Major ‘enterprise’ users are beginning to specify IP CCTV exclusively when buying new systems. The advantages of IP become very obvious with any system that incorporates a large number of cameras.
The larger the installation, the more impressive the IP surveillance concept proves to be. IP CCTV invariably proves to be more competitive, and more impressive, with larger installations requiring higher levels of performance. The advantages seen in smaller installations are greatly magnified.
Scaleability is a key factor in leading major government and private sector organisations to specify IP solutions. This is increasingly common for projects involving hundreds of cameras, where operational efficiency and ongoing performance are seen as critical.
Monday, 4 October 2010
Monday, 27 September 2010
Myth No.19 ~ 'IP surveillance technology is unproven. If it is better, why are security integrators not offering more of these systems?'
All industries take time to adapt to step-changes in technology, because new skills have to be acquired. In reality, for a growing number of companies, IP CCTV is no longer ‘new’ – it is tried and tested.
The speed of take-up for IP surveillance has been dictated by the level of knowledge, skills and support in the security industry. This does not mean that there have been any problems with the performance or reliability of IP – change takes time.
Because IP CCTV is a new technology, it takes time for its potential to be fully realised and exploited – by security integrators, consultants, and decision-makers.
Ultimately, organisations will opt for IP CCTV because of the benefits it offers in cost saving and functionality. Quite simply, it offers a better return on investment.
The speed of take-up for IP surveillance has been dictated by the level of knowledge, skills and support in the security industry. This does not mean that there have been any problems with the performance or reliability of IP – change takes time.
Because IP CCTV is a new technology, it takes time for its potential to be fully realised and exploited – by security integrators, consultants, and decision-makers.
Ultimately, organisations will opt for IP CCTV because of the benefits it offers in cost saving and functionality. Quite simply, it offers a better return on investment.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Myth No.18 ~ 'DVRs are just as good as NVRs'
Although DVRs undoubtedly offered big advantages over old analogue video recorders, they were never perfect. The newly developed NVRs are superior to DVRs in several important ways.
The DVR is not an all-digital networked technology. Although it had many advantages over the old video cassette recorder, it still uses analogue cables, which can be expensive to run and which can distort image quality.
As mentioned previously, video images are degraded whenever an analogue signal is converted to a digital signal or vice versa. And, because there are fewer conversions involved, the digital signal transmitted directly via the network to a network video recorder is vastly superior to an analogue camera recording to a digital video recorder.
IP surveillance using NVRs gives users and installers all the advantages of a DVR, plus many more benefits. It is scaleable, from one to thousands of cameras in single camera increments (no 16-channel steps as with DVRs). And with much greater flexibility, you can choose any frame rate for any camera.
Because most premises are already wired with twisted-pair infrastructure, with IP CCTV the need for additional wiring is removed, or greatly reduced. A single IP network connecting and managing the data, video, voice etc. provides much greater efficiency.
Remote accessibility offers IP CCTV users huge operational advantages. Any live or recorded video stream can be securely accessed and controlled from any location, worldwide, over wired or wireless networks.
In many cases, an IP surveillance system has proved to be less expensive than an analogue solution. With open and standard network, server and storage hardware, there is more competitive choice for buyers. The costs of installation and maintenance can also be reduced.
The DVR is not an all-digital networked technology. Although it had many advantages over the old video cassette recorder, it still uses analogue cables, which can be expensive to run and which can distort image quality.
As mentioned previously, video images are degraded whenever an analogue signal is converted to a digital signal or vice versa. And, because there are fewer conversions involved, the digital signal transmitted directly via the network to a network video recorder is vastly superior to an analogue camera recording to a digital video recorder.
IP surveillance using NVRs gives users and installers all the advantages of a DVR, plus many more benefits. It is scaleable, from one to thousands of cameras in single camera increments (no 16-channel steps as with DVRs). And with much greater flexibility, you can choose any frame rate for any camera.
Because most premises are already wired with twisted-pair infrastructure, with IP CCTV the need for additional wiring is removed, or greatly reduced. A single IP network connecting and managing the data, video, voice etc. provides much greater efficiency.
Remote accessibility offers IP CCTV users huge operational advantages. Any live or recorded video stream can be securely accessed and controlled from any location, worldwide, over wired or wireless networks.
In many cases, an IP surveillance system has proved to be less expensive than an analogue solution. With open and standard network, server and storage hardware, there is more competitive choice for buyers. The costs of installation and maintenance can also be reduced.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Myth No.17 ~ 'You can't put IP cameras outside'
Purpose-made, ruggedised IP cameras are now available that are specifically designed for external use. In addition, older analogue external cameras can also be added to IP systems.
Housings and other enclosures of electrical equipment have an ingress protection (the other IP!)rating that classifies their degree of protection from the environment. By assigning different number codes, the product’s degree of protection can be identified quickly and easily. In the code IP 54, for example, IP identifies the standard, the 5 describes the level of protection from solid objects, and 4 describes the level of protection from liquids. The higher the number, the better the environmental protection, and housings and enclosures for external use should have a rating of IP 65 or higher.
