In 2012, the video surveillance equipment sector is expected to increase by an estimated 25%, according to IMS research. With such a sales forecast, what can be anticipated for network cameras in 2012 and what new features and technology can be expected. a&s International China Best Buys talks to several Chinese manufacturers who are well known for their technology and innovative products.
Streaming Solutions
Streaming is often an area for close observation due to the use of IP. Minimizing the delay is now a major focus point as should delays be persistently long then the network camera is ineffective for its purpose. Methods of ensuring the delay is minimized are to improve front-end and back-end codec and reduce the data transmission network burden,” said Qiu. Apart from the mentioned other methods include stream control and using an effective way of compression.
Archer stresses that a 720P network date, for just one camera and how this would stress a basic 100 Meg Network. For larger applications, he suggests that they re-stream the data feeds so remote clients, or devices such as iPhone/iPad only in fact need to decode a custom format video stream.
Software Interoperability
With the appearance of many brands and different software, software interoperability is the question that comes to mind. Software interoperability is a must for network cameras to function. Currently it is ONVIF and PSIA which are the two widely known standards for software interoperability. As for 2012, most manufacturers agree that this will remain the same, in particularly with ONVIF being the main and being the more well-known. "Interoperability must follow a unified standard to improve the existing standard,"stated Piao.
"The chance of any changes or development of new technology to allow interoperability between different product software is not hopeful, due to companies wanting to protect their product software and details,"said Ding. Although it is a known fact despite the existence of ONVIF, there still remains many issues which are still unsolved. In the long-term, the majority of manufacturers' cameras support ONVIF and PSIA, for the time being, it will still remain the solution for interoperability for network cameras.
Outlook for 2012
Often when speaking of manufacturing China, manufacturers are always known as mass manufacturers with lesser time dedicated to research and development. China manufacturers are often compared to their Taiwan competitors who in comparison are much stronger when it comes to software. Ying thinks that in comparison with Taiwan competitors China's software and technology is not far behind but China's experience in marketing is not as developed as Taiwanese manufacturers. He further states that marketing is an area which will continue to improve with time and interaction with foreign customers.
For 2012, China's manufacturers all have their different goals and aims but all have one similar aim, which is to invest more in research and development, in particularly software, which seems to be the weaker category for most manufacturers. Some manufacturers are targeting more specific areas such as Qiu who thinks that one of China's weakest area is currently optical imaging system and more research and development should be dedicated to this field.
Talent management is also key to further developments in the future. According to Luo, China's research and development team in particularly those specializing in security software are still young and lack experience. But with China's manufacturing experience and communication with direct customers, this is a great advantage as this means a better knowledge of a change in trends