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

New concept of testing quality of CCTV systems. The British Home Office has always been very serious about all issues concerning quality of CCTV systems. The Rotakin test target, developed by the UK Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB), is a well known in the world test chart - a practical way in which one can assess whether a CCTV camera meets the necessary human factor requirements.
Due to rapid development of video systems, the well-worn (created in 1989) black and white Rotakin test becomes more and more useless. It has therefore been decided to expand the scope of the video test. The prototype of the modernized pattern includes people identification, text reading, and color tests, as well as - similarly to Rotakin and other popular tests - resolution assessment.
It is natural that with the development of video monitoring the testing techniques have to take into account ever higher quality of surveillance images. Therefore, it seems that the latest testing method will shortly become a new standard in evaluating quality of video surveillance systems.

Person identification test consists in showing the operator a selected face from the set (via the tested CCTV system) and their trying to identify the face on the array containing the nine similar faces:

Array for identifying people
(source: HOSDB)

Test of text reading is similar to the previous one, but instead of faces there is a series of letters similar in size to license plate characters.

Text recognition test
(source: HOSDB)

Color discrimination test - this time the task of the operator is to point out the sample most similar to the color visible on the monitor screen.

Color recognition test
(source: HOSDB)

Video resolution test contains white stripes (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) on a black background. The smaller bars can be distinguished, the higher resolution of the image.

Video resolution test
(source: HOSDB)

An old guard that has to be ... protected now. The wall visible in the photos below had been built for defense purposes, however, it played a key role in the development of trade. The trade route which ran along this wall was well marked, the merchants and the goods were not exposed to the risks of robbery in the steppes.
Also today, it is of great commercial importance - many people travel there and stay in local hotels. However, the defense direction has made an about-turn - now the wall must be protected against modern vandals. What is the name of the wall? - The answer is at the end of this issue.

How to select components of a headend? TERRA headend redistributes satellite and terrestrial broadcasts. It can also distribute locally injected material (audio/video signals from cameras, DVD players etc.). The modulator of any module operates in 110-862 MHz band (channel S1-69) so that the subscribers can use regular TV sets (no need for additional devices like set-top-boxes).
The headend (put in 19" rack) is a perfect solution for SMATV systems with over 100 outlets, as well as for hotels, motels, boardinghouses etc. where there is a risk of damaging the additional equipment that would be needed in other systems. The modules of the headend employ VSB modulators that allow use of adjacent channels. High maximum output level (102 dBuV) enables direct connection (without additional amplifiers) of up to 60 outlets. In the case of larger systems, the best complement to the headend are Alcad channel amplifiers of ZG (ZG-401, ZG-601, ZG-421) series.

The first step in the design of the headend is a choice of channels to be distributed in the network. Channel capacity of the system determines the number of the base units (UC-380) that have to be used. One base unit allows to mount 8 modules. One module distributes one channel.

The station can be configured in master - slave mode, i.e. the programs broadcast from the same transponder can be decoded in RDC-313 QPSK/PAL panel with CI (R81710), and then sent as MPEG-2 TS to cheaper decoder/VSB modulators DM-313 R81712. This solution means double saving: first - a cheaper panel, second - only one conditional access module. Using one RDC-313 QPSK CI receiver and one PowerCam Pro module it is possible to decode up to 4 programs.

More detailed information on the subject can be found in A short guide to MMH-3000 TERRA design.

Using MT-310 R81708 modulators, the operator can distribute A/V signals from CCTV cameras, DVD players, computers etc.

SatNet2.0 - example of SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna TeleVision) solution. In the previous issue we have presented application that supports installers in designing multiswitch systems based on TERRA equipment. The program enables the user to handle virtually any project, even of most complex networks.

Example: Design of a SMATV system with 72 outlets. Due to the physical arrangement of the outlets, the network has been divided into smaller subnetworks, using SS-915 R70525 and SS-910 R70524 taps. The core of the network are 9/24 multiswitches TERRA MSV-924 R70874, remotely powered from SA-901 R70901 amplifier.

Screenshot from the SatNet app - the design of SMATV system with 72 outlets

The design process begins with placing icons of the LNBs and terrestrial antennas in the working area. Double-clicking allows to specify the levels of the input signals. The designer can specify the lengths and types of the cables between the devices used: the distance between the set of antennas and amplifier is 25 m, and between multiswitches (staircases) - 20 m. Of course, subscriber outlets are at different distances from the MSV multiswitches (from 5 to 30 m). The parameters of the cable are the specifications of TRISET-113 E1015.

The program calculates the resultant signal levels in all sockets and shows the results in the form of frequency charts. First simulation with default values of parameters allows to check signal levels at different points of the network. If they are not within suitable limits, the application allows to adjust the gain and cable equalization levels of the SA-901 amplifier and MSV-924 multiswitches. The above screenshot from the SatNet program enables the installer to read the optimized values and copy the settings to the real equipment used in the installation. In the case above, the satellite signals have been lowered by 5, 8, and 15 dB (respectively), and the terrestrial signal has slightly been adjusted as well. Due to the existence of long stretches of coaxial cable, it is indispensable to employ the equalizing function of the SA-901 R70901 amplifier (at 6 dB level).

It took approximately twenty minutes to complete the whole design with the SatNet 2.0 program.

MSV-924 R70724 multiswitches are the core of the network

The SatNet 2.0.2 software is available here (12.6 MB).
SatNet self-study tutorial (2.55 MB) provides essential training for anyone who wants to use the SatNet 2.0.2 software on their own.

