IPTV Solutions for Restricted Environments Detention Facilities

Provision of television screens for entertainment, education and notification in secure detention facilities has a unique set of challenges which are readily addressed in specific solutions available from TeleDelta.

Factors to Consider
Cell / Secure Area – The environment for the TV needs to be considered:

• Is the TV to have a completely transparent case to prevent the hiding of contraband
• Does the TV need to be protected from severe impact, removal, fluids (all types), disassembly
• Can the TV controls be reached
• Can the TV be reprogrammed
• Can the TV play or display unauthorised material (from USB or from a network)
• If the TV develops faults – how is it accessed – is secure access required, can tools be permitted in the work area, can civilian contractors be permitted to repair in situ / is 2nd man protection presence required, how long does the restoration take / what does it cost / what is the risk
• Can the TV be high jacked for illicit external (or internal), communication or internet access – is it locked down
• Are any of the cables accessible for damage, weaponization or self-harm

How is the TV controlled – (P.V.C: Power / Volume / Channel)
Does the viewer have any control of PVC – if so:

• Does the viewer have an IR remote control for P.V.C – how is loss/damage/weaponization/battery changes/interference with adjacent areas/obfuscation of CCTV prevented and managed
• Or does the viewer require a secure wall-mounted button panel for P.V.C
• Does the wall panel require protection from severe impact, removal, fluids (all types), disassembly
• Is the TV smart and vulnerable to hacking for non-permitted activity
• If it is hacked does it report its violated condition – what is the time/cost impact on restoring
• Does the Supervisor have control or override of the TV P.V.C
• Can the Supervisor readily observe if the TV is present / removed – active/idle
• When the TV is set to “OFF” is it 100% off or in some standby / waiting state
• Does the TV have a role in messages/signage/alerts delivery
• In a time when the TV is replaced what are the TV
• Control restraints imposed on the choice of TV
• Do different TV have access to different TV channels (services) and is this discrimination and control of program material secure or easily defeated
• Does the TV have Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Voice Control

The Network / Distribution considerations
What services (channels) are distributed:

• Do different TV have access to different TV channels (services) and is this discrimination and control of program material secure or easily defeated
• Is the TV used for Free to Air TV / Pay-TV / In house TV / VOD / Streaming, Netflix, et al.
• Is the TV used for internet browsing
• Is the distribution Coax (RF) or IP (on cable, Wi-Fi or Fibre)
• If IP is used; are the protections for hacking and uncontrolled/unpermitted internet access really sufficiently robust and fail-safe
• Is the controlling Middleware capable of controlling all of the endpoints
• Will the TV keep going if the Middleware is offline
• Is the Middleware required to manage other functions – VOD / Signage / Alerts
• Is the Middleware secure

Distribution and operational topology we can offer

• IP – IPTV over IP network (Cat5/6, Fibre, Wi-Fi)
• IP pre-processing – coax delivery
• IP over coax

Endpoint solutions we can offer 

• Smart TV
• Set-top Box driving smart or passive TV
• Secure and non-secure Button Panel Controls
• Local control, hybrid or full Remote (Supervisor) control

Topology

The most hotly debated subject in deployment design is the best choice for the TV endpoint topology. Here are the three main options for consideration:

The TeleDelta T150 Endpoint: a behind-the-wall IP decoder that has an HDMI output for connection to a TV. P.V.C is primarily from the Supervisors GUI of the TeleDelta Conductor middleware, locally from IR remote as well as optional button panel. TV power control by CEC over HDMI, optional hard relay or serial connection

Benefits:

• The operation does not cost or compromise with future TV swap outs.
• The wide selection of TV model provides mix and match flexibility allowing accommodation for specialised TV’s such has Penal Grade housings or low-cost TV’s
• Comprehensive Control options that survive model redundancy and supersession
• Fast restoration of operation after TV change out
• The lower total overall cost of ownership/lifetime cost
• Active reporting of the T150 state
• Very easy/flexible service/channel assignment and selection
• Message / Alert / Signage display
• Secure service/channel availability control – channel blocking

The TeleDelta Smart Serial Button Endpoint: a Smart on-the-wall controller that has a serial interface for connection to a smart or semi-smart TV. P.V.C is possible locally from the button panel as well as override from the Supervisors GUI of the TeleDelta Conductor middleware. TV power control is by serial connection or optional hard relay

Benefits:

No external video decoder – only TV handles service/channel Active/accurate reporting of the TV state to the Conductor middleware Positive serial power control – relay/contactor optional Remote control of TV configuration (model dependant)

Note: Requires specific choice of TV make/model to ensure serial commands are correctly loaded

The Smart or Semi-Smart TV. IR control by default. Depending on the model P.V.C is possible locally from the TeleDelta Conductor Button Endpoint as well as override from the Supervisors GUI of the TeleDelta Conductor middleware. TV power control is (in most cases) by user IR.

Benefits:

• No external video decoder – only the TV handles service/channel
• Simple / lower cost installation / faster deployment

Note: Requires specific choice of TV make/model and side loading of custom software to the TV.

For more information: Refer Manufacturers Website