Entertaining systems for vehicles

Introduction

Multimedia Communications Group has actively participated in the development of an onboard entertainment entertainment platform called Azimut Operative Device (AOD). AOD is a platform for the broadcasting  (both on demand and live) of multimedia on buses, trains and boats. The main functionalities offered by the system are the following:

  • Transmission of stored content (video on demand, audio on demand, other content on demand …)
  • Transmission of live content from digital TV
  • Monitoring of operating parameters and service management
  • Compilation of usage statistics
  • Video quality management
  • Content update from the cloud

 

Description

The platform integrates an on-demand entertainment system where the user can choose at any moment the contents that he/she wants to visualize and receive them wirelessly on their mobile devices. On the other hand, the system administrator can control and manage the contents offered, as well as analyze users’ usage statistics and monitor the status of the platform remotely.

The following figure illustrates the scheme of the system:

In each vehicle there is a server that contains a multimedia content repository. Those contents have been encoded to adapt and optimize the reproduction on demand in the devices embedded in the vehicle. Those contents are sent to users over a Wi-Fi network. The configuration of both the network and the wireless channel must be managed appropriately according to quality of service parameters to ensure a good user experience. Users can access the services offered by the platform through their mobile devices (or from tablets installed in the means of transport if any). In addition to content services on demand, users can view live television and radio. To that extent, this the server has television receivers and retransmits the contents of the channels tuned through the network. In addition, vehicles may also have several analog inputs that offer additional services (for example, reception of analogue television or cameras installed in the vehicle).

Each vehicle has an Internet connection used to remotely monitor the services offered and to issue alerts and reports on the operation of the platform. Also, through this connection, users can access the Internet using their own mobile devices.

In terms of content, one of the main points of the platform is how to prepare and manage the content. Firstly, each of the contents (for example each film) must be encoded in a format compatible with the playback devices. In addition, each of the video content (movies, series) is encoded in different qualities and languages. One of the key points is the encryption of the contents in order to be able to distribute them safely, using Google’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) system called Widevine (more information in this section).

The contents are organized in an appropriate way to facilitate quick access to each of them, allowing to establish different categories (e.g. action, comedy, etc.). For this, it is necessary to efficiently manage the metadata of each content.

Likewise, the contents offered to the clients are updated periodically. This update is carried out, either remotely through 4G technology or manually through a USB device.

Customers can access the platform through a web browser, or through a mobile app (for both Android and iOS). The web is responsive and modular, to adapt to the size of both mobile phones, tablets and laptops and computers. The following figure shows a screenshot of the Azimut Own Device application running on a tablet.

 

Services of the platform

Below some screenshots of the application are shown, where you can appreciate the appearance of the different services offered by the platform. Some of the functionalities of the offered services include:

  • Multi-language interface
  • Audio and subtitles of films and TV series in multiple languages
  • Classification of contents by categories
  • Recall of the playback point of a content
  • Ability to display ads before movies and TV shows
  • Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) in live TV and radio services
  • Customizable modules

  

    

To verify the scalability of the system in the reproduction of content (both content on demand as live content), several load tests were performed with more than 50 tablets:

Following you can watch a promotional video of AOD:

More information in the official webpage of Azimut Electronics.