Intelligent analog camera - motion detection and privacy zones. The intelligent, high quality analog camera SN-FXP3200MIR M10790 allows to create as many as 4 motion detection and 8 privacy zones.
Privacy zones are indispensable in such cases like toilets in prison cells, baths, swimming pools, changing rooms etc., whereas motion detection zones can facilitate e.g. operation of attended parking lots.
SN-FXP3200MIR camera uses the highest-quality 1/3'' CCD Super HAD II from SONY, which is an improved version of the SONY CCD Super HAD sensor. SONY Super HAD II sensor is characterized by a considerable improvement in image quality over its predecessor. It is mainly better color and brightness reproduction of the scene in low-light conditions.
The camera comes with built-in lens with adjustable focal length from 2.8 to 11 mm (F1.4) which is very suitable for setting optimum field of view. The viewing angle can be changed from 79 to 25 degrees. The lens is designed for day/night operation, maintaining high image quality both in daylight and in infrared light.
The camera is easily controlled with local keyboard and OSD menu. The buttons hidden under the dome allow to adjust practically all parameters of the camera. The menu provides a set of sub-menus that enable the user to adjust such parameters like brightness of the DC lens, AGC, BLC, SENSE-UP, WD, as well as motion detection and privacy settings.

View of the SN-FXP3200MIR camera
M10790

Distinguishing features of the camera:

ULTIMAX DVRs - mobile monitoring with cell phones and palmtops. Customer demands for instant access to surveillance video are constantly increasing. Among them is the ability to view live images on mobile phones and PDAs. This feature of a CCTV system may be very useful for many users. It allows to access the system from anywhere in the world - from any place with reliable cellular service.
This function of ULTIMAX DVRs has been tested by the manufacturer for Nokia 7610, N72, N73, N75, N95 and Samsung E848. In the Download section there are two applications - "Mobile Surveillance Client" and "Windows CE &Windows Mobile JVM" - allowing to get access to surveillance video via cellular phones.

The image on a cellular phone, transmitted from ULTIMAX DVR

Megapixel video surveillance in chain restaurants in Japan. Megapixel video surveillance systems based on IP technology are becoming increasingly popular, also in private businesses (agencies, restaurants, hotels, stores etc.). An example is the Japanese restaurant chain, the owner of which decided to mount in each location two ACTi K1314 day/night domes and one pan-tilt ACTi K1218 camera.
All sites are connected to the Internet, which allows for remote management of the entire system. The video streams transmitted over the Internet are recorded in a separate location.

Basic diagram of the system architecture

Multimedia home based on future-oriented 802.11n standard. The 802.11n standard enables data transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps, which perfectly meets the needs for transmission of home multimedia. Wireless transfers of music or video to a laptop connected wirelessly can take much less time than sending the same files with the use of a wired "Fast Ethernet" connection.
The 802.11n devices are compatible with the older 802.11b and 802.11g equipment, so the 802.11n router will cooperate with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless cards. All devices of TP-Link using "n" standard comply with Draft 2.0.

What do we gain by modifying home network?
Above all, we are capable of a very fast data exchange without fear of incompatibility problems with older devices in the network.

A reliable multimedia home-networking platform - 802.11n draft 2.0 devices of TP-Link

The list of devices for use in multimedia home:

Great Wall Of China. Fully organized construction of the wall began in the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the third century B.C. Building works took about 17 centuries. The present form of the wall was developed during the Ming Dynasty (since 1368).
Initially, the work supervisors were managing about 300 thousand people. It soon became clear that this number of builders is insufficient. So, broad masses of workers were directed there - offenders and people considered criminals, as well as recruits, often with prolonged time of service. It is estimated that construction of the wall involved up to 3.5 million people (70% of the population of the then China). Mistreatment and overwork took terrible toll on population - during the construction works more than a million people died (about 30% of the population of the then China). The accompanying oppression was the reason that in 209 B.C., a year after the death of the Emperor, peasants started an uprising and Qin Dynasty collapsed. During the history of China the construction of the fortifications had changing fortunes, being resumed or suspended for centuries.
The wall was a part of the Silk Road that allowed for the exchange of goods between China and the rest of Asia. Based on Wikipedia

We have written about:

Terra headend in local cable TV network. Local cable TV operator in Warsaw provides signals to 500 apartments. So far, there were distributed 32 channels (retransmitted satellite programs). The operator decided to increase the offer by next 6 channels. For this purpose, the installation company proposed to employ Terra headend, despite the fact that the original network is based on a headend coming from another manufacturer. The company was able to convince the investor that the MMH-3000 headend can cooperate with the existing equipment, providing high quality signals, ensuring flexible configuration and low operating costs - all for very competitive price.
- archive DWR of Dec. 22, 2008

ULTIMODE optical converters. In CCTV systems, fiber optic video converters are mainly used in the cases where the signals are transmitted over long distances or in harsh environments. Optical fibers ensure full electrical isolation and resistance to electromagnetic interferences that may occur on the transmission route...
- archive DWR of Sept. 21, 2009

Multifunction Peripheral/Printer and Storage Server TP-LINK TL-PS310U N3312. The TP-LINK MFP and Storage Server TL-PS310U is designed to share USB devices throughout home or office network (SOHO applications). It allows to use one printer/multifunctional device and other USB devices by a number of users...
- archive DWR of June 1, 2009

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