2012 — Year of HD-SDI?

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/27/2012 | Article type: Tech Corner

Within two years, HD-SDI has established substantial awareness in the marketplace, as tangible products materialize from an earlier TV transmission concept. Market penetration, on the other hand, has been less than stellar, due to component/ system, pricing and deliverability issues. Is 2012 really the year of HD-SDI?

HD video surveillance is an unstoppable, irreversible trend. Indeed, it is one of the few driving forces behind growth in the global security market today, according to market research.

Previously, the only means to get HD surveillance footage was via megapixel cameras and IP-based networks. Although they gave rise to new contenders and business opportunities, traditional installers have been struggling with the lack of networking and IT know-how.

HD-SDI came as a boon for “the rest of us.” With characteristics similar to analog CCTV, HD-SDI provides an alternative to IP-based video surveillance. However, other than a select few subcontracted installations in China and Korea, HD-SDI currently does not have any large-scale applications to illustrate extended usability and manageability. Most players are still focusing their energy on stabilizing overall system performance, bringing down cost and educating the market, wedging their way onto the HD video surveillance arena.

Negligible Latency
Latency has always been the Achilles' heel for IP-based video surveillance. A key advantage of HD-SDI is its real-time delivery of every frame.

Of course, this is a priority that differs in each market. For example, Chinese end users have displayed extremely high interest in HD-SDI, although they may not full understand the technology yet. "HD-SDI has a bright future in China, since some vertical markets place higher value on its low latency. This is different than other regions, where latency in video surveillance is acceptable," said Wan Yun Feng, Project Manager, Winhi.

However, latency still exists for HD-SDI, contrary to what many claim, said Zou Yu Fan, Solution Manager, Axis Communications. "It is simply relatively less noticeable. As IP-based video surveillance continues to improve at a rapid pace, latency in HD network cameras is also becoming shorter and shorter, to the point that it is now barely noticeable."

Latency is no longer a big deal-breaker for HD network cameras, Zou continued. "Compared to other technical advantages of IP-based video surveillance, latency becomes a non-issue. In contrast, HD-SDI has limited transmission distance; remote surveillance still needs to be accomplished via IP networks, which introduces additional latency."

Zhou Sheng Qiang, GM of Video Surveillance at Keda Technology, commented on HD-SDI's low latency characteristic as well. "This supposed advantage of HD-SDI's low latency over IP-based video surveillance is very small. Latency in HD network cameras is already barely noticeable, so this particular advantage over IP-based video surveillance is really not a big issue at all. In larger installations, images come from wide variety of sources, and are delivered to the video wall chiefly via IP networks. HD-SDI is more a 'last mile' solution; video still runs through the networks in real-world settings, which still requires compression. The small advantage of having low latency is not a big deal."

Indeed, as bandwidth has increased over the years, network failures and latency issues have become much less common. However, even when the naked eye fails to acknowledge the latency, a few dropped frames can be the deciding factor in whether the system is effective. End users must decide what they value the most in a video surveillance system.

No Compression…Good?
HD-SDI contenders have also touted zero image compression as a key winning point over their IP-based counterparts. Raw data is indeed delicious, just like how fresh vegies and sushi are infinitely tastier than lesser, processed foods.

However, network camera manufacturers say the lossless video is merely useful when viewing in real time, and that storage still requires the images to be compressed via HD encoders or DVRs.

Furthermore, video analytics is based on the analysis of pixels. The data still needs to be digitized and compressed for it to be processed by the analytics engine. Ultimately, the images will still be compressed.

One problem that arises is that pressure is placed on back-end devices to process all the data from every camera, added Poseidon Technology's Zeng Chun Wei. "Back-end storage and processing are HD-SDI's weaknesses."

Although lossless video sounds like a sweet deal, there are some "gotchas" to be aware of. More efficient back-end storage and processing, as well as video analytics, are common issues that HD-SDI manufacturers must resolve in the near future.

Nedap Announces Integration With Pelco IP Video Management System

Editor / Provider: Nedap | Updated: 6/19/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Nedap announces that Pelco Endura IP Video Management System is integrated with the NEDAP AEOS Security Management System. With this integration, the users of Pelco Endura systems will be presented a solution that has one single, web based, easy to use front-end interface.

From now on Pelco Endura customers will no longer need to open multiple applications to track alarms and video in system-specific monitors. All Pelco Video cameras are accessible for viewing from the web based AEOS user interface. Unique is that AEOS is not only linked to Endura cameras, but also to the Endura Storage Server. With the AEOS feature “responses to events” it is possible to react on a certain event, by jumping to the particular timestamp of that event and get the associated video from the Endura Storage Server. These recorded video streams are accessible in the web based AEOS live event monitor or eventlog.

This integrated system supports the following features:
● View live and playback video
● Video stream directly linked to events and alarms
● Play back from specified time
● Take a video snapshot
● Toggle between live and playback modes for selected cameras

Innovation and Tailored Solutions for US Market

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/26/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

Solution Needs
While awareness for HD-SDI has grown considerably in EMEA and Asia, people are not as interested in it in North America where IP is generally preferred, said Jeff Whitney, VP of Marketing and Business Development, Intransa.

