Making it All Together

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Sunell Technology | Updated: 11/15/2010 | Article type: China Corner

Sunell Technology is dedicated to camera development. Its robust R&D capabilities make it one of the leading camera companies in China. Michael Archer, PM at Sunell Technology, talks more about company’s future R&D plans.

Solutions
Sunell is highly regarded and known for selling video surveillance products for years. However, it less well-known that Sunell has been involved in many emerging markets around the world as well as with small projects inside mainland China. The structure of the company is more than a set of divisions, but a knowledge pool of ideas. With the ability to share among technical divisions, Sunell is able to provide total solutions with fewer resources, compared to similar companies. Just throwing people at a problem or a task does not always yield a successful conclusion. The saying, “Too many cooks can spoil the broth,” springs to mind.

Anti-Fog
One emerging area for video surveillance is challenging environments for monitoring. With this in mind, Sunell has a digital processing anti-fog technology which can be seamlessly fitted into many different products, from megapixel PTZ to even the latest Effio-P solutions. The ability to increase visibility adds value to any installation where bad weather is a problem. Most road accidents are due to adverse weather conditions, and providing more robust images in such conditions has great value.

Standards: ONVIF
ONVIF is becoming a must in terms of product offerings, with more than 200 companies now supporting this alliance. ONVIF brings the software side of IP to a level that everyone can have the choice, from NVR applications to intelligent video analytics. With the integration of many providers, security software vendors and NVR manufacturers, end users are sure to benefit from the ONVIF standard.

ONVIF has shown it is not a static standard, with updated specifications making their way. These updates offer added features for what is becoming an established format.

Present and Future: IP Range
Sunell now has a comprehensive range of IP products, fitting each gap one step at a time. Current solutions range from base level sensor technology from D1, 1.3-megapixel CCD, 2-megapixel CCD, 2-megapixel CMOS and 5-megapixel CMOS. Each sensor comes with a comprehensive product range, from box cameras, dome cameras, IR cameras, PTZ cameras and also zoom modules. The full IP range is ONVIF-compliant and features Sunell’s world-class SDK for specialist applications.

Sunell is stepping up with its own CMS system to introduce high level monitoring software to customers. This can be a cost-effective solution for some market sectors, where cost can be as important as quality.

The latest development is Sunell’s NVR system. This will be a stand-alone IP server/CMS solution out the box, ready to plug and ready to run. It is the final part of the total solution for IP security.

Megapixel in the Making — Making Sense of It
With every advancement in technology, there is a new breed of winners. IP and megapixel technology are here to stay.

While most camera manufacturers use CMOS technology from a third party for their cameras, Sunell has developed megapixel CMOS image sensors, as well as CCDs in both 1.3-megapixel and 2-megapixel formats. There are few companies who would invest R&D resources to make a megapixel zoom module for PTZ network cameras. Sunell takes the technology leap and does not use off-theshelf ready-made components.

This gives clients assurance that they are getting a real manufactured product from Sunell. Sunell’s long-term strategy is to listen to customers, look into the future and never forget the present or the past. The company slogan is “Your reliable partner,” which is Sunell’s guiding principle for work ethics and business practices.

Industry Experts Join Pixim's Channel Marketing Team

Editor / Provider: Pixim Inc. | Updated: 10/28/2010 | Article type: Component

Pixim hires two security industry veterans who together have over 60 years of industry experience to support the Latin American market and the banking/financial vertical market.

Pixim Inc., a leading provider of image sensors and processors for enterprise security cameras, announced it has hired two security industry experts for its channel marketing team. As members of channel marketing, 30-year-security-industry veteran, Craig Robinson, and 32-year-industy veteran, Joe Peery, will be responsible for increasing the awareness of Pixim's brand as well as building channel relationships in their respective markets.

"Pixim has added an incredible wealth of industry knowledge and experience with the addition of Craig and Joe to our channel marketing team," says John Monti, Pixim's vice president of marketing and business development. "They are both highly respected in their markets and already have the necessary relationships in place to make an immediate, positive impact for Pixim."

Craig Robinson is Pixim's new director of business development, Latin America. Based in Miami, Robinson is responsible for the development and growth of the Latin American market. With over 15 years experience in Latin America and the Caribbean, Robinson worked as managing partner of Secutronex International Security Inc. where he directed business joint ventures and acquisitions and later supported distribution sales initiatives throughout 41 countries. Robinson was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, and attended Dawson College. With English as his primary language, his secondary languages include Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

"Latin America is a huge area of growth for security products," says Craig Robinson. "I am pleased to be part a company that provides a greatly needed security solution for our industry. Pixim's unique digital technology raises the bar in the quest for consistent security imaging."

