Tornado M55 HD IPTV Set Top Box (PVR*)

Product Overview

Tornado M55 HD is an innovative and feature-rich High-Definition set-top-box (STB), specifically designed for deployment in IPTV and Video-on-Demand infrastructures. The product features H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4 and WMV/VC1 video compression, which allows it to deliver high quality video streams over IP networks with low bandwidth utilization. Tornado M55 HD supports High-Definition video up to 1080i resolution which offers a more exciting viewing experience, especially on large format TVs. Additionally, Tornado M55 HD features a myriad of popular information and communication services, including Web browsing, calendar, YouTube, chat, email, Picasa, Google Maps, calculator, stock quote information and more.

Tornado M55 Interface

Virtual M55 Demo TV Interface. Click on the above picture to preview all M55 TV functions.

Unicast and Multicast operation modes

The STB can operate in several modes to allow universal device deployment: Multicast mode allows deployment in closed Local Area Networks (LAN) where all video/audio content is received in multicast format; Unicast mode allows implementation in Open Wide Area Networks (WAN) and Internet where the video/content is received from remote location and using secure and reliable network connections. The Unicast mode can be achieved using TCP or UDP protocols to guarantee maximum image quality and uninterrupted operation. To prevent interruptions, M55 also supports internal data buffering.

IPTV and Video-on-Demand Support

Tornado M55 HD offers delivery of streaming video content, including IPTV and Video-on-Demand (VoD) directly to the TV screens of end-users. The device receives H.264, MPEG4, MPEG2 and WMV/VC1 encoded video streams over broadband connections. It then decodes such streams internally and sends the resulting video signal to the TV set of the end-user.

Digital Music and Internet Radio Delivery

Tornado M55 HD also supports delivery of streaming audio content, enabling end-users to enjoy digital music and Internet radio channels on their TVs. The product utilizes high audio compression MP3 technology for maximum quality of the delivered audio content.

H.264, MPEG4, MPEG2 Support

Tornado M55 HD supports low bit-rate H.264 video compression technology which substantially reduces its bandwidth requirements. Compared to older video compression technologies, H.264 offers better video quality at substantially lower bit rates. Because of more efficient bandwidth utilization, Tornado M55 HD enables providers to reduce the cost of delivering services to subscribers. Tornado M55 HD also supports popular MPEG4, MPEG2 and WMV/VC1 video compression technologies.

High Definition Support

Tornado M55 HD supports High Definition (HD) video at resolutions up to 1080i. That allows it to deliver video with greater detail, realism and quality, especially to large format TV screens. High Definition video signal from Tornado M55 HD is delivered to the TV screen via either HDMI or composite cable.

Online Web Browsing

Tornado M55 HD enables end-users to browse the Internet while watching their TVs. The Web browser requires the use of USB keyboard and mouse.

Optional 8GB Flash PVR

Tornado M55 HD supports an optional 8GB Flash PVR to allow subscribers to record and play favorite IPTV programs and VOD files. Full Trick-Play functionality is also supported.

YouTube, Google Maps, Picasa, Chat, Email Services

Tornado M55 HD supports a variety of web enabled services such as YouTube, Google Maps, Picasa, Chat, and Email. The system provides physical or virtual keyboard to access these services and fully interact with their interfaces.

Optional DVB-T USB Tuner

Tornado M55 HD supports an optional DVB-T USB tuner to allow subscribers to receive FTA DVB-T terrestrial digital television. The DVB-T tuner will support auto scan and list available terrestrial channels automatically under the PPV/DVB Folder

Optional 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi USB Adapter

Tornado M55 HD supports an optional high-performance USB Wi-Fi adapter that can connect to any type of 2.4 Ghz network. In addition, the adapter supports AirStream functionality to allow IPTV distribution via Wi-Fi with high channel capacity and large number of subscribers.

Media Center Functionality

Tornado M55 HD offers to end-users convenient access to content stored on attached USB hard drive or USB memory. The device offers 2 USB ports that can be used to connect external storage to store and view video and audio data content thus providing data library services. When the end-user selects a file from that media library, Tornado M55 HD will play it on the TV. In addition, M55 has an integrated client that will allow Local PC computers to write and read data files from/to the device for media library management purposes.

Dolby 5.1 Audio Support

Tornado M55 HD supports the Dolby 5.1 Audio standard for exceptional sound quality. The Dolby technology allows up to 6 channels of surround sound to be delivered to end-users. An established standard for high end home theatre systems, surround sound is gaining wider adoption in modern IPTV systems.

Progressive Download Support

Tornado M55 HD supports progressive download to allow flexible and error free play of real-time and video files. The device will adjust its download bit-rate based on current network configurations to ensure that the IPTV will play flawlessly even in environments with non-guaranteed or traffic shaped networks. This procedure ensures perfect play in all types of broadband environments.

Support for All Popular Streaming Protocols

Tornado M55 HD supports all popular streaming protocols such as FLV, RTSP, RTMP, UPD, HTTP, HLS, MMS, AVI, Progressive Download. The device ensures compatibility with most popular streaming servers in any type of unicast and multicast environment.

JavaScript API and Adobe Flash Lite v.3 API Interface Support

Tornado M55 HD supports advanced JavaScript/HTML API and Adobe Flash Lite v.3 interfaces to allow easy programming for the device. Companies can program custom interfaces using direct HTML template modification or create their fully proprietary JavaScript or Adobe Flash Lite v.3 interface.

100+ Over-The-Top (OTT) and Free-To-Air (FTA) Channel Support *

The server includes over 100 built-in OTT and FTA channels that allow service jump-start with a large number of pre-defined channels. In addition, the OTT channels do not require bandwidth support because the STB devices will access them directly without connecting to the Streaming server. OTT and FTA channels are great IPTV service complement that provides better channel variety and selection.

TV Remote Management

There are two types of inexpensive and easy to deploy interfaces that allow the TV set and the STB IPTV/VOD device to be controlled by a single remote control.

Advanced Remote Control, Keyboard and Mouse

SysMaster Corporation offers state of the art advanced remote control device that has the following features to facilitate easy IPTV browsing and Web navigation.