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

New USB cable designations.

The USB-IF organization responsible for standardizing the USB interface will change cable designations. Determining the maximum transmission rate of a USB port or cable will be much easier. The Regulatory Authority has decided to do away with marketing designations such as SuperSpeed USB or USB4, offering instead quite specific guidelines for power and data transfer rates.

In the case of chargers, specialists from the USB-IF organization have released two versions of the logo: for normal and fast charging.

In the case of USB-C type cable labeling, two labels will also be used to standardize the markings: both for the packaging and the cable itself.

Winners of the 21st edition of DIPOL photo contest!

In this edition we received almost 600 works from you! Congratulations to the winners and honored participants – you have once again proved that such inconspicuous and seemingly common objects as antennas can be inspirations for creating truly artistic works. We thank all the participants and we invite you to take part in next year's edition!

Video intercom system for an apartment block.

A diagram of the Hikvision IP video intercom system for a 10-story (40 apartments) apartment block is shown below. Two identical sets of gate/door stations are installed at the gate and entrance to the block which include: main module with a camera (DS-KD8003-IME1/EU G73652), Mifare tag reader (DS-KD-M G73662), keyboard to control the first relay in the station (opening ) the wicket gate and calling individual tenants (DS-KD-KP G73668), and a display module indicating the door station status and allowing to choose s subscriber from the list (DS-KD-DIS G73670). The gate station modules in the fence are enclosed in two surface-mounted frames (DS-KD-ACW2 G74354) with rain shields (DS-KABD8003-RS2 G74373). The entrance gate is controlled by the gate station in the fence (the second relay is built into the main module). The modules at the entrance to the block are enclosed in two flush-mounted frames (DS-KD-ACF2 G74343). The DS-KH6320-WTE1/EU G74001 monitors are installed in the apartments. The entire network is made of two Ultipower 2224af N29987 24-port switches.

This system configuration is very flexible. Any tenant can be called from the gate station. After receiving the call, the tenant hears and sees the person at the gate and can open the wicket or the gate at any time. The monitors support an intercom function supporting internal calls between individual apartments. Furthermore, each monitor supports the Internet via Wi-Fi for remote receiving and making calls and if necessary, opening the wicket.

Intelligent DVB-T2 SMART DIPOL antennas.

Selecting the right antenna is a key issue in any TV system. When looking for the right model consider the following factors: gain, directivity, mounting location, built-in signal amplifier. Of these four factors, the basic and most important parameter in selecting a DVB-T2 antenna is the antenna gain. Energy gain is a measurable parameter and is most often given in dBi units. In simple terms, it means how much "better" a given antenna is in relation to a theoretical isotropic antenna – an omnidirectional, lossless one having zero physical dimensions. The greater the gain, the better. Some antennas have amplifiers in the antenna box, which, when supplied with voltage (usually 12 VDC), further increases the received signal level. However, this should not be confused with the nominal gain of the antenna itself.

DIPOL has two SMART antennas on offer: DIPOL SMART HORIZON A2230 and DIPOL SMART CITY A2010.

These antennas have a number of advantages, with the versatility being the most important. The bypass and amplifier in the antenna box makes it possible to work in two modes:

Pass-through RJ-45 connectors.

DIPOL offers EZ RJ-45 category 5e J2012_100 and category 6 J2013_100 connectors. Their hallmark is a loopthrough on individual wires that allows for a faster and more efficient termination. The plug should be crimped and the excess conductor cut off with the dedicated E7911 crimping tool.

The plug has an elastic latch that prevents it from sliding out of the socket. Individual contacts have sharp, slightly spaced prongs, sticking directly into the insulation of individual wires, ensuring a reliable and durable connection.

Aluminum satellite dishes – do they make sense?

Dipol offers 16 models of satellite dishes. 13 of them are made of steel, two of them are made of aluminum.

The main advantage of antennas made of aluminum is their resistance to corrosion. Pictures like the one pictured above are not uncommon. Corroded steel dishes disfigure the roofs and facades of buildings. This is often followed by problems with signal reception as well. The average lifespan of a satellite dish can be assumed to be 10 years – this is the time when the dish should maintain a relatively good appearance and reception parameters. This time may be significantly reduced in coastal areas, where antenna sets are exposed to stronger winds, salt and sometimes sand. The use of an aluminum dish can extend this time, while in the case of steel dishes whose coating becomes damaged (scratched by birds, branches, small stones, or even during incompetent installation), it may turn out that soon after installation they will have the first corrosion signs.

Another advantage of aluminum dishes is that they are lighter in weight than steel dishes. This is especially important when they are installed in hard-to-reach places. Lower mechanical resistance to wind can be considered as disadvantage, but this will be important in places exposed to really strong wind gusts.

SMATV system receiving TV signals from two DVB-T2 transmitters. The main task of the installer was to perform a SMATV system to receive 5 DVB-T/DVB-T2 multiplexes from two transmitters: 4 multiplexes from a local 100 kW transmitter (a distance of 12 km), 1 multiplex from a 50 kW transmitter 50 km away, and then distribution of the signal in a TV installation of about 70 receivers. For this purpose, an antenna set consisting of two DIPOL SMART antennas was used: Horizon A2230, City A2010 and Terra PA420T R82516 channel amplifier...>>>more