LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT

INDUSTRIAL SOLUTION?

Discover embedded, communication and automation solutions tailored to your application.

PCIe-RTV-24

PCIe Quad Simultan 878A Image Acquisition BT878 Card
  • Manufacturer Adlink Technology Inc.
  • Category: Frame Grabber
  • The PCIe‑RTV‑24 is a high‑performance, multi‑channel frame grabber designed for real‑time video acquisition in industrial, scientific, and surveillance applications. It integrates four Conexant BT878A video digitizers, enabling simultaneous capture of four composite video streams. The card belongs to ADLINK’s Angelo series of frame grabbers, optimized for PC‑based digital video recording and machine vision systems.
- Quad‑Channel Real‑Time Capture:
Simultaneous acquisition of four analog video inputs using four BT878A encoders. Supports both color (PAL, NTSC, SECAM) and monochrome (CCIR, EIA/RS‑170) formats.

- Scalable Multi‑Input Architecture:
Expandable up to 16 video inputs using three RTV‑E4 channel extension modules via onboard 10‑pin headers.

- Programmable Image Processing:
Adjustable hue, brightness, contrast, and saturation (0–200 % range). Supports automatic chrominance gain control and optional image scaling down to 1:16.

- Flexible Resolution Control:
Programmable resolutions including square‑pixel (640 × 480 NTSC, 768 × 576 PAL) and broadcast resolutions. Supports arbitrary cropping and region‑of‑interest selection.

- High‑Speed Acquisition:
- NTSC: up to 240 fields (120 fps) across four cameras
- PAL: up to 200 fields (100 fps) across four cameras
- Continuous real‑time capture across all channels

- Robust I/O and Triggering:
4 × TTL inputs, 4 × TTL outputs, and 4 × software‑trigger lines. Programmable trigger pulse width from 60 µs to 16 ms. GPIO lines are ESD‑protected and overload‑resistant.

- Hardware Watchdog Timer:
Monitors system activity and automatically resets the host PC after a programmable inactivity timeout, ensuring fault‑tolerant operation.

- User EEPROM:
1 Kbit onboard EEPROM for user‑defined data storage.

- Software Support:
WDM drivers for Windows 98/NT/2000/XP. Compatible with Visual C++, Visual Basic, Borland C++ Builder, and Delphi. Includes ViewCreator utility for configuration, testing, and image capture.

- Applications:
- PC‑based digital video recorders (DVR)
- Security and surveillance systems
- Factory and process monitoring
- Machine vision inspection
- Scientific and medical imaging instrumentation

Country of origin: Taiwan R.O.C.

Customs tariff number: 8473 3020 000

Comprehensive Product Summary – PCIe‑RTV‑24 Quad Simultaneous 878A Image Acquisition Card




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe‑RTV‑24
Model: PCIe‑RTV‑24
Series: Angelo Frame Grabber / RTV Series
Article Number: 50‑12419‑001
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Product Type: PCI Express Quad Simultaneous BT878A Image Acquisition Card
Form Factor: 32‑bit / 33 MHz or 66 MHz PCI bus, half‑size board
Physical Dimensions: 173 mm × 107 mm
Manufacturer Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)
Support Contact: service@adlink.com.tw

The PCIe‑RTV‑24 is a high‑performance, multi‑channel frame grabber designed for real‑time video acquisition in industrial, scientific, and surveillance applications. It integrates four Conexant BT878A video digitizers, enabling simultaneous capture of four composite video streams. The card belongs to ADLINK’s Angelo series of frame grabbers, optimized for PC‑based digital video recording and machine vision systems.




### 2. Key Features

- Quad‑Channel Real‑Time Capture:
Simultaneous acquisition of four analog video inputs using four BT878A encoders. Supports both color (PAL, NTSC, SECAM) and monochrome (CCIR, EIA/RS‑170) formats.

- Scalable Multi‑Input Architecture:
Expandable up to 16 video inputs using three RTV‑E4 channel extension modules via onboard 10‑pin headers.

- Programmable Image Processing:
Adjustable hue, brightness, contrast, and saturation (0–200 % range). Supports automatic chrominance gain control and optional image scaling down to 1:16.

- Flexible Resolution Control:
Programmable resolutions including square‑pixel (640 × 480 NTSC, 768 × 576 PAL) and broadcast resolutions. Supports arbitrary cropping and region‑of‑interest selection.

