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Video Communications Engineering
CTC provides engineering and analysis services in the area of video engineering for a wide variety of government users including public safety, public health, emergency response, criminal justice, and public, education, and government programming (PEG) activities. CTC assists in the planning and development of infrastructure for signal transmission, design technology, and equipment and engineering design. CTC works with local governments, first responders, and programmers in developing equipment specifications and preparing invitations for bids from equipment suppliers. Our engineers also design studio and transmission facilities for use in production. Our staff participates in the review of equipment funding requests by critiquing equipment lists for technical compatibility with existing equipment, ensuring that equipment requests are reasonable in terms of present and emerging technology, and consistent with network system design. CTC video technicians also oversee equipment maintenance and troubleshoot problems as necessary.
The following are descriptions of selected projects. Further, additional information is available on request.
Regional Emergency Management Videoconferencing Network
CTC is currently assisting the emergency managers of the 19 jurisdictions in the National Capital Region (DC, MD, VA ) to develop videoconferencing and teleconferencing tools for the region's Emergency Operations Centers ( EOCs ) and Emergency Communications Centers ( ECCs ). CTC is tasked with developing the systems' designs and overseeing implementation to interconnect the EOCs and ECCs throughout the region, under a grant from the Department of Homeland Security Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI).
Monterey, CA
CTC provided a design and integration solution to allow for the recording and airing of live meetings and scheduling the programs on the County Government Channel. Monterey County had previously contracted with an outside agency to produce, playback, and program the County Government Channel on the local cable television system. Government meetings, such as the Board of Supervisors and Planning meetings, were recorded on VHS tape and DVD and then hand-delivered to the channel programmer for delayed broadcast on the channel.
CTC performed an analysis of the existing audio visual and broadcast systems and developed recommendations for the future of the County Government Channel. Leveraging the County’s robust fiber optic network, CTC designed an IP-based video server system capable of recording and airing live meetings and scheduling the broadcast of the County Government Channel. After completing the design, CTC completed on-site integration, testing, and training on the video server system in order to meet the County’s deadline.
Monterey County is now able to schedule their own programming lineup in-house, record and air live events, and expand information dissemination to residents about County government programs and services.
Philadelphia, PA
In 2004, CTC prepared an extensive analysis ( WilliamPenn.pdf) for the City of Philadelphia and the William Penn Foundation of technical strategies for implementation of public access in the rapidly-evolving broadband environment.
Anne Arundel County, MD
CTC is currently assisting the County in an assessment of the data traffic traversing the County's I-Net to aid in the planning of a potential migration to Voice-over-IP telephony. CTC is working with the County to identify a cost effective approach to obtain the necessary statistics, including link utilization, application trends, and hardware performance, and will be responsible for implementing the solution and collecting the data.
Carroll County, MD
CTC performed a high-level feasibility analysis for constructing a countywide fiber optic network to support institutional communications need of the County, public schools, libraries, and community college, in addition to support of economic development initiatives. From this analysis, CTC developed a recommended design and strategy for implementation of the network, including construction methodology, hardware specifications, and governance structure. Currently, CTC is developing the implementation plan and design for a pilot project to demonstrate the benefit of a fiber network by meeting a specific communications while enhancing services and reducing cost.
Anne Arundel County, MD
CTC prepared an analysis of candidate technical solutions for deployment of traffic surveillance cameras using the County’s high-speed fiber optic I-Net to transport video and control signals. Based on this analysis, CTC implemented a pilot project to demonstrate the recommended solution, that is now serving as a model for a countywide deployment.
Anne Arundel Fire Department Video Training
CTC prepared system level design recommendations and cost estimates for an extensive, countywide system to support interactive and on-demand video training communications for the Fire Department. The system design leveraged the County's existing fiber optic network, which connects all Fire Department facilities, and incorporated capabilities to enhance emergency collaboration and routine staff meetings to minimize wasted time traveling to convene key personnel.
