Avigilon HD Surveillance System Mitigates Security Risks for Mississippi University

Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 10/13/2010 | Article type: Education

Avigilon, a provider of HD and megapixel video surveillance systems, announced that the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi has deployed its HD surveillance system as a permanent laboratory tool for the purpose of studying techniques to mitigate the security risks inherent with large spectator sport venues. The surveillance system will go live on Oct. 2, providing security for the nationally televised conference football game vs. Marshall University at the M.M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi.

As a founding partner of the NCS4, Avigilon is committed to supporting the center's mission to advance the development of its students, faculty, and programs and enhance stadium and arena security around the globe. Collaborating with the center through training and research, Avigilon has invested more than US$250,000 by supplying the surveillance system in a joint effort to increase sports security awareness worldwide. The Avigilon HD surveillance system will be used by NCS4 members both locally and remotely to demonstrate risk mitigation techniques and will also be used as a compliance tool for industry requirements such as the National Football League's Code of Conduct.

“Broadcast sports events have relied on instant replay capabilities to provide indisputable decisions regarding game plays, and now the Avigilon HD surveillance system can offer the same features to enhance stadium and arena security,” said Lou Marciani, Director of NCS4. “We will use the Avigilon solution to demonstrate how the effective implementation of an HD surveillance solution can mitigate risk, help ensure spectator safety and be used as a tool for regulatory compliance.”

“As the only sports security training organization of its kind in the U.S., the NCS4 has demonstrated the need for a standard approach to risk mitigation and process conformance for stadiums and arenas,” said Dave Tynan, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at Avigilon. “We are pleased that the Avigilon surveillance system will play a critical role in the center's effort to enhance the level of preparedness at the M.M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi and at sporting venues worldwide.”

Intersil IP Video Over Coax Optimizes Surveillance Transmission

Editor / Provider: Intersil | Updated: 10/7/2010 | Article type: Component

Intersil introduced a solution designed to simultaneously transmit analog video and digital IP video over a single coaxial cable. The Intersil Techwell security link over coax (SLOC) solution allows megapixel network cameras to operate in the existing CCTV coaxial cable infrastructure without the need for new wiring or cable modifications, providing significant cost and resource savings.

Moreover, the Intersil Techwell device enables digital network camera functionality on existing coaxial wiring infrastructure without disrupting existing CCTV services. In addition, the embedded analog video enables latency-free live viewing and controlling of digital network cameras. Surveillance system manufacturers can architect an effective hybrid surveillance system that supports latency-free analog CCTV functions as well as networked IP surveillance functions.

The solution is comprised of a SLOC-based camera modem PHY device and a SLOC-based receiver PHY device. Based upon Intersil Techwell technology, the combination provides the security surveillance industry with a migration from a traditional analog system to an IP security system. The SLOC technology leverages the installed coaxial cable infrastructure and enables networked IP functions without requiring significant change to either the network camera design or the DVR design.

The Intersil SLOC solution provides high-performance and robust communications between the network camera and the receiver at coaxial cable lengths of up to 500 meters. Downlink throughput is up to 36Mbps (from camera to receiver); uplink throughput is up to 11Mbps (from receiver to camera).

Avoid the Perils of Public Projects

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 9/29/2010 | Article type: Hot Topics

Public-surveillance projects share the basic goal of watching for citizen safety. However, meeting that goal is not always simple. A&S looks at common issues with public monitoring and how to sidestep them.

When things go wrong, it is always good to have a witness.

Public-surveillance projects are for areas with a good deal of foot traffic, such as airports, highways or cities. Cameras help keep an eye out and provide unbiased evidence, making them part of community safety and awareness. As security spending has increased, more governments are funding public video surveillance projects.

However, some projects overlook basic steps. Hundreds of cameras in Rawalpindi, India were installed to monitor key locations. Due to negligence, at least 145 cameras are now out of order, wasting the initial investment.

Even when the cameras do work, improper installation yields poor results. Washington, D.C. has at least 120 cameras on its police network, and yet they failed to document a single crime. At least one crime was not captured due to a PTZ camera's constant panning. With the cameras worth US$3.8 million and a synchronized operation command center costing $2.4 million in 2009, they epitomized a significant waste of taxpayer money.

