In the dynamically growing hospitality industry, technology plays a key role in shaping the guest experience. In an era when customer expectations are rising, and service standards are becoming increasingly higher, hotel owners—both small and large—are seeking modern solutions to help them meet these challenges. Today, no one can imagine a hotel room without a television and a wide range of local and international channels. The reception and distribution of television channels in the hotel is managed by a headend.

The Best Headends for 2024

We present a ranking of the best headends for 2024, designed for various types of hospitality facilities. Each of these headends offers unique features and capabilities that can significantly improve service quality and guest satisfaction. We will take a look at the latest technologies, innovative solutions, and key features that make these headends stand out in the market.

1. Lemco Pro Line PLC 302 Headend

The first place, due to its unmatched innovation and versatility, goes to the Pro Line PLC 302 headend from the Greek company Lemco. Lemco is a family company from Athens that has been providing innovative solutions for television signal distribution for nearly 50 years. It is known in Europe for its excellent HDMI modulators controlled via Bluetooth interface. This is probably the only “all-in-one” headend currently available on the European market, meaning that nothing else is needed in the hotel. In addition to receiving and transmodulating terrestrial and satellite TV channels to DVB-T or DVB-C standards, the headend simultaneously transmits the signal in the form of IPTV multicasts. Moreover, the headend has a built-in Fleex Embedded hotel TV system, which allows displaying basic hotel information on hotel TVs (LG, Philips, Samsung). In case of an incompatible TV, a dedicated STB can be used. Another bonus is that the headend comes with a redundant dual power supply at an attractive price. The manufacturer also promises additional features for this headend soon.

Pro Line Headend Family

• PLC – for receiving both encrypted and unencrypted channels
• PLF – for receiving unencrypted channels
• PLH – encoders with HDMI inputs
• PLI – transcoder for converting IPTV multicast streams to DVB-T or DVB-C signals

Lemco Pro Line PLC 302 Headend Specifications:

• 16 independent multistandard inputs DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2/S2X
• IPTV multicast reception from OTT provider – up to 112 x SPTS @ 800 Mpbs
• Number of CI slots – 8 (FlexCAM technology)
• 16 RF outputs QAM/COFDM (software-selectable)
• IPTV streaming (up to 128 x SPTS / 16 x MPTS) @ 800 Mpbs
• MER value > 45 dB
• Maximum output level: 90 dBµV
• User-friendly interface
• Hot Pluggable dual power supplies
• Power consumption: ~65W
• 5-year warranty

2. Axing MK 1606HCI Headend

Second place in the ranking goes to the headend from the Swiss company Axing, specifically the MK 16-06HCI headend. This is the latest headend, which was launched at the IBC 2024 fair in Amsterdam, and like the Lemco Pro Line 302 headend, it can simultaneously transmit TV channels in DVB-T or DVB-C and IPTV standards. Axing AG was founded in 1985 by Axel Bechler and representatives of German manufacturers’ factories. Axing products have been present on the Polish market for many years.

 

CHP Headend Family

Depending on the type, MK series headends can receive DVB-S/S2/S2x/T/T2/C signals or DVB-S/S2/S2x and modulate selected programs into DVB-C, DVB-T, or DVB-T2. Their functionality can also be expanded with software extensions. The headend can be mounted directly on the wall or converted for installation in a 19″ rack using MKZ 1-0x front panels. FM, DAB+ channel converters, and a universal input modulator complete the offer. Headends are managed via SmartPortal.

