IDM-Video16 Video Optical Multiplexer

The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer is a single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer developed by Beijing Ruiguang Jiyuan Digital Technology Co., Ltd. It is used in pairs, with a transmitter and a receiver, and completes 16-channel video service transmission over an optical fiber transmission medium while also transmitting RS232 and RS485 data. As a professional optical multiplexer manufacturer, Raytrans has maintained its consistent product showcase standards in this product.

This single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer adopts all-digital uncompressed technology. In a single optical direction, it can carry 16 channels of video, 4 channels of E1 transparent transmission, and 4 channels of high-fidelity audio, and supports high-quality transmission of high-resolution moving images and still images. As a digital video optical multiplexer and also an uncompressed video optical multiplexer, it performs excellently in multi-service optical multiplexer application scenarios.

The IDM-Video8, IDM-Video4, IDM-Video2, and IDM-Video1 digital video optical multiplexers support 8-channel, 4-channel, 2-channel, and 1-channel video service transmission respectively, with other functions the same as the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer. Raytrans's optical multiplexer product line covers multiple specifications to meet product showcase needs in different scenarios.

Key Specifications at a Glance: 16-channel video · 4-channel E1 transparent transmission · lightning-protected data port · uncompressed transmission · 4-channel high-fidelity audio · compatible with PAL/NTSC/SECAM

Figure 1: Appearance of the IDM-Video16 single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer main unit with close-ups of the video ports, data ports, and optical interfaces

What Kind of Device Is a Single-Fiber 16-Channel Video Optical Multiplexer

A single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer is a transmission device that digitizes 16 channels of video signals and transmits them unidirectionally over a single optical fiber to the opposite end for restoration and output, while superimposing data, audio, and E1 services on the same fiber.

During operation, the transmitter collects video signals from image sources such as cameras, and the receiver restores and outputs them at the surveillance center side. The two ends of the link are deployed in a paired configuration, and on-site wiring only needs to follow the port markings.

What the single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer replaces is the long-distance coaxial cable solution: coaxial cable attenuates noticeably after several hundred meters, whereas an optical fiber link can still maintain stability when delivering images to a central equipment room several kilometers away.

The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer takes this as its basic form, and a single device can complete the aggregation and backhaul of 16 channels of video. As a mature digital video optical multiplexer product, it is often presented in product showcases as a typical representative of the single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer.

Why Uncompressed Transmission Guarantees Picture Quality

All-digital uncompressed transmission means that after the video signal is sampled and digitized, it is sent directly onto the optical fiber as a digital stream, with no compression encoding at any point in the link, and after restoration at the opposite end it is still the original picture data. It is precisely by this mechanism that the uncompressed video optical multiplexer guarantees picture quality.

• Complete retention of picture details: both high-resolution moving images and still images can be transmitted losslessly, without losing texture or motion details due to compression encoding;
• Good format compatibility: compatible with PAL, NTSC, and SECAM video formats for all-digital uncompressed transmission, with no need to modify the camera-side format;
• No intermodulation interference of analog optical multiplexers: there is no intermodulation interference problem of analog frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) optical multiplexers;
• Synchronization maintained: the link contains no encoding or decoding stage, so the synchronization between multiple video and audio channels is preserved.

What Services and Interfaces Does the IDM-Video16 Video Optical Multiplexer Provide

The service interfaces of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer are completed under factory configuration, and on-site wiring only needs to follow the port markings, with no additional electrical or optical adjustment required. The following table lists the main functions of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer and their purposes.

Function	Description
Unidirectional 16-channel audio and video transmission over a single optical fiber	Unidirectionally carries 16 channels of video service over a single optical fiber, with 4 channels of high-fidelity audio superimposed
4-channel E1 transparent transmission channel	Provides 4 E1 transparent transmission channels, transmitting existing E1 services over the same fiber as video
4-channel high-fidelity audio	Transmits 4 channels of audio service over the same fiber as the video channels, for intercom, monitoring, or conference sound reinforcement
All-digital uncompressed transmission	Video is sent onto the optical fiber in an all-digital uncompressed manner, compatible with PAL, NTSC, and SECAM video formats
High-resolution image support	The uncompressed link supports high-quality transmission of high-resolution moving and still images
No electromagnetic or radio frequency interference	Optical fiber transmission is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), and common-ground loop interference
No intermodulation interference of analog optical multiplexers	There is no intermodulation interference of analog frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) optical multiplexers
Configurable data interfaces	Supports RS232, RS422, RS485 and other data interfaces, which can be configured as needed
Lightning-protected data port design	The data port features a lightning protection design, adapting to the lightning surge environment of outdoor sites

As a multi-service optical multiplexer, this model integrates multiple service interfaces such as video, audio, E1, and data on the same platform, facilitating unified networking.

IDM-Video16 Video Optical Multiplexer Technical Specifications

The transmission capability of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer is subject to the specifications given in the product documentation; optical interface, power supply, and structural specifications are not yet recorded in the knowledge base, and the relevant engineering parameters are subject to the manufacturer's technical documentation.

