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

New player on the "Smart Home" market.

Moving up in the world of technical innovations, we get accustomed to the fact that from time to time Google surprises us with something new. So far, however, the corporation was operating mainly in the virtual world. The acquisition of Nest Labs for a considerable sum of $ 3.2 billion is a prelude to entry into new technological areas.

(source: nest.com)

Viewed from the side, a company operating in California, which launched only two products on the market, a thermostat and a smoke alarm, might be regarded as of little interest. However, these products, as well as the potential of the team behind the designs were noticed by Google. Nest Labs created a new, "smart" thermostat intended to control the heating in the house and to "learn" the daily habits of the users, such as the times of going to sleep, getting up, going out etc., as well as the preferred temperatures. All the information plus other parameters are used to to optimize heating costs. The second proprietary solution, the smoke detector, has been programmed for emergency actions in extreme situations. Both devices have the ability to be remotely accessed and controlled.

Did Google spend $ 3.2 billion on a factory of thermostats and smoke detectors? No. The acquisition of Nest is a decisive step towards a new technology, the technology of intelligent buildings. Some media even speak about entering into the energy sector, but it's probably too far-reaching conclusion. Although there is no official information yet about the plans of Google, it is certain that the corporation has chosen "smart home" direction. Probably in the near future, users of Android mobile phones will be able to manage installations in their homes directly from the handhelds. For sure, it won't be only heating, but also lighting, ventilation/air conditioning, blind control, ...

Tony Fadell, Nest's founder and CEO, stated that "Google will help us fully realize our vision of the conscious home and allow us to change the world faster than we ever could if we continued to go it alone. We’ve had great momentum, but this is a rocket ship.". It's also a good news for all who want to apply such systems in their homes. Currently, such solutions are available for few people, Google will surely make it available for everyone.

Fiber optic link - tools are not always necessary.

During installation work, a contractor ran into a problem that could be solved by laying fiber optic cable between two buildings. However, the installer had no experience in this field and did not have the tools necessary to join optical fibers.

Patch cord made to order - L7370.
Optional protection of connectors for transportation and installation.

The good solution was to use a patchcord made to order, offered by DIPOL, L7370. The installer measured the length of the cable needed and prepared the cable route in the duct between the buildings by removing the covers at its ends. After evaluating the needs of the facility, he selected a universal single-mode cable terminated with two LC connectors on both sides. Additionally, the cable was placed in protective corrugated pipe. The connectors were protected by special caps. The ordered cable was pulled into the cable duct and connected the two buildings.

The connectors of the patch cords made to order are professionally installed in the manufacturing plant with the use of the latest precision machines. The ready-to-use patch cords/cables are supplied with certificates containing insertion loss measurements. The patch cords minimize the cost and time of installation.

A hotel SMATV system.

A high quality professional solution for converting satellite DVB-S/S2 channels into easily distributed DVB-T multiplexes is MMH-3000 headend equipped with suitable modules. The headend is especially useful in medium-size and large hotels. Thanks to modular concept, the SMATV system can distribute a wide range of content, including multimedia, and can be enriched with new channels in the future.

The MMH-3000 headend installed in a hotel complex consisting of two buildings distributes 14 satellite channels in the form of digital DVB-T multiplexes, as well as the available DVB-T broadcasts amplified by a set of TERRA amplifiers.

Distribution of digital terrestrial television and 14 satellite channels in the form of DVB-T multiplexes
to two buildings located at distances of 100 meters from the center point

The TERRA MMH-3000 headend for the complex consists of four RDC-311 R817102 DVB-S/S2 receivers, DVB-T modulator TRX-360 R81709, and CI receiver TDX-311C R81711C. This set of modules allows for reception, decoding, and conversion into DVB-T standard of 14 satellite channels from five different transponders. Once created, the multiplexes are amplified by the broadband amplifier HA-126 R82303, and then combined with terrestrial DVB-T multiplexes amplified by the multiband amplifier ma400 R82520. The four-channel amplifier TERRA at440 R82511 strengthens and equalizes four DVB-T multiplexes received by the A2670 antenna. High and stable levels of the output signals are ensured by AGC circuits implemented in the channel amplifiers. Additionally, FM/DAB signals are injected into the distribution network by the FM/VHF/UHF amplifier ma400 R82520.

