Fool's gold?

In-house professionals within the security sector have been gradually exposed to the promised marvels that may be delivered by Video-over-IP. Evidence of the trend can be seen at IFSEC, where the number of IP-related surveillance solutions on display more than doubled between 2001 and last May's event at the NEC. Promoters of the technology – well-known security systems manufacturers and network providers from the IT industry – have described the advent of Video-over-IP as "the dawning of a new era".

Of course, there's nothing quite like a bit of well-scripted hyperbole to attract attention to the cause. However, is this merely another classic case of fool's gold? Is the industry in fact being subjected to yet further over-hyped claims for a new product strand?

It's almost impossible to pick up a reputable security sector publication like Security Management Today (SMT) without being assailed by the benefits and strategic importance of IP video. Perhaps it's time to take a sensible look at the claims being made with the end user in mind.

First off, what do we mean by the term 'IP video'. In essence, there are two types of IP video application in use. The first is where an existing coaxially-linked analogue CCTV system is attached to a LAN or WAN (Local or Wide Area Network) by means of a web server. The images from the cameras pass through a multiplexer, then switch into the LAN or WAN.

For its part, the CCTV system is given a separate IP address on that LAN or WAN. In practice, users of the network may then 'click on' to the CCTV system courtesy of their networked computers and duly view the live camera feeds.

The other type of IP video is delivered when separate IP cameras are attached to an existing network. Each is given a separate IP address, and can be accessed by the network users. What you have here are PC-driven visual information files.

IP monitoring: the stated benefits
Increasingly, the private and public viewing of video images over the Internet is adding momentum to the popularity of IP-based surveillance products. Indeed, statistics suggest that the global network camera and video server market is forecast to reach a total value of some £530 million by 2005, having been worth just over £50 million in 2000. That represents a ten-fold increase in just five years, which is staggering.

Only last month, a leading market research consultancy described IP video as "one of the most dynamic growth markets in the security field, and one that's expanding rapidly." So far, so good. IP video sounds like a solid concept, and there have been no real faults found with its potential.

That said, the take-up of this technology may not have been as swift as has been suggested by those with a vested interest (ie the manufacturers who, as the saying goes, like to 'seed the market').

David Lambert, a consultant at CCTV solutions provider Derwent Systems, told SMT: "The bulk of demand for IP surveillance equipment is expected to come from current users of CCTV equipment. The target market is users of IP surveillance cameras who need 24-hour surveillance."

Many varied and impressive benefits have been claimed for the technology, again by the manufacturers and network solutions specialists. That shouldn't blind end users to what's on offer, though. IP video engenders lower installation costs by dint of the fact that existing computers and network infrastructures are used. The images can be viewed remotely, cutting out the requirement for a central Control Room, while there's also 'scalability' through plug-and-play for smaller installations (not forgetting flexibility for integration into larger applications).

IP video can also lay claim to being future-proof. Above all, it is quick to set yourself up as a user. "With a basic knowledge of TCP/IP, a web browser-managed multi-camera surveillance system can be installed in hours," claims BATT Networks' technical manager Ray Heppell.

Ignoring the manufacturers' techno-babble for a moment, IP surveillance equipment is essentially a hardware bolt-on for a computer. The cost of IP equipment has come down over the past few years, with the technology employed as an offshoot of the multi-billion dollar home PC industry and the obsession for computer games. The great developments made in these fields obviously produce benefits for more traditional requirements, security among them. Such an easy availability of network video servers permits the connection of computer networks to traditional analogue CCTV cameras.

In truth, the biggest advances in IP technology have arisen as a direct result of the burgeoning Internet porn industry. It must be said that the security sector – and its CCTV division in particular – owes a debt of gratitude to the live streaming of video from porn sites. The demand for such services has enabled manufacturers to develop second and third generation web server equipment, not to mention the ubiquitous web camera. It's now possible to buy a rudimentary webcam from most High Street retailers for as little as £40. Although a basic instrument, these units have brought 'product recognition' to the concept of cameras being linked directly with PCs.

