Kiwi Semiconductor Ltd., an emerging leader in analog semiconductors for advanced CCTV systems and Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND), a global leader in advanced high-definition (HD) broadcast video signal integrity solutions, today jointly announce their agreement to work in association with the HDcctv Alliance? to develop an upstream communication solution for HDcctv.
Kiwi Semiconductor Ltd., an emerging leader in analog semiconductors for advanced CCTV systems and Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND), a global leader in advanced high-definition (HD) broadcast video signal integrity solutions, today jointly announce their agreement to work in association with the HDcctv Alliance? to develop an upstream communication solution for HDcctv.
HDcctv is the only global interface standard for the security industry in which broadcast quality, uncompressed, all-digital HD video is transmitted over coaxial cable. In an HDcctv-based system, HDTV signals are transmitted digitally over conventional or existing CCTV media without packetization and without any perceivable compression latency, resulting in a plug-and-play HD upgrade for the installed base.
Conventionally, analog standard definition (SD) CCTV cameras, which represent over 95% of the installed base, use a "one cable" mode of operation. To fully address the analog retrofit market, HDcctv products must offer the same features and functions as familiar analog equipment. The V1.0 HDcctv specification and all future specifications require that the operator/installer experience must mirror an analog CCTV installation, usage, and maintenance experience with the best aspects of analog CCTV retained, including simple installation, a secure closed loop for information transmission, and negligible video transmission latency. By meeting these requirements, HDcctv promises to provide the experienced CCTV operator and installer a "plug-and-play" experience along with the benefits of full-bandwidth HD video, while deriving new value from existing CCTV cabling infrastructure.
The upstream communications channel (UCC) in a one-cable mode CCTV system allows the control and configuration of cameras, using the same physical cable that carries the downstream HD video data without any extra control-signal cabling, such as RS485 over twisted pair. In its simplest application, UCC allows the remote manipulation of camera parameters, such as exposure modes or privacy masks. The UCC also provides for remote control of pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) settings. The elimination of separate control-signal cabling simplifies installation and reduces total cabling costs. Furthermore, the UCC can also be used to send general-purpose input/output (GPIO) signals, for simple "on/off" control of motors, heaters, de-misters and wipers.
“Kiwi Semi has proven to be a strong and agile analog IC company and we are looking forward to joining our expertise with theirs to help our customers take advantage of all that HDcctv has to offer,” said Gary Beauchamp, Senior Vice President, Mixed Signal and Optical Products at Gennum. “Our joint development with Kiwi will further the HDcctv Alliance's work at the component level, ensuring an upstream signal integrity solution for manufacturers of HDcctv-compliant products.”
“Our strategy of focusing on companion chips development is a perfect match with Gennum,” said Luc Lussier, CEO of Kiwi Semiconductor. “By working hand-in-hand with Gennum's engineering team, we are able to integrate the analog functionality for upstream communication into a single chip, to ensure the best in functionality and performance for an upstream communication HDcctv solution that will meet the evolving HDcctv standard.”
“We are delighted by this strategic collaboration between Alliance Members developing component solutions for HDcctv-compliant products. This kind of business agility and technical innovation translates to economic opportunities for the HDcctv industry, and it strengthens the Alliance at the same time,” commented Todd E. Rockoff, Ph.D., HDcctv Alliance executive director “As a trade association, the Alliance aims to facilitate the creation of solutions, and we rely on technology leaders such as Kiwi Semiconductor and Gennum to lend their expertise and demonstrate their commitment in this way to create solutions that advance the HDcctv standard and enable cost-effective compliant products.”