Item	Parameter/Specification	Description/Applicable Conditions
Number of video channels	16 channels in a single optical direction	The number of video services carried over the same optical fiber
Transmission mode	All-digital uncompressed	Video is not compression-encoded and is sent directly onto the optical fiber as a digital stream
Video format	PAL, NTSC, SECAM	Compatible with the video signals of cameras of all three formats
Number of audio channels	4-channel high-fidelity audio	Transmitted over the same fiber as the 16 channels of video
E1 channel	4-channel E1 transparent transmission	The channel is transparent to the carried content and does not alter the existing E1 service
Data interface type	RS232, RS422, RS485, etc.	The interface type can be configured as needed to match the on-site controlled device
Data port protection	Lightning protection design	Reduces the risk of damage caused by lightning surges intruding through the data cable
Video interface type, level, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)	Not yet recorded in the knowledge base	Subject to the manufacturer's technical documentation
Optical interface type, wavelength, transmission distance	Not yet recorded in the knowledge base	Subject to the manufacturer's technical documentation; engineering shall be calculated according to optical fiber attenuation and optical power budget
Power supply mode, power consumption, operating temperature, dimensions	Not yet recorded in the knowledge base	Subject to the manufacturer's technical documentation

Differentiated Value: How One Optical Fiber Replaces Multiple Cables

The value of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer is concentrated in one point: aggregating services that originally required multiple coaxial cables and multiple pairs of data cables onto a single optical fiber. The following table lists four selling points together with the corresponding on-site benefits.

Selling Point Label	Corresponding Capability	Differentiated Value
16-channel video	Carries 16 channels of video and 4 channels of high-fidelity audio in a single optical direction	16-channel audio and video + 4-channel E1 + 4-channel audio in a single optical direction, multi-service aggregation over one optical fiber
4-channel E1 transparent transmission	4 E1 channels transmitted over the same fiber as video and audio	The E1 channel is transparent to the carried content, and existing E1 services require no additional optical cable
Uncompressed transmission	Video is sent onto the optical fiber in an all-digital uncompressed manner	All-digital uncompressed is compatible with PAL/NTSC/SECAM, with lossless transmission of high-resolution moving images
Lightning-protected data port	The data port adopts a lightning protection design, and the interface type can be configured as needed	Lightning-protected data port + immunity to electromagnetic/RF/common-ground interference, stable and reliable for outdoor private networks

From an engineering perspective, video, audio, E1, and data services share a single optical fiber, directly reducing optical cable usage, the number of cables in the cabinet, and wiring workload, and also eliminating the need to re-plan routes during later capacity expansion. As a professional optical multiplexer manufacturer, Raytrans continues to deliver such differentiated solutions in the product showcase of this series.

How to Configure the Data Interface of a Video Optical Multiplexer

How to configure the data interface of a video optical multiplexer depends on the interface type of the on-site controlled device: the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer supports RS232, RS422, RS485 and other data interfaces, and can be configured as needed.

In actual engineering, first confirm the interface type of the controlled devices such as camera PTZ, control keyboard, and decoder, then configure the corresponding data port of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer to the same type. With the data port configurations at both ends kept consistent, the link can transparently transmit control commands.

RS422 uses 4-wire wiring and RS485 uses 2-wire wiring. During cabling, data cables should be routed separately from video coaxial cables with a reasonable spacing to reduce mutual crosstalk.

The data port itself has a lightning protection design. For outdoor sites in areas prone to thunderstorms, it is still recommended to provide grounding in accordance with on-site lightning protection specifications.

How to Use E1 Transparent Transmission on a Video Optical Multiplexer

E1 transparent transmission on a video optical multiplexer means that the E1 channel delivers the 2.048 Mbps primary group signal to the opposite end as-is, and the channel itself does not interpret the E1 frame content.

The E1 interface operates at the rate and interface characteristics specified in ITU-T Recommendation G.703. The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer provides 4-channel E1 transparent transmission, which can share a single optical fiber with 16 channels of video and 4 channels of high-fidelity audio.

The engineering value lies in this: for sites where an E1 link has already been laid, when new video surveillance requirements arise, there is no need to lay additional optical cables for video. The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer can directly backhaul the existing E1 services together with the new video to the central equipment room, reducing duplicate investment and construction workload.

The termination, grounding, and impedance matching of the E1 interface shall be implemented in accordance with G.703 requirements.

Data Port Lightning Protection Design and Anti-Interference Capability of the Video Optical Multiplexer

The data port of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer adopts a lightning protection design to reduce the risk of damage caused by lightning surges intruding into the device through the data cable.

In terms of anti-interference, the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer uses optical fiber as the transmission medium and is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), and common-ground loop interference, and will not exhibit intermodulation interference like analog frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) optical multiplexers.

