Product testing: Hikvision’s text-search smart NVR

Hikvision has recently introduced its text-search smart NVR series which makes video search easier and more intelligent than ever. The article takes a closer look at the NVR, based on product testing by a&s China.
 
In traditional security systems, the user needs to look through piles upon piles of video data to find relevant footage. This makes search difficult, inefficient and time-consuming. Demand for cost-effective and highly intelligent smart NVRs is therefore on the rise. In this regard, Hikvision has launched their text-search smart NVRs, which integrate multimodal large models and advanced hardware. The user only needs to input a word or sentence, and the NVR will return relevant footage in seconds.
 

Cutting-edge hardware

 
Thanks to its powerful and advanced hardware, the NVR enables the preview, storage, and playback of up to 32-megapixel high-definition network video, supports instant playback and allows multi-channel viewing. It can decode 32 channels of 1080P video streams simultaneously without delay and support 16 channels of synchronous playback and multi-channel reverse playback, meeting the need of complex event tracing.
 
In terms of storage, the NVR supports 8 SATA interfaces and 1 eSATA interface, with a maximum capacity of 20TB per disk and a total storage capacity of up to 160TB. In terms of reliability, the NVR supports RAID+ arrays that make data writing and storage safe and secure. In the actual test, 8 channels of 4K video were recorded for 72 hours, and the RAID 5 array was used. After one hard disk was disconnected, the recording automatically switched to a spare disk, and the service interruption time was less than 1 second. At the same time, the locking function prevents important video data from being accidentally deleted.
 

Smart search made smarter and easier

 
The NVR is integrated with a GPU module, features deep learning algorithms and supports intelligent analysis functions, making it suitable for scenarios that require real-time monitoring and fast video retrieval.
 
The NVR interface is equipped with an intelligent text search option, which allows the retrieval of video with the click of a button. In actual testing, a text description was entered in the search box, for example "white van," "riding an electric motorcycle without a helmet," "bicycle," "cart" or "puppy" – and relevant results were generated in seconds.
 
The NVR can also co-work with front-end IP cameras to enhance video search with the following capabilities:
 
Target analysis: Images captured by the IP cam can be modeled and compared against the data library. Search targets can be quickly located via feature or attribute search.
 
Line crossing detection: Those crossing digital lines or intruding into off-limit areas caught on camera can be analyzed to see if they are staff members or unknown individuals. The NVR can filter out noise or invalid objects such as animals and shadow to reduce false alarms.
 
Video data structuring: Video data captured by high-definition IP cameras can be effectively structured to make search for targets such as cars and individuals more accurate and effective.
 

A new era in video surveillance

 
The rollout of Hikvision’s text-search smart NVRs indicates network video recording devices supporting large models, especially multimodal large models, are becoming mature and ready for large-scale deployment. This is expected to usher in a new era in video surveillance and create even more applications for a wider range of sectors.
 
The product can be used as an NVR working independently locally, or it can be networked to form a powerful security system that can be widely used in the fields of finance, public security, telecommunications, transportation, critical infrastructure, education and water conservancy. Compared with a typical large model deployment that can cost millions of dollars, an NVR costs only a couple of thousands. And in the case of Hikvision’s text-search smart NVR, its high performance and cost-effectiveness will truly revolutionize video surveillance, potentially bringing business opportunities worth billions to the market.
 

a&s review

 
1. Cutting-edge hardware design enabling superb IPC support, storage, management, control, and intelligent analysis;
 
2. Supports video data structuring, which allows structured analysis on targets such as people and vehicles in video streams;
 
3. Diverse search methods allowing feature description search and open semantic search; in collaboration with front-end IP cameras, the NVR allows the user to quickly find search targets by inputting text;
 
4. Complete range of products for the user to choose from, with more flexibility.
 
Powered by multimodal large model and cutting-edge hardware, Hikvision’s text-search smart NVRs enable open semantic search and high response speed, all through a minimalist operation interface. This solves the pain points of low efficiency and high threshold in conventional video search. The NVR also takes into account privacy compliance and disaster recovery through a combination of edge computing and cloud backup. With cost-effectiveness and intelligent integration at its core, the NVR elevates security from "single storage" to "perception/decision-making,” filling the gap in security for small and medium business.
 
When natural language can awaken the "intelligence” in the security system, a technological breakthrough and a revolution in user experience are happening. Hikvision’s text-search smart NVR is definitely a manifestation of that.