On the camera side, camera manufacturers are touting improved low-light performance and WDR, while also increasing in pixel count. Arecont Vision's megapixel WDR cameras, for example, combine long and short exposures in the same video frame to provide greater detail in both bright and dark areas of the picture, said Mark Espenschied, Senior Marketing Manager at Arecont Vision.

Right now, 1,080p video has become pretty commonplace. In two to three years, we may be seeing another wave of upgrades. 4K resolution features four times as many pixels as 1,080p, and it has already begun seeping into the hands of tech-savvy consumers, said Bengt Christensson, Senior Marketing Director for Ambarella.

There will always be a need for higher resolutions, and with increased volume and falling prices for image sensors, it will not be long until adoption begins to pick up, Christensson continued. On another note, the 2012 London Olympics will be recording and transmitting some 4K content.

For 180/360-degree imaging continues to build up, with even chip manufacturers such as Ambarella building hardware-based lens distortion compensation directly onto its chips. 360-degree imaging in video surveillance has not been practical until recently due to technical limitations, but with larger image sensors and faster frame rates, Christensson thinks it is ready for prime time.

Also, an increasing number of camera manufacturers are beginning to replace fisheye lenses with panomorph ones. They use a larger area of the image sensor, and are already supported by many major software vendors, such Milestone Systems and On-Net Surveillance Systems (OnSSI).

Cloud-based services are all the rage these days, but end users are still evaluating the offerings on the market. You have to place a lot of trust in your service provider, and if you have a mission-critical system, you are not going to accept it, Bob McCarthy, MD of the U.S., TKH Security Solutions. He believes that the market potential for managed services has already arrived for the residential market, with light commercial to follow soon. Enterprise customers, however, may find it very difficult to take that leap of faith.

Simplification
As demand for IP and open solutions has grown, so have business opportunities grown for making life easier for integrators. "We sell directly to integrators. We save them the hassle of buying a brand or generic PC and figuring out the right configuration and all the integration requirements for all the different software types," Whitney said. What companies like Intransa do is provide appliances that are basically traditional storage boxes, but preconfigured for compliance with different security vendors and products.

"We compete with a lot of people in different spaces, but there's no one that looks like us," Whitney said. Perhaps something is wrong with this picture, because it is pretty obvious that many traditional security professionals need help in minimizing the IT headaches and continue to supply the market with their expertise.

Innovative Security Designs (ISD), founded in late 2011 by former IQinVision CTO Ian Johnston, approaches this problem from the front end. "Many network cameras are developed in their own little worlds, with a lot of features that most people don't care about," said Johnston, now President and CEO of ISD.

At the end of the day, people buy cameras to solve problems, not for cool features, Johnston continued. So he set out to reimagine how cameras deliver value to system integrators and end users.

In his experience with system integrators, Johnston came to the conclusion that what they wanted, more than anything, in a network camera was simplified and automated network settings and configurations. If you look at the consumer world, almost every gadget is IP-connected, may it be a tablet computer, smartphone or printer, Johnston said, but they do not require time-consuming, mind-boggling network setup on the user's part.

About 60 to 70 percent of cameras sold today are still analog, not only because they are extremely mature and work very well, but also because IP-based systems are simply too much hassle. ISD attempts to marry analog's simplicity, via "zero touch" installation, with megapixel's sophistication and image quality.

Innovation
Some manufacturers are catering to increased sensitivity to price, some getting fed up with the competition of me-too features, some reimagining security products for HD and IP-based systems and still others filling voids and identifying new business opportunities.

Avigilon is probably one of the fastest growing companies in video surveillance. It essentially reimagined video surveillance from the ground up to better fit HD and IP networks, said Keith Marett, VP of Marketing and Communications at Avigilon. "We were new and came in at the right time, and designed the system the right way from the very beginning. In contrast, competitors with existing systems tried to adapt, tweak or change to allow for the new digital wave." Avigilon's products, Marett said, are developed solely for the new era.

Others saw a void in the wireless camera department and decided to move in. "The entire camera was designed from the ground up to consume very little power and effectively transmit video wirelessly," said Allyn Pon, Director of Product Management. MicroPower Technologies. The camera is a compact unit with integrated solar panels and batteries; one could simply pick it up and pluck it anywhere.

Promising Verticals
As different industries have different requirements for security, vertical-specific components are necessary and so is the need for stronger integration of the components. Open solutions and standards are more important than ever.

ONVIF recently introduced "profiles," which take version compatibility out of the equation for users and let them easily determine supported features. Currently, the sole profile is the S, which "describes the common functionalities shared by ONVIF-conformant VMS and devices such as IP cameras or encoders that send, configure, request or control the streaming of media data over an IP network. The profile includes specific features such as PTZ control, audio streaming and relay outputs."

