IP video technology proved to be beneficial for organizations
Switching to IP technology can be a difficult though to think about, let alone implement, especially if one ponders on the vast investment that companies have made in analog security utilities. On the other hand, there are ways to improve existing analog technology while making the switch to IP technology. The reality of the fact is that there are countless issues to take into consideration when choosing the type of network on which to operate an IP video interface.
It is more than obvious that the most efficient and effective solution will greatly depend on the type of settings the cameras will be surveying, the standard of security required to protect the security images, the flexibility required for relocating cameras from one location to another as well as bandwidth demands, all of which affect the ownership's total price. On the other hand, a number of organizations will require more flexibility in regards to transferring the security cameras from place to place within a property. These sorts of demands are best addressed through a wireless network deployment.
Similarly, wired Ethernet environment utilizing an advanced camera and superior compression scheme will be much suitable for the other surveillance environments that may demand the capture of very fine details and need safeguards against hacking and other intrusions and breaches.
All of these concerns require that both security and IT managers work hand in hand to enhance the performance and protect the reliability of security interfaces.
Ethernet and Wiring
The most widespread choice for running IP-based solutions lies in wired Ethernet. Due to the fact that this new technology enables organizations to enhance their existing network, it has recently become a popular and common option. Time and again, the wired Ethernet infrastructure already is deployed or planned for a property where there is substantial labor and material fees related to other options such as a physical cable running in the facility. Furthermore, the managers of the building simply use a standard cabling package such as Cat6E instead of having to run power or coax cable.
Upon the successful deployment and utilization of a wired Ethernet system, a security administrator has the ability to run power to the device over a network cable without an isolated power source to a PoE-enabled utility.
Although this is obviously a cost-effective alternative, organizations must also be aware of the network's common restrictions. This is chiefly significant if one network is being utilized by numerous facilities. Organizations and companies that utilize Ethernet must decide whether to separate their video network from their corporate network, due to the fact that the video files can be quite big. This becomes significant because if these files are broadcasted on the same network, they may affect the other business functions such as e-mail and other interfaces that can have a negative result on performance, mainly during the daily office hours where the vast majority of the workers and employees would need to finish their assignments fast before the approach of preset deadlines. The manager of a security system can gain complete control over how much video can be sent and when through the establishment of a dedicated portion of the network for video surveillance necessities. Through the utilization of modern routers or L3 switch technology this can be easily achieved.
Choosing the right compression layouts for peripheral devices constitutes another consideration in equipping video to function on wired Ethernet. During the process of designing and building a particular system, the company should assess a wide range of compression methods, such as common MJPEG or MPEG-4, or the more security-tailored compression of active content; this is simply because the type of compression used will have substantial effect on bandwidth requirements.
On the other hand, the patented American Dynamics ACC was built particularly for security utilities and can differentiate between video noise and true motion which is not where close to MPEG-4 and MJPEG functions. Believe it or not, this alone enables the images to be compressed into a file that is one-ninth the size of what it could have been if it was compressed using the techniques of MPEG-4 technology. This translates to the usage of far less disk space and less network bandwidth when transferring images since the size of the file is significantly reduced.
In addition to that, take into consideration the standard of security offered by the video files. As an example, due to the fact that each image is given a unique identification stamp, many of the recording formats, such as those supplied by the ACC technology, provide more secure files. Any effort to modify or overwrite the image will make the visual footage not viewable. On the other hand, the other uniform file formats are much easier to modify, which result in numerous questions on the validity of the recorded visual footage.
Unwired Ethernet Technology
It is more than obvious that wireless Ethernet has many advantages and benefits, however the technology still maintains its hurdles and restrictions. Flexibility is granted by wireless networks for moving cameras from one location to the other. To clarify, in order to avoid tripping on the running cable or exposing the cameras' locations the retailers can easily move concealed cameras from place to place as needed or even position the cameras in a parking lot. On the other hand, a separate power source is still required to sustain a wireless networks. Not to mention that, there also is an extra security worry in that intruders can more easily tap into the feed of the video footage. Hackers can easily pick up the wireless frequency through sniffing the network if the proper security settings were not carried out.
