IP CCTV the views of the security industry

An excellent article in July’s edition of PSI Magazine asks the question” what is the current state of IP CCTV as it stands in the CCTV market place today?” The opening statement of the article certainly confirms what many think. With input from respected professionals such as central station managers Colin Walters and Steve Kimber it asks how IP CCTV is integrating with the central stations and the quality of the monitoring as a result. The article also touches on HD SDI CCTV with great insight from Todd Rockoff and asks where this technology sits within the CCTV industry and where HD SDI CCTV will be focusing in the future. ONVIF and how it is playing an important role in ensuring IP CCTV does get its fair share of uptake is also covered well within the piece.

The whole article is fair and balanced and really does reflect how most CCTV professionals feel IP CCTV is developing within the security industry.

So  for a great read turn to page 22 once you hit the link and look for the article headed “AIR OF MYSTERY investigating the current state of IP CCTV”

IP CCTV – the true cost?

IP CCTV – it’s not just about the cost, it’s about the total cost of ownership

Calculating the “Total Cost of Ownership” (TCO) of an IP CCTV system can highlight its true worth to the end user. Despite an initial greater capital outlay on the cameras, compared to their analogue equivalents, an IP CCTV system will more than pay back the difference in the long run.
It is probably true to say that for small, stand alone CCTV systems, analogue CCTV solutions have the lowest equipment costs. However, for medium and large CCTV applications, there is very little difference. IP CCTV system design is different to analogue, making direct comparisons very difficult. Indeed installers modelling network CCTV applications on analogue systems are probably not taking full advantage of the potential cost savings, and certainly missing out on the added functionality available.

ip cameras

CCTV equipment costs are simple to quantify, from PTZ cameras, fixed cameras, dome cameras, NVRs, DVRs, Ethernet switches and matrices through to Ethernet and structured cabling. TCO considers the time and costs saved in set-up, support, on-going maintenance, service and operation, most of which can be measured as ‘man hours’ saved. IP CCTV enables quicker and often simpler cabling, intuitive set-up, easier commissioning, the opportunity for off-site maintenance and remote equipment set-up – all reducing man hours and subsequently the TCO.

The additional benefits that come with IP CCTV systems, such as increased reliability, improved image quality, greater functionality, efficiency and scalability also reduce the TCO. This takes the value of IP CCTV’s superior functionality into account, rather than equipment cost savings and reduced installation time.

VMS

Reliability:
The greater reliability provided by IP-based systems, especially those using server-rated HDD and RAID5 back-up storage, means fewer maintenance calls and site visits are necessary. Many would suggest that IP CCTV must be the first choice for mission-critical applications, where continuous operation is essential, and where the cost of losing critical data through unreliable systems could be catastrophic.

Image Quality:
IP CCTV systems take full advantage of mega-pixel technology. Entry level Megapixel IP cameras have around 1.3 mega-pixel resolution. An analogue camera will have nearer 0.4 mega-pixels. Additionally, the entire IP system can operate in digital format. Many analogue systems convert digital formats to analogue ones for transmission, compression, storage, display and so on. IP systems use digital cameras on a digital network, transmitting directly to a NVR and on to a digital display. Removing the analogue to digital conversions means there are less opportunities for image degradation.

Remote Monitoring:
Remote and multi-site monitoring is easily implemented using IP technology. Multiple sites, additional cameras and further site security systems can be added to a network quickly and easily. Remote monitoring via PC/Mac, smartphone/PDA or a third party remote monitoring station also become simple services to add.

Honeywell HRDP iPhone

Intelligence and Efficiency:
There are significant developments in video analytics / video intelligence within IP CCTV. Intelligence can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of a security system. Events such as “wrong way” or a “left object” will start the system recording, ensuring that very little unnecessary data is recorded. The system does not become clogged with hours of irrelevant recording, yet will provide high quality images for evidence, when required. The event can also be used to initiate an operator or even police response. This functionality also preserves data storage capacity, saves on ‘search and retrieve’ time for operators, and reduces the amount of unwanted data transmitted over an IP network.

