Google presents Duplex - virtual assistant schedules appointment with a hairdresser.

At the I/O 2018 conference, Google presented several new features related to Google Assistant. One of the most interesting functions is the ability of the assistant to perform telephone calls and conduct conversations with people in order to do some tasks. As an example, Google demonstrated a conversation with a hairdressing salon to arrange a visit.

Sundar Pichai, the Google's CEO, pointed out that the conversation had not been arranged before and was carried out live. This was possible thanks to the Google Duplex technology, which the company has been working on for several years.

Google Assistant will speak in 30 languages and will be available in 80 countries. The assistant will detect when you speak to it, even without you having to use the magic words "hey Google." The previous version of the assistant had problems with complex questions, orders or tasks. From now on, you can ask the Google Assistant about several things at once, and the software will divide the question into parts and answer each one.

Fiber-optic installation in a multifamily building.

Nowex company from Bydgoszcz, Poland, has deployed a fiber-optic FTTH network in a multifamily building with 50 apartments. This involved making 200 splices, a hundred in the RACK distribution frames located in the technical room, and a hundred in apartment boxes (2 splices per each apartment). The splices have been made with the use of the Signal Fire AI-8 L5870 fusion splicer. Thanks to short times of splicing (6 seconds) and heating the protection sleeves (15 seconds), the whole job could be carried out comparatively quickly and easily.

The termination of two-fiber cable in the Ultimode L53021 box in an apartment

How to activate remote control of OSD menu in Hikvision HD-TVI cameras?

The control of analog cameras of the old type (CVBS) is usually carried out with the use of a joystick mounted on the camera cable. In most cases, HD-TVI cameras ido not have such a joystick, but the control of their parameters is possible via an HD-TVI DVR. The control signals are sent back to the camera via the same coaxial cable that provides the video to the DVR. To open the camera OSD menu, the user has to enter PTZ control menu of the DVR and then press the button labeled "Menu." The same effect can be produced by calling "Preset 95".

OSD menu in a Hikvision camera

The navigation through the OSD menu is performed by using PTZ buttons, up/down and left/right. The IRIS+ button is used to confirm the changes.

The possible range of functions/adjustments (it may depend on the model):

Satellite channels in a hotel TV system.

A modular headend composed of TERRA tdx-420 R81618 FTA DVB-S/S2 to 2xDVB-T transmodulator and TERRA tdx-420c R81619 DVB-S/S2 to 2xDVB-T transmodulator with two CI ports is a simple, universal solution dedicated for systems requiring central management of the channel list. No need for additional devices connected to televisions (satellite receivers) is especially important in the case of hotels, motels, boarding houses, hospitals. Modular headends based on TERRA transmodulators can receive and convert into DVB-T COFDM standard a wide range of satellite DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK) signals, including pay-TV channels (models with CI slot/s). The output signals can be distributed as digital DVB-T multiplexes.

One tdx-420 R81618 or tdx-420C R81619 panel can receive channels from two satellite transponders and convert them into two neighboring DVB-T multiplexes. The tdx-420C R81619 panel has 2 CI ports that allow for multidescrambling of pay-TV channels.

Below, we present an example of configuring the tdx-420c R81619 panel to receive pay-TV channels. Using one card and multi-stream CAM CI AlphaCrypt module, it is possible to convert signals from two different satellite transponders into normal DVB-T channels.

Vimtag IP cameras with Wi-Fi connectivity.

Vimtag CM1 camera makes an ideal solution for people looking for extra security and peace at home or office. The installation of a traditional IP camera requires knowledge of the IP network configuration. Vimtag IP camera is a Plug & Play device for everyone requiring many functions performed by a single device. The functions include an electronic nanny, helper in the care of elderly parents, a pet minder, or just a simple home monitoring system. The CM1 K1552 model is a fixed type of camera with slim and elegant look and Wi-Fi interface.

The HD resolution of the camera allow the user to record all the details in the field of view. The camera can work both day and night thanks to the integrated infrared illuminator. The card slot accepts microSD cards with capacity up to 128 GB, which can store the recordings. The built-in speaker and microphone allow for the use of bi-directional audio function. With a smartphone, the user can listen to what is happening around the camera, send a voice message or just talk like on a speakerphone. The free Vimtag app is dedicated to operate the camera using a computer or a smartphone. With this app, the user has control over everything, regardless of whether he/she is at home or far away from it. The user has full access to the camera from anywhere in the world. With Wi-Fi connectivity, the camera can be placed anywhere within the range of the Wi-Fi router. As the camera is powered with 5 VDC via micro-USB port, it is possible to use a power bank and temporarily use the camera in a place without access to the AC power network.

Vimtag cameras with WI-Fi connectivity allow users for instant implementation of home video monitoring
with live access via smartphones, tablets, PCs.
The camera can be placed anywhere within the range of the Wi-Fi router.

Network switches for difficult conditions.

ULTIPOWER PoE switches enable data transmission at rates of 10/100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps. Their RJ45 ports support auto-negotiation and Power over Ethernet (PoE) functions. The devices automatically discover PD devices (Power Device) compliant with IEEE 802.3af standard and supply power to them. This way, it is easy to power network devices located in places without access to AC power lines, such as access points, IP cameras, IP phones etc. The switches have been equipped with optical converters or SFP slots for installing modules changing the transmission medium to fiber.

ULTIPOWER industrial switches

ULTIPOWER industrial switches are capable of reliable operation in harsh environmental conditions typical for many industries, like increased dust levels, high or low temperature, high humidity. Such switches should also be mounted in hermetic enclosures installed on poles or other structures located outdoors. The ULTIPOWER switches are equipped with Ethernet ports (Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet, depending on the model) for connecting IP cameras, computers etc. The industrial switches are protected by housings with IP40 ingress protection rating (against solid foreign objects greater than 1 mm in diameter). All the Ethernet PoE ports can power the connected devices (after supplying the switch with 48 VDC). Each of the industrial switches has been equipped with optical module or SFP port converting the transmission medium to fiber.

ULTIPOWER industrial switches can be installed e.g. in hermetically sealed enclosures located on poles

Two IP cameras on a pole, video transmission via optical fiber. Extensive monitoring systems with cameras placed on poles require careful planning, including the choice of equipment necessary for signal transmission via optical fibers and for power supply. Due to limited space, installers have to minimize the number and size of the pieces of the additional equipment and the size of the protective enclosures... >>>more

An application of the L11542 media converter with integrated 2-port switch
for transmission of signals from two IP cameras via universal single-mode fiber optic cable

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