- High‑Speed Acquisition:
- NTSC: up to 240 fields (120 fps) across four cameras
- PAL: up to 200 fields (100 fps) across four cameras
- Continuous real‑time capture across all channels

- Robust I/O and Triggering:
4 × TTL inputs, 4 × TTL outputs, and 4 × software‑trigger lines. Programmable trigger pulse width from 60 µs to 16 ms. GPIO lines are ESD‑protected and overload‑resistant.

- Hardware Watchdog Timer:
Monitors system activity and automatically resets the host PC after a programmable inactivity timeout, ensuring fault‑tolerant operation.

- User EEPROM:
1 Kbit onboard EEPROM for user‑defined data storage.

- Software Support:
WDM drivers for Windows 98/NT/2000/XP. Compatible with Visual C++, Visual Basic, Borland C++ Builder, and Delphi. Includes ViewCreator utility for configuration, testing, and image capture.

- Applications:
- PC‑based digital video recorders (DVR)
- Security and surveillance systems
- Factory and process monitoring
- Machine vision inspection
- Scientific and medical imaging instrumentation




### 3. Technical Specifications

Video Input:
- 4 × composite video color digitizers (BNC connectors)
- Input formats: NTSC‑M, NTSC‑Japan, PAL‑B/D/G/H/I/M/N, SECAM
- Monochrome formats: CCIR, EIA (RS‑170)
- Recommended cabling: 75 Ω coaxial

Channel Expansion:
- Up to 16 channels total via three 10‑pin headers (CN2, CN3, CN5)
- Each header supports 4 additional video inputs via 10‑pin ribbon cable

GPIO Interface:
- 4 inputs, 4 outputs, 4 software triggers
- Two 10‑pin headers (CN8, CN9)
- Electrical characteristics:
- Input high: 2.0 V min / 5.25 V max
- Input low: 0.0 V min / 0.8 V max
- Output high: 5.0 V @ –1 mA
- Output low: –0.5 V @ 100 mA

Watchdog Timer:
- 2‑pin header interface (JP1)
- Programmable timeout intervals: 8 s, 16 s, 32 s
- Automatic system reset on timeout

Software Trigger Output:
- 4 programmable channels
- Pulse width range: 60 µs – 16 ms
- One‑shot 0–5 V TTL pulse output

EEPROM:
- 1 Kbit non‑volatile memory (offset 0–127, values 0–255)

Bus Interface:
- PCI 32‑bit, 33/66 MHz, half‑size board
- PCIe variant compatible with standard PCIe x1 slot via bridge interface

Physical:
- Dimensions: 173 mm × 107 mm
- Weight: approx. 150 g
- Operating temperature: 0 °C – 50 °C (typical)
- Storage temperature: –20 °C – 70 °C




### 4. Functionality

The PCIe‑RTV‑24 captures analog composite video signals and digitizes them into bitmap images in RGB, YUV, or grayscale formats. Each BT878A encoder processes one channel independently, allowing true simultaneous multi‑channel acquisition. The card transfers digitized frames via the PCI/PCIe bus directly into system memory for real‑time processing or storage.

Use Cases:
- Continuous multi‑camera monitoring in security systems
- Automated optical inspection (AOI) in manufacturing
- Motion analysis and scientific imaging
- Medical research requiring synchronized multi‑view capture

Compatibility:
- Operating Systems: Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP
- Software Environments: Visual C++, VB, C++ Builder, Delphi
- Supported APIs: ADLINK AngeloRTV function library (DLL)
- Utility: ViewCreator for configuration, testing, and image saving (BMP/TIF)




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included:
- PCIe‑RTV‑24 frame grabber board
- User manual and driver CD
- ViewCreator software utility
- Standard BNC connectors for 4 video inputs

Optional Add‑Ons:
- RTV‑E4 Channel Extension Board: adds 4 video inputs per module (up to 3 modules = 16 inputs)
- RTV‑I4 GPIO Extension Board: expands digital I/O capabilities
- Cables: 10‑pin ribbon cables for channel extension, coaxial cables for video input

Connectors:
- CN2/CN3/CN5: channel extension headers
- CN8/CN9: GPIO headers
- JP1: watchdog reset header
- BNC × 4: composite video inputs




### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Available PCI or PCIe x1 slot
- Windows 98/NT/2000/XP operating system
- Minimum 128 MB RAM (recommended ≥ 512 MB)
- VGA display ≥ 800 × 600 resolution

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the PC and remove the cover.
2. Insert the PCIe‑RTV‑24 into an available PCI/PCIe slot.
3. Secure the bracket with the retaining screw.
4. Connect video sources to the BNC connectors.
5. Power on the system; Windows Plug‑and‑Play will detect the card (four video and four audio devices).
6. Install the ADLINK WDM driver when prompted.
7. Launch ViewCreator to verify video input and adjust settings.