Scalability:
Businesses usually require a single, scalable, integrated and flexible security solution. IP CCTV offers almost infinite scalability, requiring just a network over which to operate. IP technology is built on a single, common, communication platform, onto which a number of other site security and management functions can be added. These include intruder alarm; access control; fire safety; retail management, including POS and EAS systems; building management, including lighting, and opening and closing barriers and doors; and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). In fact, the list is almost endless and can include anything with IP compatibility.

Equipment Cost Reduction:
If the benefits of IP CCTV alone are not enough, then trends in the ultra-competitive IT industry make it easy to predict that PC Hardware, hard disk drive capacity and network hardware capability will continue to increase rapidly, at little or no extra cost. An IP CCTV system is future-proof. Security technology is becoming increasingly IP-based and this trend will not change as the benefits are irrefutable. Not only are IP systems easier to use and more reliable, but they also have excellent scalability and save money over time.

When the total cost of ownership is considered, IP could provide the cheapest and most flexible solution available.

Video management systems (VMS) CCTV sotware solutions

Video management systems are a high performance CCTV recording interface that runs on enterprise standard servers and enables organizations to run medium to large scale CCTV systems using either IP or analogue CCTV cameras.

The streaming of high quality images at a high frame rate from large numbers of cameras means that CCTV systems can be expanded beyond the normal 16 cameras  that are commonplace in security systems today.

Video management systems take CCTV to a new level of performance, IP cameras are the way forward and this platform ensures that 1000s of cameras can be integrated into one all encompassing solution.

Most of the big IP camera manufacturers now have a video management software suite within their range. In order To enable analogue cameras to be integrated into the Video Management Systems (VMS), edge device encoders are used to convert analogue CCTV to IP this means that hybrid CCTV is now a common solution and an effective bridge to full IP CCTV which is inevitably the future.

For more information on some of the video management systems out there click here for more detail.

Hybrid CCTV starts the green shoots of recovery.

Hybrid CCTV.

CCTV suppliers, manufacturers and installers have endured a barren couple of years. We have seen many good companies go to the wall and some bad ones as well. Add to this the strain that wholesalers have suffered, lots of them have been taken for tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds as their customers (the installers) go bust.

Sistore MX hybrid DVR
Hybrid CCTV

Its also the end user that has suffered. Pressured into taking the cheapest quote due to the economic climate they have seen CCTV systems installed to poor standards and then find that within a few months the installer has gone to the wall leaving them with a very unpleasant legacy and few choices but to find another installer to take on the servicing of the security equipment.

This year however we hope to see a change for the better and a situation that will benefit all. We are at a cross roads for the industry and everyone is wondering how the next two to three years will develop. Analogue CCTV systems are still by far the dominant surveillance system out there but IP CCTV is making a relentless march and inevitably this type of system will takeover. However we believe it going to be Hybrid CCTV that is going to dominate proceedings now and in the short to medium term. CCTV manufacturers are also finding that the shift away from analogue is taking much longer than expected and are seriously having to re-think their strategies.

The thing is Hybrid CCTV solutions offer end users the flexibility they need. Many want to move to IP CCTV but have little or no budget to do so. However the thought of HD and megapixel IP cameras is whetting their appetite for change and Hybrid CCTV solutions mean they can combine the best of both worlds.

We predict that some very big players will start to produce 32 way units that will accommodate a 16/16 split to enable them to start selling their HD cameras, slowly at first but once the benefits are realized by the end user we expect upgrades to start taking off.

So there is hope, the weak have failed and the natural process that is the survival of the fittest has left the CCTV industry in good shape and ready to fight off competition from IT integrators. So with good installers and great new technology we are sure that Hybrid CCTV will help to fuel a strong recovery over the next 5 years.

Video management software the battle has begun – Price War

Video management software, we guessed it would happen – for IP to really take off, prices have to fall, certainly to a comparable level of analogue, before mass acceptance can take place

We learned recently that Milestone, long the main pioneers of video management software, have halved the cost of their entry level VMS……and at the same time, released a completely brand new version for absolutely FREE !

VMS

We like free…..free stands for FREEdom to try, use, decide……and Milestone have been an established brand in this market arena for some time

So what has this done for the price range for VMS systems pricing?

Well, beginning of 2010 average camera price per licence was around £70-100 – this latest buzz by Milestone changes that to a price range of FREE to around £30……if you are selling video management software… that will help gain traction!!