As global director of financial business development, Joe Peery is focused on the banking/financial vertical market. Peery served as vice president of Hamilton Safe Company for 19 years where he was responsible for developing key relationships with financial end users. He was also president of the electronic security division of Hamilton System Inc, a distribution company for electronic security sales, support, and product management specific to the financial industry. Peery attended Ohio State University and is an active member of the Financial and Security Products Association (FSPA). Peery has trained over 6,000 professional security sales and technicians across the United States "From my experience in the financial vertical market, I know lighting issues such as glare, back light, and shadows in security video are widespread and frustrating to the heads of security for financial institutions," says Joe Peery. "I am excited to be working for Pixim where I will now be able to bring a real solution to their lighting problems."

Pixim Becomes Exclusive Distributor of Seawolf Companion Chip from Kiwi Semiconductor Ltd

Editor / Provider: Pixim Inc | Updated: 10/8/2010 | Article type: Component

Pixim Inc.,a leading provider of image sensors and processors for enterprise security cameras, announced today that it has become the exclusive, worldwide distributor for Kiwi Semi's KA909A PixMate?, a companion chip for Pixim's latest product offering, Seawolf. By integrating multiple discrete components, the PixMate chip greatly increases the flexibility of system designers to develop compact Seawolf camera modules by further optimizing overall cost/performance and manufacturability.

As exclusive worldwide distributor of PixMate, Pixim will simplify the design, support, and purchasing process for its customers. Further, Pixim will be able to directly release and support reference designs and modules based on the PixMate product.

"Pixim's camera customers will find PixMate a valuable solution," says Luc Lussier, Kiwi Semi's CEO. "Jointly defined with Pixim's application experts, PixMate creates a smaller PC board footprint by replacing a large number of active and passive devices on Seawolf camera modules."

"Pixim has enjoyed a close working relationship with Kiwi Semi since its founding over a year ago," explains Jeff Jones, director of product marketing for Pixim. "Kiwi Semi's commitment and execution on the PixMate chip has enabled Pixim to get to market quickly with an optimized solution which addresses our customers' critical needs."

New Security Cameras Offered by inMotion Powered by Pixim's Seawolf Chip

Editor / Provider: Pixim Inc. | Updated: 10/8/2010 | Article type: Component

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - October 4, 2010 - Pixim Inc., a leading provider of image sensors and processors for enterprise security cameras, announced that inMotion Ltd will be introducing a complete line of security cameras based on Pixim's new Seawolf chip. The eight-camera series consists of five vandal and indoor domes in a range of sizes, two box cameras, and an ATM camera. The complete series will be launched at ASIS, one of the security industry's most important networking and exhibit events, October 12-14, 2010 in Dallas, Texas.

Seawolf cameras by inMotion are specified at a resolution of 690 HTVL effective and offer the industry's proven best wide dynamic range. In addition, the inMotion cameras require just 0.1 lux of illumination to produce usable, color images at a full 30 frames per second.

"We serve an international customer base, so it's important our customers get consistent quality and performance from our cameras wherever the cameras are installed," explains Kai Leuze, inMotion's chief executive officer. "We specialize in retail, banking, gaming, transportation, and government vertical markets where security lighting issues are common. Seawolf-powered inMotion cameras are the answer for any lighting situation."

"This is a well-funded, aggressive new company with an exciting new product line," says John Monti, vice president of marketing and business development for Pixim. "We know that the capabilities of inMotion's Seawolf-based cameras will make the company a strong contender in the video security industry."

Get Peak Performance from Lenses

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 9/8/2010 | Article type: Tech Corner

Lenses are essentially ground the same way, but their installation affects image quality significantly. This second of two articles explores practical installation tips along with development hurdles.

Capturing good images is an interplay of quality equipment, installation and environmental factors. Getting a lens to perform well requires accounting for lighting, field of view and camera angle.

Illumination can be an issue even for controlled indoor environments. “The primary example of this is in casinos where installation crews invariably want to mount a camera directly above the gaming table right next to a bright spot light and expect a great shot,” said T. Riley Pierce, Senior Consultant and Project Manager, R. Grossman & Associates. “The light spectrum from the ceiling lights will cause ‘hot spots' on the table view if the camera look angle or the lighting assembly isn't adjusted to alleviate this problem.”

Image detail may vary, depending on where things are in relation to the camera.

A varifocal lens set to its widest setting of 2.6mm will provide a good overall view of the scene, but the end user will not get the same clarity over the entire shot. “An inherent factor with varifocal lenses is that they can provide a wide spectrum for adjustment,” Pierce said. “However the lens will not provide a completely sharp image across the entire view.”

One of Pierce's worst experiences with mismatched cameras and lenses was in a casino. The scene had a split-screen view of the table layout and the wheel head.

“The integrator kept insisting that the lenses he had specified would be sufficient for the shots; however, the Gaming Commission and I didn't agree with him,” Pierce said. “After he tried other lenses and camera bodies, he relented and went with a longer varifocal combo that produced the shot that kept the Gaming Commission and me happy.”

Field of view is a primary consideration. “You need to decide what it is you want to capture in the image and determine how many feet wide and high you need to capture the level of image you want,” Brissette said. “The main thing you are after is trying to cover assets and placing cameras where there are choke points where people will have to pass through.”