Currently, they are labeled as follows:
MK – headend with DVB-T or C output (except for MK-820/826 headend with DVB-T2 output)
MIP – headend with IPTV multicast output
Numbers at the beginning: 4, 8, 12, 16 – number of independent inputs
Numbers at the end: 0, 3, or 6. 0 – headend without CI slots FTA, 3 or 6 – headend equipped with 3 or 6 CI slots

Additional designations:
I – the headend allows for the change of the output standard from DVB-T/C to IPTV via software
N – headend has satellite receivers only
H – hybrid headend, with TV channels on output simultaneously in DVB-T or C and IPTV standards

Axing MK 16-06H Headend Specifications:

• 16 independent multistandard inputs DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2/S2X
• Number of CI slots – 6 (Remux/Cross technology)
• 16 RF outputs QAM/COFDM (software-selectable)
• Data rate/tuner max. 80 MBit/s
• MER value > 40 dB
• Maximum output level: 100 dBµV
• User-friendly interface
• 1U rack size
• Dual power supply (optional)
• Power consumption: 70W
• 3-year warranty

3. GSS Smart Compact Hybrid 8S2X 4M QM Headend

In third place is the GSS Smart Compact Hybrid 8S2X 4M QM headend from GSS Smart Solution, valued for its high performance and versatility in distributing TV signals. GSS traces its roots to the legendary German company Grundig. Since 2005, it has regularly introduced modern devices for receiving and retransmitting TV signals. This is the only device in our ranking that has both a Mediaplayer and Webplayer function. With the Mediaplayer, you can play and distribute up to 3 movies simultaneously in the network, such as a hotel promo video. The second mentioned function, the Webplayer, allows conversion of 3 HLS (

HTTP Live Streaming) internet streams (e.g., from YouTube) to UDP or RTP standard, which can be distributed in the IPTV network. Unfortunately, due to the specific design of the headend, there are no CI slots. The headend only receives unencrypted FTA channels. If access to encrypted channels is required, you can always choose the GSS Smart Server, offering many more possibilities.

GSS Smart Compact Hybrid 16S2X QM10 Headend Specifications:

• 8 DVB-S2X tuners supporting 16/32/64/128/256APSK modulation
• 4 DVB-S/S2/C/C2/T/T2 tuners
• Number of CI slots – none
• Up to 60 SPTS (Single Programme Transport Stream) on output
• Data rate/tuner max. 83 MBit/s
• 16 QAM modulators
• 16 QAM modulators
• MER > 42 dB
• Maximum output level: 80 dBµV
• Compact dimensions: 154 x 174 x 235 mm
• Power consumption: 80W
• 12-month warranty

4. Inverto airScreen tality™ 1 RU Headend

The fourth place in the ranking goes to the Inverto airScreen tality™ 1 RU headend, which stands out with its modular design and low operating costs.

airScreen tality™ 1 RU Headend Specifications:

• Modular design – allows installation of up to 6 functional modules
• Input modules: DVB-T/T2, DVB-S/S2, DVB-C, HDMI (including Pro version), CVBS
• Output modules: DVB-T, DVB-C
• Max. IPTV channels input – 120
• Max. IPTV channels output – 120
• CI slots – depends on modules
• Coding for up to 24 HD channels
• Power consumption: 120 W
• 12-month warranty

5. Lemco SCL-824CT Headend

The fifth place goes to the Lemco SCL-824CT headend, which offers flexible solutions for FTA TV and IPTV.

Lemco SCL-824CT Headend Specifications:

• 8 independent DVB-S/S2/T/T2/C inputs
• 4 RF outputs in DVB-T/C standard
• MER > 42 dB
• Linux operating system
• Compact dimensions
• SNMP v2 support
• 5-year warranty

Summary

In the ranking above, we presented the five best headends for 2024, offering wide possibilities for hotels and facilities of various sizes. Each of the headends described stands out for its advanced technology, reliability, and ease of management, making them capable of meeting the expectations of even the most demanding users. An important parameter is also power consumption, which is a significant factor given current energy prices. A common feature of the headends is that the distributed output signal can be transmitted simultaneously via coaxial cable in DVB-T or DVB-C standards and increasingly popular IPTV (SPTS). Of course, each headend has its individual settings, further expanding the capabilities of these devices.

We will soon publish more detailed descriptions of each headend mentioned to help you better understand their functions and capabilities. We encourage you to regularly visit our website for detailed reviews.

All headends mentioned in the ranking are available for purchase directly from iBeeQ, which offers full technical support and advice on choosing the right devices for your facility’s needs.

Contact iBeeQ to learn more about the offer and select the best TV solution for your hotel or facility.