The CCTV industry has massive experience of manufacturing and installing cameras for outdoor
use, and there are literally millions of static and PTZ analogue cameras in current operation in external applications. One way to add rugged external cameras to an IP network effectively is to feed existing analogue cameras to a video server that then connects to a switch on the new IP network.
In addition to using existing analogue cameras and a video server, the CCTV industry is starting to manufacturer network cameras for external use. These cameras and domes are designed for IP applications with the correct levels of environmental protection. Because they are purpose-built, they are more attractive than indoor IP cameras and domes fitted into an external housing.
Housings and other enclosures of electrical equipment have an ingress protection (the other IP!)rating that classifies their degree of protection from the environment. By assigning different number codes, the product’s degree of protection can be identified quickly and easily. In the code IP 54, for example, IP identifies the standard, the 5 describes the level of protection from solid objects, and 4 describes the level of protection from liquids. The higher the number, the better the environmental protection, and housings and enclosures for external use should have a rating of IP 65 or higher.
The CCTV industry has massive experience of manufacturing and installing cameras for outdoor
use, and there are literally millions of static and PTZ analogue cameras in current operation in external applications. One way to add rugged external cameras to an IP network effectively is to feed existing analogue cameras to a video server that then connects to a switch on the new IP network.
In addition to using existing analogue cameras and a video server, the CCTV industry is starting to manufacturer network cameras for external use. These cameras and domes are designed for IP applications with the correct levels of environmental protection. Because they are purpose-built, they are more attractive than indoor IP cameras and domes fitted into an external housing.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Myth No.16 ~ 'Transmission distances are limited'
A range of transmission options can now be used that allow any distance limitations to be overcome.
Category 5 cable (known as Cat 5) is a twisted-pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. On many sites it has now been superceded by the Category 5e specification, an enhanced version (though it is often still called Cat 5). Cat 5e is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet. Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable
distances than Cat 5 for Ethernet networks, and cables are still limited to a maximum length of 100 m (328 ft). Category 6 cable (Cat 6) is designed for Gigabit Ethernet and is backward-compatible with category 5/5e. Cat 6 features more stringent specifications for cross-talk and system noise. It is suitable for 10BASET / 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet). It is expected to suit the 10GBASE-T (10Gigabit Ethernet), although with limitations on length if unshielded Cat 6 cable is used. The maximum length of a Cat-6 horizontal cable should be 100 m (330 ft).
It is possible to run Ethernet data over coaxial cable using cost-effective adapters to convert the signal for coaxial cable transmission. This method is often
used on legacy sites where existing coaxial cables for CCTV have already been installed. By combining Cat 5 twisted-pair cable and RG59 coaxial cable, transmission distances of up to 350 m can be achieved.
Using fibre optic cable is the best way to extend transmission distances, particularly when legacy cable is not available. Choose ruggedised, professional transmitters and receivers to convert the signals for fibre transmission, and look for well-made products that combine network switching with media conversion.
Multi-mode fibre is a type of optical fibre mostly used for communication over shorter distances, such as within a building or on a campus. Multi-mode fibers support applications from 10 Mbit/s to10 Gbit/s over link lengths of up to 4 km - more than sufficient for most premises applications.
The trend, however, for Ethernet applications is to use the more precise single-mode optical fibre solution. Transmission distances of up to 40 km are achievable for a relatively small increase in equipment costs.
This has the additional advantage of being electrically inert, and is immune to electromagnetic interference. The traditional coaxial cables used in analogue CCTV systems could be plagued with interference problems, particularly on large sites with earth loops, different electrical phases, and often heavy electrical plant, all combining to cause signal interference and image deterioration. Optical fibre is not affected by any of these problems.
Category 5 cable (known as Cat 5) is a twisted-pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. On many sites it has now been superceded by the Category 5e specification, an enhanced version (though it is often still called Cat 5). Cat 5e is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet. Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable
distances than Cat 5 for Ethernet networks, and cables are still limited to a maximum length of 100 m (328 ft). Category 6 cable (Cat 6) is designed for Gigabit Ethernet and is backward-compatible with category 5/5e. Cat 6 features more stringent specifications for cross-talk and system noise. It is suitable for 10BASET / 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet). It is expected to suit the 10GBASE-T (10Gigabit Ethernet), although with limitations on length if unshielded Cat 6 cable is used. The maximum length of a Cat-6 horizontal cable should be 100 m (330 ft).
It is possible to run Ethernet data over coaxial cable using cost-effective adapters to convert the signal for coaxial cable transmission. This method is often
used on legacy sites where existing coaxial cables for CCTV have already been installed. By combining Cat 5 twisted-pair cable and RG59 coaxial cable, transmission distances of up to 350 m can be achieved.
