Broadcasting a television channel normally requires several separate systems: playout automation, transport stream generation, service information tables, EPG generation, teletext insertion, monitoring, and a reliable output path to DVB, IPTV, or RF distribution.
With VMA MUX and VMA Teletext Generator, VMA Broadcast is developing a compact and practical solution for creating an automatic TV channel from a simple folder of video files — while still preserving many of the features expected from a real broadcast transport stream.
The objective is simple:
Put video files into a folder and automatically generate a TV channel with service information, EPG, teletext pages, and a DVB/IP-compatible transport stream output.
What is VMA MUX?
VMA MUX is a file-based transport stream generator designed to create a continuous TV channel from local video files.
Instead of requiring complex playout automation software, VMA MUX can monitor a media folder, process the available video files, generate a linear channel, and output a transport stream suitable for further distribution.
This can be used for:
- Local information channels
- Hotel TV channels
- Hospital TV channels
- Campus or company channels
- Demonstration channels
- Test multiplexes
- Museum or exhibition video loops
- Closed-circuit DVB/IP distribution
- Broadcast engineering labs
The software is especially useful where a simple but technically valid television service is required, without the complexity and cost of a full broadcast playout system.
Automatic Channel Creation
VMA MUX is designed around a practical workflow.
The operator places video files in a media folder. The software then plays them in sequence, generates the required broadcast signalling, and creates a continuous transport stream.
When content has already been played, it can be moved to an archive folder, while new files can automatically enter the rotation. If no new content is available, the system can continue using existing material, making it suitable for unattended operation.
This makes it possible to create a self-running channel for environments where content changes regularly but technical operation needs to remain simple.
EPG Support
A television channel is more useful when viewers can see what is currently playing and what comes next.
VMA MUX supports programme metadata through external EPG information. Each video file can have associated title, description, extended description, duration, and rating information.
This allows the generated channel to provide a proper electronic programme guide rather than simply playing a sequence of anonymous files.
For hotels, hospitals, campuses, and local networks, this makes the channel feel much more like a real television service.
Service Information and DVB Compatibility
A valid digital TV service requires more than video and audio packets. It also needs the correct signalling tables so receivers can identify the channel, display its name, tune correctly, and access additional services.
VMA MUX generates the required transport stream structure, including service identification and programme information, so that the output can be used in DVB/IP environments.
Depending on the final installation, the generated stream can be sent to an IPTV network, a DVB modulator, a cable headend, or a test and measurement environment.
What is VMA Teletext Generator?
VMA Teletext Generator is a companion tool designed to create and manage teletext pages for the channel.
Although teletext is an older technology, it remains extremely useful in controlled TV distribution environments. It works on standard television receivers, requires no app, no internet connection, and no smart TV platform.
For local information services, teletext is still a very efficient way to distribute structured text-based information.
Typical uses include:
- Welcome pages
- Hotel information
- Restaurant menus
- Visiting hours
- Local news
- Weather
- Emergency information
- Service status pages
- Event schedules
- Transport information
- Internal announcements
- Technical test pages
Automatic and Static Teletext Pages
VMA Teletext Generator can create both automatic and manually edited pages.
Automatic pages can be generated from data sources such as news feeds, weather information, or predefined templates. Static pages can be created and edited manually for permanent information such as contact details, instructions, service descriptions, or local notices.
This combination allows the operator to maintain a rich teletext service without needing to draw every page manually.
Teletext Page Editor
The software includes a teletext page editor for creating and adjusting pages visually.
Teletext has strict technical limitations: fixed character grids, limited colours, control codes, mosaic graphics, double-width and double-height characters, and page numbering rules. VMA Teletext Generator hides much of this complexity behind a practical editor, making it easier to create pages that can be transmitted and displayed by real receivers.
The editor can be used to create classic teletext-style pages, information screens, index pages, and static content pages.
Image Import and Mosaic Conversion
One of the most interesting features of VMA Teletext Generator is the ability to import images and convert them into teletext-style mosaic graphics.
Because teletext is not a bitmap graphics system, images must be approximated using mosaic characters and the available teletext colour palette. This allows logos, simple graphics, icons, and visual layouts to be adapted for teletext transmission.
This is particularly useful for branded hotel information pages, channel identity pages, test pages, and retro-style broadcast graphics.
Why This Matters
Many organisations still have existing television distribution infrastructure. Hotels, hospitals, public buildings, campuses, and small cable systems often distribute TV using DVB-C, DVB-T, IPTV, or RF networks.
Creating a custom local channel for these environments is often either too basic or too expensive.
A simple media player connected to a modulator can show a video loop, but it does not provide proper broadcast signalling, EPG, teletext, or flexible automation.
A full professional playout system can provide all of this, but it may be too complex and costly for small installations.
VMA MUX and VMA Teletext Generator aim to fill the gap between these two extremes.
Possible Applications
Hotels
A hotel can use the system to create an internal information channel with promotional videos, restaurant information, spa services, conference information, local attractions, weather, and emergency contacts.
The same channel can include teletext pages for guests who want quick access to structured information using the TV remote control.
Hospitals
A hospital can create a patient information channel with visiting rules, meal information, hospital services, internal announcements, health information videos, and local news.
Teletext pages can provide quick reference information without requiring interactive TV middleware.
Local Communities
Municipalities, clubs, churches, and community organisations can use the system to create low-cost local channels for events, announcements, local news, and public information.
Broadcast Engineering and Testing
For broadcast engineers, VMA MUX can be used to generate test services, demonstration multiplexes, EPG test streams, teletext test pages, and controlled transport stream outputs for receiver testing and monitoring.
A Practical Alternative to Complex Playout Systems
The main design goal is practicality.
VMA MUX does not try to replace high-end national broadcast automation systems. Instead, it focuses on a very specific requirement:
Create a valid, useful, automated TV channel from local files with minimal operational complexity.
For many small operators, this is exactly what is needed.
Towards a Complete Channel-in-a-Box Solution
The combination of VMA MUX and VMA Teletext Generator can form the basis of a compact “channel-in-a-box” system.
A complete installation could include:
- A mini PC or industrial PC
- VMA MUX
- VMA Teletext Generator
- Web-based management interface
- Local video folder or upload portal
- EPG metadata generation
- Teletext page generation
- DVB/IP transport stream output
- Optional connection to a DVB-C, DVB-T, or IPTV distribution system
- Remote monitoring and support
This would allow non-specialist operators to maintain a local TV channel while still benefiting from proper broadcast-oriented output.
Conclusion
VMA MUX and VMA Teletext Generator demonstrate how modern software can simplify the creation of a traditional television service.
By combining automatic file-based playout, transport stream generation, EPG support, service information, and teletext generation, the system makes it possible to create a complete local TV channel from ordinary video files and structured data.
For hotels, hospitals, campuses, local networks, and broadcast test environments, this offers a practical and cost-effective way to create an in-house television channel without investing in a full-scale broadcast automation platform.
VMA MUX turns a folder of video files into a TV channel.
VMA Teletext Generator turns structured information into broadcast-compatible teletext pages.
Together, they create a complete and flexible platform for local DVB/IP television services.