Configure the decoding

Delay Mode

Contribution decoding delay modes (latency)

The modes described here are used to configure decoding delay, or latency of the Contribution decoder. The delay modes effect the delay between the PCR/PTS relationship and delaying picture display (when compared to the system clock reference).

Delay measurements per mode:

Delay modes:

• Compatibility: This mode has the longest delay. This mode ensures compatibility between all encoding units, in all modes.

• Standard: This is the default value. Standard mode allows using all current encoders, in all modes.

  Older encoders that have buffer models that are too aggressive may prevent you from being able to use Standard mode for all bit rates and/or all audio encoding schemes.

• Low: This is the recommended setting for simple contribution links. You can also use this mode in any context where a low delay is required.

• Super Low: This is the recommended setting for simple contribution links using ONLY encoders also in Super Low delay mode.

  • Tests were carried out using a MediaKind AVP 2000 fitted with a CE-HEVC card running in super low delay mode.
  • Only audio passthrough (either Dolby-E or LPCM) is supported in this mode.
  • For multi-video decodes in this mode, it is recommended that all video components are supplied within the same transport stream.

Setting delay mode

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. Open the Decoding tab in the Parameters window.

3. Select a Delay mode.

   

Video decoding

The Receiver services are designed to decode video, audio and data from an incoming transport stream.
There are two video decoding methods, depending on the hardware purchased:

• 4:2:0 / 4:2:2 HD and UHD decoding making use of the optional hardware accelerator card MKP/UPH/PCI/ACC/ENH.
• 4:2:0 SD, HD and UHD only decoding when making use of the optional Dektec SDI output card MKP/UPH/PCI/SDI/DTA.

Video formats and decoding standards with accelerator card

Video formats and decoding standards without accelerator card

* Currently sub-resolutions are not supported without the accelerator card being present.

Maximum Decoding Density

The maximum decoding density for MK.IO Beam Distribution with accelerator card is as below:

The maximum decoding density for MK.IO Beam Distribution without accelerator card is as below:

The maximum decoding density for 4:2:2 software decoding is defined as 1 receiver service with 8 audio decodes.

JPEG-XS HD decoding

MK.IO Beam Distribution supports the decode of JPEG-XS streams up to 1080p60.

The following maximum bitrates must be observed when decoding using JPEG-XS.

For a single Decode, the following maximum bitrates are available:

When not using the accelerator card for decoders sourced from the same multicast within the MK.IO Beam Distribution server, the following maximum bitrates are available:

When using the accelerator card for decoders sourced from the same multicast within the MK.IO Beam Distribution server, the following maximum bitrates and number of decodes are possible:

JPEG-XS is a standard supported codec within the MK.IO Beam Distribution server, no special configuration is required to decode. When JPEG-XS is detected, the Codec field of the status page will show JPEG XS.

Configure video decoding

Before you start, ensure:

• inputs are configured.
• at least one Receiver service is configured.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

3. Select a service from the Service drop-down list to decode. The first video and audio as listed in the service PMT are automatically decoded.

4. Check Service Status.

   

   The first video and audio as listed in the service PMT are automatically decoded. The service name and associated PCR PID are displayed in the Service status window.

5. Check the Video Status. The video PID, component bit rate, codec being used, resolution, picture aspect ratio and frame rate are displayed in the Video Status window.

   

6. Check the Input Monitor. A thumbnail of the decoded video is displayed in the Input Monitor window. The thumbnail is updated every 5 seconds.

   

7. Check the Audio Status. The audio PID, status and codec are displayed in the Audio Status window.

   

Audio decoding

Audio formats and decoding standards

Configure audio decoding

Before you start, ensure:

• At least one Receiver service is configured.
• Video decoding is configured.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

3. Select Audio to display audio decode settings. The first decoded audio is automatically given the reference name Audio 1. This reference is used when configuring the audio outputs.

   

4. Select an audio Input from the drop-down menu. The PID and language of the audio being decoded are shown in the Input column once the configuration is saved.

5. Enter a PID value to be decoded.

   • You can choose to manually enter a PID.
   • If the selected PID is present in the PMT then MK.IO Beam Distribution attempts to decode any available audio on the PID.

6. Add an audio to decode.

7. Select an Output channel configuration for each audio.

   • If the audio being decoded is an MPEG-H audio component then the output channel configuration must be set to 16. Otherwise all audio channels associated with the audio component are output as silence.
   • Setting the output channel configuration also sets the number of embedded channels required for the SDI output. You can see the incoming audio stereo or 5.1 layout from the Audio Status window.

Audio auto select decoding

Auto decode applies to audio components for a selected service. The audio components are automatically decoded and embedded into the output SDI that are configured as stereo channels. Components are decoded and embedded in the output in the order that they appear in the PMT.

Components are decoded and embedded in the output in the order that they appear in the PMT.