Anne Arundel Fire Department Dispatch Center
CTC developed the design for a video display system for the Fire Department's new dispatch center, intended to allow key sources of information to be prominently displayed throughout the new facility. CTC developed a Request for Proposals, incorporating the design and detailed specifications, evaluated proposals, and provided oversight for the system integration process.
Anne Arundel County Fire Operations Center
CTC developed the design for a video presentation and conferencing system for the Fire Department Operations system, intended to support communications and coordination among key personnel during an emergency situation. Furthermore, the system will support routine training and briefings. CTC is in the process of integrating the system.
Mesa , AZ Fire Department
CTC prepared system level design recommendations and cost estimates for an extensive, citywide system to support interactive and on-demand video communications for training, emergency collaboration, and routine meetings between Fire Department personnel. The system is design leverage private digital cable television channels and cable modem services acquired by the City, and a rapidly growing private fiber infrastructure. Working with a local cable television provider, CTC integrated a pilot videoconferencing system to demonstrate certain capabilities of the system design.
St. Anthony Village , MN
CTC is assisting St. Anthony Village to evaluate installation of a city-wide WiFi network. The study includes a review of business model options and potential partnerships for a low-cost, high-speed Internet services.
Rockville , MD
CTC was tasked with the relocation of the master control and studio production systems for The Rockville Channel, the City of Rockville 's government access cable channel. CTC successfully executed the relocation during the tight window of opportunity between live production events, while making enhancements to system layout and cabling infrastructure and keeping the channel “on-air” during the process.
Anne Arundel Community College
CTC prepared a recommendation and system design for interconnecting AACC facilities over the County's I-Net for the purpose of replacing leased data circuits. The solution focused on leveraging the County's existing investment in a highly robust and redundant network backbone, efficient use of the County's I-Net fiber infrastructure, and minimizing the complexity of implementation and ongoing support requirements between the County and the AACC.
Rockville, MD
CTC performed an analysis of technical options to allow The Rockville Channel to support live cablecasting from City facilities. Based on our analysis, CTC implemented an IP-based video and audio transmission system, leveraging the City's high capacity I-Net to transport broadcast-quality feeds from any City facility.
Montgomery County Public Information Office
CTC designed and installed a system to support live news broadcasts by commercial broadcast entities from within the County's Executive Office Building without requiring production vehicles with microwave transmission capabilities. The system utilizes fiber optics to carry broadcast-quality video and audio feeds from various locations within the facility, allowing for news events to be covered in a timelier manner.
Channel 55, Montgomery County , Maryland
CTC served as liaison between Channel 55 staff and contractors and the Cable Office in the installation of a new camera robotics system for the County Council hearing rooms. In performing that service, CTC not only provided technical guidance, but also monitored performance of the contractor and helped establish management of the contractor's performance to marshal the project to its successful completion.
Takoma Park , Maryland
CTC's staff worked with the City of Takoma Park to evaluate its operational situation and provided recommendations for improvements in equipment for PEG production. CTC engineers perform monthly equipment maintenance for the City.
Prince George's County, Maryland
In Prince George 's County , CTC staff worked with a number of local jurisdictions in establishing transmission capability as part of franchise renewal to ensure that their PEG signals would be available to subscribers in an effective network design over the subscriber system
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Montgomery County, Maryland
In the years it has provided video engineering support to Montgomery County, CTC has performed a wide range tasks. Among other tasks, CTC has
- Tested PEG programming origination transmission links to verify that the PEG signals are maintained to the same standard as the other cable channels. Tests are conducted not only at the cable system headend, but also at the major hub sites on the cable system to ensure that the primary optical fiber and coaxial distribution systems are operating within the required technical parameters.
- Performed monthly equipment maintenance.
- Performed troubleshooting on signal and picture quality problems.
- Provided engineering advice on connectivity between origination locations.
- Procured and installed equipment for testing and monitoring.
- Assisted in consultant/vendor selection.
- Developed equipment specifications.
- Surveyed production facilities and recommended improvements to enhance operation.
- Conducted site surveys for cabling and interconnection.