Using fibre optic cable is the best way to extend transmission distances, particularly when legacy cable is not available. Choose ruggedised, professional transmitters and receivers to convert the signals for fibre transmission, and look for well-made products that combine network switching with media conversion.
Multi-mode fibre is a type of optical fibre mostly used for communication over shorter distances, such as within a building or on a campus. Multi-mode fibers support applications from 10 Mbit/s to10 Gbit/s over link lengths of up to 4 km - more than sufficient for most premises applications.
The trend, however, for Ethernet applications is to use the more precise single-mode optical fibre solution. Transmission distances of up to 40 km are achievable for a relatively small increase in equipment costs.
This has the additional advantage of being electrically inert, and is immune to electromagnetic interference. The traditional coaxial cables used in analogue CCTV systems could be plagued with interference problems, particularly on large sites with earth loops, different electrical phases, and often heavy electrical plant, all combining to cause signal interference and image deterioration. Optical fibre is not affected by any of these problems.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Myth No.15 ~ 'IP is only a small part of the CCTV market'
The balance of the CCTV market is changing rapidly in favour of IP. Global manufacturers are now focusing all their efforts on IP rather than analogue.
The number of IP surveillance installs is growing rapidly, as is the number of integrators and distributors focusing on IP. There can be little doubt that the installed base, and infrastructure to support it, will soon escalate dramatically.
Why hasn’t take up been quicker? Simple market forces (not least the investment by manufacturers in earlier equipment) always act to slow the spread of new technologies. Knowledge, skills and support among system designers and installers also have to be built up. It takes time for any entrenched technology to be superceded. With this in mind, it is remarkable how quickly IP CCTV has spread.
As further proof, look at how much major corporations are now focusing on, and investing in, the networked security market, including IBM and Cisco. They will help to drive and educate the market. Consider also electronic giant Panasonic which has been a global leader in CCTV systems since the 1960s. Panasonic no longer undertakes research and development in analogue CCTV, and has committed its entire massive CCTV R&D budget to IP products and systems.
The number of IP surveillance installs is growing rapidly, as is the number of integrators and distributors focusing on IP. There can be little doubt that the installed base, and infrastructure to support it, will soon escalate dramatically.
Why hasn’t take up been quicker? Simple market forces (not least the investment by manufacturers in earlier equipment) always act to slow the spread of new technologies. Knowledge, skills and support among system designers and installers also have to be built up. It takes time for any entrenched technology to be superceded. With this in mind, it is remarkable how quickly IP CCTV has spread.
As further proof, look at how much major corporations are now focusing on, and investing in, the networked security market, including IBM and Cisco. They will help to drive and educate the market. Consider also electronic giant Panasonic which has been a global leader in CCTV systems since the 1960s. Panasonic no longer undertakes research and development in analogue CCTV, and has committed its entire massive CCTV R&D budget to IP products and systems.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Myth No.14 ~ 'Upgrading IP systems is difficult and expensive'
It has become very common for analogue CCTV systems to be converted to digital, stage by stage. This is now a well-trodden path and it allows end-users to keep their existing hardware – from cameras to coaxial cable – and so reduce their costs.
End-users have often made a significant investment in analogue CCTV, and so not surprisingly opt for a phased transition to IP. They want solutions that combine both analogue and digital security technologies where possible.
Benefits such as remote accessibility, scaleability and cost-effectiveness can be achieved by integrating existing analogue equipment with products that provide the functionality of a digital system. In fact, nearly every analogue system - even the smallest – can potentially benefit from integration with digital technology.
Video servers enable existing analogue cameras to be put on to an IP network. In effect, converted analogue images can be sent over an Ethernet/IP network and viewed in the same way as video from networked IP cameras.
Sites looking to upgrade to IP technology will often have existing coaxial cable in place. Where this is the case, adapters can be used to run Ethernet data and power cost-effectively over the coaxial cable. IPSEC 2007 award winner Technetix, for example, states that “You can upgrade your existing analogue CCTV network to IP capability and reduce your installation costs and operational disturbance in the blink of an eye” with its adapt-x range of products.
End-users have often made a significant investment in analogue CCTV, and so not surprisingly opt for a phased transition to IP. They want solutions that combine both analogue and digital security technologies where possible.
Benefits such as remote accessibility, scaleability and cost-effectiveness can be achieved by integrating existing analogue equipment with products that provide the functionality of a digital system. In fact, nearly every analogue system - even the smallest – can potentially benefit from integration with digital technology.
Video servers enable existing analogue cameras to be put on to an IP network. In effect, converted analogue images can be sent over an Ethernet/IP network and viewed in the same way as video from networked IP cameras.
Sites looking to upgrade to IP technology will often have existing coaxial cable in place. Where this is the case, adapters can be used to run Ethernet data and power cost-effectively over the coaxial cable. IPSEC 2007 award winner Technetix, for example, states that “You can upgrade your existing analogue CCTV network to IP capability and reduce your installation costs and operational disturbance in the blink of an eye” with its adapt-x range of products.
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