Release Notes for Cisco 6920 RateMux Multiplexer for Digital Program Insertion (Release 2.3aDP)

Note You can find the current Cisco documentation on Cisco.com. These electronic documents may contain updates and modifications made after the hard-copy documents were printed.

These release notes for the Cisco 6920 RateMux multiplexer support the Digital Program Insertion (DPI) feature. These release notes are updated as needed to describe new features; memory requirements; hardware support; and changes to the microcode, configuration software, and related documents.

For a list of caveats that apply to this release, see the "Open Caveats" section.

These release notes discuss the following topics:

Introduction

The Digital Program Insertion (DPI) version of the Cisco 6920 RateMux multiplexer software has built-in support for the DVS 380, version 1.10 standards-based API. This API can be used by the ad insertion server management software to dynamically direct the Cisco 6920 to splice in ad streams at designated times into designated source streams.

System Requirements

Hardware Requirements

No additional hardware components are required to support this software feature. There are no special memory requirements.

Software Requirements

This feature is enabled only on Release 2.3aDP. To upgrade the Cisco 6920 to this release, you need the following files:

connect.exe—Windows application to connect to the BootLoader on the Cisco 6920.
binstall260.fls—Special file required to install the new BootLoader.
binstall181b.fls—Special file required to downgrade the software to an older release.
dhei_io_r2_2.3aDP.ld—Reprograms the DHEI I/O card (Revision 2).
dhei_io_r3_2.3aDP.ld—Reprograms the DHEI I/O card (Revision 3).
dvb_io_r2_2.3aDP.ld—Reprograms the DVB I/O card.
dvb4_in_2.3aDP.ld—Reprograms the DVB Input card.
dsp3_2.3aDP.ld—Reprograms the DSP card.
ppc2.3aDP.ld and ppcenv2.3aDP.ld—Reprograms the PowerPC card.

Caveats

Open Caveats

This section describes possibly unexpected behavior by this release.

CSCds60619

: The Cisco 6920 when configured with the DPI software may, under certain conditions, have some problems at the output. This occurs when the source being fed to the Cisco 6920 as network feed (live channel) is a repeated source. A repeated source refers to streams that are played out of a server, and hence wraps around quite frequently.

CSCdt79227

: If the Spliceable indicator in the GUI is set to NO, but the program is set up (via the Ad Server) such that Splicing is requested, the Cisco 6920 causes splices to occur.
: The workaround for this problem is, if Splicing is really required, to set the Spliceable indicator to YES. If splicing is not required, make sure that the Ad Server is set up so that it does not request splicing.

CSCdt80068

: Under some circumstances, the Cisco 6920 may fail some board- and system-level diagnostics. This does not affect operation of the application code.

CSCdt81281

: If the input source has multiple programs under one PMT or the input packet size is 204, the Cisco 6920 is not able to detect the input.

CSCdt83681

: Under some circumstances when configured for HDTV sources, the HD output of the Cisco 6920 may have occasional picture breakups.

CSCdt85667

: The output of the Cisco 6920 may contain PCR jitter beyond the limits specified by the MPEG specification.

CSCdu16202

: When changing an output name on the Transponder Map page of the web-based GUI interface, the change is not reflected on the Cisco 6920 until Apply is clicked both on the Transponder Map page and on the Program Select page.

CSCdu17208

: When configured for deep rate reduction, the output of the Cisco 6920 may have some video quality problems, including picture breakups.

CSCdu19017

: The rates displayed in the Monitor Rate page may sometimes go to 0, although the output of the Cisco 6920 is fine. This does not impact the proper functioning of the unit.

CSCdu19035

: When upgrading the Cisco 6920 to the DPI software, it is possible that the video output may have break-ups or be missing. This typically occurs right after the Cisco 6920 has been upgraded to DPI capable software.
: The workaround is to power cycle the Cisco 6920 after the upgrade is complete.

CSCdu22793

: Occasionally, when the Cisco 6920 is power cycled, the previously set configuration is lost, requiring reconfiguration of the unit.
: A workaround is to wait from 15 to 20 seconds after power-down to power the unit back up.

