Leaving a Legacy

Industry ready to embrace IP surveillance technologies

  • By Dave Underwood
  • Feb 01, 2008

The security industry is clearly ready for IP video surveillance. Network cameras have been around for more than a decade, and they can now be found everywhere. Furthermore, the latest megapixel cameras offer image quality that is not available with standard analog cameras. Network bandwidth is already faster today than it was just a few years ago. Processing speeds on PCs continue to get faster while hard drives and other storage options continue to get bigger— all with the cost of computers, generally, decreasing.

Recent independent studies have indicated that the long-term cost of an IP system is actually lower than an analog-based DVR system. The big question for security integrators is, “What’s keeping you from upgrading your customers to IP

Key Considerations
There are three hurdles to face when contemplating making the switch from analog DVRs to IP video.

Price. Although the overall cost for an IP system is lower, according to recent reports, many people balk at the price of new network cameras. While it’s true that in the long run an IP system can cost less, customers initially may not see it that way.

Familiarity and the learning curve. Let’s face it. People are comfortable with what they know—and you’re familiar with analog DVRs. It was just a few years ago that you were installing time-lapse VCRs and then switched your customers to new DVR technology. It required a lot of work and precious time to get up to speed on the latest innovations in video surveillance and to get customers there as well. Now, faced with adopting new IP video technology, you’re still just as busy— perhaps even more so than before—and you’re not sure if you can justify the time it will take to learn a new technology.

Legacy analog installation. Some customers may wish to install a new, IP-only system from the ground up. They may be ready to replace analog cameras and coax cables with network cameras and CAT-5 cables. However, other customers may not have the budget to do this and may wish to leverage existing investment in analog surveillance. They want the technology that’s available without ripping out what they already have. Is there a solution for them?

IP video is here to stay, and customers will benefit from it. Dealing with these hurdles is not as difficult as you might think—and you don’t have to rip out your existing analog cameras and wiring to create a future-proof solution.

Creating a Solution
First, you can create a system using existing legacy equipment with commercial, off-the-shelf servers, network hardware and an encoder. The encoder will turn the signals from analog cameras to a network stream that can be recognized by the server. Many of the major IP camera manufacturers also offer encoders.

A single device can encode video from multiple analog cameras. Combine this with powerful NVR software, and simply add IP cameras where you need them the most or where you couldn’t previously place an analog camera. With most commercial installations, it is highly likely that you will already have network wiring in place, which you can use immediately. In addition, many of today’s IP cameras are PoE and do not require a separate wire for electricity.

Hybrid Servers
While a commercial off-the-shelf solution can meet all of your needs, you may wish to purchase something that can handle analog and IP video right out of the box. A hybrid server takes in video from traditional analog cameras and IP cameras. Many of these machines resemble DVRs. The BNC inputs will allow you to simply plug in your existing analog cameras. You also can add analog PTZ cameras and alarms— just as you would with a DVR. The hybrid server will allow the addition of IP cameras to the system as well. Depending on the server and client software, there should be little to no difference in how you can utilize video from both analog and IP cameras.

The NVR software you choose is important for many reasons. Not only do you need software that is powerful enough to handle the latest IP video technology, it also needs to be easy to install and use.

This will lessen the learning curve for you and the customer. Additionally, it is desirable for your NVR software to connect to multiple hybrid NVR servers and commercial servers using the same client interface. This type of flexibility, scalability and power allows you to make the most of the resources you have available with each installation site. Both of these solutions—commercial and hybrid—can be very cost-effective methods to make the most of the technology available today while still using existing, useful legacy equipment.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.