IPTV Services Description

Annex 2.3.
19
ZTE IPTV Services Description
CONTENTS
1 Broadcast TV service................................................................................................. 1
2 Broadcast audio channel service ............................................................................. 5
3 VOD service ................................................................................................................ 6
4 Time-shift TV service ............................................................................................... 10
5 TVOD service ............................................................................................................ 12
6 EPG ............................................................................................................................ 14
7 Parental lock ............................................................................................................. 14
8 iPPV ........................................................................................................................... 15
9 Wall Garden / Internet on TV / Tele marketing/TV E-mail / Media Sharing ......... 16
10 PVR services............................................................................................................. 21
10.1 NPVR service ............................................................................................................ 21
10.2 LPVR service ............................................................................................................. 22
11 Game services solution ........................................................................................... 23

11.1 Game solution architecture........................................................................................ 23
11.2 Billing flow of game services...................................................................................... 25
12 Karaoke service........................................................................................................ 27
13 TV Messaging ........................................................................................................... 28
14 Tele-voting/E-education/Tele-contest/Betting....................................................... 29
15 PIP service ................................................................................................................ 33
16 Mosaic service solution........................................................................................... 35
17 Advertisement Engine ............................................................................................. 37

17.1 Live channel AD insertion .......................................................................................... 38
17.2 Banner AD ................................................................................................................. 39
17.3 VOD AD insertion ...................................................................................................... 41
17.4 Directional AD Push................................................................................................... 43
17.5 More AD delivery modes: .......................................................................................... 44
18 NVOD service............................................................................................................ 44
19 Usage Statistic.......................................................................................................... 45
20 Video Conference..................................................................................................... 46
ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. I

1 Broadcast TV service
Broadcast TV proposed by ZTE is one of the basic IP TV service similar with traditional
TV. While in IPTV, the users may self up-to-date EPG to follow the channel guide. The
Broadcast TV service based on IPTV platform has more advantages than traditional TV.
It might be operated in a more flexible way when some trick functions are added. Beside,
the enhanced features could be but no limited as following:
Channel guide
Broadcast channel preview
Channel switch: The channel could be switched by digital button and

(up, down)button
Define preferred channels into favorites
Insert rolling subtitle
Channel memorizing: Viewing the last channel viewed when turning the TV set/
STB
Parental control: the subscriber could lock some channel with password that the
child can not
Channel and program information display
Fast zapping: Time of channel swapping is smaller than 1.5 Second
Support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD channel source
ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. 1

Figure 1 ZTE Broadcast TV service
ZTE Broadcast TV service supports but not limited following broadcast TV sources:
Terrestrial TV channels: VHF/UHF and DVB-T
Satellite digital TV channels: DVB-S
Cable TV channels: VHF/UHF and DVB-C
TV channels directly distributed from TV provider
A typical ZTE Broadcast TV service flow is as following:
2 © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. ZTE Confidential Proprietary

Figure 2 ZTE Broadcast TV service flow
1. The user requests for the live TV service via the STB.
2. The EPG sends a user live TV request (including the user ID, IP address, program ID
and program type) to the SMS.
3. The SMS judges if the user has subscribed to this channel.
4. The SMS also judges if the channel is restricted. The SMS returns the user's
subscription information and channel restriction information to the EPG.

5. The EPG judges if the user has subscribed to this channel according to the judgment
result returned by the SMS. If the user does not yet subscribe to this channel, the
subscription flow then follows.
6. The EPG judges if the channel is restricted according to the judgment result returned
by the SMS. If the channel is restricted and the user does not cancel the restriction
status, the restriction cancellation flow then follows.
7. If the user has the right to watch this channel, the EPG sends a channel URL
redirection request to the DSS-CDN (CDN manager + agent).
8. The DSS-CDN redirects the channel URL according to the global load balancing
principle and generates an authorization code according to the negotiated encryption
algorithm.
9. The DSS-CDN returns the channel URL that has been redirected and added with the
authorization code.
10. The EPG returns the channel URL to the STB.
11. The STB requests to join the multicast channel according to the returned URL.
The multicast control node checks the authorization code in the URL upon receipt of the
live TV request. If the request is illegal, it will deny service.
16. If the request is legal, the multicast control node sends a request for the start of use
to the EPG.
17. The EPG forwards the request to the SMS.
18. The SMS records the start of the user to watch this channel.
19. The SMS returns the result to the EPG.
20. The EPG forwards the result to the multicast control node.
21. The CAS/DRM system scrambles the live broadcast program streams in real time.
The scrambled program streams as a data source enter the multicast group where the
live channel is located.
22. If the EPG returns success, the STB accesses the multicast group of the channel.
The STB receives the live broadcast program streams which have been scrambled in
real time. The STB then descrambles and plays the scrambled program in real time. (If
the EPG returns failure, the multicast control node still can provide the STB with
program streams. At this time, the multicast control node records user's usage
information and notifies the SMS according to a certain policy to collect the information.)
23. When the user actively exits, the STB sends an exit request to the multicast control
node (or this event can be triggered when the multicast control node periodically detects
the status of the connection with the STB).
24. The multicast control node (BRAS or DSLAM) sends a request for end of the use to
the EPG.

26. The SMS produces a CDR according to the information in the request.
28. The EPG forwards the result to the multicast control node.
2 Broadcast audio channel service

In addition to Broadcast TV service, broadcast audio channel is another basic service of
ZTE IPTV solution. With received audio content for satellite via Head-end-IRD, it
enables IPTV users to enjoy digital radio channels based on DAB-S via STB.
Figure 3 ZTE Broadcast audio channel service
As the service GUI above, ZTE Broadcast audio channel service supports following
features:
User can enter the audio channel GUI by click relevant catalogue button on
EPG Home page;
User can also enter the audio channel GUI by pushing a functional button on the
remote controller directly.
The available audio channels are divided into different category such as Music,
News, Information and Sports etc.. User can choose his/her favorite category
and channels by pushing (up, down, left and right) keys.
After user pushed “Ok” key on a certain channel, the selected audio channel will
be played while corresponding channel information will be displayed in the
screen.