However, working with a single vendor is always easier, and some system integrators prefer a vertically integrated total solution. "When there's a problem, they know there's a single point of contact to go to. Logistically, it's just easier to work with a single company," McCarthy said. "That said, we do embrace integration with other systems. For example, some verticals need specific VMS, such as those for casinos or intelligent transportation."

Speaking of casinos, Keith thinks the market potential is big, but it is not exactly up for grabs. "You see in casinos 3,000 or 4,000 cameras for each site, so obviously that's a big market. Most casinos in Las Vegas still use analog cameras and VCRs for recording. When you switch those cameras to HD, you have a huge load of bandwidth, and you need a system that can handle that."

Retail is also taking off quite a bit, Keith continued. "They're seeing more and more what HD video surveillance systems can provide, in terms of ROI, and how they can improve the bottom line." Good guy applications are also an area Avigilon is focusing on in its education.

Panasonic is focusing on solutions tailored for specific applications, such as gaming, retail, education and public safety.

In terms of working with a single vendor, ADT Global Accounts lends a helping hand to companies with global footprints that wish to standardize integrated security solutions. With a Global Center of Excellence in Alabama pulling in resources from all over the world, ADT Global takes care of the designing for its multinational customers, while local teams of installers are given detailed instructions and diagrams to follow, said Renae Leary, Senior Director for Global Accounts, Tyco Integrated Security, previously part of ADT Worldwide. "This unit really began because so many customers were asking for our help in standardizing and integrating geographically disparate security systems."

Honeywell Security: Driving Growth in Challenging Times

Editor / Provider: Hayden Hsu | Updated: 6/19/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Knowledge is paramount, especially in increasingly connected, integrated building and security environments. “For the last 2.5 years, we've been trying to get closer to consultants and specifiers, to help them gain the necessary knowledge in a structured way,” said Daniel Wan, UK Channel Marketing Leader, Honeywell Security. “It's a culmination of our decades of experience; we are able to deliver the needed level of training and service to our target consultants and specifiers while they remain independent.”

Security consultants can be different, added Tony Makosinski, Head of Marketing for the U.K. and Ireland. “They need detailed, tailored information so that their integrators and end users can get the needed reassurance.” The fact that Honeywell has a myriad of solutions across the board does help. “It's not just about price; security of supply and quality of service count even more,” Wan said.

Evening Out Peaks & Troughs
The London Olympics provided the much needed impetus after the 2009 recession. But, what about after the big Games? “Some city revitalization projects will come out of London and southeast England, such as tube stations and shopping centers,” Makosinski said. “We're also seeing growth in residential burglar alarm products, due to higher crime rates.” Honeywell is also offering platforms to help its dealers and integrators sustain recurring monthly revenues, Wan added. “Mirroring what has spiked demand in the IT market, we now provide DVR-like cloud storage with user-friendly interfaces, making it easy for our partners to sell monthly plans rather than big, initial investments.”

Storing and managing on the cloud has also helped further green initiatives. System checks and maintenance are done automatically. “If there's something wrong, an email will also be generated and sent to the responsible technician automatically,” Makosinski said. For certain legally mandated system checks and tests, the cloud saves the trouble of emptying out the entire building during such procedures. Wan also pointed out the benefits of head count savings and shorter time to market.

“IP is great and is the future, but we are not abandoning our analog installed base and installers,” Wan stressed. “They are nervous, but we help them avoid pitfalls and give them the foundation to speak to IT managers confidently.” The importance of commercial training was also highlighted. “Helping our partners realize different business models and how to sell ultimately pays off for us,” Wan explained. Eventually, US certified dealer programs shall be brought to Europe and the U.K.

US Recovers From Backlogged Demand

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/25/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

During the recession of 2008 and 2009, the physical, electronic security sector was hit pretty badly. For example, the residential vertical typically relies heavily upon new constructions, so it was inevitable that things slumped in 2008 and 2009, said Ryosuke Miwa, GM for Integral Surveillance Activation, Security Business Division, Optex. "But things have been gradually getting better since 2010. In fact, we've been having double-digit growth for the last two years."

One big driver for growth is backlogged demand. Many end users have put brakes on projects for the last four years because of budgetary issues, and systems that would have been upgraded had there not been a serious recession are now even older and in need of upgrade, said Bob McCarthy, MD of the U.S., TKH Security Solutions. "That's one of the big drivers for growth within the security industry."

It may not be equally rosy across the board, though, since customers value their cash much more than they did prerecession. Speaking of government spending, McCarthy said that spending has not gone up, but there are still projects out there for vendors that have reliable products and responsive service. Regardless, for video surveillance, 2012 will be a bumper year, according to research. Analysts predict a significant transition from analog to digital and high demand for HD video.

MORE THAN SECURITY
Miwa noted that companies are spending more on "good guy" applications that increase operational efficiency to help their bottom lines, and more companies are catering to those requirements by diversifying offerings. "For example, everyone wants to save labor cost, so we try to develop wireless products that help installers work very efficiently.”

