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

Will SAT>IP be a quantum leap in satellite reception?

In early November, SES, the world's leading satellite operator, issued a certificate of compatibility for Zinwell SAT>IP switch/server, stating compliance of the device with the approved in 2011 SAT> IP standard. The ZIM-1800 switch/server from the Taiwanese manufacturer has become the second SAT>IP device that gained the approval of the organization responsible for developing this standard (the Sat>IP Project partners include SES, BSkyB, and Craftwork). The first certified Sat>IP converter was IDL400S Multibox developed by Inverto Digital Labs. Thomas Wrede, Vice President of Reception Systems at SES, emphasizes the fact that other Asian manufacturers are also interested in the certification. It seems that the rise in popularity of the SAT> IP technology is only a matter of the near future.

One of the major advantages of the SAT>IP solution is its total independence from the Internet. Despite the use of IP technology, the transmission takes place only in the local network, not generating any additional costs (no need for higher Internet bandwidth). A typical home network operating at 100 Mbps will allow for simultaneous transmission of 8 different HD channels.

If the forecasts of the creators of the SAT> IP standard are correct, the year 2013 can bring a great revolution in consumer satellite market. With a range of certified devices, their prices should fall to levels acceptable by the majority of individual users of FTA channels and the operators of pay-TV platforms, which will change the form of using home television systems. A greater integration of television and home IP networks will lead to a practical implementation of the idea of ​​watching TV "everywhere and on anything" (at least in the home).

Which cleaver to choose?

Regardless of which technology has been chosen by the installer to splice optical fibers (fusion or mechanical splicing), the tools needed for the preparation of the fibers are the same. The most important one is a fiber cleaver.

Any cleaving tool is designed to do a controlled break that should create a perfectly flat endface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber. High precision of the endface is necessary for achieving low attenuation of the final splice with the endface of another fiber (or fiber fragment in a connector). Optical fiber cleavers are extremely precise tools, so their cost is a significant percentage of the total equipment expenditure.

The F1-6000 cleaver is an ideal tool for a novice installer. It has been designed for quick and accurate cutting of fibers with a cladding diameter of 125 um and 250/900 um buffer coating diameters. The cleaver has a scale to set the length of the cleaved fiber within 2 to 20 mm range. This field fiber cleaver is ideal for cutting fibers in order to install mechanical splices or fast connectors. The ceramic blades are designed for 6000 operations.

A more advanced installer will rather choose the KeyCleave high-precision fiber cleaver, designed for preparing fiber ends to join them by fusion or mechanical splicing, or terminate them with appropriate optical connectors. The fiber is cleaved perpendicularly with an accuracy of +/-0.5 degree. The cleaver is equipped with a replaceable, rotary blade with 16 cutting positions, so that one blade ensures about 48000 precise cleaving operations. Shredded fibers are removed directly to a built-in container.

Home multiswitch system with card splitter.

Choosing a multiswitch solution for the home, the users want to receive satellite TV channels independently in several rooms, often including pay-TV channels. It would be uneconomical to pay more than one subscription fee for the same package, so it is natural that they look for multi-room solutions based on wireless card splitters.

Clone+ A9910 is a modern wireless card splitter offering multi-room service with maximum range up to 150 meters (in open space). The A9910 set contains two client cards - when needed, the users can buy additional client cards A9911 (the maximum number of supported client cards is 8). The diagram below shows a small multiswitch system with four outlets providing satellite, DVB-T, CCTV, and FM signals, typical for a single-family home.

Home SAT+DVB-T+CCTV+FM distribution system with pay-TV card splitter

Quatro LNB A98257 is connected via four Triset-113 PE E1017 cable runs (the E1017 cable is suitable for outdoor applications) with 5/8 multiswitch R70608. The application of two-tuner PVR receivers requires to install two TRISET-113 E1015 cable runs from the multiswitch to the R694140 outlets. This enables simultaneous viewing of one program and recording of another. The antenna system also distributes DVB-T and FM signals. Additionally, it is used used for distribution of images from two CCTV cameras (at gate, entrance etc.). Thanks to the application of RF modulators R95176, the images from the cameras can be watched on any TV set in the home. The outdoor connections to CCTV cameras are also done with the Triset-113 PE E1017 cable.

Test output in CCTV cameras.

At the place of installing a camera it is necessary to adjust the image to the lighting conditions, to choose or adjust appropriate focal length of the lens, and to set the focus accordingly. The adjustment should be made with the use of a test monitor connected directly to the camera.

Most analog cameras have video output mounted on the rear panel, which is often inconvenient for test use. In many cases, even if a camera has additional output there, it is impossible to use it without changing the position of the camera or disassembling it from its bracket. Additionally, testing a camera without a test output, the technician has to disconnect the camera from the system.

A very useful solution has been implemented in the camera u-cam 680 M11274, which has additional video output placed at the bottom and operating in parallel with the main output. This solution allows for quick and convenient connection of a test monitor, during normal operation of the camera.

Application of the test output in the M11274 camera.
The suitable adapter is supplied with the camera.

Privacy masks in Sunell cameras.

When some parts of a camera image are not important for surveillance and may violate someone's privacy, they should be covered by masks. The examples are windows of apartments (in city monitoring systems) or toilets in jail cells. In the latter case, an additional requirement is the guarantee that such masks cannot be deactivated by the surveillance staff, so they should be implemented directly in cameras, not in CMS software. This will eliminate any attempts to peep the convicts.

An example of privacy mask implemented in a Sunell camera

All Sunell IP cameras provide the possibility to set internal privacy masks, so the outgoing video streams already contain the appropriate masks. The masks are also active in the case of using test outputs designed for connecting service monitors.

How to maximize the capabilities of home routers?

Thanks to alternative software available on the Internet, many Wi-Fi routers can provide extended functionality. For example, the software may transform home router into NAS and print servers, increase forwarding performance, provide advanced analytical options.

Alternative software OpenWRT based on Linux (with optional graphical user interface) can be uploaded on selected models of wireless routers/APs. The software greatly extends the capabilities of the devices. It should be emphasized that all operations associated with the modification of the firmware are done at the user's risk. The best option is to install the software via a USB port of the router (if available, it can be also used to connect a hard drive, USB modem or printer; application of additional USB hub will enable simultaneous operation of several devices).

Home wireless network based on TP-LINK devices

OpenWRT software and additional information are available at that official site. In the case of other versions modified by some users, which can also be found on the Internet, one should pay particular attention to security issues. More on OpenWRT can be found in the article OpenWRT or how to maximize the capabilities of your router.

Hotel SMATV system (SAT TV + DVB-T). A hotel complex that consists of three buildings has been equipped with MMH-3000 headend – to distribute 6 satellite channels as a DVB-T multiplex, and with a set of Terra channel amplifiers – to ensure access to FTA DVB-T broadcasts... more

Diagram of the hotel SMATV system deployed in 3 buildings,
distributing the available DVB-T broadcasts and 6 SAT TV channels as additional DVB-T multiplex

Digital signage easier than ever! Digital signage is a system which uses electronic displays and managing software to show dedicated information, advertisements, news and other messages. The aim of Digital signage is to target individuals and groups of people in specific places at specific times. Such systems are used in airports, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, service networks, etc... more

Distribution of a Full HD signal in cable DVB-T network and in WiFi network
based on Signal-751 R86751 (Signal-752 R86752)

Analog CCTV system in low light environment. After some attempts to steal flowers and shrubs from garden, the owner decided to protect his property by building a simple monitoring system. He required high quality images both day and night...
more

24/7 monitoring of green spaces requires to use
highly sensitive cameras and separate IR illuminators