3 VOD service
VOD (Video on Demand) is one of the basic services of ZTE IPTV. VOD is a key video
service capable of driving differentiation from traditional TV. The users needn’t either
purchase DVD disc or go to the cinema. They may select the up to date video film and
enjoy themselves whenever they like. Moreover, the users may also trick play the
content they are watching such as fast forward, fast rewind, pause and stop, etc. VOD
changes the passive watching TV to demand programs actively, at the same time it
satisfies the personalized requirement of the customer.
Figure 4 ZTE VOD service

The features of ZTE VOD service includes:
Program guide: the VOD titles could be classified into several categories and
sub-categories based on genre;
Provide a synopsis of the movie/event, show the rating of the movie, the cast,
the director;
Allow users to view a trailer before they are prompt to rent it;
The program could be searched by category, title, cast, director and so on.
Display detail information about selected program in EPG
Trick play (fast-forward, pause, rewind) at different speeds(X2, X4, X8, X16, X32,
X64), with indication on the screen.
Allow user to watch selected content for multiple times in defined duration.
Set bookmark for the watched content, and enable user to watch it next time
from bookmark-point.
Support time display and location bar.
Define preferred VOD program into favorites.
Break point memorizing: The break point will be memorized if exit when playing,
and continue from the break point next time.
Parental lock: The parent could lock the program category or program with
password to prohibit the child to access.
The VOD programs could be ranged by ordered times automatically in real time
and could be ordered directly.
Flexible payment methods supporting Prepaid, PPV, or Package
Support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD source

Figure 5 ZTE VOD service flow
1. The user demands a VOD program via the STB.
2. The EPG sends a user VOD request (including the user ID, IP address, program ID
and program type) to the SMS.
3. The SMS judges if the user has subscribed to this program.

4. The SMS judges whether the program is within the restricted columns.
5. The SMS returns the user's subscription information and program restriction
information to the EPG.
6. The EPG judges if the user has subscribed to this program according to the program
VOD result returned by the SMS. If the user does not yet subscribe to this program, the
subscription flow then follows.
7. The EPG judges if the program is restricted according to the program VOD result
returned by the SMS. If the program is restricted and the user does not cancel the
restriction status, the restriction cancellation flow then follows.
8. If the user has the right to demand this program, the EPG sends a program service
URL redirection request to the DSS-CDN.
9. The DSS-CDN redirects the program service URL according to the global load
balancing principle and generates an authorization code according to the negotiated
encryption algorithm.
10. The DSS-CDN returns the program service URL that has been redirected and added
with the authorization code.
11. The EPG returns the program service URL to the STB.
12. The STB requests for the VOD service according to the returned URL.
13. The VOD server checks the authorization code in the URL upon receipt of the VOD
request. If the request is illegal, it will deny service.
15. If the request is legal, the VOD server sends a start request to the EPG.
18. The SMS records that the user begin to watch this program.
20. The EPG forwards the result to the VOD server.
21. If the EPG successfully returns the result to the VOD server, the VOD server sends
the content to the STB which has been scrambled by the DRM/CA system. The STB
descrambles and played the scrambled program in real time. If the EPG fails to return
the result to the VOD server, the media server can still provide program stream to the
STB. In that case, the media server will record the user's use information and notify the
SMS to get this information according to certain policies.
21. When the user actively exits, the STB sends an exit request to the VOD server (or
this event can be triggered when the VOD server periodically detects the status of the
connection with the STB).
22. The VOD server sends a request for end of the use to the EPG.

24. The SMS produces a CDR according to the information in the request.
26. The EPG forwards the result to the VOD server.
4 Time-shift TV service
Time-Shift TV (TSTV) is a combination of traditional TV & on-demand service, which
makes Broadcast TV service more attractive. With Time-shift TV, the users can trick play
the content (pause, fast rewind and catch up) in case they miss some important plots
when watching broadcast channels. Time-shift TV is very useful for the lively and
exciting programs like sports, action film, etc. For instance, the football fans may repeat
the shoot clips and enjoy the excellent moment whenever they want.
Figure 6 ZTE Time-shift TV service
ZTE Time-shift TV service has following functions and advantages:
The subscribers could rewind, pause, fast forward at any moment for any
channel with configured time length
Current channel can be rewound even though the user just began to watch this
channel.
The shift time could be configured flexibly. The default time length is 24 hours
If the pause time exceeds the TSTV permitting, it should go back to the real time
live TV

Location bar: A locating bar shows the position compare with live TV point and
could be dragged
The users could catch up the broadcast TV with one touch.
All broadcast channels contents can be recorded and stored in VOD servers at
CDN nodes
Support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD channel source
ZTE Time-shift TV service flow is as following:
Figure 7 ZTE TSTV service flow

1. CMS sets Time-shift parameters for all channels
2. CMS releases the time-shift parameters to CDN Manager for the launched channels
3. CDN Manager responds with dispatching result
4. CDN Manager dispatches record plan to CDN Agent on edge nodes
5. CDN Agent responds messages to CDN Manager
6. CDN Agent checks time-shift parameters of all channels periodically
7. CDN Agent records and takes buffer for the channels content according to time-shift
parameters.