Therefore, in strong electromagnetic environments such as substations, railway lines, plants, and roads, as well as in long-distance links, optical fiber maintains stable pictures more easily than coaxial cable.

It should be noted that the lightning protection design is device-side protection. Equipotential bonding, grounding resistance, and signal cable blocking measures for the equipment room and front-end sites still need to be implemented in accordance with engineering lightning protection specifications.

Typical Application Scenarios

The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer is suitable for image transmission projects where video signals need to span relatively long distances or avoid electromagnetic interference. The following scenarios are common in electric power and energy, rail transit, and unattended industrial sites, and are also typical operating conditions frequently asked about in product showcases.

Electric Power and Energy Private Networks

Substations, distribution rooms, and new energy stations are strong electromagnetic environments, where long-distance coaxial cable transmission is susceptible to interference.

The IDM-Video16 digital video optical multiplexer uses optical fiber as the medium and is immune to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, and common-ground loop interference, and can stably deliver 16 channels of equipment status monitoring pictures and 4 channels of audio to the control room.

The data port adopts a lightning protection design, which, together with on-site grounding and lightning protection measures, is suitable for operation at outdoor sites in areas prone to rain and thunderstorms; the 4-channel E1 transparent transmission can carry existing dispatch services over the same fiber as video.

Rail Transit and Expressway Surveillance

Surveillance sites along rail transit lines and expressways are scattered and far apart, and multiple channels of video need to be concentrated at a road section center or command center.

The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer can carry 16 channels of video in a single optical direction, with 4 channels of E1 transparent transmission superimposed to carry existing data channels. When building or upgrading road sections, a single device can complete the synchronous return of video and E1 services, reducing optical cable usage and the number of repeater nodes.

All-digital uncompressed transmission ensures that moving images on long-distance links do not drop frames, and the absence of common-ground loop interference also avoids picture quality problems caused by multi-point grounding along the line.

Unattended Industrial Sites

At unattended sites such as mining, oil and gas fields, and water pumping stations, cameras and control devices are scattered, the frequency of on-site inspection is low, and link reliability requirements are high. The IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer backhauls 16 channels of video and E1 services to the center over a single fiber, so no duty personnel need to be assigned at the site side; the lightning protection design of the data port and the anti-electromagnetic characteristics of optical fiber transmission reduce the interference of lightning surges and strong electromagnetic environments on the link, making it suitable for sites operating outdoors over the long term.

Figure 2: Point-to-point optical fiber transmission networking diagram of the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer between an unattended site and a surveillance center

Model Selection: How to Choose Between IDM-Video16 and IDM-Video8/4/2/1

The IDM-Video16 16-channel video optical multiplexer is fully consistent in functions with other models in the same series; the only difference lies in the number of video channels a single device can carry. During model selection, simply match the number of video sites on site.

Model	Video service transmission capability	Other functions
IDM-Video16	16-channel video	Consistent functions across the series
IDM-Video8	8-channel video	Same as IDM-Video16
IDM-Video4	4-channel video	Same as IDM-Video16
IDM-Video2	2-channel video	Same as IDM-Video16
IDM-Video1	1-channel video	Same as IDM-Video16

Selection recommendation: When sites are concentrated in the same cabinet and the total number of video channels does not exceed 16, one IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer is sufficient for aggregation, reducing the number of devices and footprint in the cabinet.

When sites are scattered across multiple areas and independent optical cables have already been laid between the areas, IDM-Video8 or IDM-Video4 can be deployed by zone, avoiding pulling large amounts of video cables back to the same equipment room over long distances. For specific optical port configurations, transmission distance and interface customization requirements, confirm with the optical multiplexer manufacturer based on the actual optical fiber conditions on site.

Conclusion

The single-fiber 16-channel video optical multiplexer integrates 16-channel video with 4-channel E1 transparent transmission, 4-channel high-fidelity audio, and configurable RS232/RS422/RS485 data interfaces for transmission over a single optical fiber. It adopts all-digital uncompressed technology, is compatible with PAL, NTSC and SECAM formats, and provides lightning protection design for data ports. It is suitable for image and service backhaul projects such as electric power and energy private networks, rail transit and expressway surveillance, and unattended industrial sites.

In addition to the IDM-Video16 video optical multiplexer, the IDM-Video8, IDM-Video4, IDM-Video2 and IDM-Video1 in the same series can be flexibly combined according to the number of video channels. The specific configuration can be confirmed with the manufacturer based on the actual optical fiber conditions on site.

⚠️ File-mutation verifier: 1 file edit(s) FAILED this turn despite any wording above that may suggest otherwise. Run git status or read_file to confirm what actually landed.
• /home/ubuntu/rag-cms/refs/draft-channel-idm-video16-master-2026-10-10.md — [write_file] Refusing to overwrite /home/ubuntu/rag-cms/refs/draft-channel-idm-video16-master-2026-10-10.md: /home/ubuntu/rag-cms/refs/draft-channel-idm-video16-master-2026-10-10.md exists but…