Five years ago, a collapsed mine in Chile made news headlines around the world, once 33 miners were discovered to still be alive trapped underground. The rescue mission captivated the world. Official and authorized film rights to the Chilean miners’ stories were sold, leading to the production of the movie which was released across Latin America in August and United States in November.
The Taiwanese network video product company VIVOTEK reports that its fixed dome network camera had a role in the rescue operation that was able to connect the trapped miners to the ground while rescue efforts were under way. VIVOTEK Distributor, Tecnologias IP LTDA recommended cameras to aid in recovery endeavors; the VIVOTEK FD8134 1MP fixed dome network camera was selected.
The FD8134 was lowered to the miners through a small tube providing real-time surveillance while supplying video feeds to multiple points. This dome was also installed onto the actual rescue capsules used to transport the miners above ground. With its built-in IR illuminator, the FD8134 was able to provide the rescue team and the media with footage of the miners’ living conditions, despite a lack of light 700m underground. Designed for use as an indoor network camera, the product was durable enough to withstand the collapsed mine, where temperatures ranged from 32 to 34 degrees C with a relative humidity of 90pc. With its H.264 high definition video and weighing only 479g, this camera was able to provide the recovery team and the media with multiple video streams, thereby allowing simultaneous viewing at varying frame rates and resolutions as needed.
VIVOTEK adds that it has since replaced the FD8134 with FD836B-EHTV and FD9371-EHTV outdoor fixed domes. Both models feature IK10 and IP66-rated housing, wide dynamic range, remote focus functionality and offer an operating temperature range from minus 50 degrees C to 50 degrees C. The FD836B-EHTV delivers 2-Megapixel resolution; and the FD9371-EHTV, a 3-Megapixel outdoor fixed dome, adopts the latest H.265 video compression with VIVOTEK’s Smart Stream II technology, which can reduce bandwidth and data storage demands by up to 80pc the makers say.
VIVOTEK USA President, David Liu, said: “With release of the movie the Chilean rescue mission is in the spotlight once again including the brave efforts of the rescue team, but most of all the 33 brave men who survived the long and torturous ordeal. VIVOTEK is proud to have had the opportunity to aid in this important rescue mission by being able to provide equipment that was durable, reliable and rugged enough to withstand the conditions.” Visit www.vivotek.com.
