Overview

MvTv Server

The MvTv Video Scheduling System is video scheduling software that allows the creation of “Private, Programmable TV Stations”, with remote video scheduling for uses such as scheduled Internet broadcasting, low power TV stations and digital signage . 

The MvTv System is comprised of 3 software programs or components, the MvTv Server, the MvTv Administrator, and the MvTv Channel, all of which communicate to each other via "IP" or "Internet Protocol". Since communication between the software components is IP based, you can configure the system to listen on specific ports, port 80 being the default. The components can be installed on the same or different PC's residing anywhere on your LAN, WAN, Intranet or the Internet itself.

MvTv Video Systems come in 2 types: the MvTv Repeater, and the MvTv Scheduler Systems. The Repeater System basically plays the content it finds in its playlist, starting at any time, and then "repeats" the content in the playlist over again, and continues to do so until  it finds a new or modified playlist. Hence the name "Repeater" System.

The MvTv Scheduler System on the other hand, is based on time... in that it plays content according to a schedule, using playlists that contain videos totalling up to 4 hours in duration. Example: at 10am the MvTv Scheduler Channel plays "X" playlist which contains a 2 hour movie, then at 12 pm, it plays the "Y" playlist. It does NOT repeat any content... it just plays the clips found in its playlist once when the playlist is scheduled. If there isn't a playlist scheduled at 12pm, then the 10 am playlist will play... and play again every hour until a new playlist is scheduled. New to the MvTv Scheduler is the ability to schedule "live" broadcasts. Now you can schedule a "live" breakfast show at 9 am, then a movie at 10 am, and "live" news at noon.

The MvTv Video Systems allow anyone who has visual content and/or text messages (such as schools, hospitals, doctor’s offices, retail outlets, Video Jockey's, etc.) to broadcast the content locally or over the Internet using smart MvTv Channels which output the scheduled content onto individual TV screens or cable TV plants.  

The MvTv Video System software components are installed onto standard off the shelf hardware with generic Microsoft Operating Systems like Windows 2000, XP and Vista.

New MvTv Systems are constantly being developed for different markets. Check back often for the latest offerings!

MvTv Video System Components and Hardware / Software Requirements:

MvTv Server:

The MvTv Server is a service that operates on the Microsoft Windows family of Operating Systems. Low volume systems can easily operate from Windows 2000, XP, or Vista while heavy load systems should use Windows Server products like 2000, 2003 and 2008.

The server stores video content for distribution to the MvTv Channels in its Library, and also stores Channel and playlist information in its database. 

It downloads playlists, scrolling text messages and videos to the MvTv Channels as they're required. 

Suggested Minimum Hardware Requirements for the MvTv Server:

Intel Pentium 1 GHz or better processor, and 128 MB of RAM, min. 80 GB drive, Internet access

Suggested Minimum Software Requirements for the MvTv Server:

• Microsoft Windows XP (Pro recommended), 2000 (Pro recommended), or the Windows Server family of Operating Systems, such as 2000, 2003 and 2008.

• MvTv Required Components consisting of Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0.

• MvTv Server Software (and valid license). 

• Optional: Microsoft Access 2000 (or higher)

MvTv Administrator:

The MvTv Administrator is used to create MvTv TV Networks and Channels, create scrolling text messages, upload video content to the MvTv Server, as well as create and schedule playlists for the MvTv Channels. The MvTv Administrator can also provide complete reporting of all clips played by the MvTv Channels.

Suggested Minimum Hardware Requirements for the MvTv Administrator: 

• Intel Pentium 1 GHz or better processor, and 64 MB of RAM, min. 80 GB drive

• Suggested Minimum Software Requirements for the MvTv Administrator: 

• Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP Home or Pro, Vista

• MvTv Required Components consisting of .Net Framework 2.0.

• MvTv Administrator Software (and valid license).

MvTv Channel: 

The MvTv Channel plays full-motion, full-screen video with or without scrolling text, to TV screens, computer monitors, as well as digital and flat panel monitors, by connecting the video outputs on the PC to the video inputs on the display device (or to a modulator if the Channel is to provide content for a cable plant). The MvTv Channels continuously poll (every minute is the default configurable setting) the MvTv Server for new playlists and automatically download new content from the MvTv Server when required. Each MvTv Channel can have a unique ID, so that the administrator using the MvTv Administrator can create unique content for it, or for all MvTv Channels in that TV Network. 

The MvTv Channel software is smart, in that Internet or network connection disruptions do NOT affect its video playback quality, as all content is stored and played from the Channel's hard drive. Resumption of broken Internet or network connections result in resumptions of downloading content playlists and scrolling text messages without requiring the downloads to restart from the beginning. 

