Secutech Expo 2010’s product offerings were all about ease of use. While trends like IP and HD were evident, more manufacturers emphasized user-friendly features with intuitive interfaces and smooth integration.
Secutech Expo 2010's product offerings were all about ease of use. While trends like IP and HD were evident, more manufacturers emphasized user-friendly features with intuitive interfaces and smooth integration.
Secutech Expo gathers worldwide manufacturing elite, with extraordinary emphasis on Asia. While the economic downturn has reduced demand for some, disruptive innovation has sustained countless exhibitors and visitors at the showground.
Ease of use was a noticeable trend. The Digifort IP Surveillance System VMS featured an intuitive interface with separate ones for operators and administrators, said Eric Fleming Bonilha, Representative. Many other products also embody simplicity, such as Koukaam's NVRs and video gateways enabling more user uptake, said Elsa Cheng, Sales Manager.
To eliminate extra equipment, several "black boxes" combined multiple technologies in one device. HeiTel Digital Video featured a transmitter integrated with a video server for communications, suited for video verification.
Smoother integration is much sought after. "We have a full product line. We serve 
customers with APIs and SDKs," said Soon Ho Hong, President of iCanTek. "For integration with third-party vendors, we let customers select."
Many network cameras demonstrated maturer, smarter functions. Etrovision and GKB Security featured "push" capability from cameras. Instead of passively processing or storing video locally, the cameras automatically forward video to an end point so it is not stored remotely and at risk of being compromised. Other combinations included DVRs integrated with displays, allowing users to easily review footage.
High Resolution
HD was front and center for many surveillance solution providers. As a mature transmission protocol, HD had strong uptake in a number of DVRs from Apro, DynaColor, Indigo Security and MicroDigital.
The HDcctv Alliance has gained traction since its 2009 launch, with EverFocus Electronics releasing a compliant DVR. Comart System was also an early adopter, with solutions available two years ago in partnership with Sanyo. Seyeon released a network camera in two versions as well, using either a CMOS or CCD image sensor, said Allan Jang, Overseas Sales Assistant Manager.
Cameras featured higher resolution, with ABUS Security-Center releasing a camera with HD-SDI output. Dali Technology launched HDMI 1.3- and 2-megapixel cameras, said Qiao Li, Market Planning.
Megapixel has captured widespread attention. "Our latest product is a 2-megapixel network camera," said Dong-Jin Yang, Sales and Marketing Manager for CNB Technology.
Mintron will offer a 3-megapixel HDcctv network cameras, recording in H.264 or MPEG-4.
Pixel counts are climbing, with Hikvision displaying a 5-megapixel network camera along with Fuho, IMI Technology, iPUX and Micronet Communications. "Micronet announced its 5-megapixel camera, which is embedded with a Texas Instruments 
chipset to support its full-HD capability," said Brian Chen, Sales Manager. "The compression formats come in H.264, MPEG-4 and M-JPEG."
Double-digit megapixel also surfaced, with StarDot Technologies and Arecont Vision launching 10-megapixel cameras. "Every single Google data center uses Arecont's cameras and DVTel's VMS," said Becky Zhou, Director of Sales for Asia Pacific. Its day/night registers 3-megapixel resolution by day and 1.3-megapixel resolution by night. Other notable solutions included Avigilon's 16-megapixel camera for niche installations, though at much lower frame rates.
Megapixel cameras had more options this year. "We have a megapixel PTZ camera," said Ray Chan, Director of Sales for Infinova. "You can move 360 degrees for a more comprehensive view." Fisheye and e-PTZ functions were seen in certain products from vendors like Arecont, Hi Sharp Electronics, Mobotix and GeoVision. "The GeoVision fisheye camera replaces traditional PTZ cameras," said Vincent Chen, Assistant VP of Product Marketing.
Transmission solutions are accommodating extra megapixel bandwidth. "With an IT background, ORing provides industrial PoE switches to transform network camera signals to fiber-optic ones that are transmitted to control centers," said Amjad Zafar, Assistant Manager of Sales, ORing Industrial Networking.
Variety
The big picture trend has not missed the analog crowd, shown by Aditya Infotech's 650-TVL cameras and Icos' cameras. "Icos offers an analog bullet camera with high-end functions such as WDR and 620 TVLs," said Hong-Joo Hyun, CEO.
Even night vision is getting better. VTC Electronics introduced an IR outdoor dome with 650 TVLs by day and 700 TVLs by night, said Wayne Kuo, Assistant Manager of Sales and Marketing.
Storage devices were more efficient, such as Hunt Electronic's HDMI NVR with full-HD resolution at 620 to 650 TVLs and H.264 compression.
Displays
More displays featured HD to see high resolution footage properly. AG Neovo showcased its industrial displays with HDMI and HD-SDI formats. A sensor adjusts brightness according to ambient illumination, saving energy.
MatrixVixion displayed its full HD video walls for control rooms, with adjustable resolution by channel.
Analytics
Video analytics emphasize better real-life performance, with developments in precise monitoring and edge deployment. Huper Lab demonstrated its 3-D 
intelligent video solution, using two cameras to detect and measure horizontally and vertically for moving objects.
Analytics are also getting easier to set up. "Our intelligent DVR features video analytics, including abandoned object detection, perimeter protection, object counting, virtual barrier and missing object detection," said Mackay Meng, Regional Sales Executive, BlueStar SecuTech. "The unique part is its display set on the operation platform, where users can view images and check setup on the display without having to go back and adjust the DVR."
