Tech Source introduces Condor VC 100x for video capture, compression at AUVSI

Aug. 8, 2012
LAS VEGAS, 8 Aug. 2012. Tech Source Inc., a supplier of high-performance embedded video, graphics, and high-end computing solutions, has unveiled the low-power Condor VC 100x H.264 video capture and compression card. The Condor VC 100x is designed to ease the video compression challenges in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other surveillance, image detection, and video recording applications.

LAS VEGAS, 8 Aug. 2012. Tech Source Inc., a supplier of high-performance embedded video, graphics, and high-end computing solutions, has unveiled the low-power Condor VC 100x H.264 video capture and compression card. The Condor VC 100x is designed to ease the video compression challenges in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other surveillance, image detection, and video recording applications.

The Condor VC 100x card performs H.264 encoding in hardware to minimize CPU usage, as well as captures and stores video data. Users can then access the files for processing, analysis, or display on a local graphics card.

The XMC form factor module features an H.264 video encoder with baseline, main, and high profile support up to Level 4.1 and supports up to 4 composite video inputs (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) or up to 2 SDI inputs (SD-SDI/HD-SDI), selectable through the provided API. Condor VC 100x also has 2 stereo or 4 mono audio inputs.

The Condor VC 100x XMC configuration also supports transfer of the video stream via UDP or TCP/IP using RTP and RTSP protocols for remote display of captured data with low latency. An API is provided to manage captured video data. I/O is handled through the front connector or the rear Pn4 connector.

“This card has been designed for use in UAVs and for other mission-critical video streaming applications that require low power and yet high profile H.264 compression in a compact, lightweight form factor,” says Selwyn L. Henriques, president and CEO of Tech Source Inc.

The device’s features include:

H.264 video encoder

4 x composite video inputs (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)

2 x SDI or HD-SDI inputs

High profile compression up to Level 4.1

XMC form factor, air or conduction cooled

2 stereo or 4 mono audio inputs

2 channels up to 1080p30 or 4 channels of TV (composite)

Front or rear I/O (factory configured)

Condor VC 100x is available in various ruggedized levels and has conduction- or convection-cooled variants. While Windows or Linux drivers are available by default, other real-time operating systems (RTOS), such as VxWorks, Integrity, and LynxOS, may be optionally supported on both X86 and PowerPC platforms.

Tech Source has been developing graphics solutions for air traffic control, military, and embedded applications for more than 20 years. The ISO9001:2008-certified company offers a range of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products, including graphics processors targeted at general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) applications, input solutions, video compression and streaming boards, imaging cards, recording solutions, and software libraries. Key markets include airborne, shipboard, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and ground-based systems.

About the Author

Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace

Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.

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