In full swing

The world market for network video surveillance products increased by an impressive 41.9 per cent last year and is forecast to continue growing strongly for many years to come, according to a new survey.

IMS Research says that the trend from analogue CCTV to network video surveillance is in full swing and by 2010 the combined market for network cameras, video servers and NVRs is forecast to exceed $2.6 billion.

Simon Harris, research director at IMS, said: "The market has the potential to grow even faster than this. Even at this impressive growth rate, network cameras will still account for only one-third of the security cameras shipped in 2010.

"The security industry is notoriously resistant to change and new technologies generally take a while to gain acceptance. The main challenge for suppliers is to educate the market about the many benefits of network video surveillance over traditional analogue CCTV".

The report also highlights the growing demand for hybrid analogue-digital solutions. DVR manufacturers are releasing products that can record both analogue and network cameras, often referred to as hybrid DVRs.

These recorders bridge the gap between analogue CCTV and network video surveillance and enable customers to mix and match technologies. They also enable customers to use their existing analogue cameras alongside network cameras. They also represent a more "future proof" investment for those companies currently installing analogue cameras who are considering upgrading to network cameras in the future.

The report is based on interviews with more than 100 international companies in the security industry, as well as data and statistics derived from news sources, annual reports, and the Internet.

* On the following pages we detail some of the latest products and applications that highlight the growing use of network video

Compact colour dome

Panasonic's new WV-NF284 is a compact network colour dome camera with MPEG-4 and JPEG dual streaming. The latest addition to the i-pro series is a Power over Ethernet, 3.6 Variable-Focal Lens unit.

Said to be simple to set up, the camera can transmit VGA (640 x 480) images at up to 30 fps, or use both to combine the seamless video monitoring of MPEG-4 with high resolution JPEG recording.

The 1/4 -type progressive scan CCD captures moving subjects with "minimal blurring", and multicast (MPEG-4 only) is also supported. Additional features include the 3.6x variable-focal lens (2.8 - 10mm) that operates in light as low as 1.5 lux (0.15 fc).

A high sensitivity microphone is built into the camera unit as well as a motion detector alarm to activate recording. When the camera is connected to the optional i-pro Series Network Disk Recorder, images are backed up onto the optional SD memory card. The information will then be transmitted automatically to the recorder when the network is restored.

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Protected from threats

AlwaysON Group, the Reading based provider of virtual private networks and voice over IP won the IIPSEC Security Innovation Award for Best Software at the Gala Awards Dinner held at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry.

The award, collected by George Zaremba, CEO, was in recognition of extensive development work and investment in the network.

The AlwaysON Managed Private Network solution is said to have been created to overcome the obstacles slowing the roll out of IP technology through the UK Security Industry.

It provides a totally secure private network avoiding open internet and protected to military levels from intrusion and threats through the creation of a secure core network encircled by its own protection system.

Every packet of information that enters and leaves the core network is checked and verified safe.

AlwaysON Group is the fastest growing telecoms company in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 and 27th overall.

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High security performer

Installers are said to be offered a powerful, robust transition into the world of networked CCTV with the DV-IP RT from Dedicated Micros.

This high performance real-time recording version of its DV-IP Server was showcased at IIPSEC 2007.

Building on the success the NetVu Connected embedded RTOS architecture, it has been developed to offer distributed enterprise class installations, high performance, high resolution video with optimised transmission.

It is said to be ideal for high-security applications such as cash-counting centres, high-value retail surveillance and bonded warehousing where a high record rate is preferable.

Available in 8, 16 and 32 input versions, it is able to record at either 200 PPS or 400 PPS, depending on model. Up to 16 cameras can be recorded simultaneously, at full D1 resolution MPEG4, in real-time. Decoders, soon to be released, will allow real time decoding on multiple channels - a capability beyond the performance limitations of PC based competitors.

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Longer recording time

Panasonic's new WJ-RT416 real-time recorder enables real-time recording of all 16 cameras at 25 ips with 704 x 240 pixels, providing "affordable" 16 channel image input and 16 channel audio inputs.

One MPEG-4 encoder for each two image input channels are provided with a total of eight built-in encoders, recording all images from 16 cameras at 25 ips, meaning no critical moments are missed and confirmation of events at a later date can be made.

The company says MPEG-4 compression allows for smooth recording of moving objects and allows for longer recording compared with other methods.

Data can be transferred over the network using a smaller bandwidth, allowing for smoother image monitoring and better quality results.

For simple operation, the WJ-RT416 has easy to use panels and on-screen GUI enlargement of frequently used buttons with principal operations being executed via the cross pad and adjacent buttons.

Installation of additional HDDs – taking capacity to a maximum of 3TB – is carried out by simply removing the front panel and inserting them into designated slots.

