Carr Communications selects Inca Networks transcoder for IPTV service

Inca High-Density Transcoder Powers 44 HD Channel Transition for Experienced MPEG-4 IPTV Provider, Carr Communications

VANCOUVER, Canada — Inca Networks announced today that Carr Communications has selected Inca’s high-density MPEG-4 HD/SD IPTV transcoder, the 4430 Modular Series, to expand their IPTV headend and allow self-sufficient in-house transcoding of 44 HD channels. Established in 1925 as a telephone company, Carr Communications has been offering their clients IPTV service since 2003, placing them among the oldest IPTV providers in the US.

“We started using Inca products about four years ago and keep coming back every time we upgrade or launch new channels. Inca has proven to be a feature-rich and cost-effective solution, extremely easy to operate, and it scales really well,” says Chris Bogner, Plant Manager at Carr Communications. “We have been so happy with the performance and their service, that when we received very short notice by our satellite aggregator that they were going to cease providing a large number of wholesale HD signals, we didn’t blink, we just ordered Inca 4430 transcoder units and brought the processing in-house.”

According to Bogner, one of the advantages of Inca’s 4400 modular series is VidiOS™, Inca’s advanced processing and monitoring engine that provides active stream tools and embedded visual status monitoring – helping video engineers manage the headend more efficiently. With Inca’s VidiOS™, it is like getting free status monitoring in every product.

“The embedded visual monitoring has been invaluable for us,” said Bogner. “We were having issues with one of our satellite feeds and Inca’s All Seeing Eye actually helped us isolate and identify the problem – which is something my old monitoring platform couldn’t do.”

Bogner says that while the cost competitiveness is what initially attracted Carr Communications to Inca, it has been their advanced features and amazing support that have cemented the relationship.

“Inca has worked closely with Carr to develop a customized solution, helping us deploy an initial 136 HD channels, convert our off-air 8VSB signals to IP, bridge all our legacy IRDs from ASI to IP, and transcode the 44 channels we have just brought in-house. They have always stayed ahead of the market, and delivered a truly intelligent and economical video delivery solution.”

“Anyone who has been through multiple generations of IPTV technology and capital expenditures knows that this is a challenging business and the right solution has to deliver great video quality while balancing features, price, and support,” said Jeff Campbell, CEO of Inca Networks. “With their long history in the IPTV business, the team at Carr brings a unique perspective and deep experience to discussions and we consider it an honor to have earned their trust.”