VideoPlex XPress

Overview

VideoPlex XPress is an MPEG-2 video-in-a-window decoding board designed for integration into desktop clients. Targeted at large scale video networking applications, VideoPlex XPress offers high-quality, cost effective MPEG video hardware acceleration based on the PCI Video Inlay method or the Video Port Extension (VPE - part of the PC 98 recommendations).

Fully Digital

VideoPlex XPress is a true digital component in the PC. It receives MPEG from the PCI bus and produces CCIR-656 streams. These are converted to analog for display via the Composite or S-Video output connectors or transferred through the feature connector to the VGA card. This technology gives a crystal clear image on the VGA.

Fully Compliant

Optibase DirectShow (ActiveMovie) filters have been successfully installed with thousands of VideoPlex boards. VideoPlex XPress benefits from the experience Optibase has gained with COM (Common Object Model) programming and support for developers and integrators. And by implementing the VPE recommendations, VideoPlex XPress benefits from wide PC industry support.

Network Oriented

Optibase has gained extensive understanding in networking, Winsock programming and MPEG over networks from working with MPEG ComMotion™ UDP, system integrators and developers and from providing end to end components. As a result, VideoPlex XPress features crucial requirements for transmitting MPEG over public networks, such as the ability to:

  • Auto-detect and recover from network errors.
  • Handle underflows.
  • Handle clock discrepancies.

    Following the proven success of Optibase's VideoPlex MPEG-2 playback family, VideoPlex XPress is the best platform for creating custom video playback applications based on DirectShow architecture such as video-over-satellite, video server and video-over-ATM networking solutions. And by joining Progression, Optibase's developers support program, integrators can enjoy the specially developed software tools needed to develop digital video networking applications.

    You can integrate VideoPlex XPress into video-over-satellite, video server and video-over-ATM network solutions. VideoPlex XPress is designed for Optibase's MPEG ComMotion UDP video networking solution, using MPEG ComMotion UDP's ActiveX multicast client.

    In addition, VideoPlex XPress is designed for creating custom video playback applications based on DirectShow architecture. Following the proven success of Optibase's VideoPlex MPEG-2 playback family, VideoPlex XPress will be tested for support by SGI, FVC, Oracle, Starlight and NetShow Theater.

    Features

  • Video-in-a window
  • Composite and S-Video outputs
  • MPEG audio and Linear PCM
  • VGA inlay or VPE
  • MPEG-1 System & MPEG-2 Program streams
  • Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0
  • DirectShow 2.0 in Pull and Push modes
  • Full CCIR–601 resolution

    Technical Specifications

    Preliminary Specifications
    Decoding Specifications
    VideoPlex XPress accepts MPEG System, MPEG Program and MPEG Transport multiplexed files. Support for non-multiplexed files will be available in the next release. 
    Video
    Standard Compliance ISO 11172 (MPEG-1) and ISO 13818 (MPEG-2)
    NTSC Resolutions  MPEG-2 Full D-1: 704 x 480, 29.97 fps 
    MPEG-2 Half D-1: 352 x 480, 29.97 fps 
    MPEG-1 SIF: 352 x 240, 29.97 fps
    PAL Resolutions MPEG-2 Full D-1: 704 x 576, 25 fps 
    MPEG-2 Half D-1: 352 x 576, 25 fps 
    MPEG-1 SIF: 352 x 288, 25 fps
     Audio 
    Audio Sampling Frequency
    • MPEG Audio Layer 1 and 2: 32, 44.1, 48 kHz 
    • Linear PCM: 48 kHz 
    • Dolby Digital AC3: 48 kHz
    Channels 1-2
    16/20 audio D/A
    Software adjustable audio output levels
    Physical Interfaces
    • Video Inlay
    • VPE-Video Port Extension (AMC, LBP, VMI busses for PC 98 Support) 
    • Composite video out (BNC), S-Video out (Mini-DIN)
    • Unbalanced stereo analog out (3.5 mm mini jack)
    • DVD/CD-ROM audio pass thru with output to the sound card using soundcard like connectors
    • PCI 2.1 compliance
     
    Physical Size Half size (6.88"x4.2")
    Certifications
    • CE-Class B
    • FCC Class B 
    Software
    • DirectShow 2.0 with support for Push and Pull stream delivery models
    • Filter automatically detects, de-multiplexes and plays back MPEG clips
    • MCI support through DirectShow 2.0 
    • ActiveX client support for Optibase's MPEG ComMotion UDP 
    • Third party network client support (future integration with Oracle, SGI and MS Netshow Theater) 
    • Drivers for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3

    System Requirements

    These requirements are Optibase's recommendations for the best quality video playback. Quality depends not only on the Playback engine, but also on network specifics.

  • Windows 95/Windows NT player
  • A PC 98 compliant desktop PC
  • Free half size PCI slot (a second slot might be required for a new VGA card, depending on the specification of your VGA adapter and PC).
  • Pentium II 233 MHz and higher
  • 32 MB RAM
  • A DirectX 5.0 compliant VGA board with 4 MB RAM
  • Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 service pack 3