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

No. 30/2013 (Sept. 23, 2013)

IFA2013 - curved televisions and the real beginning of Ultra HD screens.

IFA is one of the world's largest consumer electronics exhibitions, organized in Berlin since 1924. This year, from September 6-11, nearly 1500 exhibitors presented their innovations in the field of consumer electronics and household appliances.
There were presented thousands of different devices ranging from smartphones, through home cinemas, to high-tech automatic washing machines. However, the biggest show was held by TV manufacturers. A great attention of the visitors was attracted by new models of televisions using OLED technology and offering image resolution of 4K (3840 x 2160) pixels. Samsung unveiled 55- and 65-inch UHD (Ultra High Definition) televisions with curved screens partially surrounding the viewer. But the largest in the world 77-inch curved OLED TV was presented by the Korean company LG. Curved UHD screens, unveiled for the first time earlier this year at CES in Las Vegas, have set a new trend. In Korea, consumers can buy a smaller brother of the model presented at the fair, 55-inch LG UHD OLED TV, paying an equivalent of a small fortune, 13500 USD. Europeans will certainly wait a little...
It is worth noting that during the fair one couldn't find any television other than the Ultra HD. Manufacturers strongly support implementation of this standard. Content providers do not want to be left behind, and promise first regular broadcasts in the increased resolution.
77-inch LG ULTRA HD CURVED OLED TV and competitive SAMSUNG products
In addition to the enormous wealth of modern televisions, another highlight of the trade show was the "SmartWatch" category - "intelligent" wristwatches with built-in NFC and Bluetooth functions, communicating with smartphones in order to control them in a convenient way. Among the producers was Sony. Its SmartWatch2 features a 1.6-inch touch LCD screen with resolution of 220 x 176 pixels. The smart watch is compatible not only with smartphones and tablets from Sony, but also with any device running Android 4.0 or later.
SmartWatch2 from Sony
IFA, although associated mainly with electronics and multimedia, also attracts visitors excited by cutting-edge solutions in the field of household appliances.
UHF TV Antenna: DIPOL 94/21-69 Vena
In this field, the public was especially interested in Smart Home devices (LG, Samsung). Those with more mundane attitude to life could try out a new iron presented in Philips' booth... [ifa.philips.com].

Protection of optical fiber splices.

Heat-shrinkable tubes stabilize splices mechanically and protect them against dust.
Heat-shrinkable Protective Tube (40mm, for 1 fusion splice)
Heat-shrinkable protective tube for a single fusion splice, length: 40 mm
Heat-shrinkable tube L5554 protects fusion splices of 0.25 mm or 0.9 mm optical fibers. The shrinking takes place at a temperature of 120°C produced in dedicated chamber available in majority of splicing machines. The tube is in fact composed of two tubes, the inner directly surrounding the splice and fiber, and the outer in which there is an additional reinforcing element made ​​of stainless steel.

SatNet app - professionally designed multiswitch system with 240 outlets, for two satellites.

SMATV systems based on TERRA multiswitches are the most popular platform for distributing digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) and satellite DVB-S/S2 broadcasts in multi-dwelling units. Each subscriber can decide on the received channels, having or buying suitable television, satellite receiver, or choosing a pay-TV operator.
The decision to use multiswitches in a SMATV system is the first step in the whole process of implementation. The challenge may be to design a suitable network using these devices. Free TERRA SatNet software enables users to design installations based on the products of the brand quickly and effectively.
UHF TV Antenna: DIPOL 94/21-69 Vena
A SMATV system in a multi-family building with 240 outlets designed with the use of the SatNet application. The system distributing terrestrial TV and SAT TV signals from two satellites is based on bus topology with splitters and taps and TERRA MSV-924 R70874 multiswitches. All components of the system are powered from the amplifier for 9-input multiswitches, Terra SA-901SA-901 R70901.
The SatNet utility offers a number of useful functions such as defining the type of the cable used in the distribution system, attenuation of subscriber outlets, the signal levels at the input of the system. Based on these data, the program will show whether signal levels in key points of the system are within the required tolerances. If this requirement is not met, the program allows the user to preset the gain and "slope" parameters (the latter enabling compensation of the attenuation of the cable used). The software can also select these parameters automatically. Proper configuration is confirmed by green indicators in all points of the installation. The program can provide the final designs in graphical form that can be stored along with cost estimates.

Lenses for high-resolution cameras.

