Special IP Cameras for Special Situations

When IP cameras were introduced a few years ago there were very few choices. Today there‘s a wide selection from which to choose. They have really replaced the old analog camera systems. Now there are special IP camera systems that are designed for special situations. There are cameras that see in the dark, others that can see over a mile away, systems that are designed for cities, others that can work no matter where they are, and others that are covert and hidden so no one knows they are being recorded. This article reviews some of these specialized IP camera systems.

The Nite Track IP camera is a special PTZ camera that includes an IR illuminator. This system allows you to see in total darkness over 600 ft from the camera. It is a very effective covert camera system because people can’t see the IR illumination at night. The illuminator can be adjusted to see exactly the area you want to see. Take a look at the web page for more details.

If you need a system that can see over a mile away, there’s the special PTZ IP camera system that uses a focused laser IR illuminator. It’s matched with a high performance 60X optical zoom lens that adjusts from 12.5mm to 750 mm or with doubler adjusts from 25 mm to 1500mm. During the day this amazing camera allows you to recognize things that are 19,685 ft away (6,000 M). At night the special laser illuminator reaches out 4,921 ft (1,500M). There’s more on our web page.

When you need a camera system that can watch almost everywhere at once, take a look at the IPDeputyNVR system. This system mounts on a pole and includes up to two cameras. This rugged outdoor surveillance system includes everything you need to establish a vandal resistant neighborhood surveillance system. The system includes choice of cameras and a built in computer with NVR software that provides up to 1 TB of storage. You can select standard IP cameras, megapixel or PTZ cameras. All this is provided in a complete environmental enclosure with power distributor, surge protection, heater/blower and space for additional components. The system communicates with your network by WiFi wireless, direct Internet connection or even 3G/4G cell communication.

What happens when there’s no Internet connection? Well you can use a complete camera system that includes an NVR system all in a covert box. This box also includes battery backup so that it will operate even if someone cuts the power. The system looks like an electrical box. It has room for a number of different cameras that include the IQ752 camera. With this megapixel camera you get enough resolution to identify a person’s face in an area that’s about 48 ft wide. It can see even when there’s very little light, with sensitivity of less than 0.05 lux. The battery backup allows the system to operate for hours without power. The camera has a CF memory card slot so you can add on board storage that can record many hours of video. This complete solution allows you to place a camera in new locations that were historically not available by IP cameras systems.

There are many more special cameras available and more becoming available every day. Just contact us for the latest and greatest at 1-800-431-1658 or 914-944-3425 or use our contact form.

Video Recording for IP Cameras

The Changing Technology of Video Recording
Pros and Cons of the latest IP Camera Recording systems
by Bob Mesnik

Recording video from surveillance cameras has changed over the years. First there were Video Cassette Recorders (VCR’s) and then Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and now there are Network Video Recorders (NVR). VCRs were around for many years and have been replaced by DVRs that use hard drives. Now, NVRs that support the latest network attached IP cameras, are starting to replace the DVR. This article reviews the technology and how it has evolved over the last few years.

Video Recorder
Early video tape recorders were introduced in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s Sony introduced the first videocassette units (U-matic) which lead to the Beta and VHS VCR products. In the 1970’s the VCR started to be used in the surveillance market.

Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs) used in surveillance, are modified consumer VCRs that have one or more camera inputs to record video from CCTV analog cameras. Duration of storage is usually only up to ten days, depending on resolution and frame rate. These systems were simple to use and relatively inexpensive. Prices ranged from $200 to $1,000.

The downside was the difficulty in finding a specific videotape and then a specific time period. Tape is not too reliable, so even if you find the right tape you may find the video has deteriorated.

Digital Video Recorder
Around 2000, the DVR was introduced for surveillance applications. The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) converts analog video (from CCTV cameras) to digital data and records the data on computer type hard drives. 4 to 16 analog cameras can be attached to a DVR. These systems provide far more storage than tape, are more reliable and provide almost instant access to the stored video. Prices range from $500 to over $2500 (for up to 16 cameras).

Since the video is stored in a form that’s more compatible with computers, the video can be processed and distributed easily. DVR systems incorporate better video compression, and provide motion detection and alarms. Many DVRs have network connections. Data can be sent over the network and viewed on a PC or it can be stored on CD or DVD-Recordable discs.

The upside is the ability to attach a variety of analog cameras into the network. The downside is that the DVR system has a fixed amount of storage and is not easily expanded.

Network Video Recorders (NVRs)
The NVR or IP software is a major advance over the VCR and DVR. The introduction of network attached IP cameras around 1996 required a new type of recording system to be developed. Instead of using coax cable to distribute the video, the video is digitized and compressed in the camera and attached directly to the Ethernet network. The digitized video is now distributed over the network just like any other computer data. A number of software and hardware products were developed to support these new IP cameras. The software runs on standard computers connected to the same Ethernet network as the IP cameras. The software transformed the standard computer into a Network Video Recorder. Now many hundreds of IP cameras can be supported by this IP NVR software. Prices range from $500 to well over $25,000 (for hundreds of cameras).

Some manufacturers also introduced NVR systems that included a computer. The purpose of this system was to make the transition from analog CCTV technology to the new network attached IP technology as easy as possible for the video dealers. For example, instead of using a 16-channel DVR you could now get a 16-channel NVR.

The NVR systems are much more flexible and expandable than DVR systems. The Ethernet network can support a very large number of IP Cameras and the more advanced NVR software is designed to use multiple computers to support an almost unlimited number of cameras.