New audio components

• New audio components appearing in the incoming service are decoded and embedded in the output in the order that they appear in the PMT.
• If a new component is presented in the PMT before any existing components then all existing components after the new component in the PMT are embedded into a different audio channel on the SDI output.
• If the number of channels exceeds 16, then the last existing component in the PMT is no longer be decoded and removed from the output SDI.

Removed audio components

• Any audio component that is removed from the incoming service will be deleted from the SDI output.
• Any audio components presented after a removed component in the PMT are embedded into a different audio channel on the SDI output.

Set "Auto Select" mode for audio decoding

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. Select the Decoding tab in the Parameters window.

3. Select the Audio tab.

   

4. Select the Auto select check box. All the audio components present on the incoming service are automatically decoded and output as stereo components.

Add an audio to decode (optional)

Before you start, ensure:

• At least one Receiver service is configured.
• Video decoding is configured.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

3. Select Audio to display audio decoding parameters. The first decoded audio is automatically given the reference name Audio 1. This reference is used when configuring the audio components.

   

4. Select an Input. The PID and language of the audio being decoded are shown in the Input column.

5. Select an Output channel configuration.

Decode all input audio (optional)

Before you start, ensure:

• At least one Receiver service is configured.
• At least one audio component is configured.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

3. Select Audio to display audio decoding parameters.

   

4. Click Decode all input audio. The audio components that are not currently being decoded are added in the order that they are listed in the PMT (up to a maximum of 16 decodes per service). The defaults channel configuration is Stereo.

   See Decoding parameters descriptions for additional information.

Delete an audio from a decode configuration (optional)

Before you start, ensure:

• At least one Receiver service is configured.
• Video decoding is configured.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

3. Select the Audio tab to display audio decoding parameters.

   

4. Click to delete an audio component or click Remove all decoded audio. The audio decode is now removed from both the list of decoded components and from any output configurations.

Phase-aligned audio

To set up phase-aligned audio, follow these steps:

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

3. After selecting the decode service, select Add audio decode to add each audio component of the PAA group.

   The ordering of decoding is not important but assists in getting the embedding order correct.

   For the first group, the ordering is by language descriptor:

   • aaa - Original channels 1-2
   • aac - Original channels 3-4
   • aae - Original channels 5-6
   • Original channels 7-8 (if present)

   For a second PAA group, the language descriptors are:

   • bba - Original channels 1-2
   • bbc - Original channels 3-4
   • bbe - Original channels 5-6
   • bbg - Original channels 7-8 (if present)

4. Select the Output tab.

5. Under the Audio tab, click Add component to add the audio components.

Data decoding

Data formats

The Receiver service currently supports the following data types:

• Closed Captions
• Teletext
• Time code
• AFD
• Generic data

Data is carried within the transport stream in 1 or 2 possible ways, depending on the type of data.

1. Encapsulated in the video component as SEI (H.264 / H.265) or USER data (MPEG2)
2. On a separate data PID

Configure data decoding

The section explains how to decode data in MK.IO Beam Distribution that is carried on a separate PID.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

   

   See Decoding parameters descriptions for additional information.

3. Select Data to display data decoding parameters.

   

4. Add an additional data component to decode.

5. Select an Input PID. If the selected PID is present in the PMT then MK.IO Beam Distribution attempts to decode any data on that PID. You can choose to manually enter a PID.

6. Select a Data type.

Add a data decoding

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

   See Decoding parameters descriptions for additional information.

3. Select Data to display data decoding parameters.

   

4. Click Add data decode. A new data displays in the list.

5. Configure data decoding parameters.

Decode all input data

Before you start, ensure:

• At least one Receiver service is configured.
• Video decoding is configured.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section, select the Decoding tab.

   

   See Decoding parameters descriptions for additional information.

3. Select Data to display parameters.

4. Click Decode all input data. All the data components for the selected service that are not currently being decoded are added in the order that they are listed in the PMT (a maximum of 8 decodes per service). The default Data type is set to Ancillary.

Delete data from a decoding configuration

Before you start, ensure:

• At least one Receiver service is configured.
• At least one data input is configured for decoding.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Parameters section select the Decoding tab.

   

3. Select Data to display data decoding parameters.

4. Click to delete a data from the decoding or click Remove all input data.

Use of Multiple Receiver Service Types

Receiver services can be set to either an HD or a UHD service type (other service types also exist). Multiple Receiver services may be configured depending upon the requirement (e.g. Up to 4 for HD decode services).

Functional description:

• Each service is independently configured, and can be started, stopped, and edited without impacting other services.
• Any combination of HD video codec, frame rates or resolutions can be decoded (up to a maximum of 4 services).
• For a list of supported video standards see the supported decoding formats section of this document.

Edit a service type for an existing service.

You can edit the service type for an existing Receiver service.

1. From the Home page, select the RECEIVER item from the required feed then click .

2. From the Configuration type value, select an option.

   If MK.IO Beam Distribution is running multiple HD services, and one of the services is changed to UHD, then the UHD service will be stopped and blocked from restarting until all of the other HD services have been stopped.