Wherever we look today, things are turning digital at an ever-faster pace, whether it is the television we watch, the radio we listen to or cameras we take our family snapshots with. The world of security and CCTV in particular is not immune from these changes, with the move from analog to digital gaining momentum as the very latest networked video over IP digital systems come on stream and innovations such as NetVu Connected allow the integration and control of systems on the ground, in the air on the move.
This technology really comes into its own on sites where video servers can be readily integrated into the existing computer infrastructure, using this as the transmission mechanism to distribute CCTV images across a LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network) to as many viewing terminals as are required - whatever their distance apart. End user demands for more cameras, more screens, remote viewing and bottom line economics are all playing their part in driving the take-up of distributed systems and opening up opportunities for installers who are ready to embrace this technology.
Never stop recording
Two of the critical issues that need to be considered when focusing on video over IP are where the recording actually takes place and how the demand on the IT network can be minimised.
The logical course of action with regards to recording is to go local, using the network as a transport mechanism to relay digitised and compressed images from the recording device to the viewing station, and, simultaneously, recording evidential JPEG quality images to the hard disk. The upshot of this is that even if the network goes down, systems will not stop recording so vital evidence can continue to be collected locally - something which could not happen if images from IP cameras are sent over the network for storage, in this case if the worst happens the whole process grids to a halt.
Distributed architectures with storage at the edge of the network are increasingly being acknowledged as the best option for professional CCTV solutions.
Local recording also reflects the fact that the cost of storage is falling faster than network bandwidth. In non-security applications it is the capability for local storage that wins through time and again, whether it is audio jukeboxes vs 3G phones or PCs vs mainframes/terminals.
Bandwidth management
For security professionals dealing with IT managers there will inevitably be concerns about the implication of dropping video servers into an organisation's computer network, including the fear that this will clog up the system with heavyweight images when the primary concern of a business - in the case of a bank - may be the effective transmission of financial transactions. Thankfully, with the introduction of MPEG-4 on hybrid systems such as our own DV-IP Server and latest Digital Sprite 2 - alongside local JPEG recording - the required transmission capacity can be effectively managed to avoid conflict with other business-critical functions. Applying a compression technique, designed specifically for low bandwidth environments, assists installers in allaying any concerns of those responsible for the network, and also offers the ability to deliver effective solutions without the need for an expensive upgrade of the existing IT infrastructure.
The message to any security professional who may be wary of video over IP solutions is that if you hold back you are liable to miss out on a major opportunity for your business. It is estimated that sales of digital systems will grow by a third over the next five years with a large proportion of that coming directly from network enabled solutions.
As a manufacturer, DM recognises that installers cannot operate in isolation and need effective support and training so they are in the best possible position to take advantage of this technology and deliver the right solution for their customers. It has to be very much a partnership.
The reality is that the latest, scaleable, networked video over IP security solutions are proving their worth for businesses with the ability to do away with tape management issues, deliver powerful databases and search facilities and integrate with existing IT networks.
On the ground, in the air and on the move
One of the latest developments in video over IP from a DM perspective is NetVu Connected software technology. Launched in January 2005 for DV-IP digital network video server products, this represents a landmark for us in terms of the technology we plan to use in future products. It has the potential, through guaranteed compatibility with supported systems, to unlock real business benefits for installers and end users.
Already, NetVu Connected technology from our parent company AD Group, has an impressive reach, embedded in a diverse portfolio of products, across a multitude of applications, on a global scale. It is the common software technology that drives CCTV systems employed in everything from national public transport to international passenger aircraft, from police cars in the UK to cash machines in the Middle East.
The rolling out of NetVu Connected is the logical next step for DM, which has been a strong advocate of network connectivity from the very beginning; in fact, every digital recorder brought to market has had an Ethernet port. The latest DV-IP products, based on the NetVu Connected software architecture unlock the real potential of IP connectivity, with scaleable solutions that encompass integrated video capture, recording, transmission and viewing.
NetVu Connected offers significant operational advantages through integration and control from a single user interface. The NetVu ObserVer video management software included with all NetVu Connected products is a sophisticated GUI (graphical user interface), featuring simple drag-and-drop set up, single and multiple display modes, powerful GOTO time and event capabilities, PTZ camera control and an advanced database editor with site plan support.
This single interface provides an intuitive viewing solution, allowing seamless access to distributed images from any NetVu Connected DVR, server or IP camera.
Viewing of both JPEG and MPEG-4 video streams is supported, allowing the user to minimise bandwidth demands on constrained networks. There is even a PDA viewer emphasising the flexibility of this core NetVu Connected technology approach, providing an additional viewing platform for users on the move.
To further expand the potential NetVu Connected user base, DM plans to release a software upgrade suitable for the vast majority of existing customers who want to capitalise on the benefits of a more distributed solution - an installed base that runs into six figures.
The ability of NetVu Connected systems such as DV-IP and the new DS2 to send and receive images from a diverse range of AD Group networked CCTV products ties-in with the company's vision for the future: 'Any camera, from any moment in time, on any screen, anywhere in the world', facilitated by NetVu Connected technology.
This has tremendous practical benefits for example at airports where systems on groundside vehicles, in planes and in terminals could provide a complete picture of the security environment.
Some idea of the impact of the NetVu Connected technology can be seen by the variety of products within which it is embedded: the DV-IP family - a range of server and viewing components designed for large-scale CCTV deployments; TransVu - a robust, ruggedised hard disk recording solution for mobile applications and FlightVu - an aerospace video security, safety and entertainment system.
The new generation DS2 - more than a DVR
The launch of DM's latest generation, new look, Digital Sprite 2 underlines the company's commitment to the expansion of NetVu Connected technology across DM systems.
As well as the obvious change in outward appearance with a re-designed case, the real developments of interest to security professionals are under the surface. The new DS2 range now features NetVu Connected compatibility as standard for network connectivity bringing it into line with DM's DV-IP products. Using advanced MPEG-4 transcoding technology, the DS2 has the ability to transmit high quality, low bit rate imagery for effective network operation in low bandwidth environments whilst simultaneously recording evidential JPEG video to its local hard disk. Other capabilities include: dial out on alarm, variable record rate per camera and, crucially, a maximum overall recording rate of 100 pictures per second.
The DS2 range of multiplex recorders has proven itself to be a versatile platform for smooth system integration, combining digital video recording, multiplexing and multi-user network viewing in one 'plug-and-play' box.
For more information contact Duncan Ross, Dedicated Micros, [email protected], www.dedicatedmicros.com
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