To overcome storage issues, HD cameras should be connected to digital receivers so the signal is compatible with traditional DVRs, said Wayne Lee, Sales Representative, Yoko Technology.
However, uncompressed video takes up a great deal of storage. DynaColor's storage lineup includes an HD-SDI
.gif) |
| Ebony Huang, President and CEO, Brickcom |
hybrid DVR, which also accepts analog inputs. The hybrid DVR supports 720p and 1,080p real-time recording, managing up to four 720p camera inputs.
Rifatron plans to launch an HD-SDI DVR in the third quarter of 2011, but current component solutions can only manage four-channel inputs. It expects HD-SDI to replace existing analog products, rather than Intersil/Techwell's security link over coax (SLOC).
SLOC transmits both analog and IP signals through coaxial cabling. Sony's latest "hybrid" camera models feature the SLOC technology, which requires added development cost on the receiving end.
Not everyone is convinced that HDcctv is the waveof the future. Seenergy believes HDcctv is just a transitory solution to IP and will not develop related products. Others like Hunt Electronic, GeoVision and Hikvision Digital Technology are still sitting on the fence.
The market for HDcctv exists, but it is a niche market. "HDcctv will impact the growth of IP, but it's a minimal effect," said Snow Hong, President of iCanTek. As components for megapixel cameras are relatively mature and readily available, this makes HDcctv less desirable, as the technology is still developing.
Supporting Cast
Components are a key differentiator, as development breakthroughs affect product performance. "Several challenges face video surveillance product engineers, including improving video quality and supporting standards, while keeping cost and power consumption down," said Robert Beachler, VP of Marketing, Operations and Systems Design, Stretch.
Along with HD cameras and DVRs, displays must also support for HD. IC Nexus was among a select few display manufacturers, such as Acula and Exland, with a twist — an HD touch panel based on ARM.
Even DVR reference designs feature touch screen support, while managing up to three 1,080p video streams at
.gif) |
| David Burks, Global Product Marketing Director, Seagate |
60 fps, said Sunny Lee, Business Development Director, Catalog Processors/EEE Products, Texas Instruments. Its camera reference design supports dual-streaming of IP HD and analog D1 video, eliminating the need for a video server. Although HDcctv has its advantages, he feels the transceivers are too expensive.
Image Sensors
CCD and CMOS sensors continue to enhance pixel counts, with CMOS working to overcome low-light shortcomings. Mintron designs both CCD and CMOS sensors used in its camera modules, which include an HD model, said David Chang, Sales Department.
CMOS in particular has seen strong uptake for multimegapixel applications. "In the transition from SD to HD, a key development is the global rolling shutter which removes the need for an iris, making CMOS solutions even more cost-effective," said S.K. Lee, President and CEO of Pixelplus.
Network cameras are advancing in compression and analytics as well. "As demand for higher-resolution video escalates, better compression formats such as H.265 and MPEG-7 will be developed to optimize video usability and postevent searches," said Cliff Cheng, Senior Business Development and Marketing Manager, Aptina Imaging. "In analytics, we see lighting, shadow and occlusion challenges gradually being resolved and sensor-level processing and video tagging becoming readily available, given the maturity of the 28-nanometer (silicon) process."