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The IP Network Video System

The world is undergoing an explosion in demand for video surveillance systems due to increased security concerns in a post 9/11 world, and the emergence of an enabling technology called IP Network Video. To put it simply, an IP Network Video System (or Network Video System) combines the Internet with intelligent digital video cameras and hard disk recording. This combination allows users to monitor and record video streams over IP networks providing many benefits over traditional CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) systems. In addition, it has enabled a myriad of new applications for remotely viewed video. The benefits are so great that IP Network Video systems will soon replace CCTV as the standard for security, surveillance and remote monitoring.


The Evolution of the Network Video System

To understand IP Network Video it is useful to understand the evolution from purely analog CCTV systems, to purely digital Network Video systems that use Network Cameras (IP Cameras) to generate the video stream, IP networks for video transport and industry standard PC's to remotely view, manage and record the video generated.


Pure Analog CCTV

CCTV systems were originally composed of analog cameras connected to VCR's on a one to one basis via point to point coaxial cables for each camera, with one TV monitor per camera. Separate cables were required for alarm in/out and camera control. Cabling costs were enormous with purely analog CCTV systems due to the point to point nature of the connections, and the additional cables required for alarm in/out and camera control. Image quality was also subject to deterioration as cable lengths grew.

The use of analog VCR's for video management - although state of the art at the time - also added to the cost and effectiveness of CCTV systems. First there was the problem of remembering to change a tape for every camera every eight hours. Then there was the problem of storing the tape in an environment that would not lead to further deterioration of the images, whose resolution was already quite low due to the nature magnetic tape. Finally, there was the issue of having to manually fast forward and rewind to search for a particular time or event. All of these problems added cost in the form of personnel to manage these analog systems.

Another problem with analog CCTV systems was that the actual monitoring of live video increased in difficulty as the number of cameras and monitors grew. Everyone has seen instances of a bank of monitors being viewed by one person and - given the human attention span - it can be imagined how effective it would be to monitor the output from one camera for an eight hour shift, let alone the images from a bank of video images.

Needless to say the entire process from monitoring, to search, to tape management was very inefficient in the purely analog CCTV environment, but it was the best solution available at the time. It's important to add that the entire CCTV system was managed and maintained by the Physical Security Department in larger organizations.

Many systems today remain purely analog CCTV systems.


The Rise of the DVR

The introduction of the DVR (Digital Video Recorder) greatly improved the efficiency of the video management portion of the CCTV system. Replacing only the VCR, the DVR digitized, compressed and stored the video on a hard disk. This hard disk storage eliminated the problems with of tape management as tapes were no longer changed or stored. It also solved the search problem associated with tapes, as the recorded video could now be searched by time and/or event, resulting in enormous time savings. Image quality was also no longer subject deterioration once it was digitized and saved to hard disk.

However, scalability - the ability to grow the system - remained a problem with DVR's. Typically, 4, 9 or 16 cameras could be multiplexed into one DVR with multiple DVR's required beyond 16 cameras. Hard disks also would require archiving as disks became full, however the hard disks would hold days of recording before archiving was required. Finally, the DVR's used proprietary hardware/software adding to purchase and support costs, and were stand alone systems.

All of the other problems associated with cabling and monitoring remain, but the introduction of the DVR was a step into the digital world and was a huge improvement over the purely analog CCTV system.

The video systems were still managed by the Physical Security Department in larger organizations, but elements of the Information Systems (IS) world were starting to be introduced.


One More Step with the NVR

Next, the DVR was replaced with an NVR (Network Video Recorder). Building on the DVR, the NVR allowed connection to IP based networks making live and recorded images viewable from any PC in the network. This remote monitoring functionality greatly enhances the video systems functionality and flexibility.

Scalability remains a problem. As with DVR's, NVR's can have a maximum of 16 cameras directly connected, so multiple NVR's are required past 16 cameras. Disk space is also limited to that which ships in the system and can usually not be increased, although this problem is starting to be addressed with newer NVR offerings. NVR's are hardware/software solutions proprietary to each NVR manufacturer and do not run on an industry standard Wintel (Windows/Intel) platform. Thus, support knowledge is specialized to each DVR manufacturer, so companies cannot draw on the Wintel knowledge generally available within their existing organization. In addition, proprietary NVR solutions are more expensive than those that are available on a Wintel platform. Finally, the cabling cost issue remains as the cameras are still analog.

The introduction of the NVR is another step into the digital world with recorder connection to IP networks allowing remote viewing.

IS now directly involved because the NVR's are connected to their network and thus the struggle has begun over who controls the Video System - Physical Security or IS.


Network Cameras - The Final Piece of the Network Video Puzzle

The introduction of the IP Network Camera (usually referred to as Network Cameras or IP Cameras) has led to true Network Video Systems. These system are digital from end to end with Network Cameras capturing and transmitting the video, IP Networks carrying the video, with viewing, management and recording accomplished on industry standard Wintel Personal Computers.

Network Cameras

An IP Network Camera is a digital video camera with a computer processor and a web server built-in (making it web addressable), so the camera can connect directly to an IP network without being attached directly to a PC. IP addressability means the video stream can be remotely viewed from anywhere in the world via a standard web browser. A to D conversion and video compression are performed in the IP Camera with video transmission to authorized users over IP Networks. Network Camera settings can be managed - and the resulting video stream recorded - over the network to PC's running recording software. This software often comes bundled with IP Cameras or is available from third party developers.

Network Camera features can include wireless communication, two-way audio, alarm sensors and motion detection. Recording can be continuous, time or event driven. The motion detection feature will trigger still image capture and send the results via e-mail or to an FTP location. Frame buffering will collect and save images for a period before an alarm is tripped.

