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

No. 10/2015 (March 9, 2015)

Google's algorithm learns to play on its own.

Google employees created an algorithm whose main feature is the ability to perform specific tasks based on previously conducted similar operations. So far, the algorithm has been tested in simple games, known from Atari products. The specially written software is an implementation of a self-learning algorithm achieving very good results in video games such as Pinball and Boxing, and leaving behind the "real" players. Google says it is just a foretaste of what the algorithm, implemented in various devices, can perform in the future.
Google algorithm has been confronted with the results achieved by the best players in 49 games. In 22 of them, the program proved to be better than the man, even reaching many times better results. However, in some of them, the algorithm failed completely, being unable to get even a single point.
After refining the script so that it can easily deal with simple Atari games, the team will move to more complex 3D games. According to the authors, it may take up to 5 years. One of the main objectives is to provide a method of self-learning to drive a car in a racing game, which in turn should lead to the transfer of the algorithm to real autonomous cars.
The autonomous car created by Google has already traveled several hundred thousand kilometers. However, it moves according to data stored in the memory of its on-board computer. For example, it "knows" in advance what is the height of the curb at a particular point of the route. The preparation of the maps and their continuous updating involves a large amount of work and high costs. Artificial intelligence, the beginning of which can be the developed algorithm, should be able to drive the car on a completely new and unknown route. Will Google vision come true? Probably so. Will artificial intelligence solutions be used only to drive cars? Certainly not.

Shared antenna system in an apartment house.

One of Krakow's housing associations decided to modernize the shared antenna system in one of its multifamily buildings. The residents of the 4-floor house with four staircases should have access to DVB-T and FM radio broadcasts. There are four apartments on each floor in each staircase.
The task of the contractor was to distribute the DVB-T and FM radio signals received by a master antenna, plus video from two CCTV cameras, to the 64 subscriber outlets.
Subscriber Terminal Outlet: Signal RTVFM Antenna: Dipol 1RUZ PM B (omnidirectional H+V)UHF TV Antenna: DIPOL 44/21-60 Tri DigitDVB-T Modulator TERRA mdx420 (2xAV/COFDM encoder & RF modulator)Multiband Amplifier Terra ma400 (FM/VHF/UHF)Twin Channel Amplifier: Terra at420 (UHF, analog TV & DVB-T, AGC) 4-way Tap: Signal O-4-14dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-16dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-20dB (5-1000MHz) 4-way Tap: Signal O-4-20dB (5-1000MHz) 4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)2-Way TV/FM Splitter R-2 Signal2-Way TV/FM Splitter R-2 Signal2-Way TV/FM Splitter R-2 Signal4-way Tap: Signal O-4-20dB (5-1000MHz) 4-way Tap: Signal O-4-20dB (5-1000MHz) 4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-14dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-16dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)4-way Tap: Signal O-4-18dB (5-1000MHz)
Diagram of the MATV system combined with CCTV, deployed in the building.
Due to longer distances to the outermost staircases, the taps have different parameters there.
The active components of the system include DVB-T modulator Terra mdx420 R82518, two twin channel amplifiers Terra at420 R82510 and multiband amplifier Terra ma400 R82520. The at420 R82510 selective amplifiers equalize levels of 4 digital multiplexes (there could be used four-channel amplifier Terra at440 R82511 instead). The mdx 420 R82518 DVB-T modulator is used to inject two video surveillance channels into the RF distribution system. The multiband amplifier ma400 R82520 with three independent paths (FM, VHF&DAB, UHF) allows for final amplification of the signals in the UHF band, as well as for the amplification and injection of radio signals broadcast in FM and VHF bands.
The signals are distributed in a passive network composed of RF splitters and taps. On each floor there is 4-output tap connected directly with Signal R694130 subscriber outlets. The cabling is made of coaxial cable DIPOLNET RG-6 E1230.

Cable inlets for outdoor installation boxes.

Metal housings with IP65 ingress protection ratings are ideal for sheltering devices installed in areas exposed to dust, moisture, or water. A common problem is the way of inserting the cables so that not to worsen the original ratings of the installation boxes.
In most cases, the installer has to drill holes in the box, and then select the suitable cable fittings. A much simpler, but equally effective solution is to use a cable entry plate dedicated for the housing. This method is especially recommended in the case of connecting multiple cables.
To make the job of installers easier, DIPOL has introduced cable entry plates dedicated for outdoor installation boxes, with different numbers of openings.
Cable entry plates for outdoor housings:
Cable Entry Plate (34 openings, for outdoor housings)
Cable Entry Plate (6 openings, for outdoor housings)
Cable Entry Plate (25 openings, for outdoor housings)
34 openings
R90610A
6 openings
R90610B
25 openings
R90610C
View of the outdoor housing/box R90606 (IP65, 400x300x200mm) with the R90610C cable entry plate

FTTH - building cabling methods (part 1/3).