- Worked with the cable operators to ensure franchise requirements are performed and maintained a record of performance.
- Provided oversight of contractors’ installation of equipment.
- Advised the County on methods of improving delivery of PEG programming as technology changes.
- Provided assistance with video production and control room operation.
- Evaluated such equipment as video production, post-production signal transmission, and playback equipment.
In previous years, CTC assisted Montgomery County and the American Film Institute (AFI) in a joint effort to bring a new AFI multi-media theater renovation to successful fruition. CTC provided review, analysis, and recommendations regarding equipment to facilitate distance learning aspects of the project. CTC worked closely with AFI’s design engineer in reviewing proposed conceptual design and identifying equipment components necessary to provide the desired services for both AFI and the County.
Northbrook , IL
CTC provided planning, cost estimation, strand mapping, and aerial and underground construction specifications for fiber-optic network in the Village of Northbrook, Illinois.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
CTC has provided Anne Arundel County with a wide range of support in the areas of PEG cable television program origination. CTC developed candidate designs and cost models for utilizing the fiber backbone to support transport programming feeds for production of the County's PEG cable television channels. We developed detailed design specifications and generated an RFP for implementation of a system to carry broadcast-quality video between PEG control centers and each of three cable television headend facilities. CTC subcontracted an integrator and oversaw the integration of an IP-based video transport system, which utilizes MPEG-2 video compression technologies and IP-multicasting to leverage the County's Gigabit Ethernet network for enhanced programming transport capabilities. CTC continues to provide ongoing technical support for users of the video system.
CTC has recently developed system design recommendations and prepared an RFP for the integration of a digital video production environment within a new public access studio currently under construction.
In addition, CTC designed a video system to support the display of real-time information systems within a newly constructed Fire Department Headquarters dispatch center, utilizing state-of-the-art plasma video monitors and high-definition video routing systems. We are currently overseeing the contractor chosen to integrate this system.
Arlington County, Virginia
In Arlington County , CTC provides general support for the County's PEG operations. We are frequently called upon for emergency troubleshooting of technical problems and for recommending workable solutions to those problems. Additionally, CTC assisted the County with organizing and implementing a demonstration of the County’s network capabilities in the form of a press conference showcasing high-bandwidth videoconferencing for public safety emergency collaboration. Rockville, Maryland In the area of government cable television, CTC has advised the City’s cable production staff with respect to using the fiber optic network for supporting video transport for production feeds from remote event locations. CTC prepared system specifications for hardware and materials needed for a mobile production transport system. CTC currently performs monthly equipment maintenance for the City. Maryland Municipal Cable In previous years, CTC worked extensively with Maryland Municipal Cable in conducting detailed analysis of its production facility and critiquing its operational alternatives, management, and operational structure. Vermont 2010 Committee In Vermont, CTC worked for the 2010 Committee, a group of representatives of PEG Access television entities organized to ensure that the needs and interests of their communities are met by the cable television system. As an intervenor in the renewal process for the certificate of public good issued to Adelphia, the 2010 Committee provided input to the Vermont Public Service Board regarding the existing and projected requirements for cable service over the 11 year term of the renewed certificate. CTC reviewed Adelphia's plans for cable service and the needs and interests of the communities represented by the 2010 Committee and prepared recommendations regarding the ability of the cable system to meet those needs. A requirements document was submitted as testimony to the Vermont Public Service Board for the cable franchise renewal process. Santa Clara, California CTC prepared a design for a video transmission and switching system for the City of Santa Clara, California. The system provides links between multiple sites. Each site is a possible point of origination for video programming that is transmitted over the City Government channel on the cable system. The system is also designed to allow basic video conferencing between the PEG origination locations. CTC coordinated with equipment vendors and obtained quotes for the turn-key installation of the video system.
CTC worked with the governments of Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista, CA, on the design for the fiber optic network interconnecting the three cities to a shared PEG access center. In addition to supporting the PEG access requirements, the design allowed the interconnection of the communities for data networking and potential video conferencing. |
