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

Cloud-based video monitoring is gaining popularity.

Securicorp Components Ltd., a UK-based security services company, has launched a monitoring service based on the concept of cloud computing, where the resources, software, and data storage system are available in the cloud. Although cloud video surveillance is a hot subject in the industry, the service is one of the first market offerings for companies and individuals.

The clients will control and manage their systems online, through account usernames and passwords, the video data will be stored on external servers - "in the cloud". The installation and configuration of the IP cameras on site will be as simple as possible - the users don't need to know technical details. To provide the cloud solution, Securicorp has partnered with telecoms, data centers, Internet service providers, and retail companies.

So, the whole system of the individual user exists in the virtual world, with automatic update to the latest version and optimization in the background, and surveillance data stored on external servers located outside the monitored facilities. The existence of the system in the form of a flexible digital platform will allow anyone to select features that are really needed, without paying for unnecessary functions.

Securicorp and other suppliers of CCTV solutions use ready-made software solutions that allow for the implementation of CCTV in the cloud. The first solution dedicated for ISPs, telecom operators, and security services companies has been offered by NeoVSP. The OVS™ (Online Video Surveillance) belongs to the Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) solutions that minimize the clients' involvement in the network architecture and equipment, usually aside from the cameras. Similar solutions are offered by Iveda Solutions, OzVision, Connexed, iControl.

The change in thinking of CCTV video surveillance a service rather than the physical system opens the door to long-awaited features, including the most expected one: intelligent image analysis. The amount of gathered data, even in medium-sized systems, is so great that also the most modern video monitoring systems have to be treated more as archives than sources of live information. The application of cloud computing technology provides almost unlimited possibilities. It is only a matter of time when IT specialists create algorithms with artificial intelligence techniques allowing for autonomous early detection of real threats.

WDM - the economical approach to optical transmission.

It often happens that the data is transmitted over leased optical fibers. Usually the transmission lines have to carry information in both directions, which normally involves the application of two fibers to transmit and receive the data, and significantly increases the cost of leasing. With WDM technology, Wavelength Division Multiplexing, the cost can be halved, by applying bidirectional transmission in a single fiber.

A pair of devices implementing WDM technology uses two wavelengths. One of the devices transmits optical signal in the III transmission window (1550 nm) and receives different signal from the second device using the II transmission window (1310 nm), the second one uses the complementary wavelengths. The table below shows ULTIMODE devices based on this technology.

Example application of ULTIMODE media converters

Fiber satellite distribution.

Fiber optic cables are an increasingly popular alternative to coaxial cables. Fiber-based systems are characterized by low attenuation and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Not without significance is the fact that SAT TV installers can implement this type of installations without having to invest in expensive fiber welding machines. Mechanical splices and connectors are cheap and perfect pieces of equipment allowing for quick and easy deployment of such systems. Below we present an example of optical SMATV system based on COMSAT devices.

An optical SMATV system

It is a perfect solution for distribution of satellite signals in optical networks. The Opto-LNBF A9885 downconverter allows for transmission of the optical signal to 32 points (with the Opto-QUATRO or Opto-QUAD receivers/converters) deployed within a radius of 10 km. The maximum number of the distribution points and the maximum distances from the source (Opto-LNBF) to the points can be determined by calculating optical power balance. The optical signal can be split with typical optical splitters, however the best results are achieved with dedicated splitters from Opto-Spt BOX series. Such solutions offer installers unparalleled freedom in deploying this kind of SMATV systems, both in terms of the distances between signal sources (LNBs) and the distribution equipment (multiswitches), and ease of installation (single, thin fiber optic cable instead of four, comparatively thick coaxial cables).

Professional outdoor CCTV camera highly resistant to harsh weather conditions.

Winter is a difficult time for all video surveillance cameras placed outside buildings. Prolonged freezing temperatures, snow or freezing rain may affect the operation of the devices. n-cam 270 M11287 cameras are especially well prepared for work in the harsh weather conditions. The relatively simple construction and built-in solutions allow effective operation even in the harshest conditions.

One of the toughest analog CCTV cameras - M11287

Key advantages of the camera:

• built-in heater allows for operation under extreme conditions, from -45^oC
• compact sealed housing compliant with IP67
• resolution of 700 TVL (Sony Exview HAD CCD II + Effio-E CXD4140GG)
• natural colors (ICR) and high S/N ratio
• varifocal lens (4-9 mm).

View of the electronics inside the camera, with heater and thermostat

User rights for IP cameras.

Sunell IP cameras K1620, K1630, K1660, K1665, K1670, K1680, K1690, K1691, K1695 have the ability to create users' accounts with specific access rights. Depending on the place of operators in the hierarchy, they can have access to different functions of the cameras, such as:

A window in IP Sunell cameras for modifying access rights of a group of users

For each user, the system administrator creates a unique username and password for the camera. Each user, after logging in to the camera, can access only the assigned functions.

A problem with GSM coverage?

There are many locations where the range of a cellular network allows for use of mobile phones out of buildings, but is insufficient for indoor operation. This is due to signal attenuation through walls, windows and floors (in basements). Such locations include some remote places, e.g. recreational areas (long distances to base stations), but more often rooms in old buildings with thick walls or in basements and cellars (e.g. pubs, coffee shops), underground parking lots, metal and concrete shopping malls, hotels etc. The solution to this problem is to install a suitable GSM or 3G repeater.

More on GSM/3G repeaters can be found in the articles:

New cellular amplifiers/repeaters compliant with the latest standards and legal requirements

Tests of GSM repeaters conducted by the National Institute of Telecommunications in Warsaw, Poland

FAQ - GSM, DCS, 3G amplifiers/repeaters

Professional SIGNAL DVR. SIGNAL DL-8216 M78216 is an ideal CCTV network DVR for professional video surveillance systems based on modern analog security cameras. The DVR offers recording of 4CIF (704 x 576) images at 25 fps in each of its sixteen channels, for a very competitive price... more

An example of a CCTV system based on SIGNAL DL-8216 M78216,
using long-range transmission over twisted pair cable and optical fiber

Connections between server rooms or groups of IP cameras. A common problem in IP networks is the need to build high-speed links. Such requirements are imposed, for example, when connecting two server rooms, groups of CCTV DVRs or IP cameras, etc. While the connections of individual computers or IP cameras to network switches can use Fast Ethernet links (100 Mbps), the mentioned earlier cases require the application of Gigabit Ethernet technology... more

Connection of two server rooms with ULTIMODE fiber optic cable

Compensation of voltage drops on power supply cables to CCTV cameras. For proper operation, a CCTV camera needs stable and efficient power supply. The tolerance for a voltage fall usually does not exceed 1...2 V, so, in the case of a longer low-voltage DC power line, it is necessary to compensate for an excessive voltage drop... more

The application of the ZSI-90-KZ M18283 power supply allows for compensation of voltage drops
on power supply cables with different lengths