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

No. 37/2010 (Nov. 8, 2010)

Monitoring center in the camera.

A monitoring center or post located within the supervised premises, controlling several analog cameras and recording the surveillance video on a time-lapse VCR, was the prototype of today's CCTV monitoring systems.
A milestone in the development of video surveillance was the emergence of IP cameras and video transmission in computer networks, allowing to monitor a number of scattered buildings/locations. But the growing quantities of video material, proportional to the number of cameras installed, was an unnecessary burden while extending such systems.
The monitoring center or post, usually equipped with several video monitors, has to be operated by trained surveillance staff. Research indicates that after about 20 minutes of continuous observation of a single monitor displaying an image from a surveillance camera, the operator may miss up to 90% of the events. To avoid such situations, there has been developed image analysis software which supports the operator.
Unfortunately, if the system has to record and analyze multiple video streams simultaneously, the quality demands on hardware and software greatly increase. Another problem is the fact that an effective image analysis requires high quality video, which can be transmitted only by wide-band networks. It often happens that the available networks do not fulfill this requirement.

The need to overcome these restrictions led to the intensification of the work of engineers. As a result, we are on the verge of another revolution in the security industry. The new idea is to analyze the image directly in the camera and send the outcome either to a coordinating center or even directly to intervention groups. The possibility of installing image analysis software in cameras is connected with the development of a new generation of digital signal processors.
The standard image analysis using analytic server, and a new functionality of cameras,
allowing direct transmission of their images to smartphones of patrol services
The simplest application of the analysis conducted by a camera is limitation of video transmission only to periods after detecting some motion. It allows to reduce the traffic in telecommunications networks, as well as the amount of material that must be further analyzed.
The camera sends images when it detects a traffic offense, indicating the path taken by the car.
The footage of the event can be downloaded from the memory card built into the camera.
Cameras with built-in image analysis are often used to monitor traffic and provide information only when they detect traffic violations, such as overtaking or parking in dangerous places. They often recognize the vehicle registration number and send it to the system.

They want to see Bromo.

Every day before dawn, crowds of people gather on a mount with telecommunication towers. They can get there only by off-road vehicles, but it does not prevent anyone from the experience. Everyone wants to see the Bromo at dawn.
They want to see Bromo at dawn. How does it look at sunrise
and where one must go to see it? - You can check your answers at the end of this issue.

DVB-T and analog TV meter Digiair PRO.

Digiair PRO R10510 has been designed and manufactured by Emitor company in Sweden. The main purpose of the meter is to assist installers in adjusting TV antennas. The device measures parameters of analog TV and digital DVB-T - COFDM signals, including bit error rate (BER) and modulation error ratio (MER). It can also present constellation diagrams of digital signals and measure parameters of six analog channels simultaneously.
Digiair PRO - DVB-T &analog TV meter
A short demonstration of the functions
of Digiair PRO R10510 meter

Lossless splitting of cable TV signal for multi-room reception.

The signal after splitting among multiple televisions should range between 62 dB and 80 dB. If the input signal is too low to meet this requirement (using passive splitters/taps), the subscriber should use an amplifier.
Most antenna amplifiers cannot be used for this purpose, due to unspecified parameters for special cable channels. The void is filled by the AWS-1145 B117028 and AI-223 R90452 amplifiers. Each of the amplifiers has passive return channel, which allows to connect a cable modem. It also enables operation of remote control extenders, e.g. Signal-Link R93109. Gain adjustment is combined with correction of cable loss. Maximum output level of the amplifiers (100 dBuV and 105 dBuV respectively) is suitable for feeding up to 10 - 15 antenna outlets.
AI-223 R90452 can be used as a signal distribution device, including cable TV networks

Convenience and flexibility - video surveillance via cellular phones.

A very convenient and helpful function of CCTV systems is the possibility of remote monitoring of the CCTV images via mobile phones or smartphones. Until recently, it required installation of the appropriate software for the phones by the installation companies (the phones had to be delivered to the companies in order to load the software).
The engineers from AverMedia company have solved this problem. The M76004 and M76008 NVRs as well as M75108 and M75216 hybrid DVRs enable the users (without logging in) to access the installations files for cellular phones based on Windows Mobile system or those supporting JAVA.
Cellular phone running Android system and JAVA environment
(JAVA viewer)
In this way the users can get access to images from the cameras via phones that have not been specially prepared for cooperation with the NVR/DVR. The control of the function is simple and intuitive. The video streams are transmitted in resolution suitable for small mobile screens, saving Internet bandwidth. PDA Viewer application includes the following functions:
  • displaying images from multiple channels;
  • audio transmission from one, selected channel;
  • full-screen or quad mode;
  • remote playback of recordings;
  • remote control of relay outputs.
Other applications for cellular phones are iPhoneViewer and iBlackberryViewer. These applications allow the owners of the two types of mobile phones to monitor the CCTV system from anywhere in the world.