There is a clear trend toward using video for applications other than security, such as for management and efficiency, said Yoav Stern, President and CEO of Dvtel. "That's where people will be able to justify buying the system. If you make your business run more efficiently with video surveillance systems, you either reduce the amount of people you have or let them work more efficiently." There is also a trend toward sophisticated solutions that are tailored for specific applications.

While the market is getting crowded for smaller installations, companies specializing in high-end systems are thriving. Commenting on the video management scene, Pierre Racz, President of Genetec, offered an interesting analogy: Near the ground you have systems with 1 to 16 cameras. There are a lot of players and the view is quite foggy. As you go up in the atmosphere, it becomes much clearer.

Market research does not really differentiate between system sizes, so Genetec captures 20 percent of the overall market in those reports, but the number goes up for systems with 100 cameras or more, Racz said. In addition, Racz said that Genetec's own forecasts for the next two years are positive, matching or outpacing market research's prediction of 30-percent growth for VMS.

Support Critical
After-sales support has never been more important in the security industry. With less-than-optimal budgets, who would not want more bang for the buck? Furthermore, the increasing adoption of IT and IP-based technology means that more people will have more problems outside the control of their security systems.

For example, Intransa introduced a support program that is targeted at security professionals not as sophisticated in data storage and IT hardware. "We were getting panic calls saying, '12 of your drives crashed and the whole system is down.' What we actually found is a slightly different story," said Jeff Whitney, VP of Marketing and Business Development, Intransa. "In reality, two drives failed two years ago; three drives failed last year; four drives failed this year; and yesterday, the last one failed. So the system was actually down because the drives have been failing over the years, and the system could no longer work because there were no drives left." Now, systems can monitor hardware and notify relevant parties to send replacements and instructions when anything fails; the integrator does not go through those panic moments.

IQinVision, among others, offers a 5-year warranty for every camera. Manufacturers can include such an extended warranty because they have the confidence that every product is well-designed and thoroughly tested, said Wendy Burke, Director of Global Marketing Communications at IQinVision. She noted that only 0.04 percent of its cameras fail within the warranty period.

Smaller budgets mean that customers will want to accomplish more for less, said David Liu, National Sales Manager for Vivotek. He said that Vivotek's focus on quality and competitive prices helped the company grow through difficult times, but after-sales service was also an area that Vivotek compares favorably over many competitors. Responsive technical support and short RMA processing times for Vivotek products are a couple of factors he mentioned.

Secutech Int'l 2012: Industry Perspectives from Taiwan (Part 2)

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/19/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

With a strong presence at Secutech in Taipei this year (April 18 to 20), Taiwanese exhibitors capitalized on home court advantage by demonstrating the latest products/solutions along with R&D prowess. As dark clouds of uncertain world economy continue to linger, hardware and software developers were eager and determined to promote more cost-effective but tailored solutions with good quality and reliability.

HI SHARP ELECTRONICS
Our new o fferings are complete HD-SDI solutions, including panoramic cameras with embedded defog function along with 1,080p resolution at 30 fps and mobile DVRs.

Our commitment to customers is to provide creative products, quality assurance and good service. Our main focus now is on HD-SDI products, and we are getting good feedback — mostly from Europe. The Southeast Asian market will be our next region of expansion in the near future. HD-SDI is just at an early adopting stage, and we believe that SDI will gain more market share with lower overall cost. We will continue promoting HD-SDI solutions and pursuing to be the No.1 provider in HD-SDI products by 2015.

Our marketing strategy is to promote new, creative products to current partners and keep finding new partners through word-of-mouth recommendations.

MERIT LILIN
We are showcasing our latest NVR series with touch screen capability. Mouse clicking and joystick moving are very “last-decade,” so we hope this new series will “touch” customers' heart.

Also, we are collaborating with Taiwanese e-learning platform design company, Mao-Lin Digital Technology. By integrating our video/audio capability with the intuitive e-learning platform, cram school students can enjoy learning even if they cannot be physically in the classroom. To meet this unique requirement from the education vertical, our WDR and HD features are quite a perfect fit.

Another unique feature is that Mao-Lin has put a QR code into video footage to prevent end users from copying or recording the video. If students try to record with their smartphone without authorization, notifications will be sent to the corresponding school or teacher.

PLUSTEK
We are demonstrating our latest hybrid recording solutions at Secutech. Our slim series features a fanless design with low power consumption, making them fit in tight corners and run silently while requiring less power than traditional DVRs and PC-based NVRs. The series is especially suitable for ATMs, transportation and traffic/city surveillance. The most challenging part was to keep everything small in size without sacrificing functionality while retaining great efficiencies in heat emissions and low power consumption. In working with numerous network camera models, the key is to maintain great relationships with camera manufacturers. Since we do not manufacture cameras ourselves, our camera partners are more willing to share their APIs.

With the overcast in Europe and North America, we are looking for more system integrators in emerging countries, such as India. To avoid price competition, we always focus on projects instead of unit-selling. By proactively attending road shows and sharing dealer/ integrator partnerships with our camera partners, we believe we are stamping a strong impression on many key local players.