Functions include timer recording; alarms and motion detector recording; live monitoring with multi screen display imaging; direct time and date search.

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JVC flying high

A total of 161 IP PTZ dome network cameras are being used at Kansas City International Airport.

The JVC VN-C655U cameras are strategically placed throughout the airport to monitor passenger loading areas, holding rooms, jet bridge doors and ramps.

They work alongside 220 existing analogue cameras where video is stored and accessed using a virtual private network via network video recorders.

Using 25x zoom, they have 360-degree endless-rotation enabling images to be recorded in any direction and allowing immediate identification of a location or object should an alarm be triggered. The cameras record images at 30 frames per second (640 x 480) using a Motion-JPEG compression and have advanced day and night features.

Martin Dowman, project manager for the C&C Group, Kansas-based integrator for the project, said JVC was chosen "because they had the technology that allowed us to take the airport's existing analogue cameras and integrate them into a complete system over an IP network."

Space 'revolution'

Panasonic's System WJ-ND200 is said to bring a level of usability never before experienced in a network disk recorder.

The new HDD recorder is secure and user-friendly and a "revolutionary" space saving design makes this a staggeringly small, says Panasonic – 270mm in width without comprising on features or reliability.

MPEG-4 and JPEG compatible, it is capable of monitoring up to 16 cameras and up to four clients, making the recorder especially suited to high quality surveillance in small to medium sized shops and offices.

Using Panasonic i-pro series network cameras, it can automatically detect the cameras and enables users to set up IP addresses easily while continuously checking the images. Manual set up is also possible but using Panasonic's i-pro network cameras, the automatic detection feature is said to make it quick, simple and easier to set-up than ever before.

The WJ-ND200 supports memory mirroring; enabling image data to be stored in another HDD unit should one HDD unit fail, ensuring no moment is missed and all imagery is continuously backed up.

The HDD is accessed by opening and removing from the front panel.

It can then be carried anywhere allowing images to be viewed via a serial adaptor by third parties such as police.

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Aid to migration

GeoVision has introduced a hybrid platform of DVR and video server which will help users migrate to IP surveillance.

The GV series is said to provide users with the benefits of IP-based surveillance, while enjoying fully usable DVR functionality that can efficiently calibrate to meet their needs with software applications for vertical markets.

GV-Series digital surveillance has given users functionality and integration across a broad variety of platforms, such as point-of-sale, central monitoring stations, and license plate recognition.

With the rise of IP-based surveillance systems, enterprise and government customers are considering IP in the network to lower cabling and construction costs.

The new platform - a GV-DVR and GV-Video Server combined - has the capability to incorporate IP-based solutions into the existing GeoVision DVR infrastructure.

Customers can now integrate IP surveillance into their digital surveillance and save additional costs on DVR investment and long-range cabling.

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Shift in capability

Dedicated Micros offered visitors to IIPSEC 2007 an insight into the, soon to be launched, HighVu Excel – a modular, expandable, high performance CCTV recording and IP transmission solution – said to represent a "generational shift" in capability.

It delivers real time, high resolution D1/4CIF resolution capture, recording and playback, of up to 1024 cameras in a single seamless configuration, viewed simultaneously across 48 monitors, "making it ideal for high end retail, banking, gaming and large scale multiple site and public space surveillance", says the company.

Crucially, HighVu Excel is a fully embedded system which operates within the NetVu Connected environment. High definition image capture offers the capability to continually record and playback in real time on all channels – including from IP cameras – with lip-synced audio input available on each camera and no loss of performance "unlike some Windows and Linux-based solutions". This makes it particularly suited for applications where a high level of image detail is required to identify suspects.

Other features include: composite and high definition digital output up to WXGA resolution to a main monitor or large scale video wall; the ability to operate like a Digital Matrix so any camera can be displayed on any monitor; MultiMode Recording, which provides dynamic switching from MPEG4 to JPEG on demand to optimise disk space; the ability to mix JPEG and MPEG4 video streams across all monitors and the potential to integrate with Point Of Sale (POS), ATM, access control and building management systems.

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Quick installation

JVC's high-performance VN-C20U camera is described as easy-to-use and "ideal for a vast range of monitoring and security applications operated over a computer network".

It can be simply connected using a single LAN cable or AC24V power supply to an Ethernet network for 24/7 monitoring.

PoE provides quick and easy installation saving time and avoids the additional expense of positioning a separate power supply and cabling.

It reproduces detailed images in true colour using a Motion-JPEG format (640 x 480 pixels) compression. It is VGA/QVGA switchable and records at a maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second (fps) in VGA mode.The Easy Day/Night function provides higher sensitivity under low illumination which is perfect for 24/7 monitoring.

A built-in viewer enables the monitoring and capturing of camera images on a PC and streaming images can be seamlessly monitored using Internet Explorer. It has in-built motion detection.

