Cisco Model D-PCG1000 PowerKEY CAS Gateway Release Notes

 

2 

4011763 Rev B 

GQAM software version 3.1.9 is designed to be installed on a GQAM. After the 
software is installed and the modulator is active, it provides additional support for 
sites that deploy video-on-demand (VOD), anything-On-Demand (xOD), and other 
standard or interactive broadcast services.  

Note: For a complete description of the GQAM, refer to the Gigabit QAM Modulator 
Model D9479 Hardware Installation and Operation Guide. 

This section includes the features supported in GQAM software version 3.1.9.  

This section provides descriptions of the major new features supported in GQAM 
software version 3.1.9. 

GQAM software version 3.1.9 supports Switched Digital Video (SDV). SDV is a 
technology that allows cable operators to recover bandwidth from infrequently-
viewed channels. Instead of sending all channels to the set-top boxes, lightly viewed 
channels are put into a switching pool and only sent to the set-top boxes when 
viewers tune to them. With SDV, service providers can recapture access network 
bandwidth by delivering selected services only where and when users are actively 
requesting service.  

The advent of SDV technology promises to fundamentally change the way the 
industry delivers digital entertainment. With SDV, popular content is broadcast 
continuously, while less popular content is held back and transmitted only upon 
request. Unlike VOD, with SDV (after the content is transmitted) that stream is 
shared by any subsequent viewers requesting the same content within the same 
service group. SDV gives service providers the ability to offer a wider variety of 
programming while managing HFC network bandwidth in a sustainable way. SDV 
offers these benefits in a manner that is transparent to the consumer. 

Implementation of SDV in the Cisco DBDS network ensures efficient sharing of 
GQAM bandwidth between VOD and SDV services.