In November 2012, Dahua Technology debuted HDCVI technology to the world. As it is one of the latest innovations of HD-over-coax technology, a&s International would like to analyze its market potential and test its performance in security applications.
In November 2012, Dahua Technology debuted HDCVI technology to the world. As it is one of the latest innovations of HD-over-coax technology, a&s International would like to analyze its market potential and test its performance in security applications.
With the world debut of HDCVI (High Definition Composite Video Interface) -- the latest technological breakthrough in long-distance HD-over-coax technology, Dahua Technology demonstrated both its R&D capability and determination to become a total solutions provider. The innovative HDCVI makes possible the transmission of HD video without latency over a distance of up to 500-meter via coaxial cables. In other words, end users now have the option to upgrade existing systems from standard definition to megapixel high resolution at a lower cost.
Although network video technology has penetrated the majority of market sectors and geographic regions, the current global security market is still dominated by analog systems in terms of sales volume. Accordingly, Dahua still sees plenty of opportunities in the traditional analog market. “For a big commercial building with around 40 million coaxial cables, recabling can be extremely costly and time consuming. At the same time, end users want higher picture quality. Therefore, we believe end users would increase their demand of HD-over-coax technology and Dahua's latest innovation, which enables HD video transmission via coaxial cable within a 500-meter distance would be the solution to fit all these requirements,” said Liquan Fu, President of Dahua.
Global marketing with focus on Asia
With a strong network of local distributors around the world, Dahua plans to market HDCVI not only internationally, but also in Asia. The company sees Asia as one of the biggest markets and a region where HD demand is booming, especially in the ASEAN member states. “Statistically speaking, the ratio of analog to IP products is currently 9 to 1 in India. The Indian market is one of the markets experiencing great demand for HD, as is the Brazilian market. Therefore, we can predict that HDCVI has the potential to shine in other analog-dominated markets too,” said Tim Shen, Overseas Marketing Director at Dahua.
Currently, Dahua is confident that there will be great demand for HDCVI in verticals where HD video is required, but end users want hassle-free IP video systems and are often reluctant to replace the entire existing infrastructure of cables. These include the residential sector and certain SMB sectors, such as retail, banking and casinos.
Total HDCVI solution
In addition to HDCVI cameras, Dahua is going to launch HDCVI Tri-brid DVR in the first quarter of 2014. HDCVI Tri-brid DVR works with analog, IP, as well as HDCVI systems. “Therefore, there shouldn't be compatibility issues between HDCVI, regardless of the type of system that is already in place. We do believe with the launch of this new product, integration and compatibility with HDCVI will reach a higher level,” said Shen.
In the coming year, Dahua is planning on several local roadshows with its partners to better present HDCVI to local systems integrators and installers. Meanwhile, it has just launched a microsite — HDCVI Academy. “HDCVI Academy is designed to be a platform for interaction between Dahua, our existing partners, and potential partners. For instance, all of our distribution partners can access HDCVI Academy for updates on HDCVI, from product models, case studies, SDK, technical support, and even new bracket selection,” said Shen. “In addition, we have an interactive bulletin board to answer all questions that people might have at any stage of installing HDCVI cameras or HDCVI in general. HDCVI Academy is a portal for more people to understand the benefits that HDCVI brings and how they can be benefit from HDCVI.”
TIPS:Basics of HDCVI Technology
HDCVI technology is not the same as analog image processing technology, HD digital technology, or IP megapixel technology. The biggest difference between this technology and others lies in that HDCVI combines the analog modulation-demodulation technology (transmission) of analog image processing with the high-resolution optical imaging of HD digital technology and IP megapixel technology. This provides HDCVI with the best of both worlds – high-resolution display and rapid analog transmission. The result is rapid analog transmission in a fast provisioning system that is easy to set up, but at the same time avoids the headaches common with network video systems, such as bandwidth instability, data packet loss, and latency.
HDCVI camera test performance
As a reliable and trusted source of information for the security industry, a&s conducted a test on HDCVI front-end imaging and storage devices to learn more about this technology. The test included 2 DH-HAC-HFW2200S waterproof, infrared high-definition HDCVI bullet cameras; two DH-HAC-HFW2200S waterproof, infrared high-definition HDCVI mini dome cameras; and one HDCVI based DH-HCVR7808S hybrid DVR.
True Color Display
The true color display capabilities of HDCVI are confirmed in the test. The 2-megapixel camera supports 1080p and real-time, high-resolution transmission of 720p at a maximum frame rate of 60fps. The HDCVI-DVR supports 1080p to QCIF multi-resolution, and 1-30fps storage and transmission. It supports up to a maximum of 8 blocks of 4TB hard disks (enabling a maximum storage capacity of up to 32TB). The following results are obtained in tests where the DVR video parameters are set at a resolution of 1080p, frame rate of 25fps, and bandwidth of CBR 4Mbps.
