GP Digital Surveillance Solutions - IP Intelligent Video Security Cameras Digital Advantages

Our customers demand digital surveillance efficiency and maximum flexibility with the highest possible return on their investment. Functionalities of an IP-based video surveillance system give us the tools to make it possible to deliver the product that they need.

We present to you the key differences between the old analog video and the new IP network video surveillance technology.
We also outline the advantages of the new technology.

End to Interlaced Video Problems

Interlaced video captured by analog CCTV cameras provides blurry image formed from two interlace fields especially noticeable at capturing moving objects, even when connected to a DVR. Progressive scan video captured by digital IP cameras provide superior, crystal clear image even with fast motion in the scene. Axis network cameras provide superior image quality, full image details with precise and accurate information compared to analog video cameras.

Driver of this vehicle can only be identified from progressive scan image captured by IP network camera.

Progressive Scan	Interlaced Scan	2CIF (with 'line doubling')
Captured by AXIS 211 network camera	Captured by Analog CCTV cameras	Captured by DVRs (to improve quality)

Progressive Scan Details	Interlaced Scan Details	2CIF Details

Video surveillance industry has now expanded its horizons with higher video resolutions. This is a very important factor for surveillance applications, where a high-resolution image captures more detail, covers larger area, and can be used to identify perpetrators. Video resolution is no longer limited to 4CIF 704 x 480 (0.4 megapixel) the maximum possible resolution of analog cameras, which are incapable of achieving such resolutions. The new standard of video resolution for surveillance applications is now the megapixel resolution, which starts at common resolution of 1280 x 1024 (1.3 megapixel (Axis 207M or 211M – 3 times higher than analog cameras) and can reach as high as 1600 x 1200 (2.0 Megapixel) for our Axis 223M camera and higher. Resolution of only 1280 x 1024 provides video quality similar to the video provided by your Blue-Ray DVD player or digital satellite broadcast at 720p HD.

PoE – Power-over-Ethernet capability of IP cameras is a great feature that minimizes the use of multiple cable runs to network cameras. It enables power to be delivered to the network cameras through the same Cat5 cable that the data is transferred. It enables us to bring the IP video to areas where it might have not been practical or feasible. Sometimes, traditional AC power wiring is not available or easy to install. PoE minimizes the costs and need for dedicated electrical installation and additional electrical circuits to power the cameras. It eliminates the need for power outlets at the camera locations. All power to the cameras can be backed up using UPS at a central location, in case of a power outage all the cameras are still running and powered by the UPS unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

One of analog cameras and CCTV system’s disadvantages is that they record far too much video for anyone to manually search through for specific events. Network cameras with their built in processors can intelligently analyze motion detection and alarm management. They can actually decide when to transmit and record video, when to send automatic alerts, and at what frame rate (quality level) to record specific events. For example, network IP camera can be set to identify detected motion in an office at 1 PM as normal. However, at 2 AM the camera will identify any motion as abnormal and trigger an alarm – record video, send an email, trigger siren alarm, or turn on all the lights at the office. Built-in camera analytics eliminate the shortage of computing power of digital video recorders or recording servers for analyzing many video channels in real time. This functionality enables the recording servers to use minimum resources; therefore, allowing the same computer system to be used for other tasks. Open platform cameras like Axis cameras allow to program the cameras for specific image analysis such as license plate recognition, or counting the number of people or cars passing through an area.

Wireless security cameras – are cameras using 802.11g standard and as the name implies they do not need wires to transmit video footage to the recording device. Wireless cameras are easy to install and offer great convenience and flexibility. Wireless cameras allow us to install cameras in places where it was never possible to pull a cable connection. Homes and small businesses are the two top industries where wireless installations are very popular among our customers. Wireless is especially useful in business buildings and residential homes where installation of cables would not be possible without damaging the interior, or within a facility where there is a need to constantly move the cameras around to new locations. Another great use is to bridge two buildings or sites together without the need for expensive and complex ground works.

In an analog system audio is not possible without using a separate microphone and audio wiring running from the camera/microphone to the DVR. Network camera solves this problem by way of integrating a microphone right into it and capturing audio at the camera level, synchronizing it with the video or even integrating it into the same stream. Most network cameras allow for two-way audio communication making it possible to interact with the surveillance scene. Monitoring person can for example inform possible perpetrators that they are under surveillance and listen in on the situation. Audio in network cameras can also be used as an independent detection method, which triggers video recordings and alarms when audio level goes beyond certain threshold.

By using built-in two-way audio and integrated digital inputs and outputs that are manageable over the network
, an IP camera can provide a total solution for digital access control. For example: communicating or opening a door remotely

Analog PTZ cameras require separate cabling to control camera’s pan/tilt/zoom movement functions, which makes analog installation costly and cumbersome. Network camera technology enables PTZ control over the same network (and Cat5 cable) that the video is transported. Network cameras also integrate input and output control signals such as alarms and controlling locks that are manageable over the network. This all adds up to a great cost effective and flexible infrastructure that enables integration with access control systems, building management systems (BMS), and other industrial control systems.

In an analog system the video signal is transported over a coax cable without any encryption or authentication, making it unsecure and possible for the video stream to be tapped onto. Network camera and IP video surveillance systems can encrypt the video stream that is sent over the network to ensure it cannot be viewed or tampered with. The system can also be setup to authenticate the connection using user name and passwords as well as encrypted certificates that only accept a specific user.. Privacy in IP digital network can be achieved in two of the more commonly used methods:

VPN (Virtual Private Network) where a secure tunnel between the end points is created. Only devices with the correct key will be able to work within the VPN. This is a common way of securely connecting different sites and network devices over the Internet.

SSL/TLS is another way of applying encryption to the data itself. In this case there is no secure tunnel created by VPN, but actual data sent is secure. Several different encryption techniques are available like SSL, WEP, and WPA. When using SSL, also known as HTTPS, the device or computer will install a certificate into the unit, which can be issued locally by the user or third party certification body. WEP and WPA (WiFi Protected Access) are both being used in wireless networks. In our installations we only use WPA since it is a more advanced encryption protocol that solves the flaws of WEP method. WPA adds encryption to the communication and prevents people without the correct key to access the network. For even higher security WPA2 can be used and is the best encryption available for wireless networks today.

In an analog camera the sensor generates an analog signal that is digitized by an A/D converter to make image improving functions in a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) possible. Signal is then converted back to analog to be transported over coax cable to the DVR. At the DVR the signal is once again digitized for storing on a hard drive. This process makes a total of three conversions and image quality is lost every time due to the conversion and compression. Image quality degradation also occurs during the transport of analog video over coax due to signal noise. In the network camera system, images are digitized once and stay in a digital format while being transported. Video quality in a digital system is superior due to the advanced compression standards like Motion JPEG, MPEG-4 and latest H.263 used by the camera to compress and convert the image to digital format at the camera level.

With the significant enhancement in technology, one would expect that the cost of a network surveillance system would be considerably higher than that of an analog system. While the initial price for a network camera can in fact be higher, the total cost of ownership of an entire system can actually be lower than an analog system anchored by a DVR. This lower total cost for the network camera system is mainly a result of back end applications and storage that can be run on industry standard, open systems-based servers, and not on proprietary solution like a DVR. This radically reduces management and equipment costs, in particular for larger systems where storage and servers are a significant portion of the total solution cost. Additional cost savings come from the infrastructure used. IP-based networks such as the Internet, LANs and various connection methods such as wireless can be leveraged for other applications across the organization and are much less expensive alternatives than traditional coax and fiber.

Advantages of Digital Video Surveillance Cameras

End to Interlaced Video Problems