Temperature
Environmental factors such as climate can affect image quality. “Some places have a wide range in temperatures,” said Alf Chang, Senior Consultant for A&S magazines. “Installers need to make sure the lens doesn't frost over or accumulate moisture. If there are big temperature changes, the installer will have to make sure the lens operation range is sufficient.”

In extremes of heat, most lenses can manage temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees Celsius. “I've seen some industrial applications when temperature was not factored in and the lenses just melted in 100- and 200-degree temperatures,” Chang said.

Applications such as roasting coffee beans require a watchful eye and heat protection. Factory operations with open flames require lenses with fire filters, so users can see the flame's core instead of a red haze.

In cooler environments, lenses need to be bundled up. “For outdoor or speed dome lenses, they have their own heaters and housings, offering some protection,” Chang said. “You wouldn't place a lens naked outdoors.”

Wear
Practical issues such as wear and tear affect lens performance.“Whenever possible,avoid mechanical moving parts like auto-iris and motorized zoom lenses,” said Paul Bodell, VP of Global Business Development for IQinVision. “These lenses tend to break, and you will notice that many manufacturers exclude such lenses from warranties.”

However, the benefits of motorized lenses may outweigh their risks. “I have used cameras that had lenses that were not auto-iris,” said Peter Brissette, owner of www.cctv-security- camera-systems.com . “It was very difficult to get good consistent images. I would never recommend using any lens that does not have an auto iris.”

Lens Development
Several vendors are working to improve lens bottlenecks. Currently, few lenses on the market can meet both megapixel and IR requirements. “A better optical design can do both and have better day/night performance,” said Beth Wu, VP of Sales, Leading Optics. “We can deliver lenses that perform well in ambient and IR light, at a level acceptable to customers.”

Tamron has worked on stepping motors for megapixel lenses as well as vibration compensation. “Tamron is now developing a telephoto AF zoom lens for board cameras with a built-in optical vibration compensator,'” said Tommy Tsunoyama, Section Manager, Section 3 of the Sales Department, Industrial Optics Business Unit,, Tamron. It will correct images optically, providing clear images without digital manipulation.

CBC is developing lenses that mix optical designs and electrical technologies, like its motorized zoom and focus (MFZ). “For board mount varifocal lenses, we would like to expand the MFZ that is CBC's original technology designed for the remote and precise control of zoom and focus with a stepping motor,” said Takuya Ogawa, Senior Leader, Image and Information Technology Division, Optoronics Technical and Production Group, CBC. “The technology enables installation to be very simple and low-cost.”

The company's P-iris technology for network cameras controls image quality better, such as contrast, brightness and depth of field, Ogawa said.

Mega Challenges
As the number of megapixel cameras increases, lenses must keep up with demand. However, as more pixels are crammed on image sensors, lenses need to work overtime to focus light correctly. A pixel must be positioned in an area where its light does not interfere with the next pixel, or the depth of focus.

Depth of focus is 0.04 mm for 270,000 pixels, or roughly CIF resolution. This shrinks to 0.02 mm for 1.3-megapixel resolution, which makes megapixel sensors considerably more difficult to focus compared to SD ones.

In light of technical difficulties, a megapixel lens does not have to multiply the number of megapixels. “I don't think a lens manufacturer really needs to go farther than what is currently available, since the majority of the current manufacturers haven't ramped up their camera bodies to match what is available with lenses today,” Pierce said.

However, some camera makers feel differently. While megapixel cameras have been around for some time, surveillance-grade megapixel cameras have only emerged from 2009, said David Wang, Project Manager for Hikvision Digital Technology. “Image sensor development has far outstripped optical providers in terms of pixels. The market has a number of 5-megapixel cameras, but there is little choice for 5-megapixel lenses.”

A megapixel camera does require a dedicated megapixel lens. “SD lenses are not built to handle the types of views you can get with a megapixel camera,” Brissette said. “Most megapixel camera manufactures, however, can make recommendations on which lenses work best with their cameras.”

Currently, corners are a challenge for megapixel lenses, as their aspherical shapes do not perform consistently. “If you take a color chart, you should be able to see lines in the corners clearly,” Chang said. “The curvature cannot be too great.”

As video surveillance becomes more high-end, the pixel size for megapixel cameras gets smaller. “Megapixel cameras are harder to focus,” Wu said. “The design difficulty is tougher, with higher requirements for materials and lens curvature. The tolerance is trickier.”

Adjusting megapixel lenses is difficult with the tight depth of focus. “Our main challenges for megapixel lenses are not only for new optical designs in higher resolution and IR compatibility, but also for motorized mechanisms or control algorithms of zoom, focus and iris that provide image control capabilities and remote-adjustment capabilities,” Ogawa said.

CMOS sensors accommodate extra pixels for megapixel cameras, resulting in a boom of CMOS players entering surveillance. “On the other hand, sensor size, sensor height, axis position, resolution, color rendition rate and so on are not standardized,” Tsunoyama said. “The challenges are to come up with a method to match these differences.”

