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

Fire detection by surveillance cameras.

A research team from NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed an artificial intelligence system that can significantly improve fire safety by using ordinary surveillance cameras to detect fire and smoke. The technology operates in real time and analyses images faster than the blink of an eye - in just 0.016 seconds per frame (or about 60 frames per second). It can complement traditional smoke detectors, which require high smoke levels and proximity to the source, because it can recognise a fire in its early stages and covers a large area. This makes it possible to trigger the alarm, evacuation and rescue operations more quickly.

The cameras send the raw video stream using network protocols (RTSP, RTMP, SDP) to a central server, where the images are analysed using artificial intelligence. Research has shown that single AI models - even advanced ones such as EfficientDet, Faster-RCNN or YOLO - are not reliable enough for practical applications, despite training on large collections of fire and smoke images. Therefore, the authors proposed a complex system that integrates multiple AI algorithms into a single architecture.
A key element of the solution is the dynamic analysis of changes in successive frames of the footage. The system monitors how the size and shape of detected areas of fire or smoke change, so it can distinguish between a real, spreading fire and static objects that only resemble it (e.g. red elements, a sunset or lights reflected from a wall). As a result, the number of false alarms is significantly reduced.

Published in the IEEE Internet of Things journal, the research shows that the system can analyse footage and identify fire at more than 60 frames per second. Its greatest strengths are speed and range - a single camera can observe a much larger area than a traditional detector.
The technology runs on a cloud-based architecture (AWS EC2). When a fire is detected, the system automatically generates video clips and sends real-time alerts via email and SMS. Importantly, it can be deployed using existing CCTV infrastructure - without costly hardware upgrades.

The potential of the solution goes beyond buildings. The system can be integrated with drones, firefighters' helmet cameras or firefighting robots to support forest fire detection, situation assessment in high-rise buildings or rescue operations. The researchers also point out that this approach could find application in other crisis scenarios - from security threats to medical emergencies. This is an important step towards more intelligent and comprehensive systems for the protection of life and property.

SIGNAL PRO - a new line of multiswitches.

Dipol has extended its range of multiswitches for RTV/SAT installations in multi-family buildings with the SIGNAL PRO series - models: MS-916 R69916, MS-924 R69924, MS-932 R69932. It is a professional line of cascadable multiswitches (the final ones after installing 75 Ohm resistors R66205 in the pass-through path) designed for use in small, medium and large SMATV systems in multi-family buildings, as well as in smaller home installations. Thanks to the cascading capability, SIGNAL PRO multiswitches allow the system to be easily adapted to the needs of different sized buildings.

SIGNAL PRO is a viable alternative to the cascadable multiswitches available on the European markets, offering excellent functionality and high quality workmanship, at the same time at a very attractive price. Thanks to the robust die-cast housing, high technical parameters and 4-year warranty, SIGNAL PRO products ensure stable and reliable operation in RTV-SAT installations. Multiswitches of this series are a favourable choice for both installers and end users, combining professional solutions with optimal investment costs. SIGNAL PRO is an ideal combination of quality, functionality and price.

Direct termination of fibre optic cables with a connector.

The Ultimode connectors are used for terminating fibre optic cables. They are an alternative to pigtail connections or SoC (Splice on Connector) connectors requiring the use of a fibre optic splicer. This solution is ideal for CCTV, LAN and FTTH installations where maintaining connection attenuation below 0.1 dB is not a critical issue for the operation or reception of the installation. The actual attenuation of quick connectors at the level of 0.25 - 0.5 dB does not pose any obstacle to the realisation of typical point-to-point connections: switch - switch, camera - switch, media converter - switch, etc.

Compared to typical splicing of pigtails, the key advantage of this solution no need to use joint boxes to protect the connection of the pigtail with the fiber of the cable. This saves the time to make the connection and money (the cost of a connector vs. purchasing: the pigtail, splice protector, joint box, adapter, patch cable). For that reason the quick assembly connectors are most commonly used for connecting FTTH subscribers or in CCTV systems, where limited space in media converter boxes prevents installation of fiber optic boxes.

Tools required to implement connections using Ultimode fast connectors:

• universal stripper L5905 - notching and stripping of cable outer sheath, stripping of *primary fibre sheath,
• ultimode Fast L5715 gauge - quick and convenient measurement of stripping and cutting fibre length,
• dustless wipes L5913 and IPA alcohol L5915 - cleaning fibre before cutting,
• fibre cutter L5882 - precision fibre cutting.

Device groups in the iVMS-4200 client application.

After adding a DVR to the iVMS-4200 application, a situation may occur in which the cameras supported by the DVR are not visible in the application's main view window. This situation can occur if the Import to group option is not checked when adding the DVR. This problem can be solved in several ways. The first way is to delete the DVR and re-add it to the application with the Import to group tab checked. The second way is to go to the Device Management -> Group tab and create a group by device name. Once the DVR is indicated in the list, a group will be created with encoding channels and other permissions such as alarm inputs, access control points, etc. The third option is to manually create a group, give it its own name and import selected cameras from the indicated DVRs or cameras added directly to the DVR. The last option allows to flexibly adjust the group as required.

CGI protocol for IP cameras and recorders.

CGI is a protocol through which an IP camera can communicate with a browser or application running on another server. Each CGI command is sent as an HTTP request that can be executed by the camera. This makes it possible to perform a variety of operations related to configuration, monitoring and control of camera functions, without the need for client applications or a browser interface. IP cameras can not only be easily managed, but also integrated into other systems such as building automation. For Sunell devices, there is a document explaining how the various commands work.

For example, the following command activates motion detection with a sensitivity of 3 on an IP camera with the address 192.168.3.15:

Powering a camera directly from a fibre optic media converter. Fibre optic cables form the core of the cabling of many surveillance systems. They are usually chosen in cases where the camera points remain a considerable distance from the monitoring centre. In a situation where a camera point includes 1 camera, its implementation usually involves the use of an airtight box, in which a media converter is placed together with a power supply, a PoE power supply and a box / cassette protecting the welding point of the fibre optic cable entering the box...>>> more