Mounting Options:
Standard PCI bracket for desktop or tower chassis; compatible with industrial PCs supporting half‑size PCI cards.

Configuration:
Use ViewCreator to select video format (NTSC/PAL/CCIR/EIA), adjust image parameters, and test GPIO or trigger functions.




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Acquisition Speed:

| Format | Cameras | Fields/sec | Frames/sec |
|---------|----------|-------------|-------------|
| NTSC | 1 | 60 | 30 |
| NTSC | 4 | 240 | 120 |
| PAL | 1 | 50 | 25 |
| PAL | 4 | 200 | 100 |

Image Scaling:
Programmable down‑scaling ratios up to 1:16; supports cropping and region‑of‑interest selection.

Color Formats:
RGB (8/15/16/24/32‑bit), YUV 4:2:2, YUV 4:1:1, Grayscale.

Video Formats:
Full, CIF, QCIF resolutions for NTSC/PAL/CCIR/EIA.

Frame Buffer Management:
Direct memory access (DMA) transfers to host memory; frame buffer accessible via API functions for copying, saving, or processing.

Triggering & Synchronization:
Software‑controlled triggers with adjustable intervals; simultaneous multi‑port triggering supported.

Watchdog Operation:
Programmable 8 s/16 s/32 s intervals; automatic system reset on timeout for unattended operation.

Limitations:
- Analog composite input only (no S‑Video or digital input)
- Windows‑only driver support (no native Linux driver)
- Maximum 16 channels with expansion modules




### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI 2.2 / PCIe x1 compliant
- Video Standards: NTSC‑M/J, PAL‑B/D/G/H/I/M/N, SECAM, CCIR, EIA (RS‑170)
- Electrical Safety: TTL‑compatible I/O with ESD protection
- Environmental: Designed for industrial PC environments (0–50 °C operation)
- Software Standards: WDM driver model for Windows 98/NT/2000/XP
- Regulatory Compliance: CE and FCC Class A (typical for ADLINK industrial boards)




### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- 2‑year limited warranty from date of shipment
- Covers manufacturing defects and normal operation failures
- Excludes damage from misuse, improper installation, or environmental factors
- RMA service available via ADLINK website (RMA form required)

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email: service@adlink.com.tw
- Product segments:
- NuDAQ (data acquisition): nudaq@adlink.com.tw
- NuDAM (distributed modules): nudam@adlink.com.tw
- NuIPC (industrial PCs): nuipc@adlink.com.tw
- NuPRO (embedded boards): nupro@adlink.com.tw
- Software updates and drivers downloadable from [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Use ESD protection when handling the board.
- Ensure proper ventilation in the host system.
- Periodically verify cable connections and clean BNC connectors.
- Update drivers and ViewCreator software for optimal performance.

Software Utilities:
- ViewCreator: GUI tool for configuration, image capture, and testing. Supports BMP/TIF saving, image effects (border, cross‑line), and GPIO/EEPROM access.
- AngeloRTV API Library: Comprehensive C/C++/VB/Delphi function set for system initialization, configuration, image grabbing, GPIO control, watchdog management, and frame buffer operations.

Example API Functions:
- `AngeloRTV_Initial()` – Initialize port
- `AngeloRTV_Capture_Start()` / `Stop()` – Begin or end acquisition
- `AngeloRTV_Set_Image_Config()` – Adjust brightness, hue, contrast
- `AngeloRTV_Set_WDT()` – Configure watchdog timer
- `AngeloRTV_Save_File()` – Save frame to BMP/TIF

Maintenance Tools:
- EEPROM read/write for storing calibration or configuration data
- GPIO test interface for digital I/O verification
- Software trigger configuration for timing control




### Summary

The ADLINK PCIe‑RTV‑24 is a robust, industrial‑grade frame grabber engineered for multi‑channel, real‑time video acquisition. Its four BT878A encoders deliver simultaneous capture of up to four composite video streams, expandable to sixteen with optional modules. The card’s programmable image controls, hardware watchdog, and extensive software library make it ideal for security, machine vision, and scientific imaging systems requiring reliability and flexibility. With comprehensive driver support, a dedicated configuration utility, and a two‑year manufacturer warranty, the PCIe‑RTV‑24 provides a complete solution for high‑performance analog video capture in PC‑based environments.

No accessories available.