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

No. 5/2014 (Feb. 3, 2014)

Thermal imaging with iPhone.

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which took place on January 7-10 in Las Vegas, FLIR Systems Inc. unveiled a thermal imaging device for the iPhone5 and iPhone5s. With the use of the additional hardware and included software, the user can see on the phone's screen a thermal image of the scene, i.e. the heat emitted by people, animals, various objects or environmental sources, within distances up to 100 meters! The device, which fits on the phone like a protective case, is also equipped with its own battery that can boost the smartphone's battery life by 50%.

The key elements of FLIR ONE
(source: flir.com)
On the market there are free applications to display pseudo-thermal images captured by the ordinary cameras of mobile phones, but they use software filters giving only some impression of thermal imaging. True infrared sensors are very expensive and cost thousands of dollars, the price of some professional FLIR devices for thermography even exceeds the value of a small car. The new product, FLIR ONE, probably available for less than $350, will have the chance to win the consumer market.
FLIR ONE™ is a non-contact device that detects infrared radiation corresponding with the temperature of the observed objects and converts it into an electrical signal, which is then processed to produce a thermal image on the phone's screen. The heat level can be very precisely measured, because the sensor has been originally developed for military applications. FLIR ONE™ may be used for many practical as well as entertaining applications, showing the thermal world invisible to the naked eye.

Key technical specifications of FLIR ONE™:
  • Scene range temperature: 0°C to 100°C,
  • Weight: 90.7 g,
  • Dimensions: ca. 140 mm x 61 mm x 21.6 mm (L x W x H),
  • Battery capacity: 1400 mAh (about two hours of continuous operation in thermal imager mode),
  • Core: FLIR® Lepton thermal camera core,
  • Resolution: 640x480 pixels,
  • Compatibility: iPhone 5, iPhone 5s.
The idea of FLIR ONE™
(source: flir.com)
Opportunities related to the personal thermal imaging camera are almost endless. For example, it can help homeowners to identify leaky windows that cause heat losses, locate electrical junction boxes and water leaks from pipes in the walls. Nature enthusiasts can observe wild animals, even in total darkness, and check whether camping bonfire has been thoroughly extinguished. FLIR ONE™ located on private property can also be used as an intrusion detector, a tool for finding a lost pet, or an unconscious person in a smoke-filled room.

Of course, in the era of Twitter and Facebook, the photos and videos can be immediately posted on social networks, providing their users with a whole new way of perception of the surrounding world. The market launch of FLIR ONE™ is scheduled for the spring of this year.

How to easily protect fiber optic splices?

Fiber optic splices are especially vulnerable to damage. Regardless of whether they have been made in fusion or mechanical technology, the suitable protection of these elements of optical networks is extremely important. The best protection is provided by appropriate distribution frames and installation boxes, however it is not always possible or economical to mount them in the facility.
When the splice is made in a dry place inside a building, the installer can use a simpler form of protection.

Heat-shrinkable Protective Tube (40mm, for 1 fusion splice)
Splice Protection Cover: ULTIMODE TBS-4
Heat-shrinkable Protective Tube
L5554
Splice Protection Cover TBS-4
L5560
The popular protection for fusion splices is the heat-shrinkable protective tube L5554, for a single splice. It has reinforcing member made ​​of stainless steel, which prevents bending of the fiber section over a length of 40 mm. Up to four fusion splices in heat-shrinkable tubes can be placed in splice protection cover ULTIMODE TBS-4 L5560.
Mechanical Splice Holder: USM-6 (for ULTIMODE FAST-MS1)
Protector for ULTIMODE FAST-MS1 mechanical splice
Mechanical Splice Holder USM-6
L5556
Protector for ULTIMODE FAST-MS1
L5559
Mechanical splices are generally less sensitive to bending than fusion splices. The L5556 holder has been specially designed for ULTIMODE FAST-MS1 L5550 mechanical splices. It can hold up to six such splices. A single mechanical splice can be secured by the Ultimode FAST-MS1 L5559 protector.

