Systems and methods for video transmission

A video transmission system for carrying video signals from first location to a second remote location, comprising:

• a video source at the first location;
• a first video transmission path in electrical communication with the video source, the first video transmission path comprising a first encoder, a first communication channel and a first decoder, the first decoder providing a first video output signal and an alarm relay signal, the alarm relay signal reflecting a disruption in the first video output signal;
• a second video transmission path in electrical communication with the video source, the second video transmission path comprising a second encoder, a second communication channel and a second decoder, the second decoder providing a second video output signal;
• and
• a video protection switch at the second remote location, comprising:
• a first input for receiving the first video output signal from the first decoder, and a second input for receiving the second video output signal from the second decoder;
• an output;
• a switch connected for receiving both the first and second video output signals, and pre-set to provide the first video output signal to the output of the video protection switch;
• and
• an alarm input for receiving the alarm relay signal;
• wherein when the first decoder detects a disruption in the first video output signal in the first transmission path, the alarm relay signal provided to the alarm input causes the video protection switch to provide the second video output signal at the output of the video protection switch, and wherein the video protection switch replaces only the first video output signal when the error signal is in the second state, while other video output signals continue to be provided from the first transmission path.

A method for transmitting video, the method comprising:

• providing a first encoder and a second encoder connected to a video source;
• providing a plurality of channels, a first channel connected to the first encoder and a second channel connected to the second encoder;
• providing a first decoder and a second decoder, with the first decoder providing an alarm relay signal, the first decoder in electrical communication with the first encoder by way of the first channel and providing a first video signal from the video source, and the second decoder in electrical communication with the second encoder by way of the second channel and providing a second video signal from the video source;
• providing a video protection switch, the video protection switch comprising a first and a second signal input connected for receiving the first and second video signals from the first and second decoders, an alarm input connected for receiving the alarm relay signal from the first decoder, a signal output, and a switch controlled by the alarm relay signal;
• in response to receiving the alarm relay signal, changing a state of the video protection switch from one state providing the first video signal at its output to a second state providing the second video signal at its output, wherein changing the state of the video protection switch comprises replacing only the first output signal in response to receiving the alarm relay signal, while other video signals continue to be provided from the first channel.

A method for transmitting a video signal from a video source, comprising:

• encoding a plurality of signals from a video source;
• transmitting each encoded signal on a different one of a plurality of channels;
• at a remote location from the video source, decoding each signal separately;
• inputting each of the decoded signals into a video protection switch;
• outputting a first of the decoded signals from the video protection switch;
• and
• if there is an error in the first decoded signal, switching the state of the video protection switch to output a second of the decoded signals from the video protection switch, the video protection switch replacing only the first decoded signal, while other video output signals continue to be provided from the first channel.

A video transmission system, comprising:

• video source means for providing video signals;
• first video transmission path means for receiving a video signal from the video source means and providing a first video output signal and an error signal, the error signal having a first state when no error is detected in the first video output signal and a second state upon detection of an error in the first video output signal;
• second video transmission path means for receiving a video signal from the video source and providing a second video output signal;
• and
• video protection switch means for receiving the first and second video output signals from the first and second video transmission path means and providing the first video output signal when the error signal is in the first state and a providing the second video output signal when the error signal is in the second state, wherein the video protection switch mean replaces only the first video output signal when the error signal is in the second state, while other video output signals continue to be provided from the first transmission path.