5 TVOD service
TVOD (TV on Demand) in ZTE IPTV system is a supplement service to Broadcast TV.
The Broadcast channels may be recorded and stored into the VOD server. Users can
order to watch it freely whenever they want. Users needn’t to waste time on the
advertisement and arrange own entertainment according to the program schedule.
The subscribers could watch the programs of channels recorded backward several days
before with TVOD function. The day number can be determined flexibly with different
configuration (for example 2 days).
It supports H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD channel source.
A program guide could be displayed on EPG for subscribers choosing program.
Trick play (fast-forward, pause, and rewind) can be chose in different speeds.
Figure 8 ZTE TVOD service
ZTE TVOD service flow is as following:

Figure 9 ZTE TVOD service flow
1. CMS does the operation of channels, e.g. add, delet, modify, inquire. Channel
recording plan includes content encoding, content name, file name, channel name,
starting time, end time, recording format.
2. CMS can release recording plan to CDN manager periodically and manually.
Including add, delete, modify the recording plan. If an operator wants to modify the
recoding plan, he needs delete the old recording plan, and add a new one.
3. CDN manage return the ACK of “send recording plan” to CMS.
4. CDN manage sends the recording plan to the POP of CDN agent.
5. CDN agent returns the ACK to CDN manage
6. CDN agent can watch the recording plan periodically.
7. CDN agent notices multimedia server that cache finish.
8. VOD server sends ACK to CDN agent
9. VOD server begin to trans-code
While the channel program was recorded in VOD server, Catch-up TV watching flow is
similar as a VOD service flow.

6 EPG
EPG is the abbreviation of Electronic Program Guide. In ZTE IPTV system, EPG server
provides man-machine interfaces to terminals.
ZTE IPTV EPG is a guide including video & audio program information and forecast and
value-added services information. EPG enables users to browse all the services
information and choose programs to watch.
ZTE IPTV EPG comes with the following features:

A system includes multiple distributed EPG servers.
The EPG servers share users’ EPG requests. In case that one or more EPG
servers are faulty, users can get the services from other normal EPG servers.
The design features easy expandability. The system can broadcast the
corresponding video file according to the user’s demand after a user chooses a TV
program within a certain period.
Service provision of EPG supports to recommend content directly according to
users usage history and statistic, for example, categories of hot rank, newest rank
and favorite of user.
EPG user interface style such as structure, background pictures, colors, font, format,
icons and even language can easily and freely be changed according to request
and favorite.
Support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD source
Please refer to “ZTE IPTV EPG User Interfaces Introduction” for details of ZTE EPG
introduction.
7 Parental lock
ZTE IPTV EPG supports Parental Lock functionality with following features:
User can set Parental Lock in Self-care menu of EPG
Password for Parental Lock can be set and changed by the registered user.
The user can select specified program rating to set Parental Lock. After the setting,
if any family member wants to watch corresponding restricted programs, he or she
has to enter password firstly. That means it can restrict specific users e.g. children
from some un-suitable programs or contents.
The registered user e.g. parental can also monitor the order status and usage
record for restricted programs via “Query” button.

Figure 10 Parental lock
8 iPPV
ZTE iPPV (Pay per View) function has following features:
PPV is usually implemented for Live TV channel, by which require users to pay
for special programs.
On the EPG pages, PPV channel will be marked with special symbol or color.
User can click the program forecast in PPV channel to order specified program,
e.g. he/she can only select news program of a channel to order.
User can check the ordered PPV programs list including channel name,
program name, duration, price, and can also remove order.
For the ordered PPV programs, functions like Live Program Reminder are
provided to guarantee user can watch the ordered program on time.
When user transfers channel from None-PPV to PPV channel, payment notice
information will be displayed.
While user is watching a channel, an order notices will be displayed if next

program is a PPV program. Only ordered or paid user can watch the program.

Figure 11 PPV program in ZTE EPG
9 Wall Garden / Internet on TV / Tele

marketing/TV E-mail / Media Sharing
Internet services bring much convenience for some customers who may browse the
customized website. This also gives IPTV some extra income even if it is not too much.
This is something like the TV will replace PC, which lowers the internet entrance. IPTV
information service includes news, stock, entertainment, medical, weather forecast,
traffic information etc., and more application web site such as banking and shopping
sites.
ZTE IPTV platform can offer colorful web-based VASs such as Wall Garden, Internet on
TV, TV marketing, TV e-mail, Media Sharing value-added services (VAS) or more
customized VAS via the opening interfaces with third party Service Providers (SP).
rd
ZTE IPTV platform provides opening and standard API interfaces for 3 party SP/CP to
develop these services in cooperation.
IPTV users can enter 3rd party web pages by clicking integrated links with relevant icons
and logos displaying, or by inputting address of other internet website

Figure 12 ZTE IPTV web based services
Currently, for ZTE IPTV platform, the applied and available information or living-relative
services include but not limited following categories:
Web-based information---Walled garden: It provides searching and consulting

functions for local weather, hotels or restaurants, map information, news etc. And
relevant information are offered and updated periodically by third party ISP. It also
allows IPTV users pay their bills such as water bill, gas bill, telecom bill etc via
IPTV STB, which makes user’s living more convenient and safe.
Figure 13 Information service
Internet on TV: User can get into internet by inputting address of other website.

TV e-mail: IPTV user can get an e-mail service by entering a e-mail ISP website
e.g. Yahoo mail. Besides, user can enter text content through a soft keyboard
integrated in ZTE STB or a wireless keyboard.
Tele marketing services: It provides shopping and commodities information, on-line

purchasing or reserving via IPTV STB etc. with electronic commerce mode, which
makes user’s shopping more convenient. These services are also based on third
party Procuring Entities web pages which are integrated in ZTE IPTV EPG with
links.