Standardization
Interoperability was a buzzword, as buyers become more selective about best-of-breed solutions. HD based on analog infrastructure offers real value, as megapixel IP video has yet to approach the tipping point of 50 percent. HD remains the quickest way for analog manufacturers to upgrade to high resolution, as seen by EverFocus Electronics' HDcctv- compliant products.
In network video, Merit Lilin showcased its complete product lineup o f ONVIF-compliant solutions, including a 600-TVL camera and MP EG- 4 DVR. Hikvision had a plugfest at its booth, demonstrating its camera compatibility with Milestone Systems. More ONVIF-compliant solutions were available, including a DVR from Telexper and network cameras from Zavio.
Navigating Mobile Video
Mobile video solutions were bountiful, to meet onboard monitoring demand for buses, trains and service vehicles. A KCA mobile video system included a DVR and camera for recording, integrated with GPS, map displays and tire pressure sensors for a vehicular black box. A PlusTek mobile NVR navigated with Google Maps and used analytics to detect dangerous behavior, such as drivers nodding off.
Mobile storage devices require robust design. "The system has anti-vibration features for vehicle applications, along with a fanless design," said Beryl Chen, Sales and Marketing Account Manager, iSAFE Technology. "Images stream at D1 with 25 to 30 fps for each channel." The Dahua Technology mobile DVR was shockproof as well, with a 3-G module enabling remote surveillance.
Lanner's mobile DVR supports 3-G and Wi-Fi, compressing images in H.264.
In cramped quarters, mobile devices need to take up less space. "We have compact products that can be used with mobile NVRs on fire trucks, police patrol cars and buses," said Laurence Lin, Executive VP of EtherWan.
Despite being small, mobile devices pack functionalities. "Mobile DVRs with Intel Atom CPUs are our main focus in 2010," said Cheryl Chang, Sales Manager of the Surveillance Business Unit, Yuan High-Tech. "Features such as 3-G, Wi-Fi and GPS will become available shortly."
Remote Monitoring
The increase in networked devices and broadband applications has made remote monitoring a reality. "We will have more innovative products such as CMS and intelligent DVRs that enable remote monitoring with Web browsers," said Chaewon Yeo, Assistant Manager of Overseas Sales for Tibet System. QNAP 
Systems also has a Linux-based NVR that supports 120 channels of simultaneous monitoring, said Jacky Cheng, Manager.
The boom in smart phones has yielded a larger selection of monitoring programs. Several iPhone and smart-phone apps were available from AVTech, iCatch and JAMA Electronics.
The Koangyow Integration Machine mobile surveillance solution lets users remotely monitor their homes, with integration for up to 16 intrusion zones.
Other mobile platforms were also supported. "Provideo 3-G applications are available for PoS, which support Symbian, Windows Mobile and Google Android," said Ah-B Wu, Project Manager.
Access Control
Biometrics were a hot item, with multimodal verification adding extra security. HID Global showed card and fingerprint solutions. FingerTec integrated fingerprint and facial recognition as well as smart cards, said Teh Hon Seng, MD and CEO of FingerTec.
Face-Tek Technology used its own facial recognition algorithm in a biometric card reader with a keypad for strong security.
More biometric card readers offered users choice. "Our reader combines a 1.3-megapixel camera, an optical fingerprint sensor and a sleek keypad for identity verification," said Cheryll Medina Ann Chiu, Marketing Executive for Intercorp Solutions. "The unique, keyless panel is patented as FeatherTouch, making it stylish and easy-to-maintain."
Fingerprint recognition with a Hitachi finger vein module ensured accurate identification, said Salem Ahbari, Business Unit Manager for Middle East, Sagem Sécurité.
Access control management software featured better flexibility. "We have a visitor management system to register visitors," said Tan Fong Lu, Executive Director of ASIS Technologies. "The solution for identification can use a passport, ID card or driver's license, so visitors can use multiple credentials."
Some systems are designed for scalability. "Our system can support up to 4,000 readers; and for video surveillance, our system can support up to 2,000 analog cameras," said Ivan Tse, Regional Sales Manager of Asia Pacific and Middle East, Rosslare Security.
A WaferLock wireless lock with a keypad and mechanical lock can integrate with third-party intrusion alarms, reflecting a trend toward cohesive solutions. GIGA-TMS offered smaller RFID reader modules with greater power efficiency, as more users wish to shrink their carbon footprint.
HA and Alarms
Home and building automation solutions featured more modular designs, such as those by Amroad. Heitel, a video-alarm monitoring company, integrated a transmitter and video server box for easy communications.
Microsoft is deploying software for building solutions. "Microsoft has witnessed a number of trends in the IT and security industries and is making Windows Embedded available for the following applications and technology rollouts: software and services (cloud computing), IP and wireless, smart and connected experience, video analytics, biometrics and natural user interfaces," said Michael Feng, Senior Account Manager for the Taiwan OEM Embedded Group, Microsoft Corporation.
RFID is also playing a greater role in security and safety, with Hundure's detection solutions integrating tags with carbon dioxide and oxygen sensors. Summit Automation had patient tags for health care applications, making sure patients stay safe.
The show had more to offer, including homeland security offerings. Brijot Imaging Systems' passive millimeter wave detection allowed for noninvasive imaging. Nonlethal force was the emphasis for Taser, which displayed consumer and military solutions.
For fire, Honeywell displayed its safety solutions. Information security also had a strong turnout, featuring exhibitors such as Checkpoint and McAfee. Secutech brought the world of security to Taipei for a dynamic three days, making it the leading Asian exhibition for security and safety.