Bandwidth makes up the other issue of concern when dealing with wireless Ethernet. An entire gigabit connection (or more on fiber) is usually granted for Wired Ethernet, however, whereas wireless is more much more restricted. The speed at which the files are transferred as well as the size of the video files that are able to run over the network are both affected by this lower bandwidth. Although it is true that wireless standards are enhancing on a steady pace, they, nevertheless, are still not ideal for high-security settings. Unless they are carefully laid out from the start, the wireless networks are likely not the best choice in highly active environments with multiple cameras.
Taken as a whole, wireless Ethernet is a good alternative for low-volume scenarios where there is no infrastructure to support cabling or when flexibility of movement is demand. Wired Ethernet is greatly needed in high-volume, high-throughput settings, not to mention that the patrons should think about deploying wireless Ethernet technology solely in locations where they can implement proper security measures in order to ensure only approved access to the wireless interface. You might now ask: what do I now need after making a decision on the network?
Choice of Security Devices
Intent Protocol security cameras (or IP cameras). IP cameras connect directly to the network Regardless of whether you are using wireless or wired utilities. This is practically the simplest way to achieve an IP solution due to the fact that there is no device between the camera and the storage unit. Although the cost of IP cameras has been remarkably lowered, they are still not entirely comparable when it comes to speed, functionality as well as price to their more advanced analog relatives.
To the consumer's delight, the near future of IP secures the vision of advanced image quality with the incorporation of mega pixel surveillance cameras technology. Everyone is familiar with the fact that the traditional analog technology maintains a maximum resolution of only 4 CIF. However, the IP technology allows for the transference of even larger formats and higher quality footages. This is predominantly imperative for high-security deployments, such as high-end retail stores as well as casinos that, most of the time, demand megapixel cameras in order to bring up the fine details of a card in a player's hand or the identifying characteristics of a person's face, for instance. No to mention that many of these cameras are also are being installed at ports in order to record footages over a long distance and zoom in on the minute aspects of an image. Due to the fact that the IP technology enables multiple video streams to be broadcasted over a single cable, bigger interfaces may consider IP to be a more cost-effective alternative. However for the time being, the analog devices still offers enhanced performance and economy for average size applications.
The IP encoders
As a temporary move, the vast majority of companies go for for IP encoders. These devices are particularly interesting due to the fact that they reside in between analog devices and the network, with the main task of converting the coming analog signals to IP ones. This enables the company to essentially take advantage of the benefits of IP while still utilizing the investment that they previously made in analog solutions. Through using this layout, the companies can attain the benefits of utilizing the network instantly and require less of an investment in cabling if needed in the coming future.
This will most defiantly be a feasible alternative for a good number of companies that are looking to take advantage of an IP system while still dealing with the price of transitioning to IP cameras over an extended time period.
Network Storage Units
The vast majority of security systems are now integrating network storage devices where more than a few DVRs connect into the same separate, general storage network.
When choosing a network storage device, the IT as well as Security administrators should seriously think about how much video they have to store and for what length of time. For instance a small corporate environment might only need minimal demands to get the job done while a casino, on the other hand, that has numerous security cameras is likely to need a good amount of separate storage that can be transmitted to a digital video management system.
Price Benefits
It is common knowledge now that the wired Ethernet technology provides numerous cost benefits and is greatly preferred for high-activity cases or events. The technology of wireless Ethernet is an excellent alterative for environments with low numbers of cameras that need to be moved around to various locations. Nevertheless, one can not stress enough the importance of deploying the proper security measures in order to hinder access to video feeds that is illegal or unauthorized. Although it is true that IP security cameras are not yet as advanced or capable as analog solutions, they still provide tremendous scalability and are a wise investment for those looking to take advantage of the new features.
As a temporary stage between the use of analog and the endorsement of an IP system, IP encoders provide a fair alternative to benefit from IP now, while persisting to enhance the investment made in an analog solution.
In spite of the choice between wired or wireless Ethernet technology, IP cameras or IP encoders, compression layout considerations are very important in addressing the network effect and rapidity with which the visual information passes through the server.
Companies that are concerned about their security and safety should always keep an eye on the latest security technology devices and solution to guarantee that their security and surveillance preparations are up to date and ready for any unexpected criminal or dangerous situation that may arise in the future.
IP video technologyvideo interface bandwidth security images wireless network cameras Ethernet compression wired Cat6E coax cable PoE files L3 switch surveillance MPEG-4 MJPEG wireless Storage DVR IT digital video encoders server
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