Up in the Air
The U.K. is one of the most monitored countries in the world, with some estimates putting the camera count at 4 million. However, the Metropolitan Police of London found only one crime a year was solved for every 1,000 cameras in place, making cameras ineffective for crime detection and a poor ROI.

A combination of video glitches and poor integration shut down the Newark Liberty International Airport for six hours on Jan. 3. Graduate student Haisong Jiang ducked under a security rope to accompany his girlfriend to her departure gate when a guard stepped away.

Cameras captured Jiang crossing the secure area, but the VMS playback was not working and had been out of order for six days. While no lives were lost due to Jiang's actions, a malicious security breach would have had severe consequences.

Smart Planning
Headline-grabbing video failures underscore the importance of good planning. Fancy specs take a back seat to carefully considered projects with a long-term plan and staff support.

It is important that projects not be bid on price alone, as contractors will cut corners and waste taxpayer money, said Alf Chang, Senior Consultant for A&S magazines and a former installer.

In the U.K., relatively few contractors are qualified to win town center projects. “Generally speaking, they are mostly larger businesses that are both experienced and long-established, so from that perspective, questions about their suitability and reliability rarely arise,” said Doktor Jon, a 30-year veteran of the video surveillance industry.

It is difficult for an established industry player to become a jack-of-all-trades, which is often expected in public installations. “For example, some installers may be brilliant at fitting analog cameras, but have little or no knowledge about integrating their systems into an IP-video environment,” Doktor Jon said. “Likewise, an IT-savvy company may think it's well-conversant with networking technology, but have absolutely no concept of basic optical principles.”

Learning Curve
Mastering the technology for each public project takes time and effort. However, the integrator may not have been trained properly to apply the manufacturer's solutions, leaving the user at a disadvantage, Chang said. Operators then do not know to look for manufacturer support, so when the system breaks down, no one is on call.

Radwin, a wireless provider, has deployed its solutions for Jerusalem's city surveillance. “Radwin has an extensive network of system integrators and works closely with them on installing the wireless broadband network for video, providing training and online and on-site support to ensure successful project deployment,” said Adi Nativ, VP of Marketing and Business Development for Radwin. Its wireless broadband radios are used to transmit video from megapixel cameras.

HOW PUBLIC PROFECTS ARE BID

A public project generally follows the 10 basic steps below. Steps may differ based on country, project size and budget. ① Budgeting: Determining overall cost for systems and solutions ② Consulting: Designing the project after the budget has been established ③ Bidding: Posting public notices of project requirements and requesting bids ④ Equipment check: Checking product quality after equipment has been specified ⑤ Inventory: Collecting project equipment and peripherals ⑥ Subcontracting: Finding contractors to perform the work ⑦ Installation: Setting up equipment at the site ⑧ Testing: Checking for integration and if everything works ⑨ Final inspection and commissioning: Making sure systems perform as they should during testing and wrapping up the project for initial deployment ⑩ Maintenance: Upkeep and replacement of parts

Unfit Solutions
Winning a public project can represent a windfall for manufacturers, along with prestige.

However, some manufacturers unduly influence consultants to write bid specs expressly for their products. Users may be wowed by eye-popping video, which may not suit their needs, Chang said. Instead of defining the project's purpose — such as monitoring traffic or crowd control — the manufacturer tries to cram as many products as possible into the tender.

For example, an Asian city surveillance project's specs included color recognition analytics, a requirement only one vendor claimed to be able to deliver, Chang said. This self-serving behavior results in impractical equipment that does not address the project's objectives.

Manufacturers are welcome to build relationships with end users, but not sell useless equipment. “There's a universally serious problem that because many contracts are generally placed on required ‘specifications' and not necessarily defined operational objectives, these systems either perform at below their required level of efficiency, or simply fail to live up to their promised performance,” said Doktor Jon.

Upkeep
Once the equipment is bid and the project is running, maintenance is an integral part of the contract. Authorities will usually budget for staffing, premises and equipment, with maintenance included as a recurring expense, said Doktor Jon.

However, some contractors go under, leaving no one to perform maintenance. There have been instances of one or more installers going bankrupt halfway through a project, bringing the whole project to a halt until a new contractor can take over, Chang said. Incompetent contractors should abstain from public projects.

