ULTIMAX - the market leader in digital CCTV recording

ULTIMAX-716 has won a prestigious award - Gold Medal of Intertelecom 2008 for the best product

ULTIMAX is a series of 3rd generation digital video recorders, with implemented, so far the most efficient, H.264 compression. This type of deep compression is characterized by capability of providing good video quality at substantially lower bitrates than the previous standards. The standard was developed jointly in a partnership of VCEG and MPEG, and is marked as H.264/AVC, AVC/H.264, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, or MPEG-4/H.264 AVC (AVC - Advanced Video Coding).

Network digital video recorders of ULTIMAX series are excellent digital surveillance products. Equipped with embedded MCU and dedicated real-time operating system (RTOS), they combine the most advanced electronic and computer technologies, such as efficient video and audio encoding/decoding, hard disk recording (support of virtually unlimited disc capacity), and TCP/IP protocols. The firmware is stored in flash memory, and can be easily updated.

Any device from the ULTIMAX series has both the features of a digital video recorder (DVR) and digital video server (DVS). It can work as stand-alone device, or be used to build powerful surveillance networks, widely used in banks, telecommunication companies, transportation, factories, warehouses etc.
The DVRs, being very versatile, support many special functions allowing cooperation with POS terminals, ATM/cash machines etc.

ULTIMAX-716 M77160

The basic criterion for actual quality of video monitoring system is ability of identifying people from the recorded video data and possibility of handing over the archives on original storage media for legal proceedings. ULTIMAX 7xx DVRs fulfill state requirements for video coverage of mass events in Poland and majority of other countries.
Due to efficient H.264/AVC compression it is possible to record 4CIF images (704 x 576) at 25 fps (PAL) from each channel (camera). It means that the ULTIMAX-716 M77160 (16 channels) is capable of recording up to 400 fps with 4CIF resolution.

ULTIMAX 7xx DVRs end the era of frame by frame analysis. The playback of 4CIF images at 25 fps is similar to watching quality TV transmission or a DVD film rather than the typical jumps from image to image in the previous CCTV systems.

ULTIMAX-716 has huge storage potential - after installing eight HDDs with 2000GB (2TB) capacity each, the total disc space amounts to 16 TB. It allows to create enormous archives. Even in the case of simultaneous and continuous recording of video data from all 16 channels, with 4CIF resolution and bitrate (2000 Kbps, it is enough for 500 hours, i.e. nearly 42 days and nights. Such archives would deliver DVD quality.

It is possible to test the actual frame rate by analyzing the images frame by frame and using a frame counter. Comparing the displayed time and the counter indications it is easy to prove the 25 fps rate.

Because of network operation, the priority is adequate security level. To protect the system and data against unauthorized access, there is multi-level access control, with passwords and defined privileges for local and network management (e.g. viewing images from cameras, accesses to archives, system setup). There can be defined MAC addresses of the computers capable of getting access to the DVR resources.

Rear panel of the ULTIMAX-716 M77160

The DVR enables the administrator/operator to set resolution and frame rate independently for each camera. There is possibility of defining channels that are to be recorded after triggering alarm in a camera path, with long pre- and post-alarm periods.

ULTIMAX DVRs are managed in IP networks by ULTIMAX Client software. It allows to manage (configuration and control of all functions):
ULTIMAX DVRs, ULTINET video servers, and ULTICAM cameras. More on the features of the software can be found in the article:


This site also contains files that can be downloaded: the program, user manual (full version), hard drive capacity/number calculator.

There is possibility of embedding maps (BMP files with deployment of cameras) which enable the operator of a bigger monitoring system to quickly localize the spots and manage the surveillance network.
Due to cooperation with external recorders/devices (CD/DVR, hard disc, USB flash drives) connected via USB port, it is easy to backup, review and playback the recordings.

DVR can get text/number strings through RS-232 or network port. The strings can be sent from devices such as ATM/cash machine, POS machine or others. DVR can paste the strings into the real time image and record. The same strings (entered from numeric keyboard) can be used as keys for searching the recorded files to play them back.

There are available the following ULTIMAX DVRs:

16-channel

8-channel

4-channel

The table contains comparison of the models.