The MvTv Channel supports any codec that runs on the Windows platform, such as ASF, AVI, MPEG-1 and 2, Microsoft’s Windows Media WMV formats, FLV, DIVX, VOB, and even MOV, as long as the codecs are installed on the Channel PC. New Codecs like VC-1, VP6 and H.264 allow the playback of High Definition content on MvTv Channels. You should ensure that you only display content on the MvTv System that you have display rights for.

Still images can easily be made into WMV videos (and used on the MvTv Video System) by using Windows Movie Maker that comes free with Windows XP and Vista. With these programs you can add narration or music to your movies created from still images or digital photographs. With Windows Movie Maker, you can also zoom in and out, as well as add titles and other special effects to your videos.

Suggested Minimum Software Requirements for the MvTv Channel: 

• Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP Home or Pro, Vista

• MvTv Required Components consisting of Microsoft .Net 2.0 Framework

• MvTv Channel Software (and valid license). 

• Optional: Codec Packs to playback any type of video content

Scenarios of the MvTv System at work:

Scenario 1: video scheduling for Low power TV stations:

Scenario 2: video scheduling for Internet video broadcasting:

Scenario 3: Hospital:

Another example of the MvTv System in operation is delivering health content to hospital patient and waiting room TV sets. Suppose the hospitals to use the MvTv System are up to a hundred miles apart. The MvTv Server is to be located at one of the Health Organizations' offices, connected to the Internet. By using the Internet for communications, the MvTv System can be deployed using any ISP for the various MvTv Channels, including dialup providers where broadband is not available. Since MvTv Channels only play content that is stored on their own hard drives, the speed of their Internet connections are irrelevant regarding their playback performance. 

The MvTv Administrator can be located and operated anywhere there is an Internet or network connection… in the Health Organizations' offices, or even on the video editors’ home edit suite. The MvTv Administrator is used to upload video content or text messages to the MvTv Server, as well as to create playlists and schedule the playlists. In effect, the Health Organizations' video editor can create health content at home, or at the Health Organization's editing suites (located in different physical buildings), and upload the content to the MvTv Server from any location. The editor can also program (from anywhere) what content plays in which hospital, at what time, and at anytime in the future… the schedule is NOT limited to 7x24, it’s an open-ended calendar schedule.

Smart MvTv Channels:

The MvTv System has been designed with ease of use for the operator in mind. In potential installations where hundreds of MvTv Channels could be deployed, programming each Channel would be a horrendous task. With this in mind, the MvTv System was designed such that MvTv Channels would be members of an MvTv Network, where all members of a specific MvTv Network would play the same content at the same time. Unlimited numbers of TV Networks and Channels can be created with the MvTv System. In turn, custom programming can be created for each individual MvTv Network.

Rather than push content to each MvTv Channel individually, the Channels are smart, and pull the content they’re required to play from the MvTv Server. Every minute, the MvTv Channels call the MvTv Server and report on what they’re currently playing, and at the same time, download a new playlist (which tells the MvTv Channel what to play and when). If the MvTv Channel does not have those video clips already residing on its own hard drive, it will automatically begin to download the files from the server. The MvTv Channel is built with real world ISP’s in mind. Should the Internet connection between the MvTv Channel and Server fail, the downloads will automatically resume when the Internet connection resumes. The downloading of new content happens in the background, while the MvTv Channel is playing its current content (playlist). Should clips no longer be required in the playlist schedules, they can be automatically deleted from the Channels via commands received over the Internet… so as not to waste valuable hard drive space on the Channel. 

The MvTv Scheduler Channels check their playlists every minute, to see what to play during the upcoming hour. If any new video content has not yet arrived in the Channel, the MvTv Channel will play the previous hours content. Downloading of video content from the server in most cases is faster than real time play, so that 60 minutes of content might take 45 minutes to download with broadband connections. It is wise therefore to schedule "new" content to play in MvTv Channels no sooner than an hour after it has been added to the MvTv Server. 

Because of MvTv Administrator’s (optional) reporting capabilities, it is possible to add “sponsor clips” to playlists, and report to third party programming sponsors, how many times their clips played across the entire MvTv System… during any given day, month, etc., and at which location. This feature rounds out the “Private TV Station” concept… advertisers know their viewing audience, and can be provided reports on their actual played ads (impressions).

Click here to preview the MvTv Scheduler System Interface

Purchasing MvTv Components:

MvTv Scheduler System Components can be downloaded for free from http://4mvtv.com/mvtv_download_page.htm. Demo licenses and pricing may be obtained by requesting them by emailing support@microvideo.com, or by calling 403-286-0913.

MvTv Scheduler System Contact Info:

Phone: 403-286-0913

Email: support@microvideo.com