Tag: analytics

Emerging Video Technologies – Pt5 Storage on-board IP Cameras

Today, we take a look at On Board storage for IP cameras

Potential Benefits:-

Some camera locations have limited or unreliable bandwidth. In those lcoations, ensuring that video can be streamed and recorded remotely can be expensive (or simply not possible). Putting storage inside of an IP camera can eliminate this problem. Of course, some network connections will be needed to remotely view/download record video. However, this will only need to be done periodically.

Cost: While storgae costs drop continuously, today the cost of on-board storage is far higher than centrally storing video in hard drives. Moreover, for most video surveillance applications, it is simply not possible to solely store video on-board IP cameras as it is not technically possible (with the exception of  suppliers supporting hard drives inside or attached to their cameras)

  • End User Risks
    Using on board storage may force compromises in the length of storage or the quality of storage (because of limitations on how much video can be stored inside the camera). Additionally, most VMS systems do not support remote playback of video recorded on an IP camera. This could make it difficult to access and use this video.
  • Installer Risks
    If the on-board storage cannot be remotely accessed using the existing VMS playback, the installer may be called for additional service calls. Some systems will require a technician physically remove the on-board storage while others will require downloading raw video files.

Taken from the ‘Emerging Video Surveillance Guide 2010’ from http://ipvideomarket.info/

we at IntegratedCCTV agree in part with the report – however, we still think that a camera recording in a continuous loop, just enough to cover a 3 9’s network (99.9% allowable down time, 43 minutes per month) and then using technology such as March Networks’ Shadow Archive feature, means that the system can synchronise video lost during the network downtime, with little effect on the overall system…………this is new and probably not known at the time of the report, but it is worth noting when discussing the above!!!

Have you any opinions on this? leave a comment for us!

Navtech Radar

An interesting twist on Perimeter protection!

We became aware recently of a new, emerging technology in the Security Industry……….Radar

It’s not a new technology, but certainly new in our industry.

Is it expensive?

Well, yes…….but, you need to look beyond the capital outlay and see what it replaces…

historically, protecting a huge perimeter, such as that of an airport, would involve 10’s or even 100’s of sensors, whether beams or detectors, alarm or dedicated CCTV beams such as those from companies like Optex etc…..

but, one single Navtech Radar unit, placed centrally, can monitor movement in an 800m 360 degree zone………and link various zones to multiple cameras……controlling PTZ cameras such as MIC-400 from Bosch or the new and excellent 360 Vision Predator product, moving them automatically to moving objects and dynamically tracking as the object moves within the detection zone………

Offering a complete revolution of the mentioned 800m 360 degree view in ONE SECOND this represents a very different way to think of sensor detection.

We think this is a very exciting new product, there is defintely a cost increase, but we are prepared to bet that if installation costs and labour are factored in, there is very little in it!

Navtech’s website can be found here – let us know what you think!

Emerging Video Surveillance Technologies – PIXC revolution! Pt1

An interesting guide has just been issued from http://ipvideomarket.info/ entitled ‘Emerging Video Surveillance Guide 2010’

it details ‘What to Look for and what to Look Out for’ so over the next few days we will detail some of their opinions – for the full guide, head over to their website and simply sign up to receive the free PDF!

Emerging Technologies

  • IP Cameras
  • Megapixel Cameras
  • IP Based Storage (NAS / SAN)
  • Storage on-Board IP Cameras
  • Mesh Wireless IP Networks
  • Panoramic Cameras
  • Video Analytics
  • Business Intelligence
  • Remote Video Monitoring
  • Managed Video / Hosted Video Surveillance
  • Physical Security Information Management

they are keen to point out that the directory is purely meant as a survey of key risks for the ‘non-expert’

we think it is a great discussion document in this emerging Security arena…………………more to follow…………….

CCTV analytics perimeter security solution. It WORKS!

CCTV video analytics.

Video analytics has been a technology that has been talked about for a long time but at last it has  now finally arrived in a format that works reliably and achieves the results that will make customers keen to upgrade their legacy CCTV systems.

CCTV Alarms.

Used to alert the end user of an unusual event or an intrusion into a protected area it helps to give security managers a better insight to events and alarms occurring on their site. There are many types of events that can be raised to his attention and these include.

People counting

Speed monitoring

Facial detection

Loitering

Perimeter protection

Fall detection

Queue length monitoring

Panic alarm

Object abandonment.

And more to boot.

Advanced CCTV software.

Video analytics works by using advanced software to detect in real time changes within the view of the camera, far more advanced than motion detection, all analogue cameras currently in use in the UK can be converted to use this technology. It’s a simple process just install a unit called a codec. The codec is attached to the camera and behind the scenes converts all the video into a format that analyses events and through a set of clean contacts an alarm can be raised in a variety of different ways.

IP CCTV codec.

The codec is an IP device and is programmed through a laptop or if connected to a network it can be remotely administered. Xtralis, Bosch and March Networks all produce units that excel in video analytics.

CCTV Airport!

Examples of where analytics can be used to great effect include ports and airports combating threats of terrorism especially identifying abandoned objects, Protecting classic art using analytics means museums can also benefit from this feature.

CCTV perimeter protection.

Perimeter protection is another area that has seen far better security thanks to trip wire features and the ability to detect movement in a certain direction. Integrating analytics with FLIR thermal imaging cameras is an excellent example of how a sensitive area during hours of total darkness can suddenly be secured where before this would have been impossible.

Codecs.

Setting up the codec’s is a relatively simple task. Perspective is important to ensure only the objects or human movements are detected and things such as wildlife are totally ignored. A great advance for the industry analytics are now being incorporated directly into the heads of cameras and the Predator camera from 360 vision is the first 360 dome camera that can deal with analytics while on a tour something of a dream for security guards who are tasked with monitoring large establishments or estates.

CCTV investment.

As the investment goes heavily into this technology from the big manufactures we see the number of applications increasing and soon analytics will be commonplace in many businesses across the UK

Perimeter Security CCTV Cameras

Perimeter security camera.

Perimeter security has long been open to debate. Whats the best security solution to spend your money on? Lets face it for an intruder to get onto most sites they tend to pick the weakest  point . Often this is an area that is dark and difficult to patrol. Many methods exist to protect your boundaries . PIR sensors, often long range ones or maybe fixed beams? Vibration detectors buried under the ground have been used in the past to, also  Dome cameras driven by sensors are a popular solution. NOW however the most effective method to protect a perimeter is probably using a fixed camera complete with IR lighting and we have an additional tool to help us. This is analytics.

ZX55

The Bosch ZX 55 has been especially designed for this purpose. A well built piece of kit with a range of up to 300m. It comes together With a powerful integrated IR lighting system and is equipped with a 9-90mm lens. It certainly has all the tools requied for detection. However there is also an IP version vital to integrate into future CCTV software recording solutions. It is also the IP solution that gives the added benefit of analytics to help with the detection element that is so important  to ensure that the intruder is intecepted.

Costly?

It must be remembered that perimeter protection always comes with a price , not so much because of the equipment , but civil works, CCTV towers and the large amount of cable being required can put the price up. It is therefore crucial that the right solution is  well thought through and correctly specified because many companies rue the day when they thought that a cheap option would do!

Conclusion.

Think long and hard about external security, it can be a minefield if the design at the first stage is poorly concieved. Expert advice is very important and we have over 20 years in this particular field. So if you need feedback or advice on this subject we will be happy to help.