ADI's low-cost video processing helps surveillance applications keep a watchful eye

China-based Avinfo, which provides networked multimedia management solutions for remote monitoring and security surveillance, chose Blackfin for its blend of competitive price/performance, integrated peripherals, and ease of development.

Support for high-end surveillance scenarios is key for Avinfo's Av1320 network DVR, which features motion detection and is capable of notifying authorities of intruders via the Internet. Avinfo reports that the 400 MHz Blackfin ADSP-BF532 supplies more performance for less cost than a competing digital signal processor (DSP) the company used in the past. The high level of peripheral integration offered by Blackfin -- which alleviates the need for costly external components and speeds development time -- helped Avinfo complete the first demo unit of the Av1320 in just 29 days.

The Av1320 is a one-channel video/audio network DVR system. It includes DVR software and offers optional IP cameras. The DVR records up to 25 frames per second (fps) PAL and 30 fps NTSC in real time. Digital (D1), Common Image Format (CIF), and Quarter CIF (QCIF) resolution video formats are supported.

Our network DVR depends on multimedia performance to be able to capture and relay surveillance video in real time, said Shi Guang Lv, Assistant of Avinfo General Manager. Blackfin provides that high performance, plus industry-standard interfaces and a development
environment that proved valuable in keeping our bill-of-materials cost down and accelerating our time to market.

From its digital signal processing performance, to its peripheral integration, to its extensive support for audio/video codecs, to its development environment -- Blackfin has the demanding territory of networked digital media applications covered, said John Croteau,
general manager, Convergent Platforms and Services Group, Analog Devices.