While megapixel is hot, its high cost could inhibit uptake. “As we believe that the key factor for increase sales of megapixel lenses is price, we are seeking what is the best technical and mechanical development to keep high performance and lower manufacturing cost,” said Tomoaki Katano, Sales Manager, Seikou Optical.

Unscrupulous Providers
While lens makers are generally reputable, some cut corners when they deliver final products. “Some lens vendors use great demonstration samples but deliver subpar products,” Chang said. “A city surveillance project looked great in demos, but wasn't as good in real life.”

For example, the lens serial number will be the same in the front, but may end in dash-1, dash-2 or dash-3. “Unscrupulous vendors will lie that a dash-3 lens is the same as the dash-1 lenses,” Chang said. “The density will differ by a grade, so it will be cheaper and deliver worse quality. The lens blank makes a huge difference.”

Buyers should not believe specifications on paper. “We have seen lenses that were rated as ‘megapixel' produce terrible images,” Bodell said. “We have also seen very inconsistent lens performance from the lower-cost manufacturers. Just because a trade show sample looks good doesn't mean all the manufacturer's lenses will perform the same way.”

At the end of the day, lens development boils down to seeing clearly. While some makers have lost sight of that goal in favor of short-term profits, a number of optical providers strive to deliver the whole picture.

Determining whether a lens is good depends on its engineering, user friendliness and adaptation to its environment. A quality lens delivers clear results.

Pixim's Seawolf Chip Delivers Best Image Quality in Low Light for Sunell's Newest Camera Series

Editor / Provider: Pixim Inc. | Updated: 9/3/2010 | Article type: Component

September 1, 2010 - Pixim Inc., a leading provider of image sensors and processors for enterprise security cameras, announced that Sunell Technology Corporation of Shenzhen, China, has introduced three new cameras integrating Seawolf, Pixim's latest chip technology. Sunell's Seawolf-powered camera series includes a vandal-proof dome (SN-FXP59/20DVP), a true day/night vandal-proof dome (SN-FXP59/20GDN), and a true day/night box camera (SN-BXC59/20CDN).

Through Seawolf, Sunell can now offer its customers cameras with 690 HTVL effective resolution as well as the industry's proven best wide dynamic range. In addition, Seawolf-based cameras require just 0.1 lux of illumination to produce usable, color images.


"With Seawolf, our strong engineering team can continue to develop the most advanced CCTV and IP cameras in the security market," says Steven Liu, Sunell's chairman and general manager. "Our customers are now able to get the highest quality wide dynamic range and the best low light images from the same Sunell camera."


"Sunell has successfully brought many Pixim-powered cameras to market," says John Monti, vice president of marketing and business development for Pixim. "We're excited to be able to offer this technology leader the industry's first single-chip video camera solution. Seawolf's capabilities will make it the right choice for Sunell as the company continues to aggressively expand its IP and CCTV camera offerings."

Theia Launches Ultra Wide Varifocal Lens with Linear Optical Technology (R)

Editor / Provider: Theia Technology | Updated: 9/3/2010 | Article type: Component

September 1, 2010 - Theia Technologies today announced the expansion of its line of ultra wide angle, no distortion, megapixel lenses with its new varifocal model.

Theia has leveraged its patented, award winning Linear Optical Technology(R) platform to offer all optical distortion correction in its new SL183 varifocal lens. Designed for 1/3”, 1/2.7” and up to 1/ 2.5” image sensors, the lens will provide from 77 to 115 degrees horizontal field of view, with less than 1% barrel distortion.

The varifocal lens will allow users more flexibility in camera placement and wide coverage of an area. In addition, the lens increases convenience with its True Zoom? capability: set focus once and the image remains in focus while zooming. And the lens does its work in a compact length of only 50mm from the CS mount - allowing it to fit in most mini-domes.


The new SL183 five megapixel lens furthers Theia's track record for supplying high quality megapixel lenses to the security industry and enabling crisp, high resolution images from megapixel cameras. Theia's lenses also provide increased resolution at the edge of the image compared to typical wide lenses which compress the image, losing information. This increases the probability of recognition of objects at the edge of the image.

The 115° wide field of view allows coverage of more area with one camera, reducing bandwidth, storage requirements, and installation costs of the whole system compared to the greater number of cameras required with other not-quite-as-wide lenses. Theia's Linear Optical Technology? optically corrects the barrel or fisheye distortion typical of other wide lenses, keeping straight lines straight without the use of software.

In addition to all-optical barrel distortion correction, the SL183 lens is IR corrected and can be used on Day/Night cameras (as well as on standard video cameras) to focus crisply in both visible and near Infrared (IR) light without having to re-focus the camera.

“Our new SL183 varifocal lens will be a powerhouse for the security industry, providing our patented distortion correction technology in a compact, full functionality lens. The lens is unique because it is the only one to offer this combination of capabilities - five megapixel resolution, an un-distorted wide angle image, True Zoom?, and Day/Night IR correction - all in a compact varifocal lens”, says Jeff Gohman, President and co-founder of Theia Technologies.