Network providers are well aware that a mini technological revolution is under way. Third generation IP products enable the seamless convergence of CCTV systems, IP networks, digital video recorders and the Internet. Traditional security companies are str

At the same time, the telecoms network providers remain very keen to enter any market that will use bandwidth. The buzz phrase 'network convergence' has been muttered knowingly over the past five years (yours truly has used it many times, in fact), and readily springs to mind here.

What does it mean, and why is it so important?

Network convergence explained
Convergence is a simple concept applied to the multi-use of a telecoms network, whether a LAN or WAN. In other words, where an organisation has a LAN or WAN, that should be used for more than just communications and data traffic. It can carry other forms of digital information (perhaps from a CCTV or access control system). The only limitation on other uses comes in any possible conflict over the 'hogging' of bandwidth. In theory, most traffic can be accommodated after a proper network use plan has been agreed.

Network providers are well aware that a mini technological revolution is under way. Third generation IP products now enable the seamless convergence of CCTV systems, IP networks, digital video recorders and the Internet. However, traditional security companies are struggling to cope with the IT requirements. They are now having to meet the challenge of a new breed of companies known as 'solutions providers'. A hybrid, if you like, of security and IT firms.

There are claims by network providers that IP products will soon begin to dominate the office environment. Products with IP capabilities are indeed arriving every day, such that the sharing of information within organisations is now becoming a common theme. As Gary James – marketing manager at digital video systems manufacturer Visimetrics – rightly states: "Network providers realise that electronic security is a route to gaining network traffic."

There's little doubt, then, that IP video has definitely arrived, and is already employed in an ever-increasing number of applications. Those applications have involved both versions of the 'genre' – the linking of a CCTV system to a web server, and the use of webcams. For example, Newport City Council has tackled vandalism in schools by using a fully-networked solution ('Watch and learn', SMT, February 2002, pp44-46). Here, video servers distribute video images from CCTV cameras onto the schools' computer networks. This solution uses the necessary bandwidth out of normal school hours, and thus effectively provides a network at no additional cost – the finance director's dream solution!

In another application, security operatives at Prestwick Airport in Scotland installed video servers to enable old CCTV cameras and new web cameras to operate across the entire site. Further afield, Minnesota's Department of Transportation has installed video servers to digitize the image feeds from its existing 200-plus analogue traffic cameras. The scrapping of such a large camera system to install webcams was not an option. Hence another happy finance manager.

West Midlands Police have also made use of convergence to tackle instances of burglary and vandalism. They've used a covert GSM video monitoring system that combines network cameras hidden within fan heaters, speakers and waste paper bins.

Meantime, managers at Brussels International Airport specified a fully-digital CCTV system with more than 600 IP cameras. That represents a saving of nearly 50% over a comparable analogue set-up. The airport theme is continued by WMC, a major cargo handling company that has installed a full IP surveillance system at Glasgow, the East Midlands and Birmingham Airports.

Perhaps the most interesting and technically diverse example is provided by Stena Line Ferries, the company having installed a full IP surveillance system on board all of its craft. Not only can images be viewed via the on-board LAN, but there's also a connection to the satellite-linked WAN such that camera feeds may be picked up and viewed onshore as well.

Problems with digital formats
Despite these impressive successes, the market take-up for IP surveillance has been somewhat slower than predicted. One of the reasons given surrounds problems with the use of digital formats. Adam Breeze, communications and marketing manager at Bosch Security Systems, says: "It's very much a new market. A developing market. As with all digital products, people aren't sure about adopting the technology. They are waiting for standards and formats to be agreed."

Unfortunately, this is a relapse into the old myths about the use of digital evidence, and the lack of clear guidance for replaying such evidence in Court. There are various technical solutions that will overcome any of these complaints. In any case, plenty of fully-digital systems already exist – some with huge capacity, such as those covