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

Sky TV has taken the challenge.

Since the end of March, five million Britons can use Sky Anytime+ service - a modern form of television called hybrid TV. The rapid expansion of the market for the new service was the result of the decision made by the British Sky Broadcasting Group, to make it available to all subscribers of the satellite platform, not just for those who also use their Internet services.

In addition to traditional satellite broadcasts, Sky Anytime+ offers users the ability to watch streaming television - "a huge library of TV on demand". The satellite receiver connected to the broadband Internet allows the user to enjoy anything from the large movie archives of MTV, Discovery, FX, History, Disney, National Geographic, BBC, ITV, UK TV. Additional movie library available on the Internet has thousands of items, and about 500 of them are available at no additional charge.
Those who have decided to subscribe Sky Movies, have permanent access via the Internet to a minimum of 70 of the 100 most successful films of the year. Each Sky TV customer with Sky Anytime+ can also enter Sky Store, the new place to rent movies instantly, "including some of the latest releases out on DVD and a huge library of favourites. Prices start from just 99p".
In practice, a 2 Mbps download speed is sufficient for watching a direct stream, after a minute buffer delay. Of course, the user can also download any content on the hard disk.

Sky Anytime+ is an extension of the service called "push" VOD (Video On Demand). The "push" term means that the demanded content is provided as satellite feed and stored on the receiver's hard drive. It can be played any time within a week's time, and then is overwritten by the next week's portion. The extension consists in adding "pull" VOD option, i.e. video downloaded on demand via the Internet. This option is available in Sky+HD and latest black Sky+ boxes.

The decision to unlock Sky Anytime+ is the response to the market situation, in particular after the launch of the service offered by the U.S. company Netflix which has recently entered the UK market and for 6 pounds a month provides access to similar resources, but only via the Internet.

Hybrid TV integrates digital television, the Internet, and portals dedicated exclusively to hybrid TV

The issue of hybrid television combining features of traditional broadcasting (via satellite and terrestrial transmitters) and streaming of media over the Internet, emerged in Europe in 2009. Since then, analyzing the movements of the major players in the most developed TV markets in the world, we see that the new form of television enjoys a great acceptance among consumers. The VOD and OTT (Over The Top Television) services are becoming increasingly popular.
Thanks to the implementation of the "enjoy watching anytime" idea, the user can freely choose any TV channel being broadcast at the moment, or anything from "a magical library of TV on demand - entertainment, movies, sports and documentaries".

CCTV system - wise investment for years.

Professional CCTV system has to be based on solid analysis of the client's needs, resulting in a suitable design. The choice between analog and IP technology determines the next steps: the selection of cameras and managing/recording system, cable and wireless transmission means, the way of power supply.

Comparison of areas with the same detail captured by CCTV cameras of different image resolutions

Analog monitoring systems are relatively easy to design and implement. Almost all analog CCTV devices are compatible with each other. Appropriate deployment of cameras allows for identification of people and objects. The video signals from cameras can be transmitted via coaxial cables or twisted pair cables (with the use of video baluns). The maximum resolution of the recorded video is 4CIF (704x576). The systems are based on DVRs available at affordable prices.

The main advantage of IP video surveillance systems is the possibility of providing high resolution images (theoretically unlimited, in practice the most popular format is FullHD, 1920x1080 pixels = 2 MP). The use of megapixel IP cameras helps minimize the number of camera points, which reduces installation complexity and cost. The IP cameras are in fact independent network devices. When choosing the components for an IP CCTV system, the designer/installer has to pay attention to their mutual compatibility. The data exchange is performed over LAN - the cameras connect with a recording device (server) using TCP/UDP protocol. The recording server can be implemented as a hardware NVR, or a PC workstation running NVR software. Twisted-pair cables can simultaneously transmit data and power supply, with the use of special PoE power supplies or switches with PoE ports, e.g. TP-LINK TL-SF1008P N29930.

How to select an antenna for digital TV (DVB-T)?

Although in most cases the reception of DVB-T does not require replacement of the antenna array used to date for analog TV, the practice shows that in many situations the modernization of the array is necessary.

The tables below help find optimal antenna. They are provided for guidance purposes only - as the reception of radio signals is the result of many factors, we cannot give anyone a full guarantee that the antenna selection based on them will ensure trouble-free reception in each location within the distances indicated.

Transmitter power output	> 50kW
Distance from transmitter	x < 15km		15km < x < 40km		x > 40 km
	A6030		A1112		A1615
	A6040		A4015		A2660
	A0315		A1610		A2670
	A1112		A1911

 

More information in the article How to select an antenna for digital TV (DVB-T)

Passive optical network (PON) - distribution frames and boxes.

To provide Fiber To The Home (FTTH) service, the optical fiber has to be connected to the home of each subscriber.
The most common method is mounting distribution frame(s) in riser(s), sometimes on each floor. Then, independent optical fibers go from the distribution frame(s) to distribution boxes deployed on the floors. The fibers from the boxes are run directly to the subscribers, ending in termination boxes such as ULTIMODE TB-02H L5302.

Distribution boxes are often mounted in a confined space, so they should be small in size and should allow the installer to easily mount and maintain (in the future) the fiber optic connections. These requirements are fulfilled by ULTIMODE L5404 distribution boxes that allow for easy organization of fiber optic cables (up to 4 fibers, depending on the installed adapters) in order to connect them to the end users.

A deployment of distribution frame and boxes in a residential building

Power supply for CCTV systems.

There are several ways of powering CCTV systems, such as the application of local power supplies, a central power supply, or the use of mixed solutions. Centralized power supply allows for a solution based on UPS and/or buffer power supply, increasing the reliability of the system. Below, we present some practical solutions.

Centralized power supply for a large system, with two power supply devices.
All power circuits are protected against overloading, short circuit and overvoltage.
The M18281 power supply allows for adjustment of output voltage (12-14 VDC),
which is very important in the case of distant cameras connected via long cables.

Application of buffer power supply with rechargeable battery

Application of switch-mode power supply mountable on DIN rail

How to access Titan NVR via the Internet?

Titan NVR has an option of automatic port forwarding (UPnP - Universal Plug-and-Play), so the network configuration can be performed automatically. UPnP-enabled router is configured automatically and displays the status of the gateway, so the network connection is immediately activated, without a need for additional firewall configuration (like opening firewall ports).

By clicking the Search button, the NVR detects a UPnP router. After adding it, the UPnP Port Forwarding List is supplemented with virtual ports and IP addresses that allow access to the web server and its streaming functions.

How to solve compatibility problems between a TP-LINK 3G router and some 3G modems?

For better compatibility, TP-LINK company tests its routers with all popular 3G modems and continually updates the firmware and the list of compatible modems. Despite these efforts, there may be some items that present compatibility problems.

To solve such a problem, the user can perform the following actions:

TP-LINK routers capable of providing Internet access via 3G modems:

What to do after turning off analog broadcasting from Astra 19.2E? On April 30, 2012, the last analog TV transponder on Astra satellites will be turned off. The owners of hotels and boardinghouses or pensions in Europe, who use analog headends, will face the problem of ensuring continuity of television services. In particular, tourists in many hotels throughout Europe may be very disappointed by not having access to popular German channels such as Das Erste, ZDF, Dritten Programme, RTL, Sat.1, ProSieben.
Below we present a solution that allows guests to watch these and other channels...

Detection of suspicious behavior (loitering). Digifort surveillance software K3002, K3003, K3004 can be integrated with Digifort VCA image analysis module VCA K3040 offering a wide spectrum of "intelligent" functions for detection of potential threats. The system can trigger alarm when an object (usually a person, car, or animal) is milling about in any defined area for longer than the time set by the system operator...

Problems with GSM coverage in industrial halls. Despite the continued expansion of GSM infrastructure there are places with problematic coverage. Most of them are large industrial halls, shopping malls, conference rooms, cellars. Loss of connection or communication problems have particularly negative impact on working comfort and interests of the company and clients.
Such problems can be solved by installing the Signal GSM-1205 repeater A6785 to improve cellular connectivity throughout the facility. The device can be used in halls up to 1200 square meters...

Application of the Signal GSM-1205 A6785 repeater in an industrial hall

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