Winter Olympics in Sochi on a hybrid platform.

Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) is a combination of digital TV with additional online services provided via the Internet. For example, the viewer watching a football game can check the current statistics, or obtain information about the individual players.
In Poland, the hybrid TV was first launched by Polish Television (TVP) during the UEFA European Football Championship EURO 2012. Another peak of popularity came during the Olympic Games in London. TVP announces the launch of a special service during the Winter Olympics in Sochi. During the first two weeks of January 2014, TVP reported 170000 users of TVP HbbTV services.
CAT 5e UTP Cable: NETSET UTP 5e [1m], indoorCAT 5e UTP Cable: NETSET UTP 5e [1m], indoorUHF TV Antenna: DIPOL 44/21-69 Tri DigitSubscriber Terminal Outlet: Signal TV-FM-SAT/RJ-45/RJ-11Coaxial Cable (75 ohm): TRISET-113 1.13/4.8/6.8 [1m]Dual-band Wireless Router: TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 (2.4&5GHz)
A home LAN that provides wireless Internet access to mobile devices and wired access to multimedia by the TV.
The television can play videos etc. from the local resources (USB HDD) or from external services (VOD, HbbTV).

HbbTV services can be received by televisions supporting this multimedia standard. A option is to use an STB that supports HbbTV. Of course, the HbbTV services are fully functional only when the TV or STB is connected to the Internet.
Polish Television plans to launch four new HbbTV applications. Already in February 2014, the viewers will have access to VOD and EPG applications. An additional application is scheduled for 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, next one for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. The hybrid HbbTV platform of Polish Television is currently available on 8 channels broadcast in DVB-T multiplexes as well as distributed by some cable TV operators (DVB-C).
Currently, the development of HbbTV services in European countries is very quick, especially in the German market. The indicator can be the number of available TV channels with HbbTV available from Astra satellite. Already in 2010, the number of devices supporting HbbTV standard reached 2 million (mainly TVs from Philips). The examples of applications already popular in the European HbbTV market are VOD, informative, educational, advertising, T-Commerce, Second Screen services.

Video surveillance system in a hotel.

The investor in the new, 51-room hotel Maly Rzym (Small Rome) built in historic town, Sandomierz, commissioned DIPOL Sandomierz to install a modern video surveillance system.
n-cam 670 M11284 cameras in winter scenery
After the analysis of the facility and potential dangers, the company installed a total of 33 n-cam and v-cam cameras. The n-cam 670 M11284 compact cameras have been installed on the outside of the hotel. Their IP66-rated housings protect the electronics from harsh weather conditions. With high resolution of 650 TVL the cameras provide detailed images. At night, they use built-in IR illuminators. The v-cam 490 M10749 cameras have been deployed inside the hotel. These vandal-proof devices are equipped with universal, varifocal lenses with focal length adjustable within the range of 2.8-12 mm, giving a lot of flexibility for selecting optimum field of view at each location.
The v-cam 450 M10749 cameras monitor the inside of the hotel
The video from the cameras is recorded by three Ultimax 14xx DVRs. Thanks to WD1 recording resolution (960x576 pixels), the DVRs allow for recording the video without a loss of detail.
View of the Ultimax 14xx DVRs mounted in Signal RACK cabinet
With the use of LAN, all DVRs have bee integrated into one system managed by a single application. This solution offers quick access to archival resources and live images from the building and its vicinity via the three DVRs. Some staff members have been given the opportunity to preview the images on the Internet with the use of handhelds.

The 19" Signal rack cabinet with the Ultimax DVRs, power supplies, switches , power cords and other accessories has been located in the hotel server room.
View of the Signal rack cabinet with the CCTV equipment

Motion detection in IP CCTV systems.

