Spy Camera Video Camera
This guide has been developed to assist customers with those decisions that are needed to successfully plan a video security system. The guide does not pretend to be comprehensive, but rather, the goal is to provide a tool that initiates a fruitful conversation between the customer and the professional.
Video security has changed dramatically in recent years. The events of 9/11 have led to dramatic improvements in the technology. Coupled with the growth of computer technologies, the industry, once dominated by “burglar alarm” companies, is increasingly supported by the IT professional.
Questions that are Relevant to Almost Every Application:
How many cameras will be needed?
What camera is the best for each application?
What type of video management system is appropriate?
How Many Cameras will be Needed?
The number of cameras will directly affect the attributes of the video management system. The design of video security systems is usually based on monitoring key assets and choke points, for example building entrances.
Choke points are an efficient method of documenting the movement of individuals. Choke points can include hallways, parking lot driveways, and entrances to common areas. Key assets include items that are both of significant value, and are subject to abuse.
The number of cameras will directly affect the video management plan. For these purposes, it is better to “pad” the estimate, as it is normal for new needs to evolve.
What Camera Technology is the Best Choice for each Application?
Conventional vs. Infrared (IR): The night-vision (IR) camera is currently very fashionable. Countless packages from the manufacturers include a set of IR cameras. There are applications that are best solved with this technology, but it is currently a common mistake for the IR camera to be used indiscriminately. Most IR cameras have a range of only 50-60 feet in night-vision mode. The range is proportionate to the amount of IR illumination provided by the camera, usually with IR LEDs. If your field of view has at least a little light, a conventional camera with auto-iris functionality can offer superior performance.
Fixed vs. PTZ: A PTZ camera can be remotely steered to access a different field of view. PTZ cameras are usually about 5X more expensive than fixed cameras, and the video management system will have to include support for the interface. Most cameras used in video surveillance are fixed. A fixed camera also is more suitable for artificial intelligence functions (see video analytics below).
IP vs. Analog: Most modern video security systems are now digital. The difference with the IP camera is that the video signal is digitized within the camera. This makes it possible to interface with the camera with CAT5 cable (network cable) instead of the more expensive coaxial cable. More advanced IP cameras allow sophisticated local processing of the video signal. However, IP cameras are usually more expensive than their analog cousins. It is possible to piggyback IP cameras on existing networks, but be warned: Video is a Bandwidth Hog.
Lens: The first decision is whether to use a manual iris or an automatic iris lens. If the camera is indoors with constant lighting, a manual iris is fine (and less expensive); otherwise an automatic iris is strongly recommended. Outdoor lighting intensity can typically vary by a factor of 10,000. Focal length is the other important lens decision. As the focal length gets smaller, the field of view increases, but makes for a more distant view. Adjustable focal length lens can be varied.
* The selection of cameras is critical to the success of your project. Everything else in the project can be done well, but with the wrong cameras, it is a wasted effort.
What Type of Video Management System is Appropriate?
Video management systems are the logical center of the video surveillance system, receiving data from the cameras, storing the video, and interfacing with the rest of your information system. At installation, this system’s importance will not be obvious, but as you utilize the system, this module will become very familiar.
All modern video management systems have at their core a computer. Some systems use a generic P.C. with video acquisition hardware added. This is usually the cheapest and most versatile option, but is also the most maintenance intensive, and least reliable.
The other option is a digital video recorder (DVR), which indeed includes a computer, but the computer is not a generic P.C., but is instead is an embedded computer with hardware and software designed specifically for the job of managing a video security system. A DVR is unlikely to be compromised by a computer virus, or conflict with other installed software. Most modern DVR systems support Internet protocol, which means that the system can be connected and share video with the organization’s information network.
If you decide on a DVR for your VSS manager, the software will be bundled with the hardware, and the software attributes should be a prime consideration in the selection. If you choose to utilize a P.C. as the host of your video management system, then the software used to process the video should be chosen carefully. It is important to understand how your system will be utilized. The most common use of surveillance video is for historical investigation. Well designed software can prove invaluable during this work.
The use of computer software to identify possible important events is called Video Analytics. At large airports and other venues, sophisticated software looks for suspicious behavior, such as the abandonment of a package, or even someone unusually nervous. A more common (and less complex) application for the average user is motion detection. With a motion detection log, the review of video of a normally quiet environment can be performed much more quickly (more information on Video Analytics).
Video data storage is an important consideration. Video storage will account for a significant portion of total system cost. The software used for the storage will allow the efficiency of the storage to be increased dramatically. MPEG-4 (and a subset of MPEG-4, H.264) is the most common algorithm used. A single camera can consume 7 GB of storage per day. Most organizations store 30-60 days of video. If the system has 10 cameras, 60 days of storage could account for more than 4 terabyte of memory consumed.
About the Author: Brian Bradshaw is a Certified Technical Specialist (InfoComm CTS), Microsoft MCTS, and CompTIA A+. For additional information on VSS, please visit the B.V. Technology Website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Bradshaw
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