“Right Now” Shock: Get Over the Technology Fear Factor

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Lumenera | Updated: 8/17/2010 | Article type: Hot Topics

In our world of smart phones, HDTV and the “Web 2.0” Internet, everyone is alternately delighted and annoyed, empowered and confused given the rapid changes in technology in our daily lives. Gadgets and online tools that seem cutting-edge when launched often become obsolete shortly after their releases. That familiar fast-paced pattern in the world of consumer electronics can provide some understanding of the nature of the changes underway in the more conservative security industry.

Most industry insiders are familiar with the confusion in the minds of buyers and decision makers regarding newer surveillance technologies. While standards for broadcast television and CCTV evolved slowly, things in the world of computers and IT move at a much faster pace. The computer literacy of a large segment of the security installer community lags behind some other more high-tech industries; meanwhile, the innovation train keeps on rolling. In the information age, the standards and methods for capturing, transmitting, viewing and recording actionable surveillance video are forever in a state of flux.

The reality is that an experienced CCTV professional (call him “Art”) just may not have reached a sufficient comfort level with network cameras and NVR software. Art knows that he can deliver good results to his clients using analog cameras and DVRs or even — gasp — VCRs. Why would Art risk his business on a new approach? What probably comes to mind involves generalpurpose business applications crashing his PC.

Now, Art probably has a pretty decent HDTV at home. Art may even use VoIP telephone service at home, and he probably has at least tried using Skype video conferencing at work if he does business internationally and is looking to save. Every day, Art is tied to his PC and his BlackBerry/ iPhone, and he has come to accept these as indispensible tools in his work. Indeed, his customers and coworkers expect the flexibility and capability of urgent access that mobile devices provide.

Art must have some pretty good reasons for his specific discomfort around offering IP-based surveillance solutions in his business. Perhaps Art has already tried a network camera solution on a smaller, lower-risk project but he got burned. Art may be gun-shy after a bad experience that involved too much time spent on product selection and troubleshooting. Or perhaps Art is standing by smugly and watching one of his old buddies (read “a competitor”) go through some of the same struggles.

The famous “fear, uncertainty and doubt,” or FUD, only make Art human. FUD is typically the No. 1 factor preventing someone who is not an early adopter or tech junkie from trying out the next big thing. However, Art's FUD is probably what is holding back the future of his business in the next year or two. It is more likely that Art is just climbing the industry-specific learning curve, concerned about reliability and scared of losing face in front of his customers.

New “Definitions”
The table accompanying this article compares and contrasts the capabilities and challenges involved in each of the video formats. In recent times, the categories of “HD” and “IP” have been blurred. This is largely because many network camera manufacturers are seeking to link “scary” megapixel cameras with the more “friendly” HDTV technology found in our homes. Network cameras come in various forms, with image sensors ranging from SD/VGA up to the same multimegapixel resolutions found in point-and-shoot digital still cameras.

“Old school” SD CCTV
SD CCTV technology is more established and the more comfortable option for those without specialized IT skills. Conventional analog cameras use coaxial cables to carry video signals from cameras to displays and recorders. Analog/SD systems will probably always be the system of choice for many small retail and home systems.

The highest analog CCTV resolution is D1/4CIF. This category covers the varying broadcast standards found across the globe, NTSC and PAL/SECAM, all approximately 700 pixels wide by 500 lines. Even today, one can still find installations at appallingly low resolutions such as CIF (352 by 288) and QCIF (176 by 144).

It is now more common to see NTSC, for example, expressed as 486i30, which denotes 480 lines, 60 interlaced odd and even line fields per second, at 30 complete fps. Similarly, PAL and SECAM can be referred to as 576i25.

In all cases, the SD/analog video signal formats are constrained in order to maintain compatibility with legacy transmission methods and the requirements for scanning in older CRT monitors. To understand what happens if you break with the analog video format, the older readers among us need only recall what happened when you took an old TV and altered the vertical hold or horizontal hold. One would find that bands and diagonal patterns ran through a badly garbled, unrecognizable image. To avoid this kind of breakdown in image quality,professional installers use specialized analyzers to make sure that the analog video signal matches expectations for signal levels and sync pulses that are required to transmit and display clear images.

Rise of Net-Centric Cameras
Network cameras require some new learning on the part of industry veterans. There are new skill sets involved in order to successfully deploy edge devices and networks, as well as new VMS software that performs the functions of recording, playback and storage. In the field of higher education, for example, it is now commonplace for an IT administrator to partner with the head of campus security in a specifying a solution.

Having emerged in the last 10 to 15 years, network cameras are most likely to be found in new or “greenfield” sites, such as schools, colleges, office buildings or airport terminals that already benefit from earlier investments in network cabling or wireless links. Such facilities are ripe for an upgrade to IP-based surveillance systems as soon as the budget becomes available.

Network cameras connect directly to the network and function autonomously, continually transmitting images to a host computer. Image and control data is sent over the same low-cost Cat-5e unshielded twisted pair cable commonly found in office datacom applications. As with analog systems, conversion to optical fiber-based transmission is available where there is a desire to run long cable spans without electromagnetic interference.

