Video Surveillance Systems

Today’s network based Video Surveillance Systems using IP cameras and network video recording offer many advantages over old Closed Circuit Television CCTV systems. These include increased resolution, wide dynamic range, integral motion detection, multi-streaming capability and direct network access. The later of these can be a disadvantage if used by un-authorized persons to access the live or recorded video in a facility.

Designing an effective and cost-efficient video surveillance system is a complex process which must consider a number of variables including:

Resolution quality goal; General surveillance, Forensic/Evidentiary or Detailed surveillance

Mounting location / environment; Interior, exterior, mobile

Power; Local, network PoE, or solar/self-sustaining

Network connectivity; Direct copper, fiber, wireless/WiFi, Cellular

Lighting; Type of light source, light levels (fc or Lux), reflectance, continuous or intermittent

Camera type/features; Resolution, Day/night, Color / monochrome, Lens type – fixed/vari-focal/zoom, Lens focal length, minimum illumination, video compression, frame rate, analytics, operating conditions

Surge suppression

Recording / retention period

Video recording technology; RAID 1, 5, 6, hot back-up drive, JBOD, NAS or DAS

Video viewing client; network, remote, wireless/mobile

Network security and controlling access to the video stream

Cameras can serve several purposes including; surveillance, alarm assessment and support remote access requests. Video management systems are commonly integrated with the access control system to support the automatic call-up of a camera associated with a door or other alarm point when activated. This alarm assessment video can be effectively presented to the security monitor using a “Blank Screen” display where a large format (55”) monitor is configured with a 2×2 or 3×3 image display and is blank until alarm assessment camera is presented. This display method is more effective for attracting the security monitors attention than just a surveillance monitor with static images.