Web-based surveillance creating a paradigm shift

24 Mar 09

Web based video surveillance has redefined the way business monitors its activity, as users can view video images remotely via an Internet browser. All this has become possible, because of the widespread use of internet, network-based cameras, computer hardware, and software.

Web-based technology enables users to not only view video images of several locations simultaneously in a single browser screen, but also to receive email or SMS alerts when an alarm situation occurs – all in real time. Another key feature of this technology is that computer hardware can record video activity in a remote computer’s database based on some user-defined criteria, such as a calendar period or motion detection, which can then be viewed later, to conduct an investigation or simply to view an incident that occurred a few days or months ago.

With the current proliferation of computers and access to internet, video-based surveillance makes it possible to view office or retail activity remotely thus saving time and money for corporations as it reduces the need for travel. Therefore, a businessman need not travel to see what is going on in his branch office or factory, as he can view business activity in the comfort of his home in a laptop’s web browser.

Similarly, a bank manager can determine whether the ATM location in a different city is running smoothly without visiting the ATM location. In short, the internet has redefined business’s approach to surveillance, because in today’s environment security is everyone’s business.

IP cameras: Adding value

A key part of web-based surveillance is the IP camera. IP cameras produce significantly sharper images as compared to regular analog CCTV cameras. Furthermore, digital image can be stored in a hard drive directly through LAN or internet and retrieved through the camera management software’s search functions to provide corporate users a capability, not available before.

An IP camera can also be described as a camera and computer combined into one unit. It connects directly to the network as a network device and has its own IP address and built-in computing functions to handle network communications. Furthermore, IP camera has built-in web-server software and an e-mail client in addition to features that include alarm input and relay output functions.

More advanced IP cameras can also be equipped with many other value-added options, such as motion detection, built in memory for local image storage during communication failure, two-way audio, pan-tilt and zoom functions, and night vision capabilities.

Major brands of IP cameras available in the Indian market are Axis from Sweden, ACTi from Taiwan, Mobotix from Germany and Sony and Panasonic from Japan. With constant technology developments improving IP camera functionality, their cost, and features have far overshadowed the capability of CCTV cameras. As a result, CCTV is being replaced with IP cameras in many countries, and is fast becoming obsolete.

CCTV cameras are analog systems and therefore cannot be easily integrated with microprocessor technology. As a result, they do not have the intelligence that IP cameras have, such as recording during motion detection, integration with analytics and alerting via email.

Image resolution and remote monitoring

Typically, CCTV cameras are restricted to VGA (640X480) resolutions only, while it is common for IP cameras to have mega pixel or higher resolutions. Secondly, conventional CCTV systems are connected to a security room and are designed for a guardroom environment, where security personnel monitor all activity in several monitors.

On the other hand, IP camera systems can be monitored from a web user, who is anywhere on the network. This means that any designated person with a computer connected to the network can access the IP camera network. On the top of this, it is possible for several users to view the same IP camera, which is not possible for CCTVs.

Moreover, because, IP cameras can record directly on to the computer hard drive, a video image can be easily searched using intelligent search criteria and replayed more easily than for a CCTV system, where images are usually stored on tape drives.

For a CCTV to produce images for a web-based system, it is necessary to connect the CCTV to a digital video recorder or DVR. The DVR converts the analog images into a digital image capable of being viewed on a web browser and further being stored in a hard drive of a computer.

System integrators therefore should educate their customers on using IP cameras instead of combining CCTV with DVRs, as the latter is a far less efficient a solution for a web based or remote monitoring solution.

Integrating with existing LAN

CCTV systems have other disadvantages as well, as they require extensive coaxial cable wiring that usually run from the base monitoring room all the way to each of the cameras. Whereas, IP camera systems integrate with the existing LAN, and hence reduce the amount of wiring required for a surveillance installation.

While standard CCTV systems are limited to 16/32 channels, IP cameras systems can be scaled to as many cameras as is required by the user. Secondly, CCTV require separate power wiring for each CCTV installed, whereas it is common for IP cameras to have power over Ethernet feature allowing the normal LAN cable to carry the power to the IP camera in addition to the video signal.

Safe and secure data

A major concern of users is data security. While CCTV cameras have no encryption, IP cameras encrypt the data that is being sent over the network, which makes IP camera video images a more secure solution.

Secondly, IP cameras have built-in software for a web server and e-mail client, making it possible for alarm input and relay output functions. More advanced IP Cameras are equipped with many other value-added options, such as motion detection, recording during communication failure and two-way audio.

Remote testing and repairs

Because CCTVs are analog systems, any repairs or diagnostics has to be conducted at the camera location, as analog circuitry cannot be accessed remotely. This is not the case for IP cameras, which can be accessed remotely via the Internet and a technician can not only diagnose the problem, but can also make remote repairs.

This is a major advantage for IP cameras as it reduces the cost of maintenance in large installations, where access to the camera locations may not be easily gained.

Advantage of image analytics

IP cameras produce video images that can be analyzed for useful information. Today, IP camera software use intelligent algorithms that can conduct activities, such as, number plate recognition, people counting and face recognition. As a result, video image analytics can be used to spot trouble or danger in real time.

Intelligence at the camera level implies a far more effective means of surveillance than is possible with a DVR or other centralized analog system.

In summary, CCTVs belong to an older era. However, their applications still exist in areas, where costs considerations are the primary drivers and the surveillance zone is limited to small areas. One can compare CCTV to a 35mm film roll camera technology, which is slowly being replaced by digital cameras the world over, as the latter has too many advantages over the former. Because, IP cameras are still new to several system integrators, CCTV is still a recommended solution in several situations, because there is a lack of experience in understanding the capabilities of IP cameras.

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