Most network cameras offer equivalents of VGA (640 by 480) and D1, but a growing number are megapixel cameras. The most common megapixel resolutions are:

● 1 megapixel 
○ SXGA: 1,280 by 1,024 pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio; or 
○ 720p HD: 1,280 by 720 pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio 

● 2 megapixels 
○ UXGA: 1,600 by 1,200.pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio; or 
○ 1,080p HD: 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio

The main advantage of megapixel systems is that they increase the number of pixels on the subject. One can maintain much higher image fidelity when performing a digital zoom-in on a person of interest, the license plate of a vehicle or known problem areas.

Network and megapixel cameras can also remove some of the temptation to deploy dummy cameras or leave IP-based video surveillance utilizes commercially available network gear. VIEWPOINT 322 AUG 2010 www.asmag.com 22 entire areas without surveillance. A VMS/NVR softwarebased system can be extended by adding additional licenses to support more cameras. A system with analog cameras running into a 16-channel DVR is probably great, until one needs to install a 17th camera!

It is also possible to crop a megapixel image to an unusual aspect ratio, to exclude, for example, irrelevant areas of the sky or to preserve the privacy of a neighboring residence. By digitally cropping the image in the camera, the system integrator can usually boost the frame rate while saving on image size, reining in the network bandwidth and data storage requirements.

Other ways to lower bandwidth and storage requirements involve moving from M-JPEG full-frame encoding of images to a streaming media codec such as H.264/ AVC/MPEG-4 Part 10 or the earlier MPEG-4 Part 2. H.264 and its cousins are distinguished by transmitting fewer complete frames. Each complete frame is followed by a series of images derived from updates that represent the most significant changes to the scene.

Network cameras generally incorporate password protection, motion detection, on-screen time/text, privacy mask zones and other configurable features. Camera setup or adjustment by an authorized administrator can be performed either on-site or remotely using a computer with access to the surveillance network. Another big payoff for IP-based systems is the easy scalability to large deployments. More and more VMS providers provide side-by-side integration of surveillance functions with IP-based systems for access control and alarms.

Compared to earlier technologies, network cameras are also easier to extend or repurpose, for parking and traffic surveillance (including ALPR), people tracking, face finding and other forms of video content analysis. There is likely an available upgrade to your VMS and/or your camera, with some training required to learn the tips and tricks needed to optimize the new tools.

As with any new technology, there are trade-offs involved in moving from analog CCTV to IP video. The most commonly cited barrier is the computer, networking or “IT” skill set discussed previously. In addition, many analog CCTV advocates are disappointed in the low-light performance or overall image quality of some network cameras. However, this perception is largely due to the selection of low-end cameras based on very inexpensive CMOS sensors designed mainly for camera phones.

Another difference found in network cameras relative to analog CCTV is a lower frame rate for display. The frame rate in operation will depend on a combination of factors. The image resolution has an effect, so that multimegapixel cameras may refresh more slowly depending on the size of the image files being transmitted and the capture rate of the image sensor in the camera. The encoding type also has an effect. H.264/MPEG-4 can transmit more frames per second, since they perform more and different data compression. M-JPEG compression, on the other hand, generally provide higher image quality, especially for digital zoom and for highly changeable environments. However, the transmitted frame rate for M-JPEG encoding may be lower and the bandwidth and storage requirements will be higher for multimegapixel cameras when compared to H.264.

HDcctv Alliance: Back to the future?
There is another category of surveillance systems coming to market that is more strictly speaking “HD” in the sense of HDTV that we are familiar with in our homes. The HDcctv Alliance technology is an emerging system of cameras and DVRs that offer a middle ground between SD/analog CCTV and megapixel cameras.

The new HDcctv cameras, encoders and DVRs now being announced are expected to have a large penetration in cost-sensitive applications, such as small- or mediumsized retail and residential surveillance. While lowering the bar in terms of specialized skills for installation and service, not to mention the associated costs, HDcctv gear seeks to set a new standard for the image quality relative to earlier SD/analog systems.

What's Next?
Given the rapid pace of technological change in the world of computer and imaging technology, it can be difficult to understand what might be around the corner in just a few years' time. One of the lessons of media theory is that no technological transformation is ever complete. It is typical to find new and old technologies existing alongside each other for long periods of time, each filling its particular niche. McLuhan's concept of a tetrad of media effects suggests that each new medium enhances, obsolesces, retrieves and reverses what came before.

At present, network cameras are growing in importance, enhancing resolution, remote access and configurability. Increasingly, VMS takes over the role of the “TV audience,” recording the images and interactively aiding control room personnel. For investigators, VMS also enables better postincident analysis with intuitive tools for searching, looping, pausing and digitally zooming.

Network cameras are also obsolescing analog video formats in large-scale installations, but not in cost-sensitive applications like small retail shops where a basic deterrent is all the user requires. Network cameras retrieve some of the high-resolution attributes of earlier film-based and digital still cameras.

