Free Edition of DVBStreamExplorer Available

By Doug Lung
published

DVBStreamExplorer is now offering a free version of its stream analysis software, but based on the Web site information, it does not appear to match the flexibility and functionality of TSReader.

The developers of DVBStreamExplorer announced the release of Build 82 and the release of a Free Edition last week. It has some interesting features, and while the Web site screen shots only show DVB streams, ATSC is supported—the announcement said that the ATSC SI/PSIP parser was improved in Build 82.

All versions support MPEG-2/DVB/ATSC PSI/SI/PSIP scanning, but only the paid versions include a real-time transport stream monitor. It should work with Windows BDA compatible cards. Unlike TSReader, it appears not to support MPEG-2 GOP analysis, based on the screen shots on the DVBStreamExplorer screen shots page.

The user interface and data presentation also differ a bit from TSReader. Now that a free edition is available, it should attract more users. At current exchange rates, the standard version is quite a bit more expensive than TSReader Standard, while the professional DVBStreamExplorer is a bit less expensive than TSReader Professional. Rod Hewitt's TSReader is available in free, standard and professional versions and works with a wide variety of devices accepting a wide variety of transport streams through Ethernet ports, ASI adapters, satellite or TV tuners.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.