Set-top box turns cyclone warning system

[David James]

Set-top box turns cyclone warning system


CHENNAI: Now meteorologists needn't worry about not being able to make crucial announcements during a storm when power supply is cut off. The new cyclone warning dissemination system (CWDS) is being upgraded. It will work on direct-to-home (DTH) based equipment and can function for at least three days without needing to be charged.

The upgraded CWDS is a set-top box, which is commonly found in houses, modified by attaching an audio system to it. "We will be able to make announcements and receive audio signals through it," said G Gopal, a met department official. The modified set-top box would also have a battery back-up that can work on 12 volts, he said. "It will have two such batteries that ensure that it functions for 72 hours without requiring power," said Gopal.

The system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ensures that the DTH receiver gets only satellite signals and warnings from the local met department office, and works on a new bandwidth called ku-band. "The older receivers used to work on F band and X band — one to transmit signals and the other to receive," said Gopal.

The meteorological department decided to update the CWDS, which was earlier working on custom-made receivers, with the DTH system which is a commercially available product. "Replacing of parts and servicing of a DTH receiver will be cheaper and easier," said Gopal. The older receivers and system had been made way back in 1984 by ISRO, said officials.

The warning systems are being upgraded across the country. The met department has installed warning dissemination systems at the Chennai collectorate, secretariat, Ripon Buildings, seat of the city corporation, and Ezhilagam. There are 59 such systems across the state. The installation of the upgraded system in Ripon Buildings is underway and is likely to be completed by Friday. The system is being installed in the building's Golden Jubilee Hall.

Met department officials say the system has been installed in crucial government offices where authorities have to make a decision on the necessary action to be taken during an emergency.

Set-top box turns cyclone warning system - The Times of India

 

[Srinivas]

There goes the privacy of the citizens .

I have to still figure out what other purposes these set top boxes are used like embedded mics and cameras etc....etc.....

 

[Skull and Bones]

There goes the privacy of the citizens .

I have to still figure out what other purposes these set top boxes are used like embedded mics and cameras etc....etc.....

The privacy hasn't been compromised yet. The meteorologist can send messages to the masses using one way communication, if i read that right.

 

[Srinivas]

The privacy hasn't been compromised yet. The meteorologist can send messages to the masses using one way communication, if i read that right.

One way communication is a delusion mate.

Govt. do have some techniques to put an eye on citizens. The set top boxes also helps to get feed back on channel viewer ship which is a communication from set top box to the operator.

 

[Skull and Bones]

One way communication is a delusion mate.

Govt. do have some techniques to put an eye on citizens. The set top boxes also helps to get feed back on channel viewer ship which is a communication from set top box to the operator.

That's barely an intrusion in privacy. Think about it in this way, the government gets to know which show gets more TRP, and the age group of the viewership it attracts.

And as the TV program already passes the censorship before being air'ed. I don't think government will have any interest if anyone is watching any specific program.

 

[Srinivas]

That's barely an intrusion in privacy. Think about it in this way, the government gets to know which show gets more TRP, and the age group of the viewership it attracts.

And as the TV program already passes the censorship before being air'ed. I don't think government will have any interest if anyone is watching any specific program.

I agree with that.

Still I do have my doubts. It is very easy to embed a mike and get signal from the room.

 

[Skull and Bones]

I agree with that.

Still I do have my doubts. It is very easy to embed a mike and get signal from the room.

If they do that, it can surely be found out, given the kind of electronics hobbyist we have in India.

But that's not possible, even if they manage to put in a mic in a set top box, the sound they'll hear will be that of the sound of the TV.

 

[takeiteasy]

I am waiting for the day when DTH service providers give us Internet.

 

[Srinivas]

If they do that, it can surely be found out, given the kind of electronics hobbyist we have in India.

But that's not possible, even if they manage to put in a mic in a set top box, the sound they'll hear will be that of the sound of the TV.

At night when the TV is off and people are sleeping and doing things ???

 

[Skull and Bones]

At night when the TV is off and people are sleeping and doing things ???

Then they should be more interested in video than audio.

And bdw, don't you guys shut down the Set top box?

 

[Abingdonboy]

So will set-top boxes in India now all come with this functionality and is it mandatory for people living in certain areas that are at risk of cyclones to have such warning systems?

 

[criminally bad]

Then they should be more interested in video than audio.

And bdw, don't you guys shut down the Set top box?

i have proble on set top box(week seg...)

 

[Srinivas]

So will set-top boxes in India now all come with this functionality and is it mandatory for people living in certain areas that are at risk of cyclones to have such warning systems?

Yes in certain cities and it is being implemented in other cities, the process is going on now