Compression

Recording

Preview and playback

PTZ

Alarms

Others

The top model - ULTIMAX 716 (M77160) - allows to connect (through its connectors/interfaces):

Basic configuration of ULTIMAX 716 (there are shown single devices only)

Model	ULTIMAX-716	ULTIMAX-516	ULTIMAX-316
Code	M77160	M75160	M73160
Video compression	H.264
Live monitoring	4CIF /30 FPS (PAL: 704*576, NTSC: 704*480)
Resolution of recordings Frame rates (PAL/NTSC)	4CIF/DCIF/2CIF/CIF/QCIF 25 fps	4CIF-12 fps 2CIF/DCIF/CIF/QCIF-25 fps	2CIF-12 fps CIF/QCIF-25 fps
Number of video inputs	16 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Main video output	1 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Aux video output	1 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Image refresh rates	PAL: 1/16—25 FPS, NTSC: 1/16—30 FPS
Types of data stream	Video/ Video&Audio
Bitrate	selectable: 32 Kbps ... 8 Mbps, or automatic
Number of audio inputs (2.0 Vp-p, 1 kΩ)	16 x BNC	16 x BNC	4 x BNC
Main audio output	1 x BNC (line, 600 Ω)
Aux audio output	1 x BNC (line, 600 Ω)
Audio compression	OggVorbis, 16 Kbps
Intercom channel	1 x BNC (line, 1 KΩ)
Communication interfaces	1 x RJ45: 10 Mbps / 100 Mbps (Auto) Ethernet; 1 x RJ45: RS232 Port
RS-485	1 x (T+, T-, R+, R-)
Keyboard/console interface	1 x (D+, D-)
HDD interfaces	SATA 8x(max 2000GB)=16TB	SATA 8x(max.2000GB)=16TB	SATA 4x(max.2000GB)=8TB
USB interface	1 x USB1.1 (Pendrive, USB HDD, USB CD-R/W, USB DVD, USB mouse)
VGA interface	1 x D-sub: 800×600/60 Hz, 800×600/75 Hz, 1024×768/60 Hz
Number of alarm inputs	16
Number of alarm outputs	4
Power	100 ... 240 VAC , 6.3 A, 50 ... 60 Hz
Power consumption	20 ... 42 W (without discs or additional devices)
Operating temperature	-10 ... 55 ºC
Operating humidity	10 ... 90%
Dimensions	19” rack (450x450x95mm)	19” rack (450x450x95mm)	14.25” rack (440x390x70mm)
Weight	≤8 kg (without discs or additional devices)

Model	ULTIMAX-708	ULTIMAX-508	ULTIMAX-308
Code	M77080	M75080	M73080
Video compression	H.264
Live monitoring	4CIF 25 FPS (PAL: 704*576)
Resolution of recording (each channel) & frame rate	4CIF 25 fps	4CIF 12 fps	2CIF 10 fps
	2CIF 25 fps	2CIF 25 fps	CIF/QCIF 25 fps
	CIF/QCIF fps	CIF/QCIF 25 fps
Number of video inputs	8 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Main video output	1 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Aux video output	1 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Frame rates	PAL: 1/16—25 FPS, NTSC: 1/16—30 FPS
Types of data stream	Video/ Video&Audio		Video
Bitrate	Selectable from 32 Kbps ... 8 Mbps, automatic, self-definition
Audio inputs	8 x BNC (2.0 Vp-p, 1 kΩ)		- - - - - - - -
Main audio output	1 x BNC (600 Ω, linear)		- - - - - - - -
Aux audio output	1 x BNC (600 Ω, linear)		- - - - - - - -
Audio compression	OggVorbis, 16 Kbps		- - - - - - - -
Intercom channel	1 x BNC (1 KΩ, linear)		- - - - - - - -
Communication interfaces	1 x RJ45 10 Mb / 100 Mb (Auto) Ethernet 1 RJ45 RS232 Port
RS-485	1 x (T+, T-, R+, R-)
Keyboard/console interface	1 x (D+, D-)
HDD interfaces	SATA 8 x (max. 2000 GB) = 16 TB	SATA 8 x (max. 2000 GB) = 16 TB	SATA 4 x (max. 2000 GB) = 8 TB
USB interface	1 x USB1.1 (Pendrive, USB HDD, USB CD-R/W, USB DVD, mysz USB)
VGA interface	1 x D-sub: 800×600/60 Hz, 800×600/75 Hz, 1024×768/60 Hz
Number of alarm inputs	8
Number of alarm outputs	4
Power	AC 100 ... 240 V, 6.3 A, 50 ... 60 Hz
Power consumption	20 ... 42 W (without discs or additional devices)
Operating temperature	-10 ... 55ºC
Operating humidity	10 ... 90%
Dimensions	19” rack (450x450x95mm)	19” rack (450x450x95mm)	14.25” rack (440x390x70mm)
Weight	≤8 kg (without discs or additional devices)