Figure 14 Tele marketing service
Media sharing: Media sharing service allows users share the happiness with their
friends with online photo album and online media. The system permits the users to
upload the photos and DV, manage their photo album and inform their friends to
visit them via TV.
Normally, VNPT needs have third party partnership to develop these web pages, while
ZTE IPTV platform can provide standard and opening interfaces for any VAS provision.
ZTE Web-based value-added services provision architecture is as following:

Figure 15 ZTE web-based VAS provision architecture
In the figure above, STB visits EPG firstly, and then transfers to information browse
portal via links in EPG main page to start information browsing or interactive services.
VAS Platform: In these services seniors, VAS Platform offers IPTV platform
interface capability for following service functions:
Picture in Graphics（PIG）
Video play-control
Interactive information
rd
Services servers (of 3 party): Service servers include Information Browser
servers and other 3rd party SP/CP servers. In the services, Services Server offers
physical carrier with following functions:
Web Server functionality focusing on un-package of embedded browser HTTP

package for STB, and HTTP package delivery
Information content storage

10 PVR services
Personal Video Recorder allows the users choose their desirable content and record into
the STB hard drive or VOD server beforehand, then to watch them whenever they want.
PVR is a good function for busy modern family who may probably miss some wonderful
content.
PVR service can be realized with two methods: NPVR and LPVR.
For NPVR, the expected content is recorded in VOD server.
For Local PVR, the expected content is recorded in STB;
10.1 NPVR service

ZTE NPVR has following features as well:
The user could pre-order content expected to be recorded including through

EPG program parade;
The expected content could be recorded automatically by IPTV system even

through the user is off-line or watching other programs
The system can also remind user to watch the ordered recording content;
User can cancel the order, or delete recorded content in VOD server via STB;
NPVR needn’t request STB to have a hard disk;
While the user is browsing EPG navigation page, he can start to record the
selected program in certain channel which is marked with a record-able symbol
as the red symbol in the following screen picture:
Figure 16 NPVR

While a program is being recorded, the user can push +/- button to move select
frame in the EPG navigation page and push “OK” to watch other channel.
The user can select and watch all recorded content through an EPG portal.
User can watch the recorded program in local disk and play it like a DVD
content (e.g. pause, rewind, fast forward).
10.2 LPVR service

The main features of ZTE LPVR service is as following:
While the user is watching a program, he can push “Record” button in the
remote controller to record current content. Then, a red symbol will be displayed
in the screen with recording time length as following picture:
Figure 17 ZTE LPTV service-picture 1
If there is no enough available STB storage space, a notice information will be

displayed as following:
Figure 18 ZTE LPTV service-picture 2
The recording will not stopped until the user push the “Record” button again or
out of storage space;
While a real-time program is being recorded, the user can push +/- button to
watch other channel while the recording symbol recording time and recorded
channel information will still be displayed.

The user can select and watch all recorded content through a EPG portal.
User can watch the recorded program in local disk and play it like a DVD
content (e.g. pause, rewind, fast forward);
The rewind (forwarding or backwards) service will be disabled when recording.
11 Game services solution

As a sort of value added services, IPTV based network game plays an important role. It
also attracts many game service providers to making rich game services on the IPTV
platform. As a system provider, ZTE plays an important role in the whole industry chain.
It provides game operation platform, management platform, and operation platform for
the whole game service. ZTE-developed game services can operate on ZTE’s unified
value added service platform. And the open platform also has the capability to integrate
third-party the leading game producers to provide numerous game services. At the same
time it accomplishes unified management and unified operation for game services.
Java virtue machine (JVM) supported by ZTE ZXV10 series STB makes it easy to
generate more value added services including on-line games, off-line games and
multiplayer games etc.
Figure 19 ZTE game services
11.1 Game solution architecture

Game services can be realized via VAS platform. In addition, VAS platform also offers
rd
an opening platform for 3 party game SP (Service Provider) or CP (Content Provider)
rd
to deploy rich 3 party game services with unified management and operation.
The game services provision architecture is as following figure:

Figure 20 Game services provision architecture
Game Portal: As game services entrance, Game Portal belongs to VAS Portal,
while allows users enter game sub-pages. The functions of Game Portal are as
following:
Game services information
Download links of Game client
Triggering Network game (Multiplayer Game) hall
Game services operation: order, remove, pause or resume services
VAS management platform: It performs management of game users and services.

Its functions are as following:
User management
Game service management
Download server management
Statistical and querying functions of game services
Game Hall (for multiplayer games, can be third party system): It is a module in
game service system, fulfilling game player call-up and game launch. It also offers
the information querying functions toward other game players for the player of
network games. While a network (Multiplayer) game called-up enough players, the

game clients will be started by Game Hall, and the control party will be transferred
to the game servers. Moreover, Game Hall provides a 3rd party interface for 3rd
party game SP to deliver their games to IPTV users via ZTE IPTV system, and can
also manage these 3rd party games with unified charge and bill.
rd
Game server (of 3 party SP): After choosing a game in the Game Hall, the user
will be connected into a certain game server. Game server offers following
functions:
Player information (nickname, ID etc.) transferring
Player game data delivering
Game results delivering
Record player’s accumulated points
Supervise and manage game procedures (off-line, quit etc.)
Authentication server(of 3rd party SP): Due to the independence of STB, the
software on STB should be authorized, authenticated, tested and integrated by
VNPT to make sure reliability of STB. Authentication server do performs these
functionalities for the 3rd party game clients.
Download server (of 3rd party SP): On-line download service for game clients.
Game clients (of 3rd party SP): The 3rd party software in STB downloaded from
3rd party servers. If the user ends the playing game, the relative clients would be
deleted from STB.
11.2 Billing flow of game services

When users order a game service, the application service hall accesses the IPTV SMS
over IMP, query their status (for postpaid accounts) or balance information (for prepaid
users), record a service subscription or deduct money, and put a certain application
service into use.
For postpaid users, a general third party game billing procedure is as following:

