What is H.264, and Why is it Important in CCTV?

On the subject of DVRs, I’ve often been asked what H.264 means and why it’s important.  Basically, H.264 is currently the best format for compressing video, and is used on a variety of popular technologies, from Blu-Ray to YouTube.  The ability of a security DVR to be able to compress video is not only important, it is essential.

Think of the common file types that are used universally – WMV, MPEG, and AVI. A friend sends a video file to you, you right click onthe image, select properties, and then you see the image’s file type. Those file types each have their own properties or video compression type. Now, consider the size of that image or file, and how much space it may consume on the hard drive. You can then fathom why it’s important to have the ability to compress that video file in order to save space. It’s also important, especially with video surveillance, that with this compression, the quality of the video footage is not decreased.

The intention of H.264 is to establish an acceptable balance between viewing quality and the size of the video file, so that the maximum amount of video can be stored on a hard drive without losing the detail and quality of the video. When speaking of a DVR and CCTV footage, H.264 is imperative not only because of the larger quantities of actual footage (that can span from a few hours to several weeks), but also due to the various purposes for surveillance. Depending on the application, such as a government facility or a retail store that is trying to monitor theft, achieving the highest possible frame rate is essential to identify problems accurately. It is best to stay above at or above a 15 FPS frame rate because once you drop below that, the footage becomes choppy and isn’t nearly as reliable.

H.264 DVRs aid in these endeavors because compressing the video allows for maximum storage on the hard drive, while producing the highest resolution and frame rate capable of the unit and cameras being used. The two main types of video compression for CCTV are H.264 and MPEG/MJPEG.  H.264 is the latest technology in codecs, and will drastically reduce both the bandwidth and storage requirements of video files while still maintaining high-quality images.

Taking Advantage of NVR Software

The installation and operation of a security system has changed dramatically over the past few years.  Especially when you consider all of the feature-rich software packages that now come with many of the IP-based cameras on the market today.  Fifteen years ago, a security camera that offered 380TVLs of resolution was acceptable for most applications.  Now we have a new set of expectations when it comes to video resolutions – starting at 1.3MP and above.  However, it isn’t enough for the consumer just to have a megapixel resolution – they expect the NVR software to be just an innovative.

That’s where GeoVision’s new release of their NVR software version 8.5 comes in.  Although I would love to tell you in detail all of the new feature-sets v.8.5 offers, I will list only a few key selling points here:

• GPU Decoding
• Non-Stop Recording
• Wide Angle Lens De-warping in Live View and ViewLog
• Object Tracking in Fisheye 360 View
• Enhanced POS Text Sender
• Video Wall
• Matrix Display Monitor
• Record by Events
• Record by I/O Trigger

If you are interested in finding out more information about GeoVision software, you may contact us anytime at 972-424-9070 or visit our website at www.vs-us.com

Turn the Holiday Frown Upside Down with Security Cameras

Well believe it or not the fall and winter Holidays are just around the corner and for most people, this reminds them of Family, Friends, Great Food and Gifts Galore. But for others this reminds them of the best opportunity to steal from those overcrowded stores. With some many Holiday Specials and traffic increasing tenfold, the opportunity for theft most certainly increases.

This especially within the retail business, has them ramping up holiday hires in hopes of maintaining the traffic and minimizing the lost inventory. But eyes on the ground can only do so much and many times with the amount of traffic that increase around these holidays it’s not even enough.

So it only makes sense to get ahead of the Black Fridays and Christmas Eve Savings and invest in a security system that will provide the eyes in the air and allow your associates to focus on all the Holiday Shoppers at hand. Many retail stores lose a ton of money on stolen merchandise especially during these holidays, so having Cameras can also work as deterrent and keep those pesky shop lifters at bay.

The Rising Stature of Mobile Surveillance

As a former manufacturer’s representative for mobiDEOS, I cannot tell you how important it is for both security integrators and end users to have reliable mobile access to their security systems.  Mobile video access for an integrator means that they can not only use this technology for system camera set up on the job site but assist end user clients more quickly.  For the end user, it gives them the ability to immediately see live video of their property – home or business.

Here at Virtual Surveillance, we are proud to offer this advanced technology in all of our DVR’s and NVR’s.  The good news is that you could spend as little as $499.00 for our entry-level Linux DVR with a 500GB hard drive and be up to date with the latest innovative technology.

Wait a Minute….Where Did that come from?

The latest version of GeoVision’s DVR/NVR software, V8.4, offers a feature known as “Unattended Object Detection”. Basically, if an object appears in front of a camera that is not normally there, the software can detect it and send an alert instantly. In this day and age, this feature is crucial. This is especially true considering all of the terrorist attacks that have happened over the past decade. The source of most major terrorist attacks have been unattended objects. One might think that they do not need all of the features that the GeoVision software offers. But, the unattended object detection feature could indeed prove to be an investment and also prevent tragedy from occurring.

