Virgin Media chooses Pixelmetrix Electronic Couch Potato™ (ECP) to monitor its digital television network

Pixelmetrix, the global expert in Preventive Monitoring for digital television and IPTV networks, has signed an agreement with Virgin Media to roll out the Pixelmetrix Electronic Couch Potato™ (ECP) across its digital TV network.

The ECP is a programmable test robot that monitors true customer viewing experience by providing measurements from the end point of the content delivery chain.  The Automated Channel Package Auditing feature of the ECP proved effective for quality assurance and monitoring of multi-region networks with central headends and vast channel options.  

Danny Wilson, President and CEO of Pixelmetrix said, “Virgin Media was looking for an innovative solution to assure end-to-end visibility of their network operations.  In particular, the automated package auditing application provided by the ECP improves Content Provider confidence while reducing OPEX.  Hence, the ECP makes an excellent choice to optimize their quality of service monitoring.  We are indeed privileged to work with one of the leading television and service providers in the UK.”

The ECP connects after the Set Top Box (STB) and provides feedback on various service quality parameters to a central site.  It stands out with its ability to emulate an end-user changing channels on a STB via a built-in infrared (IR) transmitter.  Service plan verification, channel switching and multiple measurements on service quality for each channel reported to a central management console, give service providers valuable insight into the viewer experience and confirms the availability of subscribed-to channels. 

Alistair Crook, Head of TV Operations of Virgin Media said, “Having seen a demonstration of the ECP at IBC 2009, it was clear to us how such a device, when tailored for our need to accurately audit our TV packages, could greatly enhance our monitoring strategy.  We are intending to roll out the ECP system for multiple package auditing in our Central Digital headend and are  eager to trial the units for regional deployment.“

Digi-Box, Pixelmetrix official distributor in the UK, works closely with the Pixelmetrix R&D and Support team to oversee successful deployment and operations of the ECPs on-site.

To date, the ECP has bagged the C&T Award for Innovation in Technology Development, Cable & Satellite International (CSI) Product of the Year Award for Best Monitoring/Network Management Solution as well as the TV Technology STAR Award.

About Pixelmetrix Corporation

Pixelmetrix Corporation is the global expert in Preventive Monitoring for digital, cable and IPTV networks.  The company provides equipment and network intelligence systems to television broadcasters for the management and monitoring of quality of service and quality of experience.  Headquartered in Singapore, Pixelmetrix has offices in the United States and Europe.
Pixelmetrix suite of quality assurance solutions are featured as the Emmy® Award winning DVStation, DVStation‑Mini, DVStation-Remote, DVStation-Pod, DVStation-IP³, DVStor, IPGen, DVShift, DVProbe-C, DVProbe-S2, DPI Auditor, EndGame, Electronic Couch Potato, ECP Consolidator, Consolidator and ConsolidatorPlus. These are trademarks of Pixelmetrix Corporation.
Pixelmetrix clientele include CNN/Turner Networks, Viacom, Fox, CBS, ESPN, Disney, Univision, Telefutura, HBO, NHK, Japan Telecom, KPBS, NTL, Sky PerfecTV! Japan, British Telecom, Canal+, Towercast, AT&T, Verizon, Telus, NTT, Rai Way, Virgin Media and more.
Pixelmetrix has been conferred the Frost & Sullivan Industrial Technologies Award 2009, C+T Technology Development Award 2009, Engineering & Technology Emmy® Award 2007, Broadcast Engineering publication Pick Hit Award 2005 and 2008, TV Technology publication STAR Awards (Superior Technology Award Recipient) 2000, 2004 and 2007, BIRTV Product of the Year Award 2006, Cable-Satellite/Mediacast Product of the Year Awards 2003 and 2004, as well as the Peter Wayne Award 2000, for Best Design and Innovation.
For more information about Pixelmetrix, visit www.pixelmetrix.com or email queries to info@pixelmetrix.com.

About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK 's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.
The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.
Virgin Media has the UK's most advanced TV on demand service and was the first TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.
The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world's first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs seven entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.
With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED) and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).
For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.

About Digi-Box
Digi-Box.co.uk, incorporated in 1997, is a product distribution company serving the Broadcast, Telecommunications and Multi-Media markets. The company distributes a range of products from world-leading manufacturers. The Digi-Box founders, Simon Shaw and Jon Phillips, have some 50 years experience in the industry between them, the majority in product distribution.
For more information, go to www.digi-box.co.uk.

Pixelmetrix Corporation
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Singapore 417818
Tel: +65 6547 4935
Fax: +65 6547 4945

This release was published on openPR.