Figure 21 Billing flow of third party game
1. 3rd party game server sends a message to IMP via VAS as soon as the user’s
service is beginning;
2. IMP transfers the service-beginning message to SMS;
3. SMS checks user’s information and know he/she is a postpaid user then replies
with message to permit service to begin;
4. 3rd party game server sends another message to IMP via VAS while the user’s
service is stopped;
5. IMP transfers the service-end message to SMS;
6. SMS generates relevant CDR file for the user’s VAS usage;
7. The generated VAS CDR are temporarily stored in SMS buffer memory;
(The steps above are performed in real-time)
(Following steps are executed periodically and not in real-time. These steps will be
activated and executed according to some set-able conditions e.g. while more than 5000
CDR files have been stored in SMS buffer memory)
8. SMS launches a write-command to CDR sever;
9. CDR server responds with corresponding folder information;
10. SMS writes CDR files to respective folder in CDR server;
11. CDR server returns successful-writing message to SMS.

For prepaid users, SMS will firstly check the user’s balance when it received the user
service-beginning message from third party server, then, check the user’s balance. If
their balance is not enough, then SMS would send a message to third party sever to
forbid usage of user. Besides, for valid service usage of the user, SMS will deduct the
user’s monthly rental with corresponding fee after the CDR of newest usage is
generated.
12 Karaoke service
Music TV/ Karaoke enjoys its popularity in Asia-pacific area. Taking advantage of the
IPTV VOD and OSD (on screen display) technology, the operation able Karaoke service
is supported on ZTE IPTV platform. The functions of Karaoke have realized ranking
songs by ordered times, latest songs, order songs, search songs and so on.
Karaoke of ZTE IPTV moves KTV to home with end-less song center and 24 hour non-
stop service, with games and Karaoke, IPTV becomes a true home entertainment center.
Figure 22 ZTE IPTV Karaoke service
The main features of karaoke service are as following:
TOP list: Existing music/karaoke videos can be listed according to different

condition for user choosing, such as:
New-coming list: list newest music or karaoke videos according to uploading

time;
Hot-playing list: list hottest music or karaoke videos according to played times;
Search and on-demand
User can order the music or karaoke video directly in the lists above.

User can also order the video by search via various conditions such as
languages, Singers, Words, categories, and names of videos etc.
Service control
Control functionalities such as:
Fast rewind and fast play,
Pause
Switch to next video,
Play original music or sing-self,
Volume adjusting
The content can be based on MPEG2/H.264(SD/HD)
13 TV Messaging
TV Messaging service enables operator to send messages to IPTV users in real-time
according to specified user groups or all users.
ZTE TV messaging service has following features:
TV messages can be popped on the watched video without effect for being played
video such as live channel, VOD etc.
The popped message will automatically disappear after specified time (can be set,
and default is 4 seconds) if these is no action on remote controller. If the user press
“Ok” button during a message is displaying on the screen, the message can be kept
on the screen for longer time.

Figure 23 ZTE IPTV TV Messaging
14 Tele-voting/E-education/Tele-
contest/Betting
ZTE IPTV offers more interactive features for TV services. Besides the basic TV related
functionalities, the users may participate in the Tele-contest, Tele-voting with simply
operation of remote controller during events of some entertainment channels. It is more
convenient than sending short messages. The function may be easily extended to
gambling/betting, interactive advertisement, E-education, on-spot friend hunting, etc. It is
a good way to generate extra revenue while increasing customer loyalty.
Usually, Tele-contest or betting is a sort of service that there are series of games, or
questions, and the participator may choose to answer one or several questions.
According to the right or fault of the answers, the system will decide how to assign the
premium or bonus.

Tele-voting is similar with Tele-contest, while the user may pay for voting. The voting
items could be designed according to programs. When the user is watching a live
channel, the rolling subtitle will inform the user to participate into voting. By pressing a
designate button of the STB, the user could vote on OSD (on screen display).The Tele-
voting service is usually provided by the third party SP, so the system has to interface
with the third party SP. The work scope normally is that the IPTV system provides the
service realization and billing, the SP is responsible for voting content and voting result
statistics.

E-education is similar with Tele-contest/Tele-voting as well, while the user can watch
education lessons e.g. English courses in different levels. And after the lessons, the user
can also take some tests to evaluate his/her progress, and know the test score and
correct answers as once. This sort of service generally is offered by 3rd party SP who
has professional education certification, and can be easily integrated into IPTV platform
via opening interfaces.
As the comparability of four types of services, ZTE IPTV platform realizes there service
with very similar solutions. Here, as a sample solution of four services, ZTE IPTV Tele-
voting is described as following figure:

There are there two interfaces in ZTE Tele Voting service solution:
URL link to 3rd party Voting and Rewarding server: After 3rd party SP completed
design of voting content, 3rd party SP operator will put the voting page into its web
server. While user requested a voting via OSD, the voting page would be linked to
user OSD with 3rd party server URL;
Billing interface between ZTE IPTV SMS and 3rd party Voting ad Rewarding server:
After the user’s voting action for a even, 3rd party Voting and Rewarding server will
send billing or rewarding message to IPTV SMS according to user’s voting result,
and then SMS will perform corresponding billing action for user’s account.