Finally, network cameras reverse earlier trends involving CCTV installations comprising repurposed broadcast television in a lower-cost, lower-quality form. That older CCTV paradigm included expectations for control center staff and security guards to behave as the audience for particularly boring TV programs where it is rare for important events to occur.

Only time will tell to what extent the new HDcctv Alliance will reverse part of the network camera technology and attributes. HDcctv may remove much of the need for a networking/computer skill set. This is expected to appeal to the segment of the market comprised of smaller installations where scalability and advanced functions are not very important. Furthermore, the new HDcctv might just retrieve some of the old SD/ analog CCTV to all of those old-school installers. Relative to SD CCTV, HDcctv will certainly serve to enhance image quality. Both network cameras and HDcctv will continue to obsolesce SD and lower resolutions as acceptable formats for legal proceedings.

According to the International Technology Road Map for Semiconductors, Moore's Law's pace is coming to an end, with some classes of devices scaling down to every three years. The semiconductor industry may need to explore new device concepts, new materials and nanotechnology. In such times, companies will need to keep an eye on R&D spending while emphasizing efficiencies to stay competitive.

In a competitive environment, we can still expect to see more powerful devices of every description, just not at the same bargain prices. Luckily, we seem to have no shortage of digital imaging technology options to work with today to fulfill just about any mission in the world of video surveillance.

Secutech Expo 2010 Gathered Record-High Chinese Exhibitor

Editor / Provider: By Tim Shen | Updated: 7/1/2010 | Article type: China Corner

Secutech Expo is the most international security tradeshow in Asia. It was created to connect Asian manufacturers with international buyers. This year, the 13th event has hit a new record in visitor numbers, with 7.6 percent growth in booths compared to last year. Secutech Expo 2010 gathered record-high 52 Chinese exhibitors and A&S China Best Buys explores Chinese manufacturers' products and capabilities.


The scale of this year's show has reached new heights, with participants from more than 17 countries — 800 suppliers and international brands from all over the world — with almost 100 seminars scheduled to promote new strategies for business planning and security. Composec and Fire & Safety Expo are among this year's highlights.


Within the show, CompoSec is the world's first platform to display products and solutions related to components, parts, sub-systems and software in security industry. Four themes were showcased — imaging sensors; ICs and semiconductor chips; embedded software; and parts and accessories. Solution partners for advanced security components and parts, including CPUs, operating systems, mixed-signal ICs, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, SoCs, codecs, video cards, storage, transmission, embedded software, image sensors, access cards, and controllers and RFID, were easily found at the showground.


The core of this year's exhibition was to represent the energy of the global security industry, starting with Asia's manufacturing powerbase all gathered under one roof. This year attracted more than 22,690 visitors, including 2,416 from overseas. Despite the volcano ash disrupting air travel across Europe, the number of buyers from nearby regions increased significantly, particularly from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Japan.


Major Chinese Suppliers Presence
Hikvision showcased its latest DVR, which has 16 channels with D1 streaming. "Today, we do not see technology advancing in DVRs," said Derek Yang, Asia Region Sales Manager at Hikvision. "However, NVRs are increasingly becoming the trend on the market. New developments for NVRs show impressive breakthroughs."


Additionally, Hikvision offers 2-megapixel and 5-megapixel network cameras. Yang pointed out that more than 10,000 2-megapixel network cameras are used in the Shanghai Expo. "Our image encoding and decoding can record and playback at the same image quality," Yang added.


Dahua introduced the first DVR in the industry that supports 16 channel recording, at D1 resolution, with 16 channel simultaneous playback. "This 32-channel high-performance standalone DVR will be the main product for Dahua in 2010," said James Wang, Overseas Product Manager at Dahua Technology. "Furthermore, within the 32 channels, four channels are capable of D1 playback, real-time viewing and zoom-in."


Wang pointed out that this product displays 32 channels, and four of them will be streamed in D1 resolution. Alongside, this product can connect through HDMI and BNC connectors. "In the future, we will make four channels connect to network cameras, and make this a hybrid DVR," said Wang.


Dali Technology, professional DVR manufacturer in Eastern China, showcased its latest DVR with all 16 channels streaming at D1 resolution. In order to enable this, Dali's system uses CPU with better procession power.


"Additionally, we offer an embedded NVR with 32 HD channels that can connect to 2-megapixel cameras with real-time recording," said Li Qiao, Market Planning Specialist at Dali Technology. "Speaking of IP-based products, we also have 1.3-megapixel cameras developed on CCD sensors and 2-megapixel cameras developed on CMOS sensors as well. Both are capable of HDMI streaming."


TVT has introduced a full series of H.264 DVRs with exciting new features, such as a new platform and software for better user experience. New platform refers to the chipset and related development. Better features include HDMI1080P, full channel real-time playback, and real-time network stream and network playback. Better experience refers to more user-friendly software.


