Looking Closer
Network video management systems help harness full potential of high-definition video surveillance
- By Dave Tynan
- Apr 01, 2009
Video surveillance is a pixel-powered world, but pixels are only part of the picture.
Most people in video surveillance are familiar with terms used to describe image resolution, such as 640x480 for VGA. These numbers refer to the pixel density of the images produced with most standard surveillance cameras. Zoom in or enlarge the images, and the results are disappointingly blurry -- so blurry, in fact, that the images typically cannot be used in forensic investigations due to lack of detail.
But now, with the advent of high-definition surveillance systems, video has the potential to be used effectively for evidence and provide a higher level of detail for advanced video analytics and activities such as license plate recognition.
But capturing more pixels is only part of the solution. Users and consultants of video surveillance systems have been attempting to overcome the lack of video forensic detail by saturating the target footprint with grids of cameras. Unfortunately, the intent often times results in ineffective video along with costly capture, transmission and storage systems. This approach of networking dozens, hundreds and even thousands of cameras has not elevated the video quality for forensic investigation. And when managing this immense network of video collection, systems often buckle under the load.
Video surveillance systems based on IP networks and megapixel cameras can become a highly effective and primary tool of investigation, but only if they are meshed with a network video management software (NVMS) designed from the ground up for megapixel performance. Without this type of technology, megapixel cameras can become an unanticipated drain on resources -- one that fails to deliver on its full potential.
Working Behind the Scenes
NVMS systems are the all-important brains behind HD video surveillance systems. The technology captures, manages and stores HD multi-megapixel surveillance video, while efficiently managing bandwidth and storage.
The systems work over the standard IP network infrastructure used by IT, promoting cost sharing for higher return on investment and lower cost of ownership. NVMS systems can also help with investigation by finding scene changes, missing objects and events quickly while allowing security professionals to accurately navigate through large amounts of recorded HD video.
But not all NVMS systems are created equal. There are several important factors to consider in selecting NVMS software capable of transforming video surveillance capture, transmission and storage systems into a primary tool for safeguarding lives and property and enabling forensic investigation.
First, NVMS software needs to be built from the ground up to manage the millions of pixels of information captured by today’s newest cameras. Without an NVMS system capable of recording at full capacity from multi-megapixel cameras, organizations cannot harness the full power and performance of the camera technology. Imagine purchasing a sleek new Ferrari and running it using an old Volkswagen Beetle engine. Purchasing the latest multi-megapixel cameras and deploying with aging video management software is a similar mismatched investment.
An NVMS system should also be capable of supporting a broad range of multi-megapixel IP cameras, from 1 to 16 megapixels, VGA resolution IP cameras as well as conventional analog cameras from a variety of vendors. This helps deliver on the promise of the industry’s latest HD surveillance capture solutions, while leveraging existing security investments.
With the flexibility of managing hybrid systems, organizations can migrate from analog to digital over time and invest in new hardware only as funds and requirements dictate. Another consideration is selecting an NVMS system that is open and easily integrated into existing access control and building management systems -- a crucial factor in today’s economy.
Making Life Easier for Operators
Video surveillance management software can also maximize operator effectiveness and minimize training if it features a powerful, yet easy to use interface that enables operators to efficiently monitor, evaluate and respond to events.
Even the most astute and alert operator will find it difficult to concentrate over long periods of time on video from dozens or hundreds of cameras. NVMS systems can help by providing the ability to view multiple cameras and regions of interest and cycle automatically to allow one operator to view a large number of cameras, regardless of location. NVMS systems should also be able to monitor events in real-time and alert security professionals in an instant to enable fast, intelligent decision-making during an incident.
Regardless of whether an operator is searching through hours of video, responding to an incident, zooming and panning on an image or determining the field of a view of a specific camera, the tools provided should be powerful and easy to use.
Now that video surveillance systems can share the IP network, it makes sense that the technology should be based on the same industry standards as modern PCs. Today’s computer users are accustomed to accessing features using intuitive functionality such as point and click/drag-and-drop operation, a minimal number of windows for navigation and intuitive icons like a magnifying glass for zooming in on an image. NVMS software can boost productivity by offering the same powerful yet familiar functionality.
Using Video Analytics
Finally, it is important that NVMS solutions offer a robust feature set for practical, logical and cost-effective video analysis. Operators need to easily find and review suspect activities within video archives comprised of millions of pixels of information.
Imagine drawing a box around the area of an image where someone may have stolen a laptop a few hours ago and searching on that set of pixels to determine what changed and when. Or envision being able to search on thumbnail images to pinpoint what occurred and when. This type of sophisticated search functionality can dramatically reduce the time it takes to conduct investigations, increasing the return on investment from HD video surveillance.
With these practical and exciting capabilities, high-definition surveillance is quickly moving into the mainstream. It offers highly tangible benefits such as reduced operating costs and increased ability to use surveillance video for forensics. It also holds the potential to be used as a business tool to prevent employee fraud and theft or monitor compliance with policies and procedures.
All of these benefits are attainable today, but only if organizations pair the right surveillance system for their application with the right network video surveillance software.
About the Author
Dave Tynan is vice president of global sales for Avigilon.