Camera lenses are important components of CCTV systems. A wrong choice can result in poor image quality, regardless of the quality of the other equipment used in a system.
Each lens has a limited optical resolution, usually expressed in number of line pairs per mm (lp/mm) or directly in pixels. For analog cameras with 1/3" image sensors, the sufficient resolution is 80 lp/mm. The value is calculated by dividing the resolution of the sensor used in such a camera (typically 576 lines) by the actual dimension of the image expressed in mm (3.6 mm in the case of 1/3'' sensor) and dividing the result by 2 (to get the number of line pairs per one millimeter).
High-resolution (megapixel) cameras require lenses with a higher quality. For example, an IP camera with 1/3" 2-megapixel sensor should be equipped with a lens having minimum resolution of 150 lp/mm (1080/3.6/2 = 150 lp/mm), which is nearly twice as high compared with conventional lenses for analog cameras.
In the case of the smaller 1/4" image sensors, also used in many cameras, the pixels are packed tighter. It usually results in lower sensitivity and greater demands for the quality of the optics. For example, an analog camera with 1/4" sensor will require to use a lens with a resolution of 576/2.4/2 = 120 lp/mm, and a 2-megapixel IP camera - with a resolution of 1080/2.4/2 = 225 lp/mm.
Megapixel Lens: ClearHD 3.3-10.5mm (DC, F1.4, 5MP, IR )
ClearHD M2284 lens for cameras with resolution up to 5 MP

How to choose a DVR for video surveillance system?

A wide range of CCTV DVRs can be a problem for novice installers or people who make this purchase once. The price alone is usually not sufficient indicator of the suitability of a DVR for a specific system - it is important to match the DVR to the system requirements.
If the priority is the minimum price of a video monitoring system, the good choice is the Ultimax 12xx series: M72204, M72208, M72216. The cost-effective standalone DVRs with network capability are suitable for high resolution CCTV systems with moderate frame rates.
Where the main requirement of the investor is smooth video and a long storage time, the recommended DVRs are those of Ultimax 13xx series: M72304, M72308, M72316. Thanks to 25 fps frame rate in each channel, the DVRs are ideal for monitoring dynamic environments such as streets, expressways/highways, parking lots, bus stations etc. Thanks to the possibility of connecting two SATA HDDs, each up to 4 TB, e.g. the Ultimax 1304 DVR can continuously record video from 4 cameras with 4CIF resolution at 25 fps (H.264, 2.5 Mbps) for about 10 months!
CCTV Network DVR: Ultimax 1316 (16ch-25fps-H.264-HDMI)
CCTV Network DVR: Ultimax 1316 (16ch-25fps-H.264-HDMI)
Those who want to get maximum image quality should select devices from Hikvision WD1 line: M72104, M72108, M72116. Thanks to the WD1 (960x576px) resolution, the DVRs ensure increased image quality of the video footage from 650 TVL (700 TVL B/W) cameras (compared with D1/4CIF DVRs). It is connected with the number of effective pixels in such cameras, 976x582, e.g. Sunell M10775, M10780, M11220, M11225. Common D1(4CIF) DVRs with recording resolution of 704x576 cannot save the full detail provided by the cameras.

One HDMI signal to multiple receivers.

In pubs, restaurants, shopping malls and other places there is the need to display the same high-definition video content on multiple televisions/monitors. The basic device that allows for displaying HD video provided by a device with HDMI output on several TVs is an HDMI splitter. When the distances between the signal source and TVs/monitors are longer than 30 m, there should be used HDMI extenders transmitting the HDMI signal over twisted pair cables.
The latest generation of HDMI extenders are devices using UTP cables and IP protocol. An example is Signal HDMI to IP converter H3604. When the user needs remote control of the signal source, the suitable choice will be HDMI to IP converter with RC extender, H3606.
The major advantage of using IP protocol is the possibility of point-to-multipoint topology. The IP signal coming from the transmitter may be applied to an Ethernet switch (e.g. N29915) to split it among multiple receivers. The solution is shown in the diagram below.
HDMI to IP Converter: Signal HDSwitch TP-Link TL-SF1005D (5 ports)HDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD - ReceiverHDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD - ReceiverHDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD - Receiver
An application of HDMI > IP converter/extender units (point-to-multipoint)
New products offered by DIPOL:
Amplifier for 5-input multiswitches: Terra SA 511
Wall-mounted Distribution Box ULTIMODE TB-16P-2 (IP65, with panel)
Balcony Mount UBU 38/450
Amplifier for 5-in multiswitches
Terra SA 511
R70511
Wall-mounted distribution box
ULTIMODE TB-16P-2
L54162
Balcony mount
UBU 38/450
E8870
Worth reading:
Modernization of antenna system in an apartment building. One of Krakow's housing associations decided to modernize the shared antenna system for the reception of DVB-T and FM radio. The four-story building has four staicases, each floor has four apartments... more
Diagram of the antenna system in the multifamily building
IR illuminators - invisible IR lighting. Infrared illuminators are used in CCTV systems operating in places/areas with insufficient visible lighting, which typically occurs in the evening and night. The basic parameters of them are electrical and optical power, wavelength of the infrared light, directional characteristics... more
The Exview image sensor with at least doubled sensitivity in IR range
is very effective in cooperation with IR illuminators
Increased security of video surveillance data. In the case of a burglary, theft, fire, flood etc., the damage may affect a part of or even the whole monitoring system, including important archives stored in this location... more
Secure backup of video surveillance data