There are two resource demanding processes for video capturing: o Encoding: The process to encode (digitise and compress) the analog video signal. o Decoding: Video encoded must be translated, or decoded, in order to be viewed/monitored. For software MPEG-4 video capturing products, the encoding process system is done on the surveillance system and the decoding process is done on system that is used for viewing the video. The overall performance declines rapidly when encoding and decoding are performed simultaneously.

Hardware MPEG-4 vs. Software MPEG-4

AMC-8371P is equipped with a powerful video processing CODEC, which is capable of encoding and decoding multi-channel video simultaneously. It is proven that AMC-8371P demands 25 to 50% less system resource than software solutions. This benefits system developers, being ideal for low-cost multi-channel video capturing systems or integrating the video capturing function easily into existing platforms without hardware upgrading.

Performance Test on Pentium® IV System

Model	30 fps@720x480, preview only	30 fps@720x480, preview and recording, MPEG-4 format	120fps@720x480, preview and recording, MPEG-4 format
AMC-8371P	5%	10%	50%
AMC-4300	15%	20%	75%
AMC-200	15%	35%	100%

Runs Smoothly on 400MHz CPU System

Most of the video capture cards in the market have to work with Pentium 4 level systems as minimum system requirements. AMC-8371P runs smoothly on an Intel® Celeron® 400MHz embedded platform with the exceptional power of its hardware codec. An AMC-8371P with an entry-level SBC using low power, 400MHz CPU can work together to form a low power, fan-less, compact size surveillance system with an impressive low cost.

Notice: The VGA chipset must support DirectX and YUV overlay mode for normal display quality.

Performance Test on Intel® Celeron® 400MHz System

Test Environment
MB: AMC-C400N
CPU: Embedded ULV Intel Celeron 400MHz
Memory: 512MB SDRAM
Chipset: VIA VT8601T+686B
AMC-8371P: 1 pcs
OS: Windows XP professional SP2

Performance Test on Intel® Celeron® M 600MHz System

Test Environment
MB: AMC-6770
CPU: Intel Celeron M ULV 600MHz
Memory: 512MB
Chipset: Intel 852GM
AMC-8371P: 1 pcs
OS: Windows XP professional SP2

Versatile to Meet Your Demand

Besides the power of multi-channel simultaneous encoding/decoding, the CODEC chip of AMC-8371P also provides many tailor-made DVR functions such as motion detection, 128 bit digital watermarking, OSD support and PIP monitoring, etc.

Hardware Rendering Live Monitoring

Monitoring 30fps real time multi channel live video on the same display is the basic requirement for surveillance application. But transmitting multi-channel video data without pre-processing will cause PCI bus overflowing. With the unique design of AMC-8371P, it splits video data into recording and display stream, and the multiplexing of AMC-8371P performs video scale-down and display layout arrangement according user's request in real time. It then transmits the 30 fps D1 resolution video stream to system for live monitoring.

Common scheme of multi-channel live monitoring process

MPEG- 4 - The Trend of DVR

Networking and real time monitoring have become the must-have features of surveillance products nowadays. But in reality bandwidth is usually limited which makes most video compression format not suitable for network application. MPEG-4 offers a relatively high image quality at a lower bit-rate compare to MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and Motion JPEG, the mostly used video format in surveillance industry for decades. Video file using MPEG-4 encode scheme also has small file size at high frame rate recording.

AMC-8371P supports multiple video compression standard with 8 bit mono audio including MPEG-4, H.263, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. It provides different resolutions (720x480, 720x240, 640x480, 360x240, 320x240) with various frame rate options. All the options above can be configured channel by channel, giving the user a flexible development environment.

SDK and Demo Program

AMC-8371P provides device driver for Windows 2000 and Windows XP. We also provide a 16-channel, feature-rich demo program with all the basic functions for DVR application, such as recording, playback and motion detection.

Object-oriented components with complete source code in C++

AMC-8371P has the complete source code of the 16-channel DVR demo program included in package. For developers using Visual C++, this source code is presented in an object-oriented way with high readability. All the user interface and components can be changed and reused easily, helping system developers to speed up the development cycle. User manual and programming guideline are also available in package.

RoHS Compliance

In compliance with the call for environment protection, the AMC-8371P is made following the EU RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) policy for electrical and electronic products. Our goal is to exceed compliance obligations by meeting the requirements of the RoHS Directive on a worldwide basis.

Application - 16 channel PC-based DVR

Dimensions

AMC-8371P Specification

• Video: Input 4 channels NTSC /PAL /SECAM
• Video input type: BNC
• Audio Input: 4 channel
• Audio input type Audio cable, DB9 to 3.5mm phone jack
• PCI interface: Accepts one half-size PCI add-on card
• Colour: PCI v2.1 compliance
• Card ID: Dip-switch selectable

• MPEG-4 Advanced Simple Profile@ Level 5 (ISO/IEC 14496-2)
• Video Compression:
  MPEG-2 Main Profile@ Main Level (ISO/ IEC 13818-2)
  MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC 11172-2)
  H.263 (ITU-T Recommendation H.263)
• Resolution & Frame Rate:
  NTSC:
  720x480@1~30fps
  720x240@1~60fps
  360x240@1~120fps
  PAL:
  720x576@1~25fps
  720x288@1~50fps
  360x288@1~100fps

• Audio Compression: G.726 (ADPCM/PCM)
• Sampling Rate: 8K, 44.1KHz and 48 KHz
• Quantization: 8 bit data depth

• Video /audio synchronization: Yes
• On-screen display: Yes
• Camera loss detection: Yes
• Motion detection: Hardware support
• Watermarking: 128 bit secrete key, adjustable length

• System: x86 PC compatible computer
• Graphic: DirectX compatible VGA card supporting YUV overlay mode

• Device Driver: Driver for Windows 2000/XP
• SDK: Provide SDK and demo programComplete source code of demo program in C++

• Dimension: 119.91mmx106.68mm
• Operation Temperature: 0~60°C, non-condensing
• Power Consumption: 17.5W, 1.5A@5V

1 x AMC-8371P video capture card
1 x DB-9 to 3.3mm phone jack 4 channel audio cable
1 x Utility CD
1 x QIG (quick installation guide)

Ordering Information