IP Video Cameras
By Business Solutions magazine
Most Significant Trends
HD Means Fewer Cameras — “The most important development in IP video is megapixel resolution. Megapixel allows systems integrators to design systems that cover more area with fewer cameras and higher resolution to zoom in for details (virtual PTZ [pan-tilt-zoom]). This reduces total cost of ownership and delivers better return on investment for the end-user customer.” Mark Espenschied, director of marketing communications, Arecont Vision
Edge Recording — “Surveillance systems that incorporate a decentralized approach to surveillance tend to be ideal for various installs, as they provide immediate value to both small and enterprise-scale deployments. In a decentralized system, every camera incorporates a computer and memory card to provide several days of recording time. The PC and the video control center now serve only for viewing and controlling the cameras, not for analysis or recording. This makes it unnecessary to purchase video management software, as the most important and computer-intensive functions are already integrated within the cameras. The decentralized concept also reduces bandwidth consumption. Overall, this approach provides significant ROI to the end user.” Steve Gorski, general manager, Americas, MOBOTIX Corp.
Do More With Today’s Cameras — “The most significant trend is high-definition video that enables video surveillance to move from a reactive security tool to a proactive business intelligence tool. This trend toward improved video means that IP video is now being used for more applications than ever before. For example, our forward-thinking customers are using HD video for operations, human resources, and marketing, to name a few.” Rick Ramsay, senior product manager, Avigilon
360-Degree Cameras Cover More Area — “Beyond megapixel, nonstandard image formats, such as hemispheric 360-degree and panoramic 180-degree, provide new tools with great potential impact. The ability to cover an entire room with a single 360-degree camera or an entire parking lot with a 20 or 40 megapixel 180-degree camera is highly significant, yet overlooked by many integrators as an essential tool.” Dave Nieweg, GM/VP, 3xLOGIC
Use Existing Coax — “Recabling from coax to Ethernet has been a major hurdle for many customers seeking to migrate from analog to IP-based video surveillance. Technologies to sidestep this are available.” Mark Collett, GM, Sony Electronics’ Security Systems Division
Tips & Advice For Success
Leverage Partner Resources — “IT integrators can make mistakes related to the surveillance system design and camera placement, as many don’t have past experience with physical security. To overcome this challenge, IT integrators should refer to helpful design tools, such as those offered by their manufacturer partners, and work with an experienced sales team to design projects efficiently and effectively.” Rick Ramsay, senior product manager, Avigilon
Avoid These Typical Mistakes — “Integrators are making the following mistakes: forgetting the raw size of megapixel and not providing the proper tools to the end users, allowing the video to be viewed remotely over low bandwidth; forgetting that IP networks take a much different skill set to properly design, deploy, and maintain; not understanding PCI-DSS compliance or other governance issues that IP data networks may be subjected to; not working hard enough to have respectful and professional relationships with the IT staff employed by their customers; and thinking IP is the only megapixel solution available. New HD-SDI recorders allow 1MP and 2MP video over traditional coaxial cable.” Dave Nieweg, GM/VP, 3xLOGIC
“Don’t assume that two ONVIF [a standard of interoperability] devices will always work well together.” Ami Amir, executive VP, DVTEL
Test The Power Of PoE — “Making sure the PoE [Power over Ethernet] switch you choose will provide enough power to all connected devices is key, yet something often overlooked. If there’s not enough power, then cameras will drop off or become unresponsive.” Vince Ricco, business development manager, technology partner program, Axis Communications