"We developed a new software platform to make our product do what the user wants," said Joe Qiu, Assistant to General Manager at TVT Digital Technology. "It can operate similar to a PC, enable seamless access and control via the Internet and mobile phone, and be flexible when balancing performance and cost."


TVT offers selections for different target markets. For the high-end professional market, its hybrid DVRs support megapixel cameras. For the mid-end market, project contractors, integrators or installers may choose a series that supports real-time CIF and D1 recording, where user can get real-time D1 resolution. Generally, users can assign all resources for recording and playback. At the entry-level front, the real-time D1 recording and playback DVR, or the real-time CIF DVR are the best options.


Buyer's Feedback
Secutech attracted not only European and American visitors. This year, there was a large number of visitors from emerging markets such as Turkey, India and Southeast Asia. In these regions, Chinese products are highly regarded and China's market share expects to grow in the upcoming years.


"We source cameras from Taiwan and China," said Sergio Mendes, CEO of Sektronix. "As for alarms and sensors, we buy from China, as these technologies are more mature. I am also looking for biometrics products from China. In general, Chinese suppliers are learning fast and I'm impressed with their products."


Egypt, with no manufacturing base, imports security products from overseas. "Egypt is a highly price sensitive market," said Aly Elzeiny, MD at BVC Egypt.
"Ninety percent of products are sourced from China. China overrides other Asian countries in terms of analog cameras and provides a great selection of undercover cameras."


"Roughly 60 to 70 percent of our products are sourced from Asia," said Luis Coury, Director at GloboSec Security Solutions. "Among them, mostly are from China, while some are from Taiwan. We are not looking for the most innovative and sophisticated technologies; we are looking for basic products that can protect and deter crime. Therefore, Chinese products provide stable quality at a very competitive price."


Chinese products are not only strengthening in reputation in video surveillance, but also in access control. Stephen Hoe, Product Manager at XID Technologies from Singapore, pointed out that Chinese access control solutions are sensibly priced and mature in terms of quality. Additionally, Jean Bury, Director at IZYX Systems from France, also mentioned that he sourced access control products and locks from China as well.

Has IP Finally Come of Age?

Editor / Provider: Submitted By Sunell | Updated: 5/6/2010 | Article type: China Corner

The IP video market has developed steadily since 2009, with many customers asking about IP equipment but few actually deploying it. Buzzwords like HD and megapixel are common, with emerging interoperability standards moving the industry in the right direction.


The advantages and disadvantages of IP have been covered extensively. This article will focus instead on the maturity of network video and its future.


Video surveillance has a well-established history, particularly for analog technology. IP is an exciting new development, marking a vastly different type of technology from analog. There are many engineers and professional video companies which have yet to embrace the IP. Several factors affect the uptake of IP, including cost, unknown reliability, maintenance and the “Do I need it?” factor. Time will only tell how quickly IP is adapted.


Service Matters for IP
End user concerns about network video are understandable. IT technologies and software connect to the Internet. This allows IP products such as network cameras to be more flexible and scalable, with a lower cost of installation. However, they need to be managed by comprehensive surveillance software, along with complicated network settings and being capable of remote upgrades.


Network requirements make IP video a headache. In fact, network cameras are no longer simply about product capability, but about service. Therefore, how to offer effective service will be a key factor to gain market share in this segment, rather than resolution and price. Service should cover not only maintenance but also after-sales service. This includes the ability to respond quickly to market demands, refine products, interface with standards and so on.


Technology Strength
Sunell takes a proactive approach toward technology breakthroughs, aiming to be a leader. We devote 40 percent of its 90 R&D staff to the IP field.
To better serve our customers, we enhance product quality and lower service costs.


The Sunell megapixel PTZ speed dome features the latest technologies, utilizing a Sony megapixel CCD. Sony's image sensors are regarded as the benchmark for CCDs. Sunell worked close with Sony to best integrate its CCD into our cameras. This is not as simple as putting an analogue CCD in an IP module, then placing it into a PTZ housing.


Designed from the ground up with just one PCB for all in-house technology design, the megapixel speed dome emphasizes quality. Sunell’s development roadmap is packed with innovation, using newer CMOS technology from Sony, the world’s undisputed leader. Other cameras are in production, including 2-megapixel and 5-megapixel PTZ cameras.


Enhancement and Compatibility
Sunell invests greatly to enhance product stability for both software and hardware. We have a series of rigid testing procedure, such as aging, pressure and actual environment testing. This reduces equipment malfunction rates, even when cameras operate 24/7. Furthermore, we follow IP standardization and uniformity. We believe that following industry standards is the way to save our customers money, such as maintenance fees.


With more standards issued by the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF), the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) and the HDcctv Alliance, we foresee IP standardization in the near future. As a member of ONVIF and a would-be member of PSIA, our network camera supports both standards’ protocols. This includes RTSP, RTP, RTCP, HTTP and SOAP, enabling greater compatibilities with surveillance software.


Technology steps should always be taken in moderation. Sunell has a reserved but pragmatic approach to not run before you can walk. With more than two years invested in IP technology, we look forward to a bright and productive future in the network camera market.