Model	ULTIMAX-504	ULTIMAX-304	ULTIMAX-204/ ULTIMAX-104
Code	M75040	M73040	M72040/ M71040
Video compression	H.264
Live monitoring	4CIF 25 FPS (PAL: 704*576)
Resolution of recording (each channel) & frame rate	4CIF 12 fps	2CIF 11 fps	4CIF 6 fps
	2CIF 25 fps	CIF/QCIF 25 fps	2CIF 12 fps
	CIF/QCIF 25 fps		CIF/QCIF 25fps
Number of video inputs	4 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Main video output	1 x BNC (1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω)
Aux video output	- - - -
Frame rates	PAL: 1/16—25 FPS, NTSC: 1/16—30 FPS
Types of data stream	Video/ Video&Audio
Bitrate	Selectable from 32 Kbps ... 8 Mbps, automatic, self-definition
Audio inputs	4 x BNC (2.0 Vp-p, 1 kΩ)	4 x RCA	1 x RCA
Main audio output	1 x BNC (600 Ω, linear)	1 x RCA	1 x RCA
Aux audio output	- - - -
Audio compression	OggVorbis, 16 Kbps
Intercom channel	1 x BNC (1 KΩ, linear)	- - - -	- - - -
Communication interfaces	1 x RJ45 (10 Mb / 100 Mb (Auto) Ethernet), 1 x RJ45 (RS232 Port)
RS-485	1 x (T+, T-, R+, R-)
Keyboard/console interface	1 x (D+, D-)
HDD interfaces	SATA 4 x (max. 2000 GB) = 8 TB	SATA 4 x (max. 2000 GB) = 8 TB
USB interface	1 x USB1.1 (Pendrive, USB HDD, USB CD-R/W, USB DVD, USB mouse)
VGA interface	1 x D-sub: 800×600/60 Hz, 800×600/75 Hz, 1024×768/60 Hz
Number of alarm inputs	4
Number of alarm outputs	2	2	1
Power	AC 100 ... 240 V, 6.3 A, 50 ... 60 Hz	AC 100 ... 240 V, 6.3 A, 50 ... 60 Hz
Power consumption	20 ... 42 W (without discs or additional devices)	20 ... 42 W (without discs or additional devices)	Less than 10W  (without discs or additional devices)
Operating temperature	-10 ... 55 ºC
Operating humidity	10 ... 90 %
Dimensions	19” rack (450x450x95mm)	14.25” rack (440x390x70mm)	315x230x45 mm
Weight	≤8 kg (without discs or additional devices)	≤8 kg (without discs or additional devices)	≤3 kg (without discs or additional devices)
Control panel	YES	YES	YES / NO

DVRs of 300, 200, and 100 series do not support Dual Stream function (transmission of two streams with independently determined parameters).

Why H.264?

Kind of video compression is one of the key factors influencing the overall quality of recorded video. M-JPEG and M-JPEG 2000 systems, where each video frame is separately compressed as a JPEG image, are usually used for low frame rates, offering single frames of high quality (e.g. from megapixel cameras). Recording of dynamic scenes requires efficient difference algorithms that are implemented in MPEG wavelet compression systems.

The diagrams below present rough comparison of some parameters (for similar image quality) when using different versions of MPEG compression (implemented in different DVRs). It is clear that H.264 algorithms, used in 3rd generation DVRs, ensure the best results - the lowest bandwidth and disc space requirements, the shortest download time. The parameters are about 30% better than in the case of "normal" MPEG-4 compression.
H.264 is currently the only compression that allows to build 16-channel DVRs capable of recording 4CIF video (PAL 704x576) at frame rate 25 fps, as well as providing effective network transmission of live and recorded images.

Bandwidth requirements

Disc space requirements

Download time

Why RTOS (Real Time Operating System)?

Operating system is the core of every digital recording device. It determines the overall quality and stability of the device. In industrial applications of computers, operating system decides on the sequence and way of performing the tasks. For RTOS it is important to take into consideration the time factor - positive result of operations depends not only on the sequence, but also on the time of completion. The example is conversion and compression of analog video signals. Recording of the signals in digital form (with set parameters: resolution, frame rate, number of channels) is a priority and has to be performed in real time. Any delay will cause loss of video data (e.g. several video frames). Real-time algorithms enable the system to perform critical tasks in precisely defined periods of time. In practice - DVR will delay less important operations (e.g. playback of archives) to ensure proper recording of video even with the maximum quality requirements. DVRs that are not equipped with RTOS systems simply decrease recording parameters, e.g. frame rate, losing some information.

Advantages of OggVorbis compression (audio, 16 kbps)