In each building the incoming signals are amplified by the HA-126 R82303 amplifier and then split and distributed by R60102 splitters and R6028 taps. Noteworthy is the fact that the digital signals from the MMH-3000 headend are transmitted to the buildings via TRISET-11 PE E1025_100 gel-filled cable dedicated for linking subnetworks in SMATV systems.

The investor is satisfied with the newly implemented system where typical televisions with built-in DVB-T tuners can receive terrestrial broadcasts and 14 satellite channels in any location throughout the hotel complex.

Remote control of a DVR.

DVRs are often placed in the vicinity of security cameras to minimize the lengths of the cables. In some systems, the room of the operator is located much further, e.g. in an adjacent building. Of course, the operator should be able to control the system and have access to all video channels. How to organize such systems?

One of possible solutions is to use the software dedicated for the CCTV DVR and access the system via LAN. However, the desk of the operator has to be equipped with a PC which can also be used for other purposes. An alternative solution is to remotely control the DVR and preview the images from the cameras by hardware means. No PC is needed and the operator can stay fully focused on the job.

Transmission of audio-video signal with the use of HDMI to IP converter with IR extender,
plus extension of mouse control via USB/RJ45 adapter

With the use of Signal-HD HDMI to IP converter H3606 it is possible to connect an HD monitor located up to 100 m from the DVR, using one CAT5e/6 cable. The H3606 set includes transmitter and receiver units, as well as remote control extender suitable for control of the DVR with its RC unit. If the distance between the desk of the operator and the DVR is not longer than 50 meters, it is also possible to control the DVR with its mouse connected via USB RJ45 extension adapter and a second UTP cable.

In the case of distances longer than 100 meters, the HD video from the HDMI output of the DVR and the control commands have to be transmitted by other means.

Diagram of a system allowing for transmission of audio and HD video plus control signals over long distances

Signal-HD HDMI to fiber optic converter with RC extender H3608 allows for transmission of HDMI signals (SD or HD) and IR commands (in opposite direction) over distances up to 20 km via a single mode fiber.

System monitor in Signal IP NVRs.

IP NVRs Signal K2708 and K2716 have the ability of self-diagnosis and can notify the operator of problems occurring during operation of the video surveillance system.

The operating system can diagnose the following situations:

View of "Device config" window in Signal K27xx IP NVRs, used for configuration of actions
in the case of detection of abnormal situations

In the case of an abnormal situation, the user/operator can be notified via audible alarm or message in the preview window. This prevents the user/operator from losing any video coverage, without a need to constantly check the status of the system.

New family of RACK cabinets.

The special, double-section hanging cabinets mounted on walls provide access to devices both from the front and rear. Both the first and second section can be opened to the left or right side. The devices placed inside can be cooled by dedicated fans. The cabinets are suitable for mounting equipment compliant with 19" rack standard. It is ideal solution for the installation of telephone exchanges, network devices, servers, components of CCTV and SMATV systems. The access to the equipment and its wiring is much easier than in the case of typical rack cabinets.

Double-section cabinets offered by DIPOL:

View of the 19" Rack Cabinet (9U 450mm, hanging, double-section) R9120227

Cascade connection of Signal DVB-T modulators. DVB-T modulator Signal-450 R86740 encodes input HDMI signal to transport stream and provides RF signal that can be distributed through coaxial cables as a DVB-T channel. A great advantage of this model is the capability of distributing HD content. The content may come from a media player, Blu-ray player, DVR, PC, STB decoder etc. In situations where users want to distribute two different HD channels, they have to employ two such modulators... more