free looping. PCR jitter insertion.
• Packet Length – 188, 204 or 208 bytes and Non-TS.
• Maximum Data Rate – Memory: 200 Mbps. Disk: 120 Mbps.
• Minimum Data Rate – 256 Kbps.
• Number of Input/Output Interfaces – One DVB SPI I/O standard with a second I/O available.
• Available Optional Interfaces – Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI/M2S), Universal Parallel/Serial Interface, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), SMPTE 310M.
• Internal Storage Capacity – 160 GB.
• Internal Reference Clock – 27 MHz ±1 ppm.
• External Reference Input – 27 MHz ±1 ppm (recommended).

Transport Stream Interfaces

• DVB Synchronous Parallel Interface (Standard) – Connector: 25-Pin D-sub, Maximum data rate: 200 Mbps.
• Asynchronous Serial Interface (Option 01) – Connector: BNC, Maximum data rate: 200 Mbps, User-selectable burst and non-burst transmission format.
• Universal Parallel/Serial Interface (Option 02) – Parallel, Serial and Event Output Modes.
  • Parallel Mode – Connector: 25-Pin D-sub, Maximum Data Rate: 200 Mbps, Output Levels: ECL, LVDS and TTL with/without termination, Single End Input Levels: ECL and TTL with termination.
  • Serial Mode – Connector: 25-Pin D-sub, Maximum Data Rate: 40 Mbps, Output Levels: ECL, LVDS and TTL, Differential Input Levels: ECL and TTL with/without termination, Single End Input Levels: ECL and TTL with termination.
  • Event Output – Connector: BNC.
• IEEE 1394 / ASI Interface (Option 05) – IEEE 1394 Connector: 4-Pin standard, Data Rate: 400 Mbps. ASI Connector: BNC, Maximum Data Rate: 200 Mbps.
• SMPTE 310M/ASI/SPI Interface (Option 07) – SMPTE310M Connector: BNC, Data Rate: 19.39 Mbps. ASI Connector: BNC, Maximum Data Rate: 200 Mbps. SPI In Connector: 25 pin D-sub, Maximum Data Rate: 200 Mbps.

Platform Characteristics

• Operating System – Microsoft Windows XP.
• Disk Space – System: 5 GB, MPEG storage: 155 GB.
• RAM – 512 MB.
• Optical Storage Drive – CD-R/W, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW.
• Display – LCD, 640x480.
• Character Input – Keypad.
• Keyboard and Mouse – Standard.
• Interfaces – VGA output, Printer port, Serial port, USB 2.0, 1000Base-T Ethernet, IEEE 1394b.