QNAP SYSTEMS
On display are our full lineup of 2- to 8-drive VioStor NVR models along with the latest VS-12100U-RP Pro VioStor NVR series available in 40, 48, 56 and 64 channels with Intel quad-core Xeon E3 processors — a wide range of options to suit various needs. We feel that the current NVR market is saturated with embedded models, so we will focus more on providing high-quality NAS and CMS solutions. Our greatest strengths are our hardware reliability, heat dissipation performance, fail-over design and easy-to-use setup. We are confident that end users can complete system setup within our six steps.

While keeping steady growth in the European and North American markets, we are optimistic about the potential in Russia, South Africa and India. We have local companies with 24/7 support to meet customers' various requirements in time.

UTECHZONE
Utechzone was founded in 1992, with automated machine vision as core technology. One of our highlighted products on the show ground is the Eye Key for access control. It features the latest pupil-tracking technology, which automatically detects where the user is focusing on. Users can enter the password/code by looking at the numbers on the screen in the right sequence and unlock the door/lock, eliminating the hassles with lost or stolen keys. Applications include credit card authorizations, ATMs, bank vaults and laboratories. Our target markets at the moment are Japan and China.

VIVOTEK
We are showcasing our latest smart-stream, region-of-interest camera feature, supreme series with WDR, fisheye camera with PTZ, vari-focal features for retail applications, and a 10-megapixel trial run.

We are also demonstrating our first 5-megapixel solution, the FD8372, which has a viewing resolution of 1,080p at 30 fps. It is equipped with a smart focus system for easy installation and maintenance. Lenses with built-in stepping motors are implemented for installers to remotely control the focal length and precisely adjust the camera focus. We are very excited about the launch and are confident that many applications, such as stadiums, parking lots and industrial warehouses, will benefit from it.

ZAVIO
Our highlight this year is the latest D5210 dome camera, featuring 2 megapixels, 1,080p full HD, vari-focal auto-iris lens, removable IR-cut filter and IR LEDs. It is designed for 24/7 indoor surveillance with vivid image quality. The LEDs' working distance is up to 15 meters. The D5210 also offers PoE, micro SD local storage support and free bundled 32-channel NVR software.

Targeting home and SMB applications, our R&D is dedicated to making sure an intuitive user experience while maintaining stable and superb product quality. Whether in Europe, North America or emerging countries, we are seeing constant demand for quality products at affordable prices. We will keep focusing on meeting such demand and put forward products that best address customer needs.

Secutech Int'l 2012: Industry Perspectives from Taiwan (Part 1)

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/18/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

With a strong presence at Secutech in Taipei this year (April 18 to 20), Taiwanese exhibitors capitalized on home court advantage by demonstrating the latest products/solutions along with R&D prowess. As dark clouds of uncertain world economy continue to linger, hardware and software developers were eager and determined to promote more cost-effective but tailored solutions with good quality and reliability.

BRICKCOM
Currently, most of our cameras are wired cameras; however, we see the potential of the wireless market and would like to demonstrate our R&D strengths in wireless cameras during Secutech this year. As major companies are promoting 3- to 5-megapixel network cameras this year, we will highlight and test the waters with our 3-megapixel wireless network camera and see if the market is ready for it.

COMPRO TECHNOLOGY
We feel that retail owners may not be used to the usual distorted, 360-degree fisheye view, and we are promoting our 1.3-megapixel NC2200 dome, featuring a 105-degree view, PoE and two-way communications specifically designed for retail applications. It is perfectly suited to corner deployments, and customers can take advantage of its zoom-in function along with broader view without any distortion. Also, considering the average room where the PoS system usually resides in, the size of our NVR is designed to sit beside the PoS.

Aside from our SMB/retail solutions, we are showcasing our home surveillance solutions with mobile apps and remote setup capability.

Our channel partners include retail stores and telcos. We will continue to focus on the SMB, retail and home surveillance markets, as we see these verticals demand quality cameras at affordable prices. Also, we are optimistic about the integration of home entertainment and home surveillance usually resides in, the size of our NVR is designed to sit beside the PoS.

DYNACOLOR
We are showcasing our 5-megapixel camera with quad-video streaming features so that video footage can be accessed remotely without lowering processing efficiency. We are also promoting our latest region-of-interest function that can be applied to ALPR. Plus, we will demonstrate our latest fisheye camera with zero blind spot, while featuring PTZ and two-way communications.

Through OEM projects commissioned by top brands around the world, we possess critical know-how and proven reliability to serve our clients based on their specific needs.

Via road shows and exhibitions, we will keep focusing on total solutions that combine surveillance cameras, DVRs and system control units.

ETHERWAN SYSTEMS
We are demonstrating our latest PoE switch with full 30 W from each 10/100TX port and two Gigabit ports. We are also showcasing our latest extender which works with telephone cable infrastructure reaching 300 meters at 50 Mbps and up to 1.9 kilometers at 1 Mbps.

We do notice our non-IT system integration partners' gradual and cautious approach to our PoE solution as they used to be reluctant to even consider PoE. They now have a more open attitude when purchasing PoE products.

