Video distribution varies by building type. For residential buildings such as
houses, apartments, condominiums, and dormitories video distribution is fairly
dense because most television viewing takes place at home. In most commercial
and government buildings video distribution is primarily in common areas such
as building entrances, cafeterias, meeting rooms, elevators, assembly rooms,
classrooms, and so forth.
Traditional Video Distribution
Most video within existing buildings is currently being distributed using a tech-
nology developed decades ago, commonly referred to as CATV (community
antenna television) or RF (radio frequency). The technology takes multiple
analog video signals and “modulates” or places them on different radio fre-
quencies carried by a coaxial cable. Many large cable television service provi-
ders and others have moved away from the use of coaxial cable to some hybrid
of fiber optic cable and coaxial cable or, in some areas, just fiber optic cable, to
transmit the video RF signal (Fig. 8.1).
Cable
Television
Provider
System
Headend
Amplifiers
Modulators
Processors Distribution
Network
Coaxial Cable or Coaxial/
Fiber Optic Hybrid RF
Distribution
Combiners
DVD Player
Video Camera
VCR
Satellite
Character
Generator
Figure 8.1 Traditional video distribution.
92 Smart Building Systems for Architects, Owners, and Builders