Most NVR software runs on a Windows type PC system. An IP camera system consists of the IP cameras, computer with hard drives and IP or NVR software. The computer performance and hard drive capacity depends on the number of cameras, the resolution of the video, the frame rate of the cameras as well as how long you want to store the video.

NVR software can be scaled to the requirements of the surveillance system. You can get low cost camera systems that support up to 25 cameras, medium level solutions that support up to 64 cameras and enterprise solutions that support hundreds of cameras.

Software Overview:
There are a number of software options such as NUUO, ProSightSMB, NetDVR and NetDVMS from OnSSI and a number of versions from Milestone (which are similar to the OnSSI software).

The software uses your own computer and it will allow you to view, store and retrieve video and control the cameras. There are a number of common capabilities and each package also has some unique features and functions. For example, all versions allow you to view the video using a web browser from anywhere on the Internet, store video only when motion is detected, and notify you of motion alarm by email or by an alarm sound on the PC. NetDVR and NetDVMS are more robust server/client type software and add among other things the ability to patrol through preset PTZ positions and to transfer the video to alternative storage on the network.

The software is licensed according to the number of cameras you are supporting. ProSightSMB and NetDVR are both licensed by groups of cameras 4, 9, 16 25, 36 64 cameras while NetDVMS is licensed with a base license plus a per camera license. Here are examples of each type of software license:

NUUO is an entry level software for small numbers of cameras. It runs as an application (rather than a service) so should be used with care in commercial surveillance applications. It is licensed for 4, 8, 12 and 16 cameras.

The following software solutions from OnSSI can run either as an application or a Service.

ProsightSMB is entry level software that supports a maximum of 25 cameras. It is a single site and single server type product. This is a small-scale video management system that provides live video, recording, playback and camera management and control. It allows viewing of cameras from any computer using a web browser.

NetDVR is a mid-range product that supports up to 64 cameras on one server, and operates as a server/client. It includes features such as NetGuard client software for viewing up to 64 cameras at a time on any workstation on the network, auto-patrol mode for PTZ cameras, stores audio and allows video to be off-loaded to additional storage on the network. It includes NetMatrix that pops video up on any designated PC monitor whenever there is an alarm condition.

NetDVMS is an Enterprise product that supports hundreds of cameras. It is licensed with a base license plus a per camera license. Besides having all the features of NetDVR, this software can run on multiple servers that are distributed over many sites. It includes NetMatrix that pops video up on any designated PC monitor whenever there is an alarm condition, and Net-PDA software that allows a user to view and control cameras from their PDA.

Advanced content analytic software can be added that counts people in an area or detects if a package has been left unattended at an airport. The bottom line is that more protection can be provided by these complex systems using much less human resources.

If you would like more information please contact us at 1-800-431-1658 or 914-944-3425 or send a message.

Power over Ethernet

The other day I was asked about powering an IP camera over Ethernet. It turns out to be a bit confusing so I thought it would be helpful to write this down and un-confuse it.

First of all there are many different types of IP cameras. Some of the new cameras conform to the IEEE standard, but many of the older cameras have unique voltage and current requirements.

In some cases the camera manufacturer will recommend and even provide a Power over Ethernet (PoE) solution. For example Axis and Sony make it easy because they have a solution for many of their cameras. When the camera manufacturer doesn't suggest anything, you have to do some investigation.

I'm still working on the details and will get back with more information after the weekend.

How to Select the Light Sensitivity of the IP Camera

It is important to know the complete light range that is required for your cameras. You may have some cameras that will be used in dark areas and some others that will be in well lit areas. If necessary, you can select a different camera for each location. Not only do you need to know how dark it gets, you also want to know if you will have a problem with sunlight shining into the lens in the morning or evening. This can affect where you will place the camera. The minimum light sensitivity is important if you plan to use the cameras at night.

1. Go to all the camera locations during the night and see what type of lighting is available (if any).
   
2. During the day make sure the camera is not pointing into the rising or setting sun.
3. At night determine how much light is available at the location.
   

Lux is the measure of brightness. To get some idea of the lux value, consider that 1 lux is about the light from a full moon. If the light is less than this, you will require a more sensitive camera (costs more). If the light is more than this you can save money. Take a look at the Kintronics web site for more information about the cameras available.

IP Cameras are Great

The video surveillance industry has changed a lot over the last few years. I know because I've been around for few years. I actually started out life as an engineer and developed some of the first digitized video systems. This was back in those historic days of 1970's. We used CCTV cameras with vidicon sensors, analog to digital converters, and digital logic (no computers) to detect motion. What fun!

In the last 5 years I have gotten more involved in network attached camera systems or IP camera systems. This is quite a change from those old CCTV analog surveillance systems. Actually they are still around. Why have IP cameras become so popular? It’s because of the improved flexibility and ease of installation provided by this new technology. More importantly, it’s more cost effective. The latest IP solutions even include intelligent video processing that can track objects. Nowadays I don't have to worry about the hardware; it's all software now.

These network attached video solutions enable us to remotely and cost-effectively monitor and secure people, property and industrial processes. You can even use it to conduct remote classes, establish remote troubleshooting sessions, or broadcast sights and sounds on a Web site. Your network video system can be as simple or as sophisticated as you want it to be.

One of the major differences between the older CCTV surveillance systems and the new IP systems is the distance between camera and monitoring station and the ease of access to the video. Analog systems are restricted by the coax cabling systems, IP cameras are as boundless as the Internet.

More about this later. If you have any questions or like to add to this commentary you can contact me at bobmesnik at yahoo . com.