15 PIP service
Figure 24 ZTE PIP service
As the picture above, ZTE PIP (Picture-in-picture) service supports to display a bigger
size video and a smaller size video in one screen synchronously, while the bigger and
smaller video stream come from the Headend.
ZTE PIP service has following features:
The big picture is full of the screen with SD quality or HD quality; there is not
voice going with the small picture; the small picture can be shown in different
size: 96*96 and 192*192 currently;
User can activate the PIP function by pressing the special button. The small
picture shows the same channel with the big one at first, the channel information
will be shown at the left of the small picture.
The small picture will be shut down in the following two cases: user exits the
PIP function by pressing “exit” button; user switches the small picture to the
big picture by pressing “OK” button;
In PIP mode, all of the operations aim at the small picture. User can switch the
channel by channel-“+” button or channel-“-”button;
If a channel has not the corresponding small video stream, the black would be
shown in the small picture, but this channel’s information can be shown normally
in the left;
Channel user has not authority to watch would be shown as the black in the
small picture when chosen, and the hint information will be shown in the left;

If the STB can not support the PIP function, the hint information will be shown
when user press the PIP button;
PIP function is not available in Mosaic channel
PIP service user play flow is as following:
1. User pushes PIP key to activate PIP
2. STB judges whether the current channel has a PIP channel attribute, if it has, then
launch a PIP channel authentication request, otherwise turn to flow 4.
3. Perform authentication, if fail, then display order notice OSD (on screen display), else
then open OSD to display PIP OSD
4. If current full size channel have no PIP channel, then display relative notice OSD
5. User pushes PIP key to close OSD to stop watching PIP.
PIP channel switch flow is as following:
1. User pushes +/- key to switch PIP channel
2. STB judges whether the next channel has a PIP channel attribute, if it has, then
launch a PIP channel authentication request, otherwise turn to flow 4.
3. Perform authentication, if fail, then display order notice OSD, else then open OSD to
display PIP OSD
4. If next channel have no PIP channel, then display relative notice OSD
5. User pushes PIP key to close OSD to stop watching PIP.
Switching small video to a full size flow is as following:
1. User pushes OK key to confirm play small video with full size;
2. Close current PIP OSD;
3. Perform channel authentication;
4. Display order notice information if fail;
5. If successful, then switch to the small channel in PIP with a full size
6. JS is set as current channel so that user can switch channel since current channel.

16 Mosaic service solution

Mosaic channel is a mixed multi pictures channel; each small picture displays the
content of one actual live channel. When the subscriber moves the focus of small picture
frame and presses “OK” button of the remote controller, the actual corresponding
channel will be entered.
Figure 25 ZTE Mosaic service
ZTE Mosaic service has following features:
The number and layout of small video windows in on screen page can be set by
the user
If one page can not display all mosaic channels, the extra small video windows
would be arranged in Next Pages
The user can use direction keys to move selecting window, and push “OK” to
play the selected channel
The selected channel information is displayed by floating on the whole screen
Notice information would be displayed if user could not watch the channel or no
channel video.
Mosaic TV does not support rewind, pause and fast forward.
There are two methods to produce Mosaic channel.
Traditional method
The following diagram shows this working principle of this method.

…..
Multi- Pictures Synthesizer
Encoder
Encoder Live Channel

Encoder
Live Channel
EPG
CDN
＋
STB TV
Figure 26 ZTE mosaic solution 1
1. Multi video signals have been input into the multi-pictures synthesizer.
2. Multi-pictures synthesizer mixes the multi video signals into one video signal.
3. The encoder encodes this video signal and sends it to CND for distribution.
4. A predefined EPG has been stored in EPG server. This EPG marks multi areas
according its related mosaic property; moreover area control info has been added.
5. STB receives this mixed video stream and this EPG, and piles them together to be
displayed in the TV
6. When the subscriber selects the focus small picture through press “Ok” button, it will
trigger the control info of this area in the EPG and enter the corresponding channel.
Advanced method
This method is showed in the following diagram

…..
Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder
Multi- Pictures Synthesizer

Live Channel
Live Channel
EPG
CDN
＋
STB TV
Figure 27 ZTE mosaic solution
1. The encoder encodes each video signal and output two video streams; One is normal
size and another is small size as same as the size of each single small picture in the
mosaic channel.
2. The video stream with normal size acts as one live stream and enters into CDN;
another video stream with small size has been input into the multi-pictures synthesizer.
3. Multi-pictures synthesizer mixes the multi video stream into one video stream.
4. A predefined EPG has been stored in EPG server. This EPG has been divided into
multi areas according its related mosaic property; moreover related control info has been
added.
5. STB receives this mixed video stream and this EPG, and piles them together to be
displayed in the TV.
6. When the subscriber selects the focus small picture through press “Ok” button, it will
trigger the control info of this area in the EPG and enter the corresponding channel.
17 Advertisement Engine
Advertisement issuance is a very valuable service for IPTV operator to make extra
revenue via IPTV platform.

ZTE sufficiently utilize the advantages of the IPTV network and develop a series of
complete advertisement service solution base on the IPTV system. It has the following
characteristics:
Multiple delivery measures: it can adopt headend insertion mode of the

traditional telcos, or adopt Internet advertisement model to display
advertisement on a certain position of the EPG homepage, as well as insert
advertisement when responding for certain media service request by the user;
Multiple presentation modes: Full screen play insertion, or activate picture in

picture (PIP) play, as well as direct overlaying of scrolling captions. It supports
simple text advertisement, and HTML based page advertisement, as well as
video advertisement;
Strong pertinency: It can deliver pertinence advertisement base on user’s age,

profession and other characteristics. It is propitious to increase the benefit of
advertisement delivery. It can also collect statistics of the user viewing habit
and various advertisement viewing effect through the statistics server, and
adjust advertisement delivery strategy base on the statistics;
Strong interaction: IPTV naturally has a strong interaction. It can adopt HTML
or FLASH techniques for interactive advertisement delivery, and integrate with
voting and contest services to attract viewers to watch the advertisement;
With its unified AD Release Platform, ZTE IPTV platform supports multiple types of AD
launch mechanism, which composes the powerful AD engine on IPTV platform. The
colorful advertising mode can be realized in IPTV platform to help operator win wider
market achievement.
17.1 Live channel AD insertion

Live channel AD insertion adopts the digital ad inserting architecture. The digital ad
insertion is to insert the ad into live channels to replace original advertisements.
ZTE can provide all kinds of ad insertion solutions according to operator’s application
scenarios. According to the type of signal processed, there are mainly two kinds of
advertisement insertion solution. One is based on ASI TS signal transcoding and the
other is based on SDI signal encoding. The first mode is a high efficiency solution and
can process multiple channels simultaneously directly on MEPG2 TS. It can be deployed
quickly and very suitable for local advertisement insertion in multi-layer IPTV network.
The second mode is a comprehensive solution based on playout system and can meet
more complex requirements for advertisement processing.