Our greatest strength is product reliability, and we will keep updated with regional/national safety certifications and environmental compliances for harsh and extreme operations. Our target verticals will continue to revolve around harsh outdoor environments, such as transportation, utilities and industrial automation.

EVERFOCUS ELECTRONICS
We have changed our role from a manufacturer to a megapixel solution provider. We now provide IP megapixel solutions, HD-SDI solutions dedicated to gaming and banking verticals, and mobile systems. Moreover, we started our access control production in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Our highlight at the show this year is the PowerFocus Plus. The CMS can work with unlimited channels of network cameras, managing all devices on one single platform. The CMS simplifies the complexity of network surveillance management with one intuitive GUI. It has built-in zone management and alarm analysis functions, well suited for city surveillance and companies with overseas branches.

GKB SECURITY
We focus on HD surveillance, offering a free, 64-channel cloud NVR for our own IP cameras. This solution helps end users manage large-scale systems remotely and solves the usual challenges associated with monitoring and controlling.

Our solutions have been widely adopted in Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines. We mainly cooperate with distributors and system integrators overseas that have the ability to take on large-scale projects.

We are going to launch the ccHDTV system this year. The technology allows end users to use existing analog wiring infrastructure to deliver high-resolution video. This system will solve storage issues seen in HD-SDI by compressing images at the camera, sending full HD video through coaxial cable via the DVB-T standard.

ccHDTV features serial connection capability, which aligns and integrates all cameras in a complete surveillance system with just one single coaxial cable.

960H — The Future Trend of Analogue

Editor / Provider: Donna Chan | Updated: 6/18/2012 | Article type: China Corner

Entering into the high-definition and intelligent dominated era is the predominant trend for the security industry. Despite the growing demand for high-definition, this has not spelt the end for the analogue system. In fact the new hot talk of the security industry is the high-definition analogue system better known as 960H/700 TVL camera. a&s International China Best Buys, talks to China's manufacturers to reveal which direction this new trend will be heading.

Following the inevitable high resolution trend, the 960H or also known as the 700 TVL camera has debuted in the market. The main feature of this camera is its high definition and its ability to capture intricate details. The 960H solution was jointly developed by Techwell and SONY, the majority of these analogue cameras utilize SONY's newest 960H CCD sensor in conjunction with the SONY Effio DSP. The pairing of Effio DSP and this CCD has created a 960H camera which is featured by color resolution of over 650 TVL, black and white resolution of 700 TVL. In comparison with the ordinary 540 and 600 TVL analogue camera, the image quality has been enhanced.

Apart from SONY, other companies have released their own solutions and chips, Samsung have their SV5 and Panasonic have SD6. In addition to this companies such as Nextchip, Richnex and MIKTAM have developed their own 960H DSP.

Catering to Market Demands
Over the past few years the security market has been dominated by high-definition solutions and more than often news has tended to be orientated between IP and HD-SDI. In the process of providing the high-definition solution analogue has been neglected. However, according to IMS research reports between 2011 and 2015 the analogue market will continue to have a steady growth of 18.4%, suggesting that there is still demand for analogue. "Through our company statistics, industry calculations and the consideration of the current transition situation of high resolution and network integration, 960H remains one of our main solutions," said Million Wan, Director of the International Business Division at CSST.

The ever increasing demand for image quality has paved the way for 960H. "The appearance of 960H technology and front-end devices in the market are gradually becoming a trend," said Lynn Cheng, Technical Supervisor and Analogue Product Manager at Dahua Technology. "High-definition and the increasing use of the internet is the future trend, but the analogue market share still remains, therefore a transitional period has been created due to the different Internet level of different countries, this transitional period will not be short lived and this is where 960H assumes the role."

960H Advantages
From a technological point of view, the main advantage of 960H is high resolution, wide dynamic range and its steady performance in low light environments. The stability of the 960H system is the same as the traditional analogue system. Over the years the traditional analogue system has gone through refinement, therefore its mature technology has created a considerably stable system. When put into use, real-time and zero latency are not a problem, an issue which has yet to be overcome with network cameras. On the other hand although HD-SDI can deliver the high-definition and real-time playback, expensive transmission and storage costs are still a concern. "High definition products require all the related components to be high definition for it to be actually deemed as a high definition solution, also currently the IP and HD-SDI solutions are CMOS and does not perform well at night compared to CCD, this is an advantage of 960H," said Wang Zhenhua, R&D Manager at Wanjiaan.

Another main advantage of 960H is the interoperability. Front-end 960H cameras can be used with ordinary DVRs and back-end 960H DVRs can be operated with ordinary analogue cameras. The transmission remains the same as the traditional analogue system. There is no need to re-wire if end-users already have wiring for an existing analogue system, unlike the network camera where installation and interoperability remains problematic.

Analogue Setbacks
No one solution has all the answers to all the problems, the same applies to the 960H as it is not susceptible to flaws. Currently in order to reach the best results the 960H must complement 960H DVR. "Using any new solution, new problems are always encountered, in comparison to D1 analogue 960H resolution has increased by 30%. From a manufacturers' point of view, one concern is finding suitable components which complement each other, such as lens, DVR coding storage, and decoding display," said Wan.