Remote management over local monitoring systems.

A frequent problem encountered in video monitoring of dispersed locations is lack of broadband networks with suitable transmission parameters throughout the whole system. The best solution in such cases is to divide the system into smaller units with specially dedicated NVR servers. The entire system can be monitored by a client application.
With appropriate software configuration, the authorized users can access the system via a web browser from anywhere in the world.
Outdoor IP Camera: ACTi TCM-1232 (1.3 Mpx, H.264, IR) 1.3 Mpx IP Dome Camera: ACTi TCM-3511 (H.264, IR)
The concept of remote management
The concept has been implemented in a housing development. The video surveillance system allows the monitoring of buildings and the parking lot.
The system employs ACTi cameras TCM-1232 K1020 and TCM-3511 K1040, and servers running ACTi NVR software which performs functions such as schedule recording, motion detection, camera management.
Access to the NVRs is possible through LAN/WAN/WLAN. The entire facility is monitored by the guards at the surveillance post located at the entrance to the development. A great convenience for the security staff patrolling the area is the ability to view the images from the cameras on their smartphones or PDAs, using WiFi connectivity (WLAN).

A home LAN/WLAN with wireless access to the Internet and IP CCTV system.

As shown below, the Internet is accessed through wireless access point integrated with antenna. This solution allows to connect the devices inside the building via UTP cable. The selection of the access point depends on the frequency at which the signal is provided by an ISP - in this example the AP operates in 5 GHz band.
The central device of the network is the access point with built-in router and Gigabit switch - TL-WR1043ND N3253. It has the following features:
  • router - allows to connect many computer to the LAN, with the use of one external IP address,
  • AP - access point supporting "n" standard - allows wireless data transmission at speeds up to 300 Mb/s,
  • Gigabit switch - supports the wired part of the network, allows data transmission speeds up to 1000 Mb/s,
  • USB port allows to connect an external HDD available for all computers in the LAN,
  • built-in firewall improves security of the LAN.
Wireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 319KCAccess Point TP-Link TL-WR1043ND (w. router &GbE switch, 802.11n, 300Mbps)Outdoor IP Camera: ACTi ACM-1231 (1.3 Mpx)Outdoor IP Camera: ACTi ACM-1231 (1.3 Mpx)8-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch: TP-Link TL-SG1008D8-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch: TP-Link TL-SG1008DIP DVR/NVR: AverMedia EXR6004Mini (4-ch. H.264 VGA)IP VGA Camera: ACTi ACM-4001IP VGA Camera: ACTi ACM-4001Multifunction Peripheral (MFP) &Storage Server<br /> TP-LINK TL-PS310U
A home LAN/WLAN system
The key functions of the multimedia computer network:
  • access to all devices connected to the network;
  • access of the computers and multimedia devices (e.g. TVs) to NAS/NVR, which allows for direct playback of video, audio, pictures etc;
  • printing to shared network printers;
  • possibility of connecting various USB devices e.g. USB flash drive, scanner, external hard drive, web camera via Multifunction Peripheral (MFP) &Storage Server N3312.
IP CCTV system consists of network cameras and NVR. The system can employ cameras with megapixel and VGA resolutions.
The basic functions of the IP CCTV system:
  • the video streams from K1511 cameras are recorded by the M76004 NVR;
  • online video and the footage recorded on the NVR can be viewed on any computer connected to the network;
  • with an appropriate configuration of the router, the surveillance data can be made available via the Internet.

Eiffel Tower at Sat Krak 2010.

We invite you to watch the movie.
Multiswitch Tower like Eiffel Tower

Mount Bromo - Indonesia.

Mount Bromo is an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia. Its elevation is 2329 meters above sea level, the diameter of the crater is about 700 meters. The volcano is very active, during the last strong eruption on June 8, 2004, it killed two people. Despite the constant threat, the area is frequently visited by tourists because of beautiful scenery at dawns. The tourists watch the volcano from the viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan (Gunung Penanjakan).
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