Contractors failing to stay solvent is more prevalent in some countries, but budget shortfalls in the U.K. and Europe could result in more businesses closing 12 to 36 months down the line. “In practice, most significant projects now require an evaluation of contractors' recently filed business accounts,” said Doktor Jon.

Continued Operation
With planning being a key ingredient for success, other factors keep public surveillance projects running. “In a literal sense, the main drivers for maintaining a public-space surveillance scheme are community and political support, supplemented by adequate funding,” said Doktor Jon.

Support and strong demand will ensure a video network keeps watch. “From a manufacturer's perspective on public monitoring, what we've been seeing in the past few years is a major rise in demand for establishing wireless video networks,” Nativ said. “More and more public organizations are seeking to enhance public security and safety, and are establishing video surveillance networks.”

Along with funding, the continuity of public surveillance depends on whether it meets needs. “Consideration needs to be made toward achieving the best value for money by using the most appropriate technology and techniques,” said Doktor Jon.

Any public project must consider its objectives, regardless of size or location. “Existing system operators need to take a much closer look at not only what they currently do, but also why they do it and what they hope to achieve; we may well see a number of video surveillance schemes either being downgraded or even switched off,” Doktor Jon said.

Thoughtful consideration will make a public project successful, rather than a hot feature or particular camera brand. Evaluating site needs, as well as finding suitable solutions, will prevent public projects from becoming public scandals.

Taiwan Update (Part II): Migrating to IP and Quality Service

Editor / Provider: The Editorial Team | Updated: 9/28/2010 | Article type: Hot Topics

Taiwanese manufacturers continue to deliver quality IP-based technologies, despite the global financial crisis. While each company has a unique approach to R&D and marketing, the emphasis is on solutions. More companies offer customized solutions with easy installation and maintenance.

Video surveillance providers are developing 1.3-, 2- and 3-megapixel network cameras. Stand-alone NVRs and mobile DVRs now support 3-G remote surveillance. Ethernet transmission devices, wireless and RFID technologies enable better communication between security devices, working together as an integrated whole.

While IP technology continues to advance, analog systems still have their place in the market. The gap between IT and security narrows, as more IT companies enter the security industry.

While more Taiwanese companies emphasize branding, OEM/ODM contracts still feature prominently. Tailored solutions, innovative technologies and localized service are essential for their continued success.

The following 10 Taiwanese companies are presented in alphabetical order.

Avigilon HD Surveillance Patrols at US Community

Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 9/24/2010 | Article type: Government & Public Services

Avigilon, a provider of HD and megapixel video surveillance systems, announced that the City of Selma, Alabama has deployed the Avigilon HD surveillance system to boost community safety and reduce criminal activity. Deployed at the Selma Police Department (SPD) and at the Selma Housing Authority's George Washington Carver (GWC) complex, a 215- apartment facility with more than 500 tenants, the Avigilon HD surveillance system has helped reduce criminal activity by 75 percent.

“Community safety is our primary goal and we are committed to doing whatever is required to help us make our city a safer place to live, work, and visit,” said Mayor George Patrick Evans. “By deploying the Avigilon HD surveillance system at police headquarters and GWC, we have taken the first steps in boosting safety and reducing criminal activity across our community.”

The City of Selma manages the Avigilon HD surveillance system using Avigilon control center network VMS (NVMS). The city has installed more than 30 HD cameras ranging from 3 to 5 megapixels to monitor the exterior of the GWC complex and at police headquarters to monitor the parking lot, main lobby, booking rooms, holding cells, Magistrate's Office and the Selma Municipal Court. The SPD installed several Avigilon analog video encoders to create a hybrid surveillance system that improves the performance of its existing analog cameras. The city has also installed a HD camera to monitor the Mayor's Office at City Hall. Storing up to 45 days of continuous surveillance video, the surveillance system is monitored around-the-clock at both the SPD and GWC complex.

With a city-wide HD surveillance system connecting the SPD and Selma Housing Authority, the City of Selma can ensure greater coverage and overall protection across the municipality. Since installing the Avigilon system, the city has seen a significant reduction in criminal activity at GWC. The number of criminal reports has dropped 75 percent from 40 each week to less than 10. According to Chief of Police William Riley, the surveillance system is both 100 percent more reliable and more functional than the SPD's previous analog-based system, and has become an important investigative tool. The system is an open and scalable solution that allows the City of Selma to leverage its existing infrastructure and will easily grow to meet evolving needs as the city moves forward with major expansion plans.

