V-Flyer

How does the 'on-demand' bit of V-Port work?
Experienced similar system with SQ and thought it was fab.
I'm not very technical (you've probaly guessed)and I can't figure out how so many different passengers can access the same film at different times.

I don't know definitively but that has never stopped me before - I'm a consultant . It is "streamed" from a number of very fast hard disks. Modern Operating Systems will allow multiple people to access the same file so it wouldn't be necessary to have a disk per person.

The key to understanding AVOD is try to forget any pre-conceptions you have about the way video tape works. In AVOD, it's just a file on a hard disk, and the system is just streaming data (and has no concern whether it's video, audio or whatever). So, when you press a button on your handset saying 'show me Meet The Fokkers', all the system does is start streaming the bits and bytes of that file to your terminal from the beginning. It's a communication between the central computer (server) and the seatback systems (clients, or 'nodes'). Think of it like a network in the office, where you can open a document from the file server, and so can someone else, just a little more sophisticated.

Pete

Have worked a little bit with terrestrial VOD systems and the problem is not the number of people accessing a particular file but the number of people streaming data concurrently. In a terrestrial system operators normally allow for around 10% of subscribers (that is if there are 1000 subscribers the system must allow for 100 subscribers to be watching content at the same time) - I would guess that on an aircraft they have to allow for 100% (or very close).

I uncovered thisuseful arcticle that goes into some detail on the Thales IFE system which is being installed on Royal Brunei a/c and is a potential for the A380 - hope it is useful.

Phil (Buffy)

Thanks everyone:)

very interesting article Buffy - thanks!

That's a great artivle. I knew that the VOD systems run off a LINUX OS (seen at reboot time when V:Port crashes!) running from a mass of hard disks and distributed controller units but that gave me even more insight into how they work. With the introduction of MPEG4, faster CPU's and larger cheap hard drives, it should allow for greater range of programming without impact of extra weight or power etc. Things certaingly have come on a long way since the days of old ropey 8mm/VHS tapes (like those on the UA 757 I few on yesterday from BOS to LAX!) and the central projection screens.

Things certaingly have come on a long way since the days of old ropey 8mm/VHS tapes

Like the ones still in use on BA first:D

youve been watching too much mission impossible Chris;)

Hi All love the Vport system

Does any one know what the new upgrades will be to this and the new features

Originally posted by Kryten
Things certaingly have come on a long way since the days of old ropey 8mm/VHS tapes

Ha, I remember when they had proper films on board planes! I used to fly B-Cal out to africa all the time, and they had these projectors in the ceilings of their boeing 707's. The film was loaded in a big cassette, and there was a little trapdoor with a mirror on the inside that flipped down to 45¼. The lens pointed straight down but bounced the projection off this onto a screen that was lowered over the aisle. This technology wasnt exactly robust, so thankfully they seemed to carry spare film cassettes - which were huge, or so it seemed at the time. Ahh those were the days. *sigh*.

I have to admit, V-Port is absolutely fantastic. No longer is it cool for an airline just to offer its passengers just their own television. Being able to watch what you want, when you want is just brilliant. And the abililty to stop, pause, fast forward and rewind what you watch is great, too.

On my outbound flight to Hong Kong last week, I remember that when it was switched on, it was very sluggish for the first few minutes, but then worked at lightning speed.

Managed to crash mine a few days ago somehow.
Sat there with a black screen afterwards for about 5 minutes until it started to reboot like a pc - apparently it seems to use a Linux system as this was mentioned a few times during the start-up text on screen.

Oh to be able to have so much choice - wonderful. And not to have to watch the same old junk as everyone else, but to be able to pick your own choice of junk - fantastic. But I think the pause and rewind are the most useful features - Have you noticed that the sixth law of Sod dictates that the cabin crew will always ask if you want another drink in the middle of the car chase. With V-port, just pause, order, back up a bit, restart. Easy as POBR (well you technical guys seem to enjoy 4LA's).

99

Hi
Just to add to the above comments, the brief description given of how the system works is correct, but also bear in mind the sytem also has to interact with the aircraft PA system, as well as the controls for your reading lights, cabin crew call bell etc. It is a very complex piece of kit. Virgin actually speeds a lot of time and money, (more than a lot of the airlines) on keeping this maintained. The software the system is regularly updated and he movies/programmes are changed every month. the reliability of the VOD/vport is actually very high, considering its complexity. Do enjoy it, it is an excellent piece of technology, no doubt internet to follow I hope

Hi Golfman welcome to V-Flyer

Sounds like you know a far bit about the V:Port system Thanks, I'd not really thought about how much the IFE is integrated into the aircraft systems

Regards