{"id":3800,"date":"2020-02-13T11:11:32","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T10:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/update.phoenixcontact.com\/news\/video-box-of-all-trades\/"},"modified":"2020-03-26T13:38:25","modified_gmt":"2020-03-26T12:38:25","slug":"video-box-of-all-trades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/update.phoenixcontact.com\/en\/video-box-of-all-trades\/","title":{"rendered":"Video box for spies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to sports and fun, a win that\u2019s fixed from the outset is boring. But when it comes to industrial security applications, a safe bet gets the heart racing. Is the new Smart Camera Box just such a winner?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Product Manager Tommy G\u00f6ring explains the brand new “Smart Camera Box”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The telephone in the editorial office rang up a storm a few weeks ago. On the other end, a colleague asked, \u201cThe next issue is about security, isn\u2019t it? We\u2019ve got something really great.\u201d Aha, something really great, is what this writer thinks.<\/em> \u201cYes, a video box for image-based surveillance systems.\u201d Dear colleague, what\u2019s so exciting about a video terminal box? You can find wildlife surveillance cameras for 50 euros on Amazon. They even have Wi-Fi. \u201cBut this is quite different. Why don\u2019t you meet with one of the colleagues who developed the box?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry needs it tangible<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

No sooner said than done \u2013 a few days later, we meet with Product Manager Tommy G\u00f6ring for an on-site appointment. But before we get a demonstration of the advantages of the handy gray box in the outside world, the expert has to briefly explain how Phoenix Contact stumbled upon the topic of video. \u201cIt\u2019s not hard at all. We\u2019ve been active in equipping Ethernet networks for a long time. And from time to time, we received inquiries about whether our media converters weren\u2019t also suitable for gigabit data transmission. But the automation engineer doesn\u2019t really need that with his small amounts of data. So we looked at what was actually being transmitted. And determined that high-quality video cameras also have an RJ45 socket for standard Ethernet. And that\u2019s where the requests came in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The research quickly revealed that video cameras themselves are not a field for Phoenix Contact, as the technology is extremely fast-moving. \u201cHowever, with our Smart Camera Box, we\u2019ve established a connection between the camera and the video center. Future-proof and complete.\u201d The expert for the Industrial Communication Interface division emphasizes that normally, extra control cabinets have to be built for the cameras in a video surveillance system, equipped with individual solutions from various manufacturers, and then installed by two technicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can do better. So we started developing our solution about a year and a half ago.\u201d Tommy G\u00f6ring opens the box. \u201cFirst of all, it is protected according to IP65 and IP67, so it will remain leak-proof for years. And in temperatures from -40\u00b0C to +70\u00b0C, nearly everywhere.\u201d The smart box is powered by a 230 V connection, which is then forwarded to the cameras via Power over Ethernet, a combined power and data cable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections abound<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The electronic interior and the connected camera are protected from spontaneous surprises from the power grid by means of plug-in and exchangeable lightning protection elements from the company\u2019s own Trabtech surge protection product line. \u201cThey also send what is called an SNMP message to the video center when triggered by lightning or overvoltage.\u201d If bad guys tamper with the housing, special proximity sensors will ensure that another alarm is triggered in the control center. So the Smart box can communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The data usually reaches its recipient in the control center via fiberglass, particularly over long distances. \u201cFor this purpose, the box has its own light wave splice cassette. Here, fiberglass can be connected and fitted with a plug so that the camera cable only has to be plugged in.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If, on the other hand, the video camera is located close to the control center, a standard Ethernet cable can also be connected. And if the Smart Camera Box is to be integrated into an existing older network, then the possibility of using a two-wire line, such as a coaxial cable, to connect it to the modern Ethernet world is also being considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Speaking of the modern world, \u201cWe\u2019re talking about highend video cameras. There\u2019s a lot more to it than just an optical module. In the meantime, they have become computers themselves, evaluating the images while they are still in the camera; in other words, they can detect when a person approaches the fence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not a box, it\u2019s a device<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUp to four cameras can be connected to the box. We supply the required energy using the new Power over Ethernet standard IEEE  802.3bt, which permits significantly higher current strengths. It can also be used to drive motor-driven cameras.\u201d To get a view of every nook and cranny. It can even be illuminated if required. \u201cWe\u2019ve also placed a top-hat rail. This is where our Wi-Fi access points or cellular routers find their place. A 24 V output is provided for the required energy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last and decisive trump card in terms of video communication is then played out onsite. Tommy G\u00f6ring grabs a ladder, holds his box securely under his arm, and darts up the rungs. Above, he demonstrates how easily the box and camera can be connected and installed. \u201cThanks to our development of a special mast adapter, one installer is sufficient for the installation. It\u2019s usually a two-person job.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n