Figure 28 Proposed live channel AD insertion solution
Please refer to “Annex 2.3.1 ZTE IPTV Heandend solution” for details.
17.2 Banner AD
Banner AD page only takes a portion of the screen and directly overlays on the video
image to produce banner effect. For simple banner advertisement page it is
recommended to import middleware and let EPG server uniformly provides downloading
services. For complicated page or page with special requests, the advertisement can
also be stored at WEB server of the advertisement release platform. Banner
advertisement is actually a HTML page with text, pictures and links, so it can interact
with the user. Base on user demands it can jump to other related pages.

The flow of ZTE Banner AD insertion is as following:

STB Middleware EPG Server AD Play-control AD WEB Server
Playing a media
Script want to show banner AD
Request a banner AD
URL of the choosed AD
Request banner AD page
AD page data
{OR}
Request complex banner AD page
AD page data
Show the AD page as a banner over the video
AD over,close the banner
17.3 VOD AD insertion

VOD AD insertion allows operator to insert advertisements into VOD movies.
Advertisements can be inserted before the film starts or in the middle or the end of the
film. During the playing of VOD AD, fast forward operation is forbidden for users.
However, users can replay it by rewind keys.
The flow of ZTE VOD AD insertion is as following:

STB VoD System MiddleWare AD Play-control
Request playing a VoD content
Process request(Authenticate etc..)
Determine if to insert AD
Return the playing page data
Request the VoD stream
Redirect the request and choose a server to provide the stream
VoD stream
Decode the stream and the play-control script start timing
Time counter reach the threshold, stop playing
Request a AD clip
The choosed AD clip
Play the AD clip (sent by VoD system)
Continue playing the VoD content from the saved position
1. The STB sends VOD service request to the system;
2. The middleware processes this request and checks for authentication, possibly
includes live subscription flow;
3. Base on the user related information (such as user group, subscription

information, etc) the middleware decides whether or not inserts advertisement
during the play and the time interval advertisements insertions;
4. Base on the last step decision the middleware produces the displaying page
and sends it to the STB;
5. The STB sends service request to the VOD system;
6. The VOD system redirects and assigns a VOD server for the STB to provide
service;

7. The VOD server sends out media code stream to the STB;
8. The STB receives the media code stream and decodes it, at the same time the
control script of the displaying page will start timing the play time;
9. When the timing reaches scheduled advertisement inserting interval, the display
control script records the current display location and stop the playing program;
10. The play-control script sends request to the middleware for advertisement;
11. Advertisement control server (belong to middleware, separately shown here)

chooses an advertisement and notifies the display control script;
12. The display control script commands the STB to play specified advertisement
video(stored in VOD system), and forbids fast-forward, rewind and other
operations;
13. When the advertisement display finishes, the display control script commands
the STB to send service request to the VOD system and resumes the play from
the recorded location.
17.4 Directional AD Push

Previously described advertisement services essentially fall into the different play
methods. They provide solutions to “how to play” the advertisement. Traditional TV
advertising can only show the same advertisement to all the users. Comparing with
traditional TV, IPTV has a special characteristic that it can provide customized service to
different users. By applying it on the advertisement operation, it can implement
intelligent push: play special type advertisement base on the age, habit and other
characteristics of the user, in order to solve the problem of “play what (advertisement)”.
In ZTE IPTV advertisement solution, except live channel advertisement insertion

implemented by headend, all of the rest advertisement content is determined by
advertisement play-control server: STB or EPG will send requests to advertisement play-
control server when advertisement play is needed. The advertisement play-control
server will choose a segment of suitable advertisement for them
The request sent by EPG server or STB to play-control server not only include user
account, requested advertisement type and other information, also attaches some user
characteristics data for implementing directional push. The data includes age, profession,
package type, etc, as well as the current scene information of STB (i.e. the content
watched by the user). The play-control server will base on the above information to
choose a suitable advertisement.
After the ad play-control server receives a play request, first check the current scene to
see if already planned for ad playing. If there is a plan, then play the planned ad content
and return this information back to EPG server or STB. If there is no ad planned for
playing, the ad play-control server will startup intelligent selection flow – base on various
information to make integrated analysis, select a suitable ad base on predefined strategy.
When ad management server releases an ad, it will also give the characteristics of ad
targeting crowd and suitable play scene. This information will be used for intelligent
selection flow.