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Hybrid solution

Wavestore HiNet records analogue, multi-megapixel and IP cameras into the same hybrid recorder simultaneously. The new powerful 28 times zoom enables users to analyse live and recorded images from a wide range of megapixel and multi-megapixel cameras in "amazingly sharp detail, many times superior to those from analogue (PAL) cameras", says the company.

A single hybrid recorder supports up to 32 analogue and up to 120 IP and megapixel cameras simultaneously (with synchronised audio).

IP, megapixel and multi-megapixel cameras from companies including Arecont, Axis, IQinvision, Lumenera, Mobotix and Sony are supported by HiNet.

"HiNet offers tremendous flexibility for users to add IP and megapixel cameras to analogue only installations, as the industry moves into the new digital phase," says the company. Existing Wavestore installations can be upgraded to HiNet in just minutes.

The "IP ready" Wavestore range extends from the compact Opal NVR to the huge storage capacity Grantie – which can be configured as a DVR, hybrid or NVR solution. They can be networked (with no additional hardware) in any combination, to create a seamless recording system that can be monitored and managed both locally and remotely.

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'Easier for installers'

JVC's VN-C215 series IP-network fixed dome cameras are the first fixed IP network dome cameras introduced into the market by the company. The VN-C215V4U is designed for internal installations and the VN-C215VP4U vandal resistant model is ideal for use in demanding applications and outdoor installation.

Yash Patel, executive director, CCTV Europe said the company had "seen an increasing need for network cameras for use in challenging environments". The all-in-one cameras would heighten the convenience for installers and installers would benefit from integrating them into an existing surveillance system.

The VN-C215VP4U vandal resistant meets a rating of IP66. It has a durable die-cast aluminium chassis with polycarbonate cover and incorporates an optional heater unit to allow the camera to operate in temperatures reaching -30degC. It is suitable for installations such as prisons, campuses, parking garages, railway stations, and other environments where impact resistance and weatherproofing remains paramount.

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'Future proof' access

The ARX range of access control technology from Abloy Security is a future proof, TCP/IP enabled open security system that can be administered and updated over the internet.

Using the same protocols as internet banking, which ensure data is encrypted, ARX is said to be sophisticated, yet easy to install and scalable.

ARX Professional, can accommodate an unlimited number of users and doors and is ideally suited for multi-building, multi-site applications - such as large corporates and major educational establishments. It can be fully integrated with Galaxy intruder alarms, incorporates a full package for designing and printing Photo ID cards and also has an anti-passback function.

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Fastest cameras

New from Arecont Vision, is what is said to be "the world's fastest" high definition IP network camera range.

The cameras are "priced comparably with mainstream analogue video", says Premier Electronics.

"The world is clearly moving towards digital video systems. However, low-resolution network cameras offer no advantage to the end user when compared to analogue video digitized in web-enabled digital video recorders, the traditional approach today. Low-resolution (VGA and D1) network cameras are typically more expensive & slower than their analogue counterparts while providing poor image quality."

The AV5100 5Mega pixel camera has 2560x1600 resolution at up to 15 frames per second whilst the AV2100 provides 1,600 x 1,200 at up to 24fps. All cameras in this range can have their resolution changed to suit bandwidth considerations. They are equipped with 100Base-TX Ethernet Network Interface that can also supply power to the camera. The 360 deg dome camera has four 2Mega pixel cameras connected to a single 100Base-TX output. Powerful remote camera controls allow changes to, auto exposure and gain, backlight compensation, electronic pan, tilt and zoom, resolution, image rotation, etc.

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Remote control

Vigilant Technology has introduced RemoteViewer, a "ground breaking advance" in the way end-users can remotely view, control and manage CCTV images. It remotely selects cameras, views live images, plays back recorded video and controls digital zoom and PTZ cameras.

RemoteViewer operates over minimal bandwidths, "optimising image quality and frame rate delivery". With a broadband connection operating at just 512kb per second, live or recorded video images can be remotely viewed in CIF resolution at 25 images per second.

Remote Gateway Servers are located at each of the customer's sites and enable the video stream to be transmitted over a low bandwidth. Remote Clients provide the user interface that enables operators to control and view video. High res Vigilant recorded video residing centrally can be remotely exported in its original form.

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Cost effective camera

Canon's VB-C300 is a new network camera designed especially for security and surveillance applications and is said to be easy to install and use. A new Canon wide angle, 2.4x zoom lens, the VB-C300 combines a large 70 deg field of view with versatile remote PTZ controls to offer complete 360 deg coverage. Support for PoE (Power over Ethernet) allows for "easy and cost-effective installation" and with a range of mounting alternatives and optional dome housings also available, "maximum flexibility is assured," says the company..

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