The designer of a fiber optic system for a specific building has to take into account several issues that have influence on the selection of cables and cabling techniques:
  • type of the building - office building, residential building etc.
  • system topology, including the locations of cable shafts
  • system applications, connected with the technology and kind of services
  • network utilization factor - connection of all outlets or subsequent connections of new users
Given these factors, it is possible to select the appropriate cabling technique. There are three popular methods:
    1 - indoor "breakout" and subscriber cables
    2 - cabling based on micro-tubes
    3 - cabling based on easy access cables
The method based on the breakout distribution cables resembles that known from cable TV distribution systems. The cables are run from the optical distribution frame located in the bottom of the building to all or selected floors, where they are connected to subscribers cables terminated with outlets. The number of fibers in each cable is the same as the number of outlets on the corresponding floor. The cable on a given floor enters the distribution box where the fibers are spliced with the fibers of the subscriber cables. The fibers of the subscriber cables should be characterized by reduced bending radius.
Wall-mounted Distribution Box ULTIMODE TB-16P-3 (IP65, strengthened, max 24 splices, 18 SC simplex adapters) Optical Fiber Distribution Frame: ULTIMODE TB-48B (wall-mounted)
FTTH solution based on breakout distribution cables
This cabling method is the most universal and can be applied in almost any building, regardless of its type and layout/topology. Compared with methods presented in the further parts, it involves implementation of the entire system at the installation stage. Not without significance is also the need for the distribution box on each floor.
To be continued...

Embedding video stream from an IP camera on a website.

To stream the video from an IP camera directly on an Internet site, it is necessary to paste into the source code of the site the suitable script or create a new website. Another required component is the VLC plugin for RTSP streaming. The plugin, suitable for the operating system used, should be download from the Internet and installed (after selecting web plugins installation option). The installation should be performed with the browser closed. To create a new website with the suitable script, it is necessary to:
  • create a new text document
  • paste the following script:
  • click the option File-> Save as> Name_of_the_file.html (e.g. my_site.html)
The access path is the link to the RTSP stream from the camera, while the height and width - the appropriate dimensions of the camera window. The code can be added to the source code of an existing website and edited according to the needs. In the case of a Signal camera, the access path to the RTSP stream is as follows:

rtsp://IP address:554/0/ 1 or 2 (1 - the main stream, 2 - the sub-stream)

Handling errors and exceptions in Hikvision DVRs/NVRs.

Hikvision DVRs and IP NVRs have the ability of self-diagnosis and can notify the operator of problems relating to the operation of the IP CCTV system. The included software ensures detection of emergency situations and initiates appropriate actions related to the detected problems.
The operation systems detects the following problems:
  • disk overflow
  • disk write error, not formatted disk etc.
  • no communication with LAN e.g. disconnected cable
  • duplicated IP address
  • invalid login or password
  • video loss or video system incompatibility (DVRs)
  • video capturing/recording error
View of the Hikvision configuration window
The alarm response actions include:
  • beep sound
  • notification of the monitoring center (with the server running IVMS - 4200 software)
  • email notification to predefined recipients

Video monitoring of a 3D printer placed in Signal rack cabinet.

During the 5th edition of the "Days of 3D printing" in Kielce, Poland, March 11-12, 2015, DIPOL will present 3D printer installed in the hanging 19" rack cabinet Signal R912022 (12U 600 mm). The cabinet has been specially insulated and sealed, to ensure increased operation temperature of the printer. The monitoring and recording of the printing process is performed by the v-cam 430 M10754 camera and HIKVISION DS-7104HWI-SH M71042 DVR... more
3D printer in Signal rack cabinet, with video monitoring

View of the 3D printer in the rack cabinet

New products offered by DIPOL

2MP IP PTZ Camera: Hikvision DS-2DE7184-A (20x optical zoom 4.7-94mm, IR up to 100m)
Hikvision DS-2DE7184-A K1793 IP speed dome camera has been equipped with high quality 2 MP (1920x1080) image sensor operating at 25 fps. Thanks to high sensitivity, advanced processing algorithms (3D DNR, D WDR, BLC, HLC) and IR illuminator with range up to 100 m, the camera can effectively operate in any environment. Thanks to day and night modes, the camera very well renders colors in daylight and fully makes use of its high sensitivity at night. The camera provides two data streams (main stream and sub-stream) and can use H.264 or MJPEG compression method. The audio input allows for connection of a microphone, and the audio output can be connected to an active loudspeaker (with an amplifier). Such a solution enables two-way voice communication, audio monitoring of the spot, audio recording.
Wall Mount with Support: OMP-50R45-70
Wall mount OMP-50R45-70 E8535 is designed to mount an antenna mast to a wall. The kit includes two brackets with support.

IP NVR Sunell SN-NVR10/02E2/008NSE (8ch, 36Mbps, 2xSATA, VGA, HDMI)
IP NVR Sunell SN-NVR10/02E2/008NSE K2508 is a modern IP network video recorder capable of monitoring, recording and playing back images from 8 IP cameras at frame rates up to 25 fps from each camera, with 36 Mbps limit on the total recording bandwidth. 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.

Worth reading

Terminating telecommunication systems in apartments. Typical good practice is to locate suitable installation box in each apartment near the entrance door. Multipurpose installation boxes can be used for any kind of cabling and services... more
The application of the OMT-35 R96025 box in an apartment
Master connectors - the perfect choice