Recent software developments referred to as Video Analytics or Intelligent Video allow certain Network Cameras to perform object tracking, people counting, and detection of a host of other events and activities including stopped vehicles, unattended baggage, perimeter breaches, loitering and theft. Detection of these events based on user defined rules, generates real time alerts or triggers other applications.

Reduced Cabling Costs

Cabling costs with Network Cameras has been drastically reduced as compared to analog CCTV cameras, as connections no longer require one coaxial cable from each camera back to the recording device. Additional point to point cables are also not required for camera control or alarm in/out. Connections are now accomplished through inexpensive RJ45 cabling, one of which can forward images from hundreds of network cameras simultaneously. Most organizations already have RJ45 network cabling in place so Network cameras are simply attached to existing infrastructure.

A technology called Power over Ethernet (POE) even allows the camera to be powered over the RJ45 cable eliminating the need for electricity at every camera location. The availability of many Wireless IP Cameras further reduces cabling costs and complexity.

Image Quality

Once the digital images are created using MPEG-4 or MJPEG compression algorithms, they are not subject to deterioration either in transmission or storage, as is the case with analog CCTV solutions. In addition, Network Camera specifications have now caught up and surpassed those of analog CCTV cameras.

Scalability

Scalability is as easy as adding more Network Cameras or extra storage. Adding cables is relatively easy and inexpensive - if required at all. Additional NVR's do not need to be added after 16 cameras or when extra storage capacity is required.

The use of industry standard Wintel PC's instead of proprietary NVR's for video recording and storage, allows organizations to leverage the knowledge - and perhaps excess hardware capacity - already available. In addition, Wintel hardware is less expensive than proprietary NVR solutions. Finally, adherence to industry standards allows integration with other applications today and in the future

Improved Efficiency

In addition to the hard cost savings due to cabling and ease of scalability, Network Video Systems improve the efficiency of operating video surveillance systems. The ability not only to monitor but also to manage Network Cameras located anywhere in the world from any PC - and record their video to any PC in the network - is very efficient. This ability to monitor, manage and record a large number of remote sites from one central location, means the recording and monitoring hardware and manpower involved in CCTV systems does not have to be duplicated at each remote site. Huge savings can result from eliminating this duplication.

Adding to the cost savings is the reduction in time and resources spent monitoring, managing and maintaining Network Video Systems due to the many automated features available with IP Cameras. Motion Detection, automated recording and emerging Video Analytics, all reduce the manpower involved in monitoring and operating the surveillance systems.

Improved Effectiveness

Finally, Network Video Systems are much more effective at providing security than traditional CCTV systems. The automated and advanced features of Network Cameras mentioned earlier allow for better analysis, and provide real-time feedback for improved and timelier decisions, leading to more effective security operations.

More than Just Security

The simplicity and low cost of IP Network Video Systems has opened up numerous new applications for Video Surveillance and Remote Monitoring Systems beyond their traditional use for property security. These applications include:

This list is continually expanding as people find imaginative applications for Network Video Systems that are not possible with CCTV systems.


The Battles Begin

IP Network Video will be the standard for video security, surveillance and remote monitoring in the not to distant future. There is no question that this conversion will occur due to the overwhelming benefits of Network Video. Slowing adoption is a couple of battles taking place in the market.

The first battle is within organizations themselves. Now that video is a purely digital application with the advent of Network Video, IS departments are the logical people to be responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of Network Video Systems. They have the skills to manage PC based applications and - most importantly - they own the Network. However, security departments will not give in without a fight. Eventually, the Security Departments in organizations will be folded into IS Departments but until this occurs the Physical Security guys will resist moving to the digital world of Network Video.

The second battle is occurring between traditional CCTV Integrators and IS integrators. Traditional CCTV Integrators know little about PC platforms or IP Networks and their reluctance to develop the skills necessary for Network Video is slowing market penetration for Network Cameras. CCTV Integrators will either take heed of the paradigm shift occurring and develop the necessary skill to compete, or fall by the wayside.

Simultaneous with the CCTV integrators failure to enthusiastically embrace this new technology, is the slow realization by Computer Integrators that Network Video is a growth market for them. They have all the skills necessary for success in Network Video, the most important being IP Network and Wintel platform experience. Proof of the interest in Network Video by Computer Integrators is the aggressive move by IBM and Cisco into this market.


Conclusion

Video surveillance systems have evolved from analog CCTV systems requiring miles of cables and banks of VCR's and monitors, to fully digital IP Network Video Systems. These Network Video Systems generate video using intelligent Network Cameras, use IP networks for video transmission and record video to hard disks on industry standard PC's located anywhere in the network. Network Video advantages over CCTV include remote viewing, management and recording from any PC, greatly reduced cabling costs, easy scalability, improved operating efficiency and - perhaps most importantly - improved security effectiveness due to advanced features. These benefits will make will make Network Video Systems the solution of choice as the market for video surveillance grows in the post 9/11 world.


About 4XEM Corporation

4XEM Corporation sells a range of Wired, Wireless, Pan & Tilt and Speed Dome IP Cameras and offers accessories such as Video Servers, Protective Enclosures, Lenses and Power over Ethernet. Free software for managing and recording up to 16 cameras is included with each camera along with free, live Technical Support. Many third party software packages are available for managing an unlimited number of 4XEM cameras. 4XEM products are available at Ingram Micro, D&H, Synnex, Tech Data, CDW and other leading distributors and retailers. For additional information about the 4XEM product line, please visit www.4XEM.com.