The first checkout-free supermarket in Lisbon

Jerónimo Martins, a Portuguese retail group, has just opened its first cashless Pingo Doce supermarket in Carcavelos in Lisbon. Known as Pingo Doce & Go Lab Store, the supermarket is located on the Nova SBE campus and caters mainly to the students who live there. The pilot store was designed and constructed to respond to the student demand for fast and convenient shopping. An investment of nearly 2.5 million euro, the project aims to investigate and identify new consumer trends among youth. The store has a surface of 250 square meters and employs 20 people, who staff the takeaway food areas and offer assistance in the sales department. Customers pay through a dedicated app.

To enter the store, they need to download a Nova Pingo Doce & Go app and scan a QR code to create a virtual basket. Once they have selected a product, its label will be scanned using NFC contactless technology. The app is currently available only for Android smartphones, but talks with Apple are already underway. The store's assortment includes hot and cold dishes, sushi, salads, sandwiches, canned food, alcohol-free drinks, as well as hygienic products and prescription drugs. Once the customer leaves the store, payment is processed automatically via the credit card linked to the app. Alternatively, customers may choose to pay at the store's checkout terminals.

The best TV for DVB-T2?

A change in terrestrial TV broadcasts has been underway in Europe: the current DVB-T system is being gradually phased out and replaced with a more effective standard, DVB-T2, based on HEVC video compression (also known as H.265 and MPEG-H Part 2). In order to receive DVB-T2 channels, TV devices must be able to decode the new video compression format. If you are a terrestrial TV viewer planning to purchase a new device, make sure it is adapted to the reception of such content. Many TV sets now on the market are equipped with DVB-T2 decoders that only support an older compression standard, i.e. AVC (also known as H.264 or MPEG-4 Part 10). Once the DVB-T2/HEVC transmission standard is introduced, they will cease to "recognize" the broadcast content and will require an external decoder.

How to integrate IP intercoms with a CCTV system?

Intercom cameras can be used as an additional video source for CCTV systems in order to collect more accurate information about the people who approach the gate. Thanks to their high resolution and short distance to the entrance, such cameras are able to capture human faces in greater detail.

An IP intercom camera can be added as an extra channel both to an analog and an IP DVR. Signal search is based on the same method as in the case of a regular IP camera. In addition, users can enable motion detection and set up appropriate alerts or video recording functions.

An integrated CCTV and analog monitoring system. The intercom camera signal is recorded on the DVR.

Outdoor RACK cabinet.

DIPOL has expanded its portfolio to include a new waterproof RACK cabinet (Signal 5U SH-567/426/369 IP55 R90630). The cabinet is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum and designed both for indoor and outdoor use. Thanks to its high corrosion resistance and low weight (c. 6 kg), it serves as an ideal alternative to steel cabinets. It can be easily mounted on poles and in other difficult locations (with the R90639F mount). Its door is protected with a rubber seal and a watertight lock.

The cabinet has 8 plugged mounting holes (wall mount design), 1 hole with a diameter of 23 mm, 2 traced holes for drilling, 1 PG 16 cable gland, and 2 rubber caps. RACK rails inside the cabinet facilitate equipment installation. The distance from the rack rails to the bottown of the housing is 9 cm.

Signal 5U SH-567/426/369 IP55 R90630 waterproof RACK cabinet

Adding cameras to Hikvision's IP intercoms.

Normally, a built-in intercom camera cannot be pointed toward a selected spot, and its field of view may often be covered up the person at the gate. To address the problem, you can add existing CCTV system cameras to the intercom monitor. In order to integrate the two systems:

You can use the monitor to add and view footage from max. 16 cameras. Cameras can be added directly from the monitor or with the aid of the iVMS-4200 client application. To do so, go to remote settings, and proceed with the configuration: Remote Configuration->Intercom->IP Camera Information

You can add a Hikvision's IP camera directly and select the ONVIF protocol in the DS-KH6320-WTE1/EU (G74001) touch screen monitor.

Transmission of HD-TVI/AHD signals over optical fibers.

Modern analog CCTV standards allow for the transmission of video signals from 1080p cameras over distances of up to 300 meters, using high-quality coaxial cables. In the case of longer distances between cameras and the DVR (e.g. video surveillance systems in large warehouses, factories, big office buildings etc.) the transmission has to be done with other means.

The best solution is to employ fiber-optic video converters and and fiber-optic cables. In this way, the maximum transmission distance can be easily increased up to even 20 kilometers. Additionally, fiber-optic technology will ensure the ideal electrical insulation between cameras and the DVR as well as reduce sensitivity to interference from power lines, RF systems, and other devices.

The figure below shows the application of a two-channel Ultimode HDTVI-202 video converter (L2030). Ultimode video converters are universal devices that enable the transmission of all popular video standards currently in use: TVI, AHD, CVI and CVBS/PAL.

Typical application of an ULTIMODE L2030 fiber-optic video converter

How to safely open fiber-optic tubes. Many fiber-optic cables have a single central tube, a structure that makes them easy to organize and ensures the optimal protection of optical fibers. A good example of a single-tube cable is DRAKA U-DQ(ZN)BH. Installers often ask about the tools necessary for the processing of cables of this type...>>>more

DRAKA U-DQ(ZN)BH has one central tube, which is best opened with the rotary stripper Ideal L5922.

Fiber-optic cables guide