What HD?
HDcctv or HD-SDI technology was brought onto the table by various exhibitors at Secutech 2011, offering more
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| Sunny Mathew, Executive Manager of Autocop |
hybrid or tribrid possibilities. Several interviewed have already begun talks with vendors to promote products based on this new technology in the respective regions. Others, however, maintain a conservative stance as to the development, promotion and acceptance of said technology.
Advantages
For some, HD-SDI products offer the convenience of utilizing existing analog infrastructure and avoiding the switch to a completely IP-based system. In addition, the HD-SDI concept is easier to grasp for traditional installers, who are used to analog systems. "Networking is sometimes too much for traditional players; therefore, HDcctv holds great potential compared to IP," said Andy Chao, President of Panorama Security.
Some are considering expanding their product lineups. "HDcctv is quite interesting and shall help us offer another choice to customers who are thinking of upgrading existing systems," Uy said.
Work in Progress
As HDcctv is relatively new to the security world and needs further time to mature, concerns were voiced. "I have noticed the various HDcctv offerings at the Secutech show ground, but the pricing and maturity/reliability would mean that next year or even 2013 would be a safer bet," Arseven said.
"The price of HDcctv is a sensitive issue. If it is set between analog and IP, there may be some chance for it to grow in the market; otherwise, it would be very hard for it to become widely adopted," Cuglovici said. Current price
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| Bud Broomhead, President of Intransa |
tags of HDcctv products could be six times higher than analog products; therefore, many are still observing how the market will react. Some suggested that encoders minimize the appeal and chance for HDcctv products.
In terms of technology maturity, those who have sampled are concerned about their storage, transmission and DVR functionality. "HD-SDI DVRs need to expand on their capability, as they offer only four channels now; plus so far, only a few makers can offer them," Allababidi said. Also, real-life transmission distance is still limited to about 100 meters, which hampers the upgrading of current systems, Palmov said.
"HDcctv products are not as scalable as IP products, and interoperability issues remain to be addressed, as industry standards for HDcctv are still in drafts," Jong said. Additionally, HDcctv offerings are unsatisfying at the moment, as some of them still project CIF-like results, Yildirim said.
Current mixed views do not seal the fate for HDcctv products in any way — it is, after all, still a fresh idea to many in the industry. Some optimistic professionals believe that as the HDcctv technology matures and products offer better functionality and choice, these devices could have a chance to be adopted by certain high-end, analog-based, niche markets.