Stop Getting Tangled in Network Camera Cables

When most people take make the move from analog cameras to Network Cameras (IP Cameras), what they need in the ways of video recording, archiving, and cables is the biggest challenge for them to learn.  Unless you are a network engineer or seasoned IT vet, you’ve probably never had to deal with switches, PoE ports, or port forwarding.  After gaining a strong grasp on these things, Network Surveillance systems are breeze.

How Does a Network Camera Send Video Signal?

Unlike standard analog cameras which connect to a DVR via BNC cable, IP cameras use standard CAT5 cables to connect to an NVR (Network Video Recorder).  They are the same network cables used for connecting computers to routers, modems, and each other.  In fact, many houses and businesses are already outfitted with a CAT5 network throughout.

How Does a Network Camera Receive Power?

The majority of network cameras are Power over Ethernet (PoE) compatible.  Essentially, the same CAT 5 network cables can be injected with power using a PoE injector or a PoE switch.  This helps reduce the amount of wires required to make a camera operational and often saves time since, again, many sites are already outfitted with CAT5.

The fear of new and different technology often keeps people from implementing the best possible solutions.  Armed with the understanding of Network Camera connections, there is no reason not to make the upgrade.

Centalized and Decentralized IP Cameras

Did you know that an Internet Protocol Camera, or IP Camera, is available in two different styles?

The most common style of IP Camera is the “Centralized” IP Camera. The “centralized” IP Camera Requires a Central NVR(Network Video Recorder). The Centralized IP Camera can be connected directly to the Internet and record to an NVR locally or remotely making this very useful for applications that need the recording device to be hidden or located off site from the cameras.

The other style, “Decentralized” IP Camera actually has it’s NVR functionality built into it’s technology inside the camera.This “Decentralized” IP Camera has the ability to record to many different types of Digital Storage Media such as Network Attached Storage, Hard Disk Drives or the most commonly used Flash Drive. The Flash Drive is very small and makes the Decentralized IP Camera very versatile for low maintenance applications.

Network Cable: The future of Security Camera Installation

More and more Video Surveillance installers are switching to CAT 5e and 6 network cable for their applications. This trend hangs on the fact that more Surveillance Systems being installed are integrating IP cameras versus the traditional Analog Systems. Although the number of Analog systems outweigh IP, everyone in the CCTV business realize that the near future of Video Surveillance is moving quickly to the IP Systems.

The beauty of running Network Cable rather than traditional coaxial cable for Analog or IP applications is that installation is MORE cost effective and already installed for when the transition from an Analog system to an IP system is implemented. Not only this but because of the 4 pairs of wire twisted in the Network Cable you have the ability to connect multiple cameras on a single cable run. This is a big deal when you consider how coaxial is a single source only.

Either cable will suffice when it comes to the Analog systems but why not be prepared for the future? As the price keeps coming down on IP Solutions, Network Cable runs for Video Surveillance Solutions will become more and more common. This is a plus for business owners and other commercial applications that will continue doing business in their current locations. Being prepared for the future sometimes starts with the smallest of details. In this case it starts with the most basic stage of the install process. Coaxial or Network Cable? That depends on how far in the future you see yourself succeeding…

Why Use H.264?

If you have been looking into purchasing a security system for your home or business, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. With so many choices, including the obvious like, how many cameras, black and white versus color cameras, low light or IR and the like, some of the more important technical aspects might slip through the cracks.

The thing that most people want for their system is clarity of image and to be able to save the recorded images long enough that if there is an incident, they can go back and review it before it is recorded over with new video. To help with these two factors, you need to look at what kind of compression technology your DVR is using. There are several types being used in the market today including MPEG-4, JPEG and H.264. If you are looking for the latest and greatest, you will be choosing a system with H.264. Here are a few advantages to H.264 compared to earlier compression technology.

1. More recording time on the same size HDD. H.264 is so advanced, that in some cases, it can double the recording time you get versus previous technology.
2. Improved image quality especially when viewing your recordings remotely. This technology has allowed for more fluid video and if you are using audio with your system, they will look like they fit together. This was a big problem in the past.

Now with all new advances in technology there are usually some drawbacks and this technology is no different. H.264 required a lot more processing by your computer and capture card and may drag your system down as compared to other compression codec’s.  So if you are using it be sure your processor is up to the task.

Intelligent Video: Analytics

Defining Intelligent Video is rather simple. The reality of intelligent video isn’t so much the intelligence but rather the software used to push higher levels of technology to the edge. A more appropriate term for this would be Analytics. Analyzing the video is actually what the software does.

Video analytics use computers to recognize or identify things of interest without the use of a person to “man the helm.” This software alerts an operator when change occurs and deems to be a more accurate way of observing. A human tends to only be able to effectively observe 8 – 12 cameras for approximately 15 minutes. Analytics never need a break, only power… This makes constant monitoring more accurate and cost effective.

Although computers can be fallible the chance of something being missed is less likely by a CPU than human. The computer still needs human verification to make definitive assessments so eliminating human observation completely is out of the question. That being said, many opinions are that computer monitoring for your surveillance is the best method for continuous surveillance monitoring. Analytics software is what gives the computer the power to do this function.