IP Surveillance the Smart Solution
Security of live and property is an epitome of a thriving society. People can setup business, make plans, actualize set goals, realize their dreams, and meet set objectives, if society and the cities we live in are secure. If you are observant, you would have noticed that certain security procedures are in place in almost every business establishment or government institution.
Let’s bring this discussion further home. Around some major cities in Nigeria, you will observe along some roads or in some airports or other strategic locations some security cameras popularly known as CCTV. Some of these cameras work, others do not work. On 19 April 2014 Punch News reported that some of these N76 Billion Naria Contract worth of equipment has been destroyed or stolen in the Abuja metropolis. In a related subject, on 4th of May 2014 the Nation newspaper carried a similar headline that these surveillance cameras should be made to work.
Some people might ask does this work? If it does, has it been able to achieve its objective or deter crime? Because a mere look at some of these equipment in some areas around town, one might conclude it does not work due to its condition.
Some poles are knocked over. Stressing the need for our security cannot be over emphasized, especially with the current trends in some states. It is therefore paramount that we talk about some measures which can help, as well as aid proper security of lives and property. Back in 2013 it was reported that the United Kingdom is ringed with almost 1.8million security cameras and the city of London boasts of about 422, 000 surveillance cameras in its metropolis alone. This intelligent security solution has helped in solving crime. Also, it serves as a deterrent for criminal activities.
In today’s article, we will analyze the benefits of an IP Surveillance Solution and how implementing it can proffer solutions. In a home, business, or other establishment. As more and more people switch to IP surveillance system as against the old CCTV, ease of installation and higher resolution of video, CCTV (closed circuit television) and DVR methods are quickly becoming obsolete because IP surveillance (internet protocol) allows business owner, law enforcement officers, etc to view video or go over important captured scene from any part of the world. What is an IP Camera An IP camera captures and sends video footage over an IP network, allowing users to view, record, store, and manage their video surveillance images either locally or remotely over the network infrastructure. The camera can be placed wherever there’s an IP network connection. It has its own IP address and unlike a webcam, doesn’t require a connection to a PC in order to operate.
Along with streaming video footage, network cameras can include a number of additional functionalities, such as pan/tilt/zoom operation, motion detection, audio surveillance, integration with alarms and other security systems, automated alerts, intelligent video analytics, and much more. Many IP cameras can also send multiple streams of video, using different compression technologies for live viewing and archiving. IP cameras offer flexible installation, ease of use, higher-quality images, stability, and scalability as new cameras can be added to the network at any time. Types of IP Cameras The variety of network camera models available from: Axis, Panasonic, Sony & Mobotix, to mention a few allows users to install video security solutions fit for any surveillance application. Here are some of the more common IP camera types. Fixed IP Cameras Fixed network cameras are the ideal choice for those who wish to monitor a very specific area and also intend to have the camera, and the direction it’s pointing, clearly visible. Once the camera is focused on a location, it’s set to view only that area. Most fixed cameras support interchangeable lenses and housings for various environments. PTZ Cameras Unlike fixed cameras, PTZ network cameras allow the user to control pan, tilt, and zoom functions in order to monitor wider areas and zero on specific individuals, objects, or activity. In a retail setting, for instance, surveillance operators can control a PTZ camera to follow a suspected shoplifter. Most PTZ cameras offer both manual and automatic PTZ control. Network Dome Cameras The advantage of network dome cameras over PTZ cameras and fixed IP cameras is they can pan up to 360 degrees and support continuous “guard tour or patrol” operation. Guard tour / patrol functionality enables a single network dome camera to automatically move between presets in order to cover large areas that would typically require multiple fixed cameras. Motion Detection Video motion detection is a useful tool that allows you to program your network camera to begin recording, and perform other functions such as sending automated email alerts, when movement is detected within a scene. The functionality comes either built-in with your IP camera, or through video management software.
There are a number of advantages to using motion detection. Since you can limit recording to situations when activity is taking place, motion detection helps to conserve bandwidth, saves storage space, reduces CPU load on recording servers, and also allows for integration with other systems such as alarms and access control systems.
The system can be set up so that unless movement is detected, no video is being recorded. It can also be programmed to send video at a low frame-rate until motion is perceived.
A number of actions can be triggered using motion detection. Examples include: saving images before or after an event, delivering video images to specific locations for recording or monitoring, sending email and phone alerts, activating door locks and lights, sounding alarms, and more. Audio Recording Many IP camera models offer audio support. Some feature built-in microphones that allow operators to listen in on areas under surveillance, while others provide for two-way audio communication using a microphone and external speaker. Audio is transmitted across your network the same way video footage is, so setting up a surveillance system that captures audio is as simple as hooking up your cameras. Using either a built-in or external microphone, the camera captures the audio, integrates it into the video stream, and streams it over the network for monitoring and recording.
Just like network video, audio footage can be accessed from remote locations. Users can monitor and listen in on areas within range of the cameras, and with a two-way audio setup can even talk to those under the camera’s watch.
The cameras can also be programmed to deliver recorded messages informing possible perpetrators that they’re under watch. Another useful function is audio detection.
This is the process where a network camera is set to record when the audio level reaches a certain mark. Audio detection can also be used to trigger alarms and send alerts. Video Analytics Video analytics are sophisticated applications and software algorithms that perform analysis of surveillance video as it’s being captured. While there are many potential benefits to using video analytics, the main aim of the technology is to enable surveillance systems to not just capture video footage for post-event investigation, but to actually detect suspicious activity as it happens. In that sense, video analytics serve to provide a form of preventative surveillance.
Some of the more common surveillance applications that fall under the video analytics umbrella include advanced motion detection, facial recognition, behavioral recognition, audio detection, license plate recognition, and the ability to detect very specific events such as a person leaving behind an object, or acts of graffiti and vandalism. resistant to moisture, and sometimes even feature built-in fans and heaters for both cold and hot environments.