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Video Surveillance System Evolution
Video surveillance has existed for decades, functioning to provide safety and security for a variety of end users. With security risks as high as they’ve ever been, more and more nontraditional groups are discovering the value of video surveillance installations. From warehouses and daycare centers, to transportation systems and now even entire municipalities, the benefits of video surveillance stretch far and wide.
As the need for visual security increases, surveillance technology continues to evolve. Up until fairly recently, analog CCTV systems ruled the roost. These systems were certainly effective, but at times suffered in the areas of image quality, storage capabilities, and scalability. They also restricted viewing of footage to select monitors in a single central location. Countering the limitations of traditional CCTV are new IP-based surveillance systems. IP or Internet protocol surveillance is reshaping the industry, and many organizations are strongly considering upgrading to this technology, while a high percentage of new prospective users are looking at IP-based surveillance as the logical choice for their security needs.
IP cameras transmit digital video feeds over a LAN or WAN network in a similar fashion to how emails are sent. The video footage is stored on a network server, hard drive, or NVR where it is viewable to authorized remote users over the Internet. Remote video monitoring is one of the greatest advantages of IP surveillance over traditional CCTV. Other benefits include limitless digital storage, enhanced search capabilities, integration with other security systems, and scalability. Additional IP cameras can be added to the system in the same manner as any other network device, without requiring the coaxial cabling that’s needed for CCTV equipment. IP systems are also cost effective. While the initial price of some of the equipment might seem high, installation and maintenance costs are lower, and there’s no need to buy additional equipment or tapes for storage once the system is set up.
As IP surveillance equipment continues to evolve, the cameras themselves are becoming more intelligent. Intelligent IP cameras, or “smart cameras,” feature built-in software algorithms that work to detect specific activities and predetermined events. Examples include behavioral recognition, left objects, facial recognition, and sophisticated forms of motion sensing. By bringing this technology to the camera, it’s easier to effectively utilize the powers of video analytics in real time.
This trend towards IP-based surveillance systems and more intelligent and powerful security cameras is projected to be the cornerstone of video surveillance as the industry pushes towards the future.
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