1080p high-definition performance
After the high-definition images transmitted via HDCVI are demodulated by the DVR and processed via H.264 encoding and decoding, the horizontal and vertical resolutions of real-time image quality forwarded by HDMI can reach up to 950TVL. Furthermore, edge definition is close to 900TVL and 8-bit is easily identified on a 10-bit gray scale. The same image quality is achieved with both a 2-megapixel IP and HD-SDI camera. Color images are also consistent when compared against the 24 colors of the Color Checker.
The next test looks at performance of videos taken outdoors and indoors. First up, the images taken at noon on rainy days (<1000 Lux) are detailed, with branches hundreds of meters away remaining identifiable. Next, images taken in the evening with street lamps (>20Lux) are clear and transparent, with good noise control. Finally, the automatic gain control of the camera is good indoors, and under normal light conditions, images are clear and easy to view with moderate screen brightness.
Applicability in low-lux settings
When placed inside a camera obscura, the color of images taken in light levels above 14 Lux are consistent with those taken under normal light levels, but color performance is affected at Lux levels below that. However, the AGC is switched on upon further reduction of light levels and together with 3D noise reduction capability, color images remain clear and crisp. The cameras switch to black and white images when light levels fall to 1.06 Lux to produce clean, noiseless, and clear images. When light levels are as low as 0.18 Lux, the cameras automatically switch on infrared lights to produce sharp and clear images. With IR illumination, the camera is still capable of a 20-meter effective surveillance range in darkness.
Hybrid input Incorporates all images
In addition to HDCVI signals, Dahua's HDCVI high-resolution, analog solution also supports standard-definition analog video, 960H analog video, and network video resolutions of 1080p and below. HDCVI, 960H and D1 video signals can be accessed through the same BNC. It is also worth mentioning that this product is ONVIF compatible and supports third party front-end devices.
Transmission Distance Reaches Over 300-meters
HDCVI is capable of long transmission distances and its transmission distances of various coaxial cables are as follows:
* RG-59/U guarantees up to 500 meters of high-quality and reliable transmission at 720p
* RG-59/U guarantees up to 300 meters of high-quality and reliable transmission at 1080p
* RG-6/U or higher specification cable guarantees up to 650 meters of high-quality and reliable transmission at 720p
* RG-6/U or higher specification cable guarantees up to 400 meters of high-quality and reliable transmission at 1080p
OSD menu control via coaxial cable
In this test, it was discovered that the HDCVI solution allows for remote control of the camera's OSD on the DVR client side. This is achieved simply through connecting the DVR with the camera via the coaxial cable. Once that is done, the end user would be able to, for instance, enter the “PTZ” menu in the video channel to control the camera's functions and image parameters. The advantage of this technology is less upfront investment, as the coaxial cable transmits images and controls the cameras. Moreover, back-end remote control of the camera allows for more precision and saves valuable time.
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Excellent anti-interference performance
In the test, 6 sources of video inputs are transmitted and accessed simultaneously. In addition, there are numerous network cables, wires, displays, exchanger, and PTZ controllers in operation. However, it was discovered that images remain stable and the system is under control. Finally, when radio signals and magnetic fields in the form of receiving and dialing phones, are introduced at both ends of a 300-meter, 96 braiding coaxial cable, the image displays remain unaffected.
Supports twisted-pair transmission
This HDCVI solution also supports twisted-pair data transmission. In this test, the camera and DVR is connected via a 2-meter, cat5 twisted-pair cable that is also connected to a UTP convertor that is widely available on the market -- UTP Balun, coaxial twisted-pair convertor. The image display was normal and the image quality was identical to the results obtained when coaxial cables are used. Furthermore, DVR remote control of the OSD menu remains normal. According to the manufacturer's installation guidelines, 17Ω ordinary cat5 twisted-pair cable can transmit up to 300 meters at 720p, while 17Ω ordinary cat5 twisted-pair cable can transmit up to 200 meters at 1080p.
Steady and reliable transmission
A 2-megapixel HDCVI camera was connected with a 2-meter coaxial cable, while another identical camera was connected to a 300-meter coaxial cable. To observe the transmission performance of different cable lengths, images of an electronic stopwatch are then shot through the system to be processed by the DVR and HDMI local decoding. It is fair to say that the latency between the cables is the same, even though they are of different lengths. Latency is controlled within the range of 280 to 310ms and is consistent in all the tests.
Video playback is clear and smooth
DH-HCVR7808S supports 4 inputs of simultaneous playback at 1080p simultaneous. When video playback is tested, there is no difference between the quality of video images and the real-time video screenshot. The definition, color reduction, smoothness, and real-time effect are the same in all the following types of video formats: high-definition analog, 960H, 1080p high-definition, or standard-definition analog video. This indicates a proper processing of the DVR encoding and decoding.