CSCdu26134

: When processing back-to-back ads and a forced switch occurs, the Cisco 6920 does not recover to the network channel and there can be a gap in the input video. If there are multiple forced switches, restart the channel on the server.

CSCdu27971

: When the Cisco 6920 is set up with multiple outputs, changing the configuration on one of the outputs can affect the programs on other outputs. This usually occurs only on spliced programs.
: Power cycling the Cisco 6920 normally resolves the problem.

Obtaining Documentation

The following sections provide sources for obtaining documentation from Cisco Systems.

World Wide Web

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at the following sites:

http://www.cisco.com
http://www-china.cisco.com
http://www-europe.cisco.com

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a CD-ROM package, which ships with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated monthly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or as an annual subscription.

Ordering Documentation

Cisco documentation is available in the following ways:

Registered Cisco Direct Customers can order Cisco Product documentation from the Networking Products MarketPlace:

: http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/order/order_root.pl

Registered Cisco.com users can order the Documentation CD-ROM through the online Subscription Store:

: http://www.cisco.com/go/subscription

Nonregistered Cisco.com users can order documentation through a local account representative by calling Cisco corporate headquarters (California, USA) at 408 526-7208 or, in North America, by calling 800 553-NETS(6387).

Documentation Feedback

If you are reading Cisco product documentation on the World Wide Web, you can submit technical comments electronically. Click Feedback in the toolbar and select Documentation. After you complete the form, click Submit to send it to Cisco.

You can e-mail your comments to bug-doc@cisco.com.

To submit your comments by mail, use the response card behind the front cover of your document, or write to the following address:

Attn Document Resource Connection
Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-9883

We appreciate your comments.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco provides Cisco.com as a starting point for all technical assistance. Customers and partners can obtain documentation, troubleshooting tips, and sample configurations from online tools. For Cisco.com registered users, additional troubleshooting tools are available from the TAC website.

Cisco.com

Cisco.com is the foundation of a suite of interactive, networked services that provides immediate, open access to Cisco information and resources at anytime, from anywhere in the world. This highly integrated Internet application is a powerful, easy-to-use tool for doing business with Cisco.

Cisco.com provides a broad range of features and services to help customers and partners streamline business processes and improve productivity. Through Cisco.com, you can find information about Cisco and our networking solutions, services, and programs. In addition, you can resolve technical issues with online technical support, download and test software packages, and order Cisco learning materials and merchandise. Valuable online skill assessment, training, and certification programs are also available.

Customers and partners can self-register on Cisco.com to obtain additional personalized information and services. Registered users can order products, check on the status of an order, access technical support, and view benefits specific to their relationships with Cisco.

To access Cisco.com, go to the following website:

http://www.cisco.com

Technical Assistance Center

The Cisco TAC website is available to all customers who need technical assistance with a Cisco product or technology that is under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract.

Contacting TAC by Using the Cisco TAC Website

If you have a priority level 3 (P3) or priority level 4 (P4) problem, contact TAC by going to the TAC website:

http://www.cisco.com/tac

P3 and P4 level problems are defined as follows:

P3—Your network performance is degraded. Network functionality is noticeably impaired, but most business operations continue.
P4—You need information or assistance on Cisco product capabilities, product installation, or basic product configuration.

In each of the above cases, use the Cisco TAC website to quickly find answers to your questions.

To register for Cisco.com, go to the following website:

http://www.cisco.com/register/

If you cannot resolve your technical issue by using the TAC online resources, Cisco.com registered users can open a case online by using the TAC Case Open tool at the following website:

http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen

Contacting TAC by Telephone

If you have a priority level 1 (P1) or priority level 2 (P2) problem, contact TAC by telephone and immediately open a case. To obtain a directory of toll-free numbers for your country, go to the following website:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtm l

P1 and P2 level problems are defined as follows:

P1—Your production network is down, causing a critical impact to business operations if service is not restored quickly. No workaround is available.
P2—Your production network is severely degraded, affecting significant aspects of your business operations. No workaround is available.

This document is to be used in conjunction with the documents listed in the "Related Documentation" section.

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Release Notes for Cisco 6920 RateMux Multiplexer for Digital Program Insertion (Release 2.3aDP)