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

Americans want to pay less for television and they choose IPTV and OTT.

According to SNL Kagan's report, pay-TV market in the U.S. declined in the second quarter of 2010 by 246,000 subscribers. The downward trend also continued in the third quarter, traditionally very good for pay-TV operators, with decrease of 119,000. For comparison - in the third quarter of 2009 there was an increase of 346,000.

Particularly interesting conclusions emerge after careful analysis of the report. In the third quarter of 2010, of the three main segments of the pay-TV, a dramatic reduction occurred in the area of cable television - about 741,000, in the satellite pay-TV there was an increase of 145,000, but the real sensation was the increase in the IPTV ... by 476,000.

What is the reason of the increased demand for pay-IPTV despite the reluctance to pay?

IPTV is addressed to specific subscribers. It allows for a much greater flexibility - each subscriber can influence the programming by selecting and ordering particular programs (Video on Demand). This way of using television can cost much less that the entire bundle from a TV cable operator, most of it "wasted". That's why IPTV, so far a niche technology, shows significant growth, with pay-TV market share of 6.4%, compared to 4.7% last year.

But the television technology that currently experiences great boom in the U.S., being at its beginning only the domain of a handful of enthusiasts and supporters of pirate content, is OTT TV. It is also distributed via IP networks, but is different from IPTV due to its openness - the transmission is performed over normal Internet infrastructure, instead of dedicated networks, and versatility - it can be received on all devices which allow the use of the Internet (computers, phones, televisions equipped with Internet interfaces) - as opposed to IPTV, which requires dedicated set-top boxes.
The boom and a lot of interest in this new technology were sparked by Google TV launched earlier this year. Google's marketing efforts have strengthened the involvement of other OTT providers (Hulu, Ustream, Justin TV, Apple TV), as was seen during the "Black Friday".
"Black Friday" is the traditional start of Christmas shopping, the day of crazy discounts and sales. One of the highlights of this year's sale was Roku player, allowing playback of streaming media from the Internet (OTT) on normal TVs.

Traditionally, the beginning of January is the time of Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Market analysts await with interest what will be the main theme of the exhibition - OTT TV or 3D TV.

The term OTT TV (Over-The-Top Television) is defined as transmission of video content bypassing the traditional distribution channels (terrestrial and satellite broadcasting, cable TV).
The expression Over-The-Top comes from the trenches of World War I, where, aside from the meaning of a "normal" military order, anyone who lost their mind from war trauma would disobey orders and climb over the top of the protective trenches, risking their life. Coming out from the "trenches" of established TV broadcasting implies the transition to the Internet. But the fight against the traditional alliance of broadcasters and content producers will be fierce, even for such fighters as Google. Fox TV, ABC, CBS, NBC and Viacom have blocked access to their websites for owners of Google TV. On the other hand, the distribution of OTT content is so easy that new broadcasters quickly fill all available niches, gaining increasing popularity. For example, Justin TV already has more than 2000 active channels and 30 million users.
Everything indicates that the crisis and unwillingness to pay high bills accelerates the development of OTT, which will lead to the breaking of the defense lines of traditional broadcasters.

Digital platform in the country of painted Orthodox churches and a merry cemetery.

Satellite platform Digi TV is a project created in one of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It covers Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Serbia and Croatia. Estimates say that the platform has achieved about 2.5 million viewers.
In the north of the country where the platform came into being there is a group of interesting monasteries built in the sixteenth century. Architecturally, they are a synthesis of the Byzantine and western style of the Gothic and Renaissance. Eight of them are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.
The list of world heritage also includes a much younger national monument - a merry cemetery. The cemetery is unique in the world - the graves are arranged in a completely different way than in other graveyards. It does not deny the seriousness of death, but creates a folk garden of remembrance.
In what country was Digi TV founded? - Your curiosity can be satisfied at the end of this issue.

Digi TV - satellite platform available in 6 countries

One of the painted churches inscribed on the UNESCO list

Multiswitch systems - the importance of considering network topology.

The basis for the implementation of properly functioning SMATV system is a relevant project. Choosing an appropriate topology at the system design phase allows to avoid many problems in the implementation stage.

An example of problems caused by choosing inappropriate topology is the case of SMATV system implemented at one of the football stadiums.
Distribution of television signals throughout a stadium is a challenging task. The problems are caused by signal loss in long cables.

The layout of RF outlets (64) at the stadium. The problems are caused by long cable stretches.

The designer has chosen a cascade installation.

The designer, deciding to use cascadable multiswitches, had to employ two devices in each distribution node. There was problem with low signals (especially of terrestrial TV) in the farthermost outlets. It was necessary to use additional amplifiers, which raised the cost and complicated the whole system.

9-cable system - multiswitch installations

A more advanced concept of distributing satellite and terrestrial signals at stadiums and in entertainment venues has been presented in the 22nd issue of this year's newsletter.

IP video monitoring becomes simpler.

The problem in the development of IP CCTV systems is more complicated installation and configuration of equipment, compared to analog CCTV systems.
Many installers are looking for simple and effective solutions that allow quick connection and simple configuration of the equipment and its recording functions, combined with the functionality and reliability of digital systems.

IP CCTV system based on NVR Avermedia M76008

They will be satisfied using IP DVR/NVR AverMedia EXR6008 M76008. This network recorder can cooperate with 8 IP cameras. The H.264 compression standard combined with the ability to support high capacity SATA hard drives allows to store CCTV footage captured over many days. The device can record images at a maximum resolution of 5 Mpx (from one channel) and of 2.3 Mpx (from other channels).

The DVR/NVR does not have a VGA output that would be useless for network operation. With two Gigabit LAN connectors, the real-time system based on the device can even use uncompressed data streams.
Intelligent recording functions - motion detection, alarm handling, e-mail notification of events and the ability to control external devices through relay outputs - meet the highest modern standards.

The manufacturer of the network recorder also provides a comprehensive software package for remote management: Remote Console (application for remote control and monitoring of the NVR), WebViewer (installed when the NVR is to be monitored via Internet Explorer), Dispatch Server (multi-user streaming server). Other available components are applications for mobile phones: JavaViewer, PDA Viewer, iPhoneViewer, iBlackberryViewer.

The Avermedia NVR can cooperate with over 200 models of IP cameras coming from 58 manufacturers (including 31 models of ACTi cameras). The number of compatible cameras continually increases. Constantly developed new versions of the software will allow for updating and improvement of implemented functions.

How to view images from a CCTV camera on cell phones with Android or Symbian OS?

The movies present the configuration of LG and Nokia smartphones for cooperation with the ULTIMAX-204 M72040 DVR. With the appropriate settings, the video from CCTV camera can be viewed on the phones' screens.

Task-dependent selection of CCTV cameras.

Rapid development and investment in expensive machinery have forced a thorough modernization of the existing video surveillance system in a production plant. The cameras mounted inside buildings did not provide images with desired detail, and the events taking place outside the buildings were not recorded. The new requirements of the investor included facial recognition of people inside the buildings and detection of strangers in certain places in the vicinity of the buildings, also in the dark.

The optimal choice for indoor cameras has been CAM 622 M10741. High resolution of 600 TVL in combination with wide-angle lens (67^o) ensure coverage of a significant portion of the space, while maintaining very good detail. Due to small size it was easy to mount the cameras on ceilings and walls.

The premises are not uniformly illuminated. The entrance to the plant is monitored by the camera SN-BXC59/30CDN M11209 with Tokina lens (6-60 mm F1.6) M2313. The camera has a number of functions that improve imaging quality, including HLC (Highlight Compensation - it reduces over-exposure of the image by car headlights) and BLC (Back Light Compensation - it improves exposure of the objects that are in front of the sunlight). The lens has a large depth of field, so the imaging of people and cars remains sharp in the whole monitored area, which is needed for easy identification.
Illuminated areas outside the plant are monitored by cameras u-cam 575 M11181 with Tokina lenses M2311 (3-8.2 mm, F0. 98). High sensitivity of the cameras combined with superior brightness of the lenses ensures good visibility with the existing lighting, so there is no need for additional lights. The cameras are enclosed in MHB-806/12 Marathon housings ( M5408).

Unlit areas have been covered by compact cameras n-cam 559 M11268 with built-in IR illuminators with range up to 50 m. The cameras allow to adjust viewing angle (12.5-30^o), are very sensitive (0.05 lx in night mode without IR illumination), and provide much detail (550 TVL).

The video from the cameras is recorded by 16-channel DVR TREND 250X16 H.264 M72516. It uses high-resolution mode (4CIF: 704 x 576) and video motion detection from the images of outdoor cameras out of working hours. High-definition VGA output (FullHD - 1920 x 1080 pixels) allows to use 40" LCD monitor and perform simultaneous monitoring of 4 cameras in their native resolution. It fulfills the requirements of the investor to identify people, license plates etc.
The security of the recorded material is increased by using two hard drives SEAGATE 1 TB SV35.5 M89265, specially designed for CCTV applications. The 35.5SV(TM) series ensures reliable operation, greater resistance to vibration and high temperature, lower power consumption and noise emission.

Block diagram of the system taking into account proper selection of the cameras,
dependent on lighting conditions

IP CCTV system with ACTi cameras in a school.

A secondary school in Great Britain has been equipped with a modern IP CCTV system based on megapixel cameras from ACTi. The system protects well-equipped classrooms, computer equipment etc. against theft and vandalism, as well as improves the safety of the students and teachers.
WDR function implemented in the outdoor cameras allows for easy identification of license plates of the cars in the school area, even in difficult light conditions.

IP CCTV system in a school in suburban area of Nottingham, UK,
based on IP cameras from ACTi

Over ten TCM-3511 K1040 cameras with built-in illuminators have been mounted inside the school facilities. They ensure full visibility even in complete darkness. Their alarm inputs are connected with sensors installed on the doors of laboratories. Any unauthorized intrusion into the rooms automatically starts video recording.

The outside areas are monitored by several cameras TCM-1231 K1021. The video footage from all cameras is recorded on a server using free application ACTi NVR Enterprise which supports up to 64 IP devices. It will allow for future expansion of the system. The school can be monitored through the LAN network and via the Internet, using client application.

GSM repeaters - use certified (and legal) equipment covering the whole band.

Most GSM repeaters available on the market do not operate in full GSM band. The additional EGSM band (Extended GSM) covers the frequency ranges of 880-890 MHz and 925-935 MHz (the "standard" GSM900 uses 890-915 MHz and 935-960 MHz ranges).

When buying/installing a GSM repeater it is necessary to determine whether it works in EGSM band - otherwise it will not strengthen signals of many European operators and the incoming and outgoing calls using that frequency range will not be possible.

An application of GSM repeater

DIPOL has launched a new series of GSM repeaters that also amplify the EGSM band (880-915 MHz, 925-960 MHz).

The series of GSM900 full band repeaters:

SIGNAL repeaters are among the first devices that amplify the whole GSM+EGSM frequency range and comply with ETSI 300 609-4 standard that is the basis for CE declaration. The evidence of compliance with all required standards has been issued by the National Institute of Telecommunications in Warsaw, Poland. Additional tests conducted in November 2010 by Central Laboratory of Technical Research, at the request of the Office of Electronic Communications in Poland (UKE), confirmed the results.

Romania.

The painted churches inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List are located in Moldavia, in Arbore, Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Voronet, Sucevita.

The merry cemetery is located in Sapanta, in the county of Maramures. The uniqueness of the cemetery arises from colorful, wooden headstones, with carved scenes from the life of the villagers buried there, often accompanied by witty rhymes, telling something about the dead people.

The cemetery began to take its current form in 1935, when local artist Ioan Patras for the first time created a "funny" headstone. Currently the Cimitirul Vesel, with more than 800 headstones, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Romania.

Merry cemetery in Sapanta, in the county of Maramures, Romania

We have written about:

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...

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.

A short demonstration of the functions
of Digiair PRO R10510 meter

Power supply of multiswitch systems. Multiswitch systems for hundreds of users are becoming increasingly common these days. The manufactures of the multiswitches have to provide means for effective power supply of such large systems. The multiswitches from reputable manufacturers often have two ways of power supply.
TERRA multiswitches of MSR series are powered from built-in AC/DC adapters, whereas cascadable multiswitches and those of MSV series can be powered from external power supply R71465 or from multichannel amplifiers SA-x01 ( R70501, R70901 )...

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