Throughout the years, rapid uptake of some security technologies has been witnessed, while others showed promise but never experienced widespread adoption. Today, there are four trends that are shaping the video surveillance industry, which are highlighted below. – - Verint Systems

Video surveillance is going through an exciting change, from “box-based” to “comprehensive solution” sales for surveillance needs. This is not a revolution but an evolution that will take years, and it is reflected in the four trends highlighted below.

MIGRATION TO IP
A trend that continues to evolve and prove its value is the transition from analog CCTV systems to more sophisticated, networked-based video. This has greatly improved the ability to efficiently detect security breaches, as well as deliver video and data across organizations and to outside agencies.

Network-based video more effectively addresses security threats, improves operational efficiency and complies with cost containment’s. This transition to IP also reflects customers’ desire to treat video as any other network data asset and integrate video with other types of network based security and corporate data to create a more holistic security approach.

END-TO-END
As we have seen in other sectors, more and more large organizations are looking for a comprehensive suite for their security systems – one that is delivered by a single vendor, rather than purchasing through different providers. In addition to the integration challenges of disparate solutions, other user burdens include relying on multiple sources for support, maintenance and upgrades.

We have reached a point where customers are looking at video as a solution rather than as a number of products. While an end-to-end solution may sound counter intuitive to open, IP-based systems, it is actually quite logical and complementary. As long as the end-to-end suite is based on non-proprietary standards, IT platforms and the various modules within the solution such as video management, encoders and network cameras can operate with other vendors’ products.

IT-SAVVY
The benefits of an open, standards-based architecture that readily integrates with an organization’s current IT infrastructure and commercially available network, server and storage technologies are obvious. Those benefits drive the need for vendors to deliver a different type of service and support. It is now more about network configuration, remote access, solution troubleshooting and network-monitoring tools.

This represents a change in customers’ expectations. It is not just about how good the product is; it is also about how well the vendor partner can scale, how IT-savvy employees are, and the level and breadth of expertise that are available to support the solution within a networked environment.

INTEGRATED VIDEO ANALYTICS
When video analytics was introduced a few years ago, it was perceived as a stand-alone solution with growth possibilities. Over time, it has evolved into a powerful capability within today’s end-toend video suites. As such, video analytics is actually driving greater impact and business value. Tighter integration within a broader set of applications and the price efficiencies this structure can carry as part of a broader suite are but a few of the end benefits.

Better understanding of the trends and the changes they bring will enable organizations to more efficiently plan, determine requirements and identify key criteria vital to their success.

The Axis 241QA four channel video server digitizes analog video streams and transmits them at full frame rate over an IP network, enabling remote viewing of video in real time on a local area network or the Internet. The video server also provides built-in video motion detection and powerful event management functions based on triggered or scheduled events. In addition, the product offers a complete set of security features such as HTTPS, IP address filtering and multi-level password protection.

AXIS 241QA offers a de-interlace filter that eliminates interlace artifacts from NTSC/PAL cameras. In addition, it provides one audio stream in each direction, enabling users to not only see, but also listen in on an area and communicate requests or orders.

Features:

• High quality, Motion JPEG video at full frame rate; that is, 25 (PAL) or 30 (NTSC) frames per second on each channel
• Simultaneous Motion JPEG and MPEG-4 streams
• Integrated two-way audio support
• Multiple resolutions and compression levels
• Built-in video motion detection
• 4 freely configurable alarm inputs and 4 outputs
• 9 MB pre/post alarm memory per channel
• Support for Pan/Tilt/Zoom devices, uploadable PTZ drivers
• Advanced event handling with multiple ways of notification via e-mail, TCP and HTTP, and video uploading via e-mail, FTP and HTTP
• HTTP-based application programming interface (API) for integration with applications
• Image customization with text, time/date and image overlay
• Support up to 20 simultaneous viewers