Another fundamental setback of the 960H is its lack of technological growth, it is unable to reach 720/1080P resolution and in terms of system extension it cannot compete with the IP solution, hence why it is not suitable for large scale projects. "Its main disadvantage is its inability to provide network storage like the network camera," said Zhong Wei, Domestic Market Manager at Dowse Electronics. Moreover, according to Ying Zhongyang, Camera Engineer at Hikvision, due to the design of the 960H camera system it processes more pixels, which requires a higher frequency, therefore this complicates the design of the hardware.

Distinguishing Products
Being able to have individualistic products and providing a unique solution is what end-users expect. However, with the 960H as mentioned before the majority of these cameras are implemented with SONY's Effio and CCD, therefore being able to distinguish different manufacturers' products is where the difficulty remains. "Currently, most camera manufacturers have all released their own versions of the 960H camera, in most cases all manufacturers' have used the SONY Effio-E solution therefore, there is no substantial difference in terms of image quality, the main differences remain with outer design and functions," said Huang Liang, Product Manager at Tiandy. "This problem applies not only to analogue cameras, but also network cameras, it is chip manufacturers who have the core technology," said Stephen Wong, Executive Director of Coop Security.

"The majority of 960H camera solutions all utilize SONY Effio, our aim apart from utilizing the chips solution to the fullest is also to pay close attention to the stability and quality of our products," said Cheng. Other manufacturers have added different technology to their product line in order to give their product a unique edge. "Using SONY references, we do a ground up design based on our own technology, we consider heat issues and installation into multiple housing shapes and formats," said Ann Wu, Vice President of Sunell Technology. "In comparison with other 960H cameras in the market, our products have been implemented with mechanical filter switching technology, which allows the product to operate at its best whether in terms of color restoration or infrared illumination," said Zhong.

The Future for High Definition Analogue
The future for the 960H camera remains bright, according to Chinese manufacturers. "In the future, 960H camera will become the main market trend, it will replace other analogue cameras in the market due to its inexpensive price, there is still room for lowering of prices," said Huang. Further developments which can be anticipated for the product are largely the same and are dictated by market requirements and demands. "However, a main concern is that 960H CCD and ISP solution will be dominated by a monopoly, which will cause front-end manufacturers into homogenization and pricing wars," said Wong.

"What to look out for in the future is manufacturers' releasing top quality and innovative products, this should not be based primarily on image quality but other criteria such as functions," said Ying. "What needs to be emphasized is that image quality is not based on high resolution alone, other factors such as wide dynamic range and low lux are also part of the criteria, and any technological breakthrough in this area should be greatly anticipated by the market."

Now that market has become familiar with 960H the question of the release of an analogue camera with an even higher resolution is something which comes to mind. "Currently in the market there is not an analogue solution which exceeds 960H/700 TVL in resolution, even if a new solution is to become readily available it will require approximately two years before it can fully expand in the market," said Cheng. Wan agrees with this, he further states that there is currently no new developments for the product in terms of higher resolution, the costs of a higher resolution CCD solution would prove to be rather costly.

1280H solution should not be ruled out. "In terms of technology it is possible to reach 1280H, but this will depend on the market," said Ying. "But should the resolution exceed 960H, then it will be a CMOS solution which is required," said Wang. Wu further develops this point stating that there is uncertain future for CCD sensors unless the CMOS solution cannot perform with the higher resolutions, but it is expected that CMOS will be the dominant force for analogue.

The future outlook of 960H from China's manufacturers is that over the next few years this product will replace the traditional analogue system, however it is agreed between the manufacturers it will become the main stream analogue trend, but it will also only be a transitional product until IP and HD-SDI technology becomes mature.

Preparations for IP Video Storage

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/12/2012 | Article type: Tech Corner

- Users can reserve channels in advance, so that no additional cost is required
- Servers are better at handling larger expansions.
- Proper planning by consultants or integrators is a key requirement for a cost-effective solution meeting the required security levels

A very important consideration when setting up a video surveillance system is foreseeable expansion. The number of channels that an end user foresees expanding will have implications during the original installation. Small expansions are easily accommodated. Since NVRs come with specific channel numbers, extra channels can be saved for future expansion. “For future expansion, users can reserve channels in advance, so that no additional cost is required,” said Ricky Law, Sales Engineer at Ensec Solutions. However, adding extra appliances will require system downtime and rewiring.

Servers are better at handling larger expansions. Extra cost is needed in additional licenses for additional channels, but extra servers may not be needed as extra hard-disk drives (HDDs) can be directly added to existing servers.

Failsafe Measures
For added assurance, common points of failure should also be considered. By thinking ahead, the amounts of downtime and lost data can be minimized. As HDD failures occur frequently, many vendors offer servers and appliances with RAID options for video surveillance: 0, 1, 5 and 6. Hardware RAID is more expensive and is better at preserving data. Software RAID is less expensive but requires more processing power. If your data is mission-critical, hardware RAID may be a safer bet. “When NVR activity exceeds NVR capacity, when NVRs fail, and when NVRs are upgraded, these all require manual intervention in the field and can lead to system downtime,” said Lee Caswell, founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Pivot3.