Some video surveillance systems or camera points do not require a continuous recording of the video data, e.g. due to a lack of events during longer periods of time (no people or vehicles in the field of view etc). In such cases, the best solution is to use recording triggered by motion detection. This mode allows the omission of recording video during periods without significant information and extends the available recording capacity.
Device configuration menu in IP NVR Signal 2708
Signal K1810 cameras and Signal K2708 and 2716 IP NVRs are mutually compatible - the NVRs fully support all the functions of the cameras, including motion detection. The detection area and its sensitivity is set directly in the cameras, and the information about a new object is sent as metadata to the NVR, which starts recording of the video stream. This mode of operation definitely reduces the consumption of the computing power of the NVR's processor (no need to process the consecutive frames). The effectiveness of the function in the cameras can be increased by selecting the optimum sensitivity (six levels) for elimination of small disturbances caused e.g. by trees waving in the wind.

Internet via electrical outlet.

Powerline Ethernet adapters TP-LINK TL-PA2010KIT N3363 allow network connection through the existing power line. The pair or set of the powerline adapters is an ideal solution in every case where it is impossible or difficult to install Ethernet cables or the environment is not suitable for a wireless medium.

The adapters eliminate the need for installing UTP cables, drilling holes etc. In particular, they can be used to connect to the Internet such home appliances like televisions, satellite receivers, network players and other devices with network interfaces - there is no problem that the desired place does not ensure physical access to the LAN.
Powerline Ethernet Adapters: TP-Link TL-PA2010KIT (Nano, 2pcs, 200Mbps)
Powerline Ethernet Adapters TP-Link TL-PA2010KIT (Nano, 2pcs, 200Mbps) N3363.
The size of the devices is compared with a matchstick.
The installation of the TP-LINK TL-PA2010KIT N3363 adapters is very simple. The "first" one should be connected to the router (with the included network patch cable) and plugged into the nearest power outlet. The second/next adapter is to be connected via its patch cable to the computer in the second/next room and plugged into the nearby power outlet. The maximum length of the electrical wires between the outermost points of the network cannot exceed 300 m. All outlets should use the same branch (phase) of the power network.

New products offered by DIPOL

Metal Housing/Box OMP-5 (flush-mounted, 400x500x120mm)
Metal Housing/Box OMP-5 (flush-mounted, 400x500x120mm )- R90587 is designed for flush mounting, for small and medium-sized antenna systems, in order to protect splitters, taps, amplifiers, power supplies, multiswitches, etc.
IP NVR Ultimax 2108
IP NVR Ultimax 2108 - K2108 is a modern IP network video recorder capable of monitoring, recording and playing back images from 8 MP IP cameras at frame rates up to 25 fps from each camera. This standalone NVR with VGA and HDMI outputs can be directly connected to a monitor, without a need for an additional computer. Thanks to embedded Linux OS, the NVR ensures stable operation and resistance to computer viruses.
Multimode Patch Cord ULTIMODE PC-357D (2xLC-2xST, 1.5m OM3 duplex)
Multimode Patch Cord ULTIMODE PC-357D (2xLC-2xST, 1.5m OM3 duplex) - L3357 is made of two parallel sections of multimode fiber optic cable with a length of 1.5 meter, terminated with two ST connectors on one side and with two LC connectors (pair) on the other.

New videos:

Easy access cable - how to install it in multifamily buildings
The video guide demonstrates the procedure of installing fiber optic cables
in multi-dwelling units, so far it is available in Polish version.

Worth reading

How to control electronic devices hidden in cabinets, drawers etc? Many people tend to hide electronic devices in modern cabinets or in drawers, which is an elegant solution but brings a lot of usability issues - it is difficult or impossible to control the devices with remote controls. The problem can be solved by the application of Signal IRB-600U R94130 IR bender... more
An application of the Signal IRB-600U R94130 IR bender with 3 IR transmitters
Online cameras - check out our equipment!
Online cameras - check out our equipment!