Video Surveillance Upgrade Considerations
For those organizations considering an upgrade to their existing video surveillance systems, the time has never been better!
Advances in video tech have been impressive, and they’re delivering a higher level of security than ever before. Among them are many new camera options that provide better coverage and image quality. Panoramic cameras, for example, are single image cameras that provide a very large field of view and are available with either a 180 or 360 degree capability. A panoramic camera can also be placed on the corner of a building or hallway to deliver a 270 degree view.
A multi-imager camera is equipped with four lenses, each having its own imager to deliver four different fields of view. Multi-imager cameras are ideal for covering wide areas as opposed to installing multiple fixed cameras. Like pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, they provide excellent situational awareness at long distance and clear recognition at shorter ranges.
An attractive benefit of PTZ cameras is that, once they’re installed, they can be focused and aimed where desired simply using just a Web browser or other interface, saving installation time and interruption of operations. And, again, thanks to advancing technology, wireless/remote commissioning capabilities allow the installer to connect to the camera wirelessly without the building network in place. This is a big time-saver as there’s no need to wait for other network infrastructure to be completed.
Because today’s cameras deliver higher resolution than ever before, they provide superior image quality that can also serve as needed evidence for criminal and forensic cases. In addition, fewer cameras are needed in many security applications, although more bandwidth and video storage capacity typically are.
Video analytics have also earned their place in advanced video technology. Video analytics are pretty much a standard feature in today’s surveillance cameras and they deliver benefits that go well beyond traditional security. These computer algorithms deliver actionable intelligence on activities that are monitored by video cameras. For example, in addition to being able to detect unauthorized or strange behavior and trigger an alert within the video software management system, they can be adapted to deliver a valuable source of business intelligence. These can include Facial Recognition, Heat Mapping, People Counting, Occupancy Estimation, Tripwire/Intrusion Detection, and Movement in a Designated Zone.
Also to be considered when doing a video surveillance system upgrade are the benefits of a new video management system (VMS) and storage appliance(s). New VMS can include new features to aid in an organization’s security efforts, including facility maps, improved alarm handling, and the ability to integrate with more and various camera manufacturers. Modernized video management systems can also be integrated with other security systems such as access control or intrusion detection, And, new storage appliances have more efficient hard drive capability which can allow for more cameras, more days of storage, higher resolution, and higher frame rate, and may also reduce overall rack space and power consumption. And, some VMS systems appliances come pre-loaded to accommodate an all-in-one server, switching capabilities and storage.
Anyone who is upgrading their video surveillance security systems should be sure to figure in the cost of a software maintenance agreement as most modern-day systems will require ongoing support licensing to stay up-to-date and facilitate technical support from the manufacturer.
Netronix is a trusted security integration partner with the expertise and experience to take your facility to a NEW level of security.