Design features could help minimize the damage or downtime from an NVR or server. The number of channels per server or NVR could be limited to reduce the number of black cameras in the case of a server or NVR failure, Stephen Beckmann, Video Product Marketing Manager in EMEA, American Dynamics, (a Tyco Security Products company).” suggested. Backup storage, perhaps in the form of another NVR, could be configured in hot failover mode, to take over when the first NVR fails. Due to the flexibility of NVRs, an integrator can simply bring a dysfunctional NVR back to the laboratory to do repair work and minimize cost, whereas the service required with PC servers is much more intensive and requires longer hours out in the field, Law said.

Bigger Picture
A recording and storage solution that accounts for all of these factors — system architecture, storage distribution, system management, computing power, stability issues, foresight — will be better able to cope with the end user's current and future needs, and be more cost-effective in the long run. “Proper planning by consultants or integrators is a key requirement for a cost-effective solution meeting the required security levels,” said Beckmann.

It can get very complicated with large jobs, Larson cautioned. A recently completed video installation with 1,900 megapixel cameras fed video information into 40 servers, and then passed the information into a SAN for centralized, long-term storage. “In this scenario, you can't just take in all the cameras to the 40 servers, and then have all the 40 servers send all those cameras to the central storage,” said Tom Larson, Director of Global Accounts, BCDVideo. The case was handled by holding storage in the servers for a day or two, before dumping the data from the servers into the storage array on a schedule. This meant that a lower-performance SAN and a lower-bandwidth network could be used, reducing the overall cost. “If you had 30 to 40 servers do live storage, it could get very, very expensive.”

As the vast majority of monitoring was going to be done in store, with occasional bandwidth passing outside of gas stations, only a series of NVRs were used to achieve what was needed. A suitable video installation can come with a reasonable price tag.

“You have to start planning and engineering the total solution early on,” Larson said.

Keeping IP Video Reliable and Resilient

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 6/11/2012 | Article type: Tech Corner

- Window-based software is more prone to stability issues, hacker issues and requires firewalls.
- Linux-based software is comparatively low-maintenance.
- When PCs play a bigger role in the recording and movement of data, the processing power is of greater importance.

In IP-enabled environments, management software is just as important as any piece of hardware. Windows-based software is easier for R&D, and thus usually has more advanced functions than embedded software. On the other hand, Window-based software is more prone to stability issues, hacker issues and require firewalls. “Firewalls aren't necessary with a Linux-embedded system,” said Andrew Yu, Security PM at Qnap Systems. “It's a little more difficult for R&D, but for end users, it's much less likely to attract hackers or viral infections.”

The firewall may conflict with third-party VMS, however. “For daily operation of a PC plus servers, there is a risk that the firewall or anti-virus software may crash with the recording function,” said Ricky Law, Sales Engineer at Ensec Solutions. There may also be compatibility issues between the management software and the PC's operating system (OS). “This can only be solved through firmware updates from the manufacturer. Even then, the firmware may not be stable and may require the system integrator's constant attention or frequent adjustment.”

Another problem that could arise is that VMS developers may stop updating their software. “System upgrades or expansions, which might be needed for extra functions or new cameras, could become challenging,” Law said. It would be more difficult for end users who only have basic IT knowledge to solve these problems.

Linux-based software is comparatively low-maintenance. “With a hardened Linux OS, the service and maintenance cost for a video server is close to nothing, because a software update is the only requirement when the end user wants the latest video features,” said Stephan Beckmann, Video Product Marketing Manager for EMEA, American Dynamics (a Tyco Security Products company).

Power Play
PC capabilities should also be taken into consideration in installations with client-server architecture. If the PC is just a client, then the failure of that PC will not affect the main recording and storage. This is helpful as users' PC habits can be unpredictable. “Sometimes, we don't know what the user will use on that PC,” said Aaron Yeh, Sales and Marketing Director for Surveon Technology. “If the user runs a lot of applications on the same client, this can cause the client to crash. A modularized design, however, will not impact the recording server.”

But if the processing power of the hardware within the monitoring station is not enough, users may attribute lag to the system, when actually the PC is at fault. “One of the most underrated issues is the processing power of the computerused to monitor video streams,” said Florence Shih, GM of Thecus Technology. “Displaying dozens of cameras on four to six screens requires a lot of CPU power than most would expect, and users may experience a major system slowdown, but when in fact, it's a simple lack of processing power from the monitoring station.”

When PCs play a bigger role in the recording and movement of data, the processing power is of greater importance. “High-end PCs are required for deployment in a complex environment, as performance of management software is heavily dependent on computing power,” said Syo Luo, Product Specialist at Synology. In such cases, splitting functions among different PCs is advised. “To reduce loading, some solutions provide two PCs to perform live view and recording, respectively.”