Project Alloy - Intel enters the virtual reality world.

At Intel Developer Forum (IDF) San Francisco 2016, Intel unveiled its vision of virtual reality, linking the virtual world with the real world in Alloy Project. The basis of the project is an autonomous headset - an all-in-one virtual reality solution.

There have already been many similar ideas, however the Intel's solution goes one step further. So far, the competitors presented VR goggles allowing to enter the virtual world where we could see images from a game or program. Intel's headset owes its uniqueness, among other things, to the use of RealSense technology, based on 3D cameras together with a sophisticated software. The users can see not only the images generated by the goggles, but also they can introduce into the virtual world elements from the real world, e.g. their hands and fingers that may then activate virtual buttons or perform other activities. In addition, if the user approaches an obstacle in the real world, the virtual world will provide information about the threat, increasing the safety of the virtual immersion.

Project Alloy - a vision of virtual reality

As mentioned, the uniqueness of the Project Alloy is also the result of the all-in-one concept - the headset is fully autonomous, with built-in rechargeable battery, without a need for a connection with a smartphone or computer. There are no cables, the user can move freely in any area and be given an unprecedented freedom.

DIPOL at ENERGETAB 2016.

The 29th International Power Industry Fair ENERGETAB 2016 will take place in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, on September 13-15. We invite everyone to visit our booth, where we will present a number of new products, such as HD video surveillance systems, advanced IP CCTV projects, solutions for transmission of video and Ethernet signals via various media, industrial network devices, professional telecommunication antennas. More info on the fair.

Firmware update of Signal cameras.

The "Available downloads" links in the description pages of Signal IP cameras contain new firmware versions for the devices, which completely change the appearance of their menus and streamline the communication with Hikvision NVRs. After the update, it is not possible to return to the previous version. To connect to a camera after the firmware update, please uninstall the old OCX overlay file and install the new one which will be loaded at the first communication attempt. The update has to be done with the use of the IPCSearcher utility, available in the "Available downloads" link on the catalog page of a camera. The update process is divided into two stages. First, load the file with the *.bridge extension, and then, after successful update, the file with the *.fls extension. The names of the files depend on the models of the cameras.

Firmware update in Signal IP cameras

Which series of HD-TVI cameras will be the best choice?

We have already written on the Series symbols of Hikvision HD-TVI cameras. However, the range of the HD-TVI cameras is still expanding - there are both new models and completely new series. The new series offer higher resolutions, longer transmission distances, are more resistant to interference. The table below contains a comparison of the most popular series:

Multiswitch SMATV system with fiber-optic links.

Fiber-optic SMATV systems provide much more flexibility compared to those based only on copper coaxial cables. In addition to the greater freedom in implementing long transmission lines, the installation of the systems is also easier thanks to replacing the multiple thick cables by a single, thin fiber-optic cable. It means that the deployments of the shared antenna systems can be easier for implementation, especially in existing buildings equipped with narrow shafts or even without such conduits.

A multiswitch SMATV system based on TERRA optical devices

The diagram above shows an example of a multiswitch SMATV system combining fiber-optic and copper technologies. The satellite and terrestrial TV signals from the master antennas are provided via coaxial cables to the TV optical transmitter OT501W A9872 with output power of 6 dBm. The optical signal is transmitted via single-mode fiber to the technical room located in the basement of the multifamily building. The installation box in the room contains optical splitter that splits the signal into three paths for the three staircases in the building.

Each of the paths uses 2-fiber optical cable Ultimode L7102 that goes to the appropriate installation box in the staircase. The boxes protect the splices and connectors. So, the optical cables are not directly connected to the optical receivers TERRA OR501W (QUATRO + DVB-T/DAB/FM) A9877, but via adapters in the boxes and additional patch cords, to minimize the risk of a damage to the optical links. Despite comparatively short distances there is no need for additional attenuators due to the attenuation introduced by the optical splitter.

The optical receivers provide sets of electrical signals suitable for further distribution through multiswitches. The kind and number of the multiswitches installed in a staircase depends on the total number of outlets in the apartments located in the staircase. In the case of the first and second staircase, these are MV-524 R70724 and MV-532 R70732 multiswitches plus the R70515 SAT/TV splitter, in the third staircase - the MV-516 R70716 multiswitch. The outlets in the apartments are connected to the multiswitches via coaxial cable with screening efficiency at A-class level, e.g. TRISET-113 E1015.

For an aesthetic look - Slim HDMI cables.

DIPOL offers now Slim HDMI cables with small diameter of the cable (4 mm) and minimized width of the connectors (18 mm). These features, together with reduced minimum bending radius, solve problems such as limited space behind the connected device or dense packing of HDMI inputs, as well can improve the aesthetic qualities of the connection.

Combining single-mode devices into multimode systems.

It often happens that installers have to employ single-mode devices in optical installations based on multimode fibers, or sometimes there can be the opposite situation. Such situations are usually caused by implementations of optical systems in stages, often by different contractors.

In most cases, the connection of incompatible network components results in the lack of optical signal on the other side of the optical link. The solution to this problem would be, of course, the application of the suitable device or replacement of the cable, but generally such situations are caused by the fact that this solution is impractical or impossible and can usually be used only in the case of devices with optional SFP modules. But what if the available device has only a fixed optical interface in the incompatible version? Then the installer can employ the optical media converter ULTIMODE MT-202G L1573 that converts optical signals between single-mode and multimode networks. Of course, the converters usually have to be installed on the both sides of the link (see the diagram below).

A single-mode device (switch) is connected to the L1573 converter via single-mode patchcord. The optical signal converted into multimode form is transmitted over multimode link and then converted again to the single-mode form by another L1573 converter.

Control of boom barriers with Lightfighter DS-2CD4A25FWD-IZS cameras. The Lightfighter DS-2CD4A25FWD-IZS K17891 camera can be used for license plate recognition (LPR) and control (via alarm output) of a boom gate or other device. The list of additional automatic functions becomes much longer after connecting the camera to a Hikvision NVR supporting the LPR function... >>>more

The 15th DIPOL's Summer Holiday Contest is already at the finish