Currently play-control server supports the following selection strategy:
Choose base on the current scene
Base on the current scene used by the user to choose a suitable ad.
Choose base on user characteristics
Base on the personal characteristics of the user to choose ad.
Choose base on usage statistics
Base on user’s previous usage habit to choose ad.
Random selection
17.5 More AD delivery modes:

Beside the AD delivery modes described above, ZTE IPTV platform currently supports
more AD modes such as:
EPG AD: It is based on EPG and loading the AD images, text, banner, video on
EPG template. The EPG AD is pushed to users through EPG.
PIP AD: PIP advertisement flow is similar to the previous VOD advertisement
insertion, but requires STB to possess dual decoding ability and supports PIP.
During the advertisement play, the original media program continues play, the
advertisement content displays in a small PIP window. This kind of
advertisement basically does not affect user to view program, but the attached
audio of the advertisement cannot be outputted.
Dedicated AD VAS: It is a typical VAS offering an independent and closed

virtual service operational environment and configuring an advertisement and
customer management via the video/audio and website page capabilities of
IPTV platform. By customizing the play plan in different duration and resources
with flexible templates, the colorful advertising mode can be realized in IPTV
platform to help operator win wider market achievement.
The supporting of such abundant AD modes is all based on the powerful AD release
platform of ZTE IPTV platform. Please refer to “Annex 2.3.28 ZTE IPTV Advertisement
Solution Description” for more details.
18 NVOD service
NVOD (Near Video on Demand) is one of on-demand service without limit of selected
films, where the film is broadcasted on one specific channel. This film will be repeated
during defined duration.
ZTE NVOD service has following features:

User can enter NVOD channel via EPG;
User can get corresponding forecast information in the NVOD channel through EPG,
e.g. the movie name, and begin time;
User should join NVOD to watch favorite movie on time according to forecast
information. If he or she missed the beginning of the movie, then has to wait for next
play time point.
User can not pause, forward fast or rewind during watching the movie;
The movie may be repeated to play times during certain time.
The reason of developing NVoD service is to save network bandwidth, and it is quite
suitable for hot movies promotion. The same movie is playing in several channels with
different time window. It is kind of trade-off solution between live TV and VoD, and both
the customers and carriers will be happy since this is the most cost effective service
model for the hot movies.
19 Usage Statistic
ZTE IPTV platform offers usage statistic data to end users on EPG while the user chose
corresponding service. For example, while the user enter into VOD service, he or she
may see the top ranks of hottest VOD movies in current week or month; while the user
enter into Broadcast TV browser, he or she may see the recommended most popular
channels etc.

These relevant usage statistic data comes with powerful statistic functionality of ZTE
IPTV platform, which allows IPTV operator to fast check audience rating and
conveniently share to IPTV users via EPG.
Please refer to “ZTE IPTV statistic functionality introduction” for details of ZTE IPTV
statistic solution.
20 Video Conference
Video conference based on ZTE IPTV platform supports multiple-party video meeting via
various terminals such as STB, VCS (Video Conference System) terminal, video phone,
mobile and PC.
For the video conference solution, ZTE IPTV platform should interwork with third party
control platform such as IMS or Softswitch, and MCU etc. With ZTE’s multiple play
solution as following figure, the video conference can be held among IPTV users, SIP
phone users, VCS users, and even 3G mobile users etc.

Figure 29 ZTE Video conference solution
For ZTE IPTV user, the function of video phone which can realize VoIP and Video Call
via SIP protocols through his STB. Moreover, the subscribers could maintain their own
address book, divide the contact list into different groups and examine the call history.
What’s more, a Bluetooth handset is creatively designed for conveniently using. The
remote controller and Bluetooth handset could be combined in one.

Figure 30 ZTE Video Call service
Actually, via ZTE STB’s integrated Video phone functionality, it is very easy to hold or a
video conference with third party control platform such as IMS, Softswitch or MCU
system via standard SIP protocol.

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Annex 2.3.

2 Broadcast audio channel service ............................................................................. 5

3 VOD service ................................................................................................................ 6

4 Time-shift TV service ............................................................................................... 10

5 TVOD service ............................................................................................................ 12

7 Parental lock ............................................................................................................. 14

9 Wall Garden / Internet on TV / Tele marketing/TV E-mail / Media Sharing ......... 16

11 Game services solution ........................................................................................... 23

15 PIP service ................................................................................................................ 33

16 Mosaic service solution........................................................................................... 35

17 Advertisement Engine ............................................................................................. 37

ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. I

Broadcast channel preview

Channel switch: The channel could be switched by digital button and

Define preferred channels into favorites

Insert rolling subtitle

Channel and program information display

Fast zapping: Time of channel swapping is smaller than 1.5 Second

Support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD channel source

ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. 1

Figure 1 ZTE Broadcast TV service

Terrestrial TV channels: VHF/UHF and DVB-T

Satellite digital TV channels: DVB-S

Cable TV channels: VHF/UHF and DVB-C

TV channels directly distributed from TV provider

A typical ZTE Broadcast TV service flow is as following:

2 © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. ZTE Confidential Proprietary

Figure 2 ZTE Broadcast TV service flow

3. The SMS judges if the user has subscribed to this channel.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. 3

10. The EPG returns the channel URL to the STB.

17. The EPG forwards the request to the SMS.

19. The SMS returns the result to the EPG.

25. The EPG forwards the request to the SMS.

4 © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. ZTE Confidential Proprietary

27. The SMS returns the result to the EPG.

2 Broadcast audio channel service

Figure 3 ZTE Broadcast audio channel service

and channels by pushing (up, down, left and right) keys.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. 5

Figure 4 ZTE VOD service

6 © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. ZTE Confidential Proprietary

The features of ZTE VOD service includes:

Display detail information about selected program in EPG

Support time display and location bar.

Define preferred VOD program into favorites.

Flexible payment methods supporting Prepaid, PPV, or Package

Support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for HD/SD source

ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. 7

Figure 5 ZTE VOD service flow

1. The user demands a VOD program via the STB.

3. The SMS judges if the user has subscribed to this program.

8 © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. ZTE Confidential Proprietary

17. The EPG forwards the request to the SMS.

19. The SMS returns the result to the EPG.

20. The EPG forwards the result to the VOD server.

23. The EPG forwards the request to the SMS.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. 9

25. The SMS returns the result to the EPG.

26. The EPG forwards the result to the VOD server.

Figure 6 ZTE Time-shift TV service

ZTE Time-shift TV service has following functions and advantages:

10 © 2008 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved. ZTE Confidential Proprietary