WFS: Improved Subsea Video Camera
Posted by Irina Tabakina
WFS Technologies launched Seatooth Video, the new edition of its subsea wireless video camera. Seatooth Video is an upgraded version of WFS’ previous Viewtooth product enhanced with the latest Seatooth S300 technology. The new subsea wireless video camera exceeds the underwater wireless video streaming capabilities so far known in the subsea industry, WFS said. A solution for subsea construction and IRM activities, Seatooth Video removes the need for a second monitoring ROV, provides a second perspective on complex tasks and helps ensure that operations are completed without the risk of ROV umbilical snags. The camera is capable of providing wireless video streaming at a range of up to 4.5m, at 4,000m water depth, in H.264 CIF (352x288) with up to 10 frames-per-second. The control module integrates with ROV Ethernet port and the output files are .asf format. The wireless video system also integrates with other standard subsea cameras, and an optional primary battery may last up to 10 year in standby mode. Seatooth Video ON/OFF mode is controlled by a ROV mounted Seatooth S300, by an internal real time clock or an external trigger (digital input to video). Options include wireless network control of external lights and an external antenna with lead for up to 6m range. According to WFS Technologies, Seatooth Video reduces the time required to complete hot stabs and other complex operations and provides a remote monitoring of subsea equipment and inspections. Seatooth Video is suitable for monitoring subsea deployment, intervention and recovery, in monitoring complex maintenance and repair projects, in ROV pilot training, in quality control and decommissioning-monitoring P&A of subsea wells. Seatooth Video is available in three versions: Fixed Perspective with integrated lights, Pan-Tilt-Zoom enabling wide area coverage and the ability to zoom in on detail and the third option of plugging in a third-party subsea camera.
www.wfs-tech.com
(As published in the June 2014 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/Magazine)