PSIA Demonstrates IP Media Device 1.0 Specification
The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance, a global consortium of physical security providers focused on promoting interoperability of IP-enabled devices in the security industry, recently demonstrated its IP Media Device 1.0 specification working with Milestone video management software and an IQinVision camera.
"Taking a preliminary specification to a working implementation in less than one year demonstrates that the open-standards process is an effective means of improving technology," said David Bunzel, executive director of PSIA. "This also marks a giant leap forward because we now have interoperable products and the Milestone implementation has provided impetus for a number of other camera companies to include the PSIA spec in their products."
This was the first display of a video surveillance camera and a video management system communicating over the network using the PSIA specification. Leveraging PSIA's open specification, Milestone's XProtect Enterprise 6.5 platform was able to instantaneously identify and communicate with IQinVision's 2MP IQeye camera.
"This demonstrates to our installed base and potential customers that they can rely on us to move the industry forward and deliver on our promise of a true open platform," said Eric Fullerton, president, Milestone Inc. and corporate chief sales and marketing officer. "We are clearly in the forefront as these standards are developed. Today, there are so many IP cameras being built that no manufacturer can build drivers for all of them. The quicker we get standards in place, the faster we can redirect the amount of resources we use to develop drivers to other innovative areas."
As more camera manufacturers develop IP ready products, it is imperative they incorporate interoperable standards like the PSIA's into their product line so their products can communicate with today's video management solutions like the Milestone platform without the need for a special driver or SDK.
"IQinVision is proud to have been the very first to implement the PSIA standard interface on our IQeye 4 Series line of cameras," said Ian Johnston, chief technology officer and vice president of engineering for IQinVision. "Given the simple nature of the PSIA protocol, it was easy to implement. We have made all of our PSIA interface code public domain and have donated it back to the community to help others understand how easy it is to adopt."
The IQinVision-Milestone demonstration comes just three months after PSIA ratified and released the 1.0 specification, which has been reviewed by technical experts that represent all segments of the IP security market.
"It is amazing that in a little more than one year we actually have a working interoperable specification," said Robert Hile, chairman of PSIA and director of Integrated Security Solutions at Siemens Building Technologies. "What we now need to focus on is its adoption across all industry sectors."
The 1.0 API Media Device specification enables interoperability between disparate products, expanding opportunities for companies that provide solutions to the physical security marketplace. The 1.0 specification is available free of charge and can be viewed at http://www.psialliance.org.