Video communication

Overview

There are three different types of video handling in adapters. These types are:

1. Digital video in WinGuard - The adapter only provides cameras, which can be used in WinGuard. There are no monitors projected by the adapter. Also called D-Video.
2. Analog video on external monitors - The interface provides cameras, which can be switched on and off on external monitors - further called “analog cameras”. These cameras have no further functionality like archive mode, etc.. (e.g.: adapters for matrix switches, A-Video)
3. Digital video on external monitors - The interface provides cameras, which can be switched on and off on external monitors and provide further functionality like archive mode. (A-Video)

Communication Types

For each of the above types, WinGuard uses a different approach to communicate with the adapter. It is also possible, that a adapter supports all three communication types.

1. Communication for digital video in WinGuard

When the adapter provides cameras which can be used in WinGuard the ShowVideo Activity is used to communicate.

2. Communication for analog video on external monitors

When the adapter provides analog cameras on external monitors without archive functionality, the monitors need to use the Video.Out.Device Functionality and cameras need to use the Video.In.Device Functionality. These Functionalities provide all necessary States and Operations for the communication.

Setup

The Operations Split, ShowCamera, RemoveCamera and the State SplitFormat, ActiveCameras must be defined in the Module XML.

See a full XML example in Video.In.Device and Video.Out.Device

Workflow

WinGuard sends the Split Operation to change the number of visible panes on a monitor. When the number is changed, the adapter answers by changing the State SplitFormat. To show and remove cameras on a single pane WinGuard sends the ShowCamera or the RemoveCamera Operation. When the camera is switched on or off, the adapter answers by changing the ActiveCameras State.

3. Communication for digital video on external monitors

When the adapter provides digital cameras on external displays with further functionalities like archive mode, digital display and pane Objects are necessary. A digital display can hold one or more panes. The number varies by its split format. A camera can be handled (switch on/off, archive on/off, etc.) on a pane Object. The pane Object has to be defined in the XML but there is no need of an adapter Object.

To support functionality, the display Object needs to use the Video.Display Functionality and the pane has to use the ShowVideoExternal Activity with the role destination. The cameras, which can be used on pane Objects, need to use the ShowVideoExternal Activity with the role source.

The adapter is responsible for creation and deletion of the Activity (see workflow).

Table view

In the following all necessary Functionalities and Activities for the different video objects are listed.

The objects can be mixed with each other. For example, if a camera can be switched on both archive monitors and monitors without archive functionality.