PIRANHA III  perfect for everything that needs to be recorded
Looking for a multi-talent for DVR development? A PC plug-in board with all the main functions for all areas of application? PIRANHA III offers everything you need. Thanks to the development library, all you have to do is simply plug the board into your PC. It digitizes 32 video channels and compresses them with a video compression chip.

The PIRANHA III is perfect for nearly all applications and areas of security systems. Direct hard disc recording possible even if using non-synchronized cameras with maximum switching times and excellent picture quality. Thanks to the comprehensive DLL software interface and special sample programs in C/C++ source text you are fully informed at all times about using the development library when working with the PIRANHA_III.

MJPEG-compression and MJPEG-decompression
PIRANHA III supports the MJPEGcompression process. With a worldwide distribution of around 70 %, this standard continues to be the most popular compression process in security systems above all because of the outstanding picture quality. Only 660MB are generated per hour with continuous recording and full speed. In motion-related recording mode, you can even record several weeks video on a standard commercial hard disc. The possible recording duration is determined by a large number of criteria: image size, compression rate, number of channels and above all the number of images that are required per second from each camera. We select the size of hard disc on the basis of all parameters

High performance video merger for up to 32 cameras
A high switching speed is required in most cases when installing a security system. The PIRANHA III excels in this respect as well: Up to 32 composite video cameras can be operated by a PIRANHA III (precondition: optional extra break-out cable). The input section of the PIRANHA III is also unique: Specially designed for monitoring systems it allows input switching with synchronized and non-synchronized cameras at maximum speed (50 or 60 switches per second depending on the video standard). Even with 32 connected cameras, it is still possible to save more than 1,6 images per second for each camera. Naturally, the PIRANHA III also works in both directions. It also recalls the signals back from the hard disc onto the screen. With the PIRANHA III you can decompress the video sequences on the hard disc and display them again on your monitor viatwo analogue video outputs.

Flexible image display completely to suit your needs
Images are displayed via Windows Bitmap display with CPU load or via DirectDraw without CPU load on the PC's VGA screen. The size of image display can be scaled down depending on the display mode by activating the hardware scaler or using software scaling. The development library supports DirectDraw and makes you independent from your VGA board..

Multi-board support for more performance
The drivers we supply allow simultaneous operation of several PIRANHA III boards by one computer. This enables you to increase the performance of your applications without any problem at any time.

Information overlay for perfect identification
With the PIRANHA III you have the possibility of overlaying additional information on the display using hardware on the board. Up to 4 lines of 32 characters each are written permanently into the video image. You choose the position within the image, the text and the background colour.

Digital inputs and outputs for receiving and control
8 digital inputs each are available if you want to control other equipment  e.g. alarm systems or building management systems with the PIRANHA III. Using an optional optocoupler board, the inputs and outputs can be electrically isolated within the PC. This allows voltages of up to 24 V to be connected. The inputs (12 mA per channel) are protected against short-circuits and pole reversal. The outputs (100 mA per channel) are protected against overvoltage.

Hardware Watchdog
The PIRANHA III board has an integrated hardware watchdog according to model. This can be enabled using an API function. The hardware watchdog represents a timer which closes a relay contact after a preset running time. The timer is constantly restarted by the application program in the normal operating mode so that it never runs out. If the system gets into a state where it no longer reacts and, consequently, a watchdog timer restart can no longer be carried out, the watchdog timer is activated, closes the relay contact and initiates a new start via the reset cable of the system.

Trigger and signal inputs for sensitive areas
If you want to connect alarms, light barriers or motion detectors, the PIRANHA III is also fitted with a reserve of 16 alarm inputs in addition to the 8 digital inputs. These inputs trigger interrupts in the PC and consequently signal an event. You can assign an event alarm to each of the connected cameras.*)

Free Software Development Kit for easy integration
The PIRANHA III has been designed for professional use in security systems. The Software Development Kit enables easy integration of the boards with all performance features into your own programs. For this, we provide you with a collection of functions in a 32-bit DLL. Examples of programming and application of these functions are also provided as executable programs and in C/C++ source text.

Service & Support
The PIRANHA III has been developed and manufactured in Europe. You can therefore rely on the best possible Service. We offer you direct support: from developers for developers.