How to Configure VMS Successfully

Editor / Provider: Submitted by CODESTUFF | Updated: 9/17/2010 | Article type: Tech Corner

Deploying, integrating and configuring an IP-based VMS is seldom a turnkey event. Even a relatively small installation can require careful preparation. There are many pitfalls that can trap the unwary, not least of which is managing user expectations. The site could involve an existing network and equipment, including DVRs, analog cameras, monitors and a matrix. A customer may be reluctant to give up on their earlier investment. There may even be an existing VMS in place, which the customer and staff are familiar with.

When deploying a new system, it is important to identify and manage key stages on the way to achieving a successful installation. These include: 1. Planning 2. Training 3. Preparation 4. Deployment 5. Maintenance

Many of these steps are ultimately independent of the actual VMS. The choice of VMS can prove a help or hindrance through the process.

Planning
A careful assessment of the existing infrastructure is required, both in terms of network and existing video equipment. On the network side, you need to look at existing usage and topology. Video over a corporate network competes for limited resources, which can lead to a difficult discussion with the customer. Video is a great consumer of network bandwidth. However, due to the nature of streaming protocols, video will tend to give way to other services. For example, a nightly backup could severely impact the quality of video delivery.

Some parts of a network may be physically remote and only allow limited connectivity. The choice of VMS can help out in these cases. If multicast is supported on the network, then this can stream from video devices on poorly served nodes. Another option available in some VMS platforms is to allow a proxy to take the single stream and duplicate it to make available to other parts of the LAN or WAN. A number of products support this capability.

Another existing resource may be computer equipment. Some suppliers will supply hardware to run the VMS and NVR. This can simplify the configuration and maintenance of the system, but restricts customer choice and can add significantly to upfront costs. Software-only suppliers put fewer constraints on the system. In addition to providing adequate training, they often provide tools to manage software-only variables.

A component that can be difficult to manage and plan for is the NVR. Variables that must be considered include average bit rate from the cameras, available storage and total data throughput. In a software-only solution, the provision of accurate end system specifications is important, but knowing how many streams it will record is difficult to answer. Video sources come with different codecs, different resolutions and varying data rates that depend on what is happening.

VMS suppliers can help by providing guidelines to automate and simplify the process. For example, the platform can provide appropriate system alarms on low storage space or when data throughput approaches the maximum.

A common means of interfacing with legacy equipment is to add encoders. If a site already contains DVRs, they offer a level of network connectivity and avoid the need for additional encoders. However, the network interface of some DVRs can be poorly designed. The frame rate and quality of older DVRs also may not meet newer specifications. There are VMS platforms that specialize in interfacing with DVRs, and give the option of installing more capable DVRs in place of encoders and NVRs. In some cases, this can be a more cost-effective solution.

As a replacement or addition to existing hardware, megapixel is often sold on the basis of fewer cameras to cover the same area. While the merits of this can be debated, VMS can offer some helpful features for dealing with megapixel data streams, such as virtual cameras and digital PTZ.

A further consideration when planning for a new system is the availability of an automation interface or API. If there is existing software, or the integrator wants a package that integrates other components like access control, a flexible API can simplify integrating the final system.

Training
On all but the most basic installations, some form of training is invaluable. It is an opportunity to get buy-in to the new system. Most VMS allow for multiple levels of users — administrator, managers/supervisors and the operator. These users require different levels of training.

The most critical training is the administrator's. The complexities involved in this role can approach the requirements of a general IT administrator. Much as we would expect IT administrators to take on appropriate training, it pays for VMS providers to make available training and documentation in the administration of their system.

A VMS that separates and provides interfaces tailored for different roles can help. For example, for the administrator the system overview and configuration is key, whereas the end user will require another kind of interface.

Training can help reduce the costs of on-going support. With adequate training, users may be more capable at dealing with post-installation issues before picking up the phone to call in support.

Successful VMS vendors, including Milestone and Mobotix, make significant investment in the area of training and certification. They put significant requirements on their resellers to ensure they can provide sufficient front-line support.

Preparation and Deployment
If practical, preparation prior to deploying a system can be a good idea. It is an opportunity to test the equipment, saving the cost of spending significant time at the site. Many VMS platforms allow for preconfiguration of the databases. Adding users, devices and maps to the system is ultimately a data entry exercise.

Setting up device parameters is a consideration for the choice of devices and the VMS. A typical strategy employed by a stand-alone VMS is to provide access to the device Web page to offload the complexity of device integration. This reduces the costs involved when creating drivers for the devices, but it does not allow for batch system updates — unless a batch tool is provided by the camera manufacturer. A built-in manufacturer's VMS is more likely to include support for device configuration.

Device configuration is available in the ONVIF and PSIA standards. If adoption grows, there will be incentive for stand-alone platforms to provide a unified tool for system setup.

A strategy for small- to medium-sized systems at deployment is auto-configuration. Firstly, DHCP is used to assign an IP address to the device. Then an industry standard discovery mechanism, such as UPnP or Bonjour, can find the devices and add to the VMS.

The auto-configuration route does have drawbacks. The auto-configured system does not necessarily reflect the physical layout of the site and the installer will still have to identify which device represents each physical location. The VMS may also need to employ a strategy for device identification independent of the IP address, as the IP address may change over time.

Licensing can affect the options available for deployment. A typical component of VMS licensing is based on the number of cameras. Milestone operates such a model that identifies cameras by their MAC address. This can make it difficult to reconfigure the system, such as replacing a faulty unit.

Site licensing being available for virtual machines can benefit customers, as it allows separating the physical hardware from software. A customer can upgrade or fix faulty hardware without having to reinstall the same software package again.

Maintenance
A well-run IP-based VMS should include a maintenance plan. This can be run in-house by an administrator or involve a contract with the installer or integrator. A regular maintenance schedule can prove vital in detecting problems early

The maintenance program can support system upgrades, check the integrity of recordings and check for poor configuration or emerging problems with hardware components. These last issues may only become apparent over an extended period of monitoring. Several vendors offer a comprehensive maintenance plan to monitor system health.

Korea Update (Part II): Moving Forward with High-Tech Functions and Targeted Solutions

Editor / Provider: By the Editorial Team | Updated: 9/14/2010 | Article type: Hot Topics

Despite the global recession, Korean manufacturers continue to innovate. Delivering competitive products with advanced functions, slick designs and affordable prices are common goals.

Camera manufacturers are studiously developing reliable HD and megapixel network cameras. DVR manufacturers are providing H.264 models that support larger channel counts with D1 resolution and HDMI streaming. Hybrid and NVR solutions are also on many vendors' R&D road maps. Intelligent functions can be seen in more edge devices and DVRs, and software offerings are becoming more user-friendly with GUIs and powerful features.

In terms of environmental friendliness, video door phones and IR illuminators are on their way to be more energy-efficient.

While most of the companies are moving toward IP-based technologies, advances and investments in developing more scalable analog solutions still press ahead. With more Korean companies looking to increase efforts in branding, service improvements will be a key part of their corporate strategies.

The following eight Korean companies are presented in alphabetical order.

Catching Cheats with Advance Systems

Editor / Provider: Submitted by March Networks, Hikvision Digital Technology, Axis Communications, Applied DNA Sciences and Visimetrics | Updated: 9/14/2010 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Casinos from all over the globe are updating their infrastructure to secure themselves from physical and financial threats.

Italian Casino Selects March Networks
The Casino de la Vallée in Saint-Vincent, which operates 400 slot machines, 96 gaming tables, a restaurant and a 220-room hotel, recently upgraded to a fully digital video surveillance system to enhance surveillance of all gaming areas, counting rooms, entrances/exits and other public spaces. Deploying more than 380 network cameras and VMS, control room staff can use integrated site maps and preset camera tours to monitor activities in real time, and quickly search and analyze recorded video in response to specific incidents.

“In a casino environment where sleight of hand can occur in a millisecond, every video frame is critical, and system reliability is of paramount importance,” said Paolo Magalini, Mega Italia, March Networks' certified provider working with Casino de la Vallée.

The solution provides the casino with quality video at frame rates of up to 30 fps. HD cameras capture clear images with vivid color, as well as associated audio, while PTZ cameras with optical zoom enable detailed surveillance. Both types of cameras feature H.264 video compression and PoE functionality, significantly reducing bandwidth, storage requirements and simplifying installation. The cameras and system servers also provide reliability through high-capacity internal camera storage, RAID-5 server configurations and redundant storage to protect against network failures.

Hikvision Watches over Morocco's Premier
Gambling Venue The five-star Atlantic Palace Hotel in Agadir, Morocco required cameras throughout to provide quality images that would allow video analytics to report on visitor movement from table to table, footfall, and frequency of machine usage in the event of abnormal payouts.

The system was implemented by Moroccan integrator CST Centre Sécurité et Traitement. Megapixel cameras with varifocal lenses and high-resolution video preview were used for the project.

A platform which supports HD multiscreen preview and playback is crucial in gaming environments, where pit bosses must settle disputes running to thousands of dollars according to the denomination or color of a single card or the positioning of chips. An IP network that functions with minimal transmission delay, together with smooth PTZ cameras free of any time lag, was required by the casino. Image delay or degradation due to limitations in the performance of cameras, telemetry or NVRs was not acceptable.

Minimizing Disruption The initial challenge was to integrate the IP domes and megapixel cameras with the VMS and analytics software. Compression boards were used, which enabled H.264 compression and variable bit rate coding without compromising image quality or inducing data loss from legacy third-party analog cameras. Security staff at the casino have already noticed the longer recording times, system reliability and reduced maintenance cost since optimizing RAID usage.

With the help of better storage and analytics, the ROI has been almost immediate, since tables no longer needed to be shut down while management reviews disputes.

Choctaw's Tribal Leaders Seek Axis for IP Solution
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma wanted to expand its casino operations, and the tribal leaders were looking to modernize their security systems. They sought an open, IP-based solution that would provide secure, evidentiary-quality video recordings, operate at 30 fps and be easy to set up and expand without major expenses or disruptions of gaming activities.

Choctaw Nation's own team worked with Axis' partners, ConnectionsIT and CameraWatch Technologies, to install an array of Axis fixed dome and PTZ network cameras on the casinos' fiber backbone to monitor back-of-house hallways, money areas, building exteriors, parking lots and high-stake gaming areas.

Choctaw's Challenges
The casinos' legacy analog cameras were a hindrance in working with local law enforcement, due to the images' insufficient resolution to be acceptable in court. Also, the VCR tapes wore out over time, and video had to be played back repeatedly over several days or weeks during an investigation.

Another challenge in the deployment was the extreme light variations, and they sought cameras that could react quickly to lighting changes without compromising image quality.

Solutions
Axis network cameras were able to record at 30 fps, a standard that exceeds the guidelines set by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Both M-JPEG and H.264 compression formats allow the casinos to affordably maintain 14 days of archival storage. PoE saves the casinos on installation costs, and the advanced image processing delivers crisp images in low lighting as well as glaring brightness. The automatic iris control changes the lens aperture to maintain optimum light level to the image sensor.

Casinos Bet on Applied DNA
Casinos from Las Vegas to Macau are taking better care of their poker chips, playing cards and other potential targets of crafty counterfeiters with unique detection protocols.

Small and large casinos may have found their solution against thievery in a two-part system combining advanced security inks with botanical DNA. With its high-profile casino clients suffering fraud's sting, distributor Palm Gaming International contacted H.W. Sands and Applied DNA Sciences to create their unique gaming chips.

With Applied DNA's trademark DNA and Sands' unique ink markers, casino properties are protected by an easily detected and completely forgery-proof security blanket.

The DNA and marker a re integrated into the printed insert layer of a gaming chip, such as the logo. An ultraviolet fob light can then be used to quickly authenticate the chip and sniff out fake chips smuggled in by cheaters.

"We put our DNA into a security ink that allows for a rapid scan that can be done with a handheld detector,” said Janice Meraglia, spokeswoman for Applied DNA. "It's a lock-and-key technology — not just the encrypted genome, but the two parts you need together to make it work."

Visimetric's DVR Evidence Helps Conviction
Recorded images play a vital part and can be used from dispute resolution right through to identifying cheating or theft.

Last year, two poker cheats were arrested at the London Clubs International's The Casino at The Empire, with the help of DVR evidence.

During two visits to the casino, seven cheat moves were noted by surveillance staff. Real-time evidence exported directly from the recorders, containing images from both fixed and PTZ cameras, were handed to the police on a movie format DVD. The evidence was shown to the suspects during an interview, and both subsequently pleaded guilty to cheating at gambling when they appeared at the Westminster Magistrates Court in June.

“The clarity of the images we obtained undoubtedly contributed to the guilty pleas entered, and underlines the efficacy of both the surveillance team and the technology that backs them up,” said Doug Reeman, Head of Security and Money-Laundering Reporting Officer for London Clubs.

Switching to IP Considered a Gamble to Some

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 9/14/2010 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Many casino operators have yet to understand the full benefits of implementing an IP system, and some are weary of the new technology for legitimate reasons. Reliability will always be a concern, as is the overall cost of overhauling a system in a tough economy.

As with many other industries, the casino security market suffered the repercussions of the 2008 economic crisis. “In the past three years, there has been little growth. Not a lot of new construction has happened in Las Vegas, and many casinos in Macau have stopped buildling projects,” said Scott Schafer, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Arecont Vision.

Now, the gaming market is getting back on its feet, but not at the rate that it has previously. “Many casinos had to stop mid-construction, or continued only to a point without opening,” said Kevin Bozarth, Global Sales EngineeringManager for Pelco (a Schneider Electric company). "In many of these cases, the security systems were already specified but became outdated after two to three years. Thus, the entire consulting, bidding, evaluating and design process for the entire system has to be redone."

Growth will depend on two aspects of the gaming market. “Part of the growth will lie in emerging gaming markets, such as Southeast Asia, and the other half will be in upgrades to existing markets, who were early adopters of digital recording technology,” said Gary James, Director of Business Development, Visimetrics.

The Allure of IP
HD technology adds to the allure of implementing an IP system. “HD cameras and systems are able to capture quality surveillance footage with good color representation and sharp details. Sharpness of the color footage is an essential factor in casino monitoring, as it should be able to capture the color of the chips in order to allow security personnel identify the specific value,” said Yoshikazu Hirano, GM for Security Solutions, Business and Professional Products Asia Pacific, Sony Electronics.

An IP system can go past surveillance and security to help with customer service. “A player rewards system, where players can be tracked and be given points to use anywhere in the world in an affiliated casino, is a great way to market a casino above others,” said Tommy Burns, CEO of Burns and Associates.

Added analytics is another aspect valued by casino operators. “Casinos represent some of the most difficult environments to monitor and require robust video management software to successfully overcome those obstacles,” said Marc Holtenhoff, CEO of Aimetis. “There are many solutions developed for these casinospecific requirements.”

The level of IP adoption depends on the client's individual circumstances. “For owners of casinos and other multiple properties, networkbased technology offers many advantages including centralized control,” said Jason Oakley, CEO of North American Video. “It is additionally a cost-effective, long-term strategy for utilizing technology to drive productivity and cost savings. Once network infrastructure is established for core security functions like video surveillance and access control, other solutions incorporating systems such as PoS, elevators/escalators and environmental systems can be added.”

Most casino security managers are progressive people, who realize new technologies can make their operations more efficient, said Patrick Lim, Director of Sales and Marketing, Ademco Far East. However, there are a few issues that are hindering a swift shift into IP.

Barriers to IP
One of the biggest barriers to an IP system is the transmission. “Much thought need to be placed in choosing between a single network and multiple networks. The cost savings and convenience of a single network are obvious advantages; however, there is also the fear of overreliance on a single network,” Lim said. “This concern can be addressed by implementing an independent redundant IP network. This will require solutions that are able to support redundant networking in case of network failure, and the cost savings compared to traditional system wiring are significant if multiple systems are riding on these redundant networks.”

Reliability is a concern for casinos, as lost video equates instant fines upwards of US$100,000. There cannot be a single point of failure,

including the network switch, the digitizing/encoding technology and storage, said Ian Crosby, CCTV Product Marketing Manager, Bosch Security Systems.

As with all technology, people are wary until solutions have been tried and tested. “People do not wish to move out of their comfort zone and modify what has worked fine before,” Schafer said. This is why it is crucial for solution providers to educate and demonstrate any new technology and systems.

Certain companies allow their customers to check a system thoroughly prior to commissioning, said Konrad Hechtbauer, Director of Project and Application Development, Dallmeier electronic. "We have facilities to conduct the factory acceptance test, where customers can check the complete system, inc luding network infrastructure." Customers can gain optimal investment and cost transparency, which help dissipate some of the qualms about new technology. Customer support is another emphasis, with many companies offering seminars on operating the new system. “Customers should be supported from the start of the project planning, up to the technical implementation and beyond the project closure,” Hechtbauer said.

After seeing that IP solutions do work, casino operators need to consider the business aspect of deploying IP. “Decision makers have already formed strong relationships with analog camera manufacturers, so they will need to see how much better the ROI is from employing megapixel and HD cameras before they will make the decision to switch,” said Paul Bodell, VP of Global Business Development, IQinVision.

Money will be one of the biggest issues when considering the upgrade to an IP system, as less than 1 percent of the budget is spent on surveillance, according to Bill Miller, CEO of Reliable Security.

In this economy, the best option may be to phase slowly from an analog system to a hybrid system, and finally to IP. “Providers need to provide a simple, scalable way to make the migration to IP,” Holtenhoff said.

In order to do this, the new system architecture needs to align itself with the existing system design, said Sri Kurniawan, CTO of RCG Holdings. Users will not change their entire systems simply to implement HD capability. Instead, it needs to be integrated with existing systems, James added.

Casino operators need to be reminded that installing a new IP system may represent savings in the future. “The use of megapixel cameras within a casino allows multiple cameras to be replaced by a single high-megapixel camera,” Bozarth said. Compared to a few years ago, the prices for megapixel and HD cameras have fallen close to analog rates. Prices will hopefully continue to drop, so network cameras become more affordable.

Currently, there are still some concerns about latency and dropped frames. However, once these issues are solved, IP video security will dominate the market, Hirano said.

Avigilon HD Surveillance System Watches over Vancouver Community College

Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 9/13/2010 | Article type: Education

Avigilon, a provider of HD and megapixel video surveillance systems, announced that Vancouver Community College, one of British Columbia's oldest and largest colleges, has deployed the Avigilon HD surveillance system in an effort to improve staff and student safety across its two campuses in the Vancouver, British Columbia area.

“Our previous analog-based system could not provide the image clarity and management features needed to improve campus security,” said Surinder Aulakh, Director of Safety and Security at Vancouver Community College. “We knew it was time to move to a HD system like the Avigilon HD surveillance system to capture useable evidence that can be easily reviewed and shared with the appropriate authorities for fast and efficient conflict resolution.”

The college security team manages the Avigilon HD surveillance system using Avigilon control center network VMS. (NVMS) The college installed a combination of 26 1-megapixel Avigilon HD cameras, four 2-megapixel HD cameras, and three 3-megapixel HD cameras to monitor high traffic areas within the college, particularly where cash-handling processes occur. Vancouver Community College also installed 16 analog video encoders to enhance the performance of its existing analog cameras, which monitor other high security areas within campus buildings. Storing up to 29 days of footage, security personnel monitor the Avigilon HD surveillance system from a control room located at each campus.

Leveraging the advanced features of Avigilon control center NVMS including its use of JPEG 2000 compression technology, the college can provide useable evidence to local law enforcement faster than before, helping to strengthen its relationship and leading to more successful investigations. In addition, the college utilizes the advanced search and bookmarking capabilities to highlight specific details to reduce investigation times from days to minutes and is currently networking both campuses to ensure automatic failover from one site to the other if necessary. The Avigilon HD surveillance system not only boosts security, it also leverages the college's existing infrastructure to further reduce costs. With Avigilon HD surveillance system, the college can easily scale to meet expanding needs and integrate with the access control system as budget allows.

“Committed to delivering instruction to help students reach their personal, educational and professional goals, Vancouver Community College has created a safe and open environment that fosters success for both staff and students,” said Dave Tynan, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at Avigilon. “With the Avigilon HD surveillance system, the college has invested in a solution to ensure fast and efficient resolution of issues and help maintain the well-being of the entire college community.”