Change in the world of search engines?

Google has for decades been synonymous with the Internet search engine and the undisputed hegemon of the market, with such a dominant position that even the European Union has taken steps to strengthen the position of competitors. However, it is only the advent of the ChatGPT search engine that can realistically threaten Google's dominance to date. Currently, Google controls more than 90% of the search engine market – no other platform has managed to beat this position so far. Bing, Microsoft's tool, remains a search engine for a more niche audience, Yahoo is a reminder of its past, and DuckDuckGo has gained popularity mainly among those concerned about privacy and anonymity online. Google's dominance allows Alphabet, the search engine's owner, to generate record advertising revenues, reaching such proportions that only ethical rules limit their global expansion. Alphabet is even paying Apple to ensure the search engine's default presence on iPhone devices.

Control of the search engine means control of significant revenues. In the third quarter of 2024, Google's search advertising revenue reached $50 billion, up 12% year-on-year. Given these results, it's no surprise that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, decided to try its hand at this market. The ChatGPT search engine has officially left the testing phase. This development is causing concern among Alphabet investors, who had been worried for two years, i.e. since the launch of ChatGPT, that OpenAI would start grabbing a share of the advertising market. The day has now become a reality. ChatGPT's creators declare that the new search engine will offer a whole new quality of results.

The first demonstrations released by OpenAI give a glimpse of the upcoming changes. Not only does the new search engine comprehensively plan sample trips to Amalfi, taking into account every detail – from weather to culinary to available hotels and restaurants – but it does so within a fluid, interactive dialogue, without the need to search through multiple pages. All knowledge is presented within a single conversation, without having to go outside the search engine interface. ChatGPT's new search engine uses an enhanced GPT-4o model that uses third-party content providers, including media industry partners. Users also have the option to expand their results by clicking on additional links located in a slide-out side panel that allows traditional search. However, the most important innovation is the conversational approach, which allows users to have a natural dialogue with the search engine, similar to a conversation with a friend. The system remembers previous queries, allowing it to deliver context-sensitive answers.

The new search standard resembles a conversation

At this point, the ChatGPT search engine is available to users of the ChatGPT Plus and Team plans, as well as to corporate (Enterprise) and educational (Edu) customers. It is also planned to be made available free of charge, but only in a few months, so that the market's reaction to the new solution can be assessed.

Auxiliary monitor function in Sunell NVRs.

Sunell NVRs are equipped with two video outputs: HDMI and VGA which, by default, present the same image (parallel outputs). Models with 8 channels or more offer an auxiliary monitor function, which allows partially independent display of camera images. The number of channels that can be displayed on each screen is limited to half the standard number of them. For example, on an eight-channel NVR, a maximum of four channels can be previewed on each screen.

The main menu is always displayed on the monitor connected via HDMI cable, while the auxiliary monitor can only present a preview image.

Operation of the auxiliary screen on a 16-channel Sunell NVR.
The screen via HDMI displays the NVR menu and preview from up to 8 cameras, via VGA from 8 cameras.

A system distributing DVB-T2 digital terrestrial television channels.

Owners of newly built hotels and guesthouses, providing the rooms of their establishments with TV sets with built-in digital terrestrial television receivers (compatible with the HEVC/H.265 codec), need only take care of the proper delivery of the signal from the antenna to the outlets. This can be accomplished by using an amplifier that is suitable for the signal conditions and the number of outlets.

Smaller hotels or boardinghouses located in areas with good reception conditions and needing ten, twenty or even more than fifty antenna outlets can be equipped with appropriate models of Telmor amplifiers.

From the installer's point of view, the most attractive proposal here will be TERRA's PA321TP R82513 or TERRA's PA420T R82516, with the ability to amplify as many as 20 DVB-T2 MUXes. They also offer automatic equalization of signal levels for all channels, regardless of their level at the input of the device (while maintaining the minimum required for correct signal quality of 113 dBμV for 6 MUXes). With such functionality, the installer does not have to worry about equalizing the levels of all signals at the input of the system. This means that it is possible to implement a system with even 80 outlets (although this number depends on the type and types of passive elements and cabling used in the system) without using additional amplifiers. An alternative option to TERRA amplifiers can be the use of PROFINO Revolution 6711 R89062 amplifier from Johansson or WWK Alpha+ R89864 from Telmor.

Redirecting calls from the Villa Hikvision IP door/gate station directly to a smartphone.

1-subscriber Villa Hikvision IP video door stations have the ability to be directly added to the Hikvision cloud and redirect calls to a smartphone with the Hik-Connect app installed without the need for an additional internal monitor (otherwise a monitor is always required). To use this functionality connect the gate/door station to the Internet via wired or Wi-Fi link, create an account at www.hik-connect.com, install the Hik-Connect, and add the device to the account. Once the system is configured, pressing the call button on the door station will set up a connection on the smartphone with the app installed. After answering the call, it will be possible to have a two-way conversation and open the electric door strike or the gate.

Video intercom system based on IP Villa DS-KV8113-WME1(C) G73632 door station

In the diagram above, the door station has been connected to the router via a PoE switch that also provides power supply. The electric door strike is controlled by an additional 12 VDC power supply, via the first built-in relay in the door station. The second relay is connected to control the entrance gate. The user can view the image from the door station at any time via the application, even if no-one is calling, and can trigger the relays if necessary.

Color pigtails with single-mode fiber.

Dipol offers sets of colored fiber optic pigtails, which allow terminating a fiber optic path in an aesthetically pleasing way and allowing easy identification of individual fibers in a switch, splice tray, etc.

There are 12 color variants of pigtails included in the offer, which are divided into 3 groups (4 colors per set):

There are 3 versions of the connector for each color set: SC/UPC (L34171A, L34171B, L34171C), SC/APC (L34271A, L34271B, L34271C), LC/UPC (L34371A, L34371B, L34371C).

Cameras on poles – how to complete the network infrastructure?

Feeding a separate cable to each pole (mast, lantern), on which the cameras are to be installed, is the most universal and the least labor-consuming solution when it comes to attention welding and protection of optical fibers. However, this involves a greater amount of work when laying cables and the need to provide more space on the cable route.

In this topology, the design of the cable itself, i.e. the method of securing the fibers in it, is of no great importance. It is, of course, to have all the parameters necessary for proper operation in the given environmental conditions and be adequately resistant to tearing when the cable is pulled into the ducting.

The choice of the star topology also allows you to save space on the pole itself – the fiber optic cable can be inserted directly into the box, in which devices including media converter, PoE switch, video converter, power supply etc., are installed. The fiber optic, of course has to be secured with a pigtail, and the connection (splice) itself should be secured on the splices box or a dedicated optical fiber box. Then the pigtail should be plugged into the fiber optic adapter, and the connection with the device responsible for signal conversion should be made using a patch cord. Do not plug the cable directly into the device! In the future, when performing any service or maintenance work, the installer will only risk damaging the patch cord, and not the cable, which would entail the need to splice the fibers again.

Example of using SIGNAL CCTV box R90601

SIGNAL CCTV 210/230/145 mm sealed box is R90601 designed for mounting on a pole, mast or wall. Inside, there is a mounting plate which can be easily removed, and two DIN rails for easy installation of components such as switches, power supplies, media converters or mini fiber optic distribution frames. Additionally, the box has protective wires which can be connected to active devices.

The box can easily accommodate, among others, an industrial switch, power supply, main switch and mini distribution frame in the case of systems based on fiber optic cabling (if this is the case, we recommend the use of ODF-DIN L5312 mini distribution frame). All these elements can be mounted on DIN rails or aluminum mounting plate. Thanks to adequate number and size of cable gland holes, it is possible to lead in and out the cabling for: power supply, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, for connecting up to 4 surveillance cameras.

Batch time synchronization in Hikvision devices. The iVMS-4200 application allows batch synchronization in all devices that have been added to the application. Incorrect time setting can cause many problems. In the case of CCTV systems, it can make it difficult to determine the exact time of an incident, and in the case of video door entry systems it can cause problems with correct operation of tags according to a schedule...>>>more

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