DIPOL Weekly Review - TV and SAT TV, CCTV, WLAN

The Google's futuristic visions during IFA 2010 in Berlin.

The future will show whether the most important event of the IFA consumer electronics fair was the widely publicized 3D TV show, or one-hour presentation addressed to a small group of professionals.
On September 7, Eric Schmidt - Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Google - presented the company's development projects. "Mobile First" is Google's new strategy for the coming years.
The program presented by Google surpasses all previous IT ventures - in financial outlays, technical complexity, and potential impact on social life. Smartphones with broadband access to the Internet and supported by "cloud computing" will, according to Google, change the world in a revolutionary way. Mobile devices connected to the global network and aided by supercomputers will allow access to vast resources of data and the latest software for their processing.
After the desktop and laptop era, with data collected and processed at the desk or on one's lap, the smartphone era brings a personal assistant for any situation. A voice-controlled device translating foreign languages (directly in a conversation), processing data about traffic jams - in order to choose the optimum route, recognizing places and objects, searching for the most attractive commercial offers, supplying high-quality TV channels - will fit everyone's pocket. To carry out those and many other services, each smartphone will be supported by the combined computing power of supercomputers answering all the inquiries.

Eric Schmidt declared that the only restrictions in the new system will be those protecting the privacy of the users. Google will not distribute or archive data without the consent of the persons concerned. Although, after directing the lens of the smartphone on a passing person, it would be technically possible to obtain information on his/her identity, phone number, email address, job, interests etc. - Google does not intend to offer such features.
The basis for building the complete solution is to be Android, an open operating system, and continually developed Chrome - a web browser having more and more features. The openness of Android allows to exploit its huge potential for innovation - during the first contest for new applications there were presented 1788 utilities from over 70 countries.
During the lecture there were presented the new functions of mobile devices, based on this idea, such as advanced voice services - mobile English-German-English interpreter.

Another topic was the launch of Google TV. This year, Google TV will start in the United States, in 2011 it will be implemented in other countries. The television will be available for users of regular TV sets equipped with Set Top Boxes (STBs). After typing a phrase into search engine, e.g."football", the users will get information on upcoming matches to be transmitted, on available YouTube archives with recorded games, on interesting sports clubs etc.
Google provides the STB's software, Intel delivers processors, Logitech implements wireless keyboards and remote controls. Ultimately, it will be an open platform, allowing advanced users to create their own applications or to install third-party software.
Google TV will also be available on smartphones with Android OS and Chrome browser.

Eric Schmidt at IFA in Berlin

Google TV provides expansion of the ideas implemented in Apple TV, a small device being a network computer playing back audio-video materials. The videos for Apple TV are downloaded from online Apple Store, where rental of one episode of a series costs $ 0.99, an HD movie from $ 3.99 to $ 4.99. In addition, it is possible to use multimedia services such as YouTube and Netflix and to stream movies and TV shows bought on iTunes, stored on the home computer - just over the air. The device is equipped with Ethernet, HDMI, optical S/PDIF, USB and Wi-Fi "n"standard.
The Google TV device (STB) is to be more flexible. The use of Android, open operating system, and Chrome browser, gaining wider and wider popularity, will allow a multitude of applications.

The all-new Apple TV

Online poll on the cover of printed catalog DIPOL 2011.

Which one will be the cover of our printed catalog in 2011? Like every year, we arrange online voting - the choice is yours!

Online poll

Photo competition - "Engagingly about Antennas" - only till September 30, 2010.

Multiswitch system with 700 outlets in a 35-story building.

The design and implementation of such an installation is a major challenge for the designer and installation company.

The job can be properly done only when the designer and the contractor employ first-class equipment.

The design of the multiswitch system for 700 outlets

The project uses MSV-932 R70882, MSV-924 R70874, and MSV-912 R70862 multiswitches from TERRA. For this installation with very high risers the solution with MSV multiswitches is much better compared to typical cascade system. In the case of a failure of one of the multiswitches in such a cascade, the signal would not be available on 13 stores, which would effect in lack of the signal in about 260 outlets.
Application of MSV multiswitches and passive taps allows to avoid such problems. The passive components are virtually trouble-free, and in the case of a failure of one of the multiswitches the signal is lost only on one floor.
A very important feature of Terra multiswitches is also the availability of the supporting tool that significantly facilitates the work of the designer - SatNet 2.3 utility. It took only about 20 minutes to prepare the draft of the system.

Anyone interested in SatNet utility should read the article describing functions of the software: Designing SMATV systems with SatNet software from TERRA.

SatNet utility - zip file (12.1 MB).

Fast and secure data exchange - fiber optic link.

For smooth data flow between two buildings of a hospital complex, distant from each other about 10 kilometers, it has been decided to establish reliable and secure link which should guarantee stable data transmission rate of 1 Gb/s.
In order to ensure maximum security of the transmitted data, there has been created a separate fiber optic connection. Thanks to the existing fiber optic infrastructure between the buildings, it was enough to lease one strand of the single-mode fiber cable.
The link has been built with the use of Ethernet media converter set ULTIMODE M-207G ( L11525 ). Each of the two media converters has one SC connector used to transmit (Tx) or receive (Rx) the signal. It is possible due to the use of wavelength-division multiplexing technology (WDM) - different wavelengths of laser light carry different signals, over one strand of fiber. One of the devices transmits optical signal in the III transmission window (1550 nm), whereas the second uses the II window (1310 nm). It significantly lowers installation costs.

Use of fiber optic link for reliable long-range connection

Economical DVRs - what is more important - fast frame rate or high resolution?

Many installers look for recorders that ensure smooth video recording (operating at a fast frame rate) and high resolution of the images.
However, the DVRs which can record video with 4CIF resolution at 25 frames per second (in each channel) belong to the most expensive category.

A good compromise between overall quality of the system and the price of the DVR is to choose a model with a reasonably lower frame rate but with full image resolution.
The example of recording equipment with high resolution is the 8100HDI-S(E) series of HIKVISION-Ultimax-S DVRs. Each of these models can record 12 frames per second with a resolution of 704 x 576 pixels (4CIF). At this speed the recorded material is almost smooth, which allows to analyze all typical events.
The menu has been designed to facilitate navigation and changes to the recorder settings. Both the layout of the commonly used functions and graphic design follow the latest industry standards.

Video monitoring options (live and recorded material) of Hikvision-Ultimax DVRs - using a PDA, a remote PC (online connection), an offline PC (playback from a detachable HDD)

Undoubtedly, the strongest feature of HIKVISION DVRs which distinguishes them from competitors is stable operation in the network. HIKVISION DVRs connected to IP network are managed by the included software:

The M76080, M76081, M76160, M76161 models can cooperate with other Hikvision-Ultimax DVRs, which allows to continually extend the CCTV system (up to dozens of DVRs managed with the common software).
The M76081 and M76161 models also have detachable front panel providing free access to the drive bays (the access is impossible during normal operation).

HIKVISION company is a global industry giant which has been developing advanced CCTV security systems, being implemented throughout the world. This ensures that all the solutions have been well thought out, and the products meet the highest standards of quality.

Pixord PL-621 - excellent image quality at a low price.

Outdoor megapixel IP camera Pixord PL-621E K1533 is a professional model with high resolution (1600 x 1200), for a very reasonable price. The 2 Mpx image is compressed using H.264 codec, which provides very good image quality with high compression rate. Ability to work day and night and IR illuminator with 15 m range allow for a wide range of outdoor applications.

Pixord PL-621E - K1533

Distinguishing features:

Our Technical Department has launched an online transmission from the Pixord PL-621E camera (for the entire September) which can be simultaneously viewed by 100 guests. The camera works in full resolution (1600 x 1200), at 8 fps.
Especially during day time it provides natural colors and sharp edges of the objects, using very low bandwidth, but its high sensitivity also enables monitoring at night. The image can be viewed in full screen mode by clicking on the icon in the lower right corner.

The video from the Pixord PL-621E K1533 camera

Gamma correction in CCTV cameras.

Gamma correction is the camera feature which allows for nonlinear scaling of the brightness levels of the image to the characteristics of the display and human eye.
The original signal level is linearly dependent on the intensity of the incident light, while the impression of brightness perceived by the eye is proportional to the logarithm of the light intensity of the display (luminance).
The human eye senses a two-fold increase in brightness of some area when the luminance level is about six times higher. It is therefore appropriate to scale the image to compensate this phenomenon. It is usually carried out by a digital algorithm embedded in the camera's processing chip. It identifies the boundaries between areas of different brightness, and suitably corrects their luminance levels. In practice, the value of gamma determines the level of equalization of the contrast between various parts of the image, in order to better distinguish its elements. The typical gamma value in cameras is 0.45, which corresponds with logarithmic characteristics of the human eye sensitivity and typical displays.
As an example, the M11208 camera can use automatic gamma correction (the algorithm embedded by the manufacturer) or set by the user (a relative correction factor within the range 25 to 100).

The influence of gamma correction factor on the perceived image quality

Cameras with adjustment of relative correction factor:

Stable and reliable business network environment - application of professional TP-Link equipment.

Below we present an example of installation in a three-story building. Servers and the core router have been placed on the second floor. The main requirements are broadband access to the Internet and backup of the backbone links.

A commercial building with an IT network infrastructure

The network is based on Fast Ethernet and Giga Ethernet. The backbone links (between switches) use Giga Ethernet (1000 Mbps), the client links use Fast Ethernet connections.
In order to increase the reliability of the network, the backbone is protected by additional cable connections - to prevent interruption of transmission in the event of a damage to the main cable.

Installation Diagram
(orange color - Gigabit Ethernet, blue color - Fast Ethernet,
broken lines - backup cables)

The presented TP-Link devices allow to manage network traffic. Reliable operation of the network is supported by spanning tree protocol, QoS and robust security features.
Available management options include: command-line interface (CLI), telnet sessions, SNMP, management via web browser.
The protection mechanisms implemented in these professional TP-Link devices lower the risk of improper connections and enable diagnostics of the network cabling.

New DIPOL branch in Poland.

DIPOL Katowice

We have written about:

Stadiums and entertainment venues - a big problem with the signal quality. Stadiums and entertainment venues require excellent infrastructure for the transmission of television signals. This applies to both the uplink and downlink connections, mainly realized by means of satellites. Such places are increasingly being used to organize events based on direct broadcasts of sporting and artistic events, watched by large audiences. Due to the quality, reliability and transmission performance - in stadiums and entertainment halls there is no alternative to fiber optic solutions...

Remote monitoring of dispersed grocery stores. The owner of a network of small grocery stores in Belchatow, Poland, wanted to have at his office a video preview of all the stores. The office was located outside the city. In addition, the investor wanted to get high quality images for a very competitive price. The best solution available on the market was to install in each store ULTIMAX 204 M72040 DVR and use the included IVMS 4000 software for remote monitoring...

Block diagram of the distributed monitoring system

CDMA on vessels? Use omnidirectional CDMA antenna TRANS-DATA CDMA DZ10.2. The problem that occurs on board a ship, yacht etc. is practically no possibility of applying directional antennas for data transmission (they have to be always directed towards the CDMA base station). The solution is the use of an omnidirectional antenna - without a need to change its direction. TRANS-DATA CDMA DZ10.2 A742020 is outdoor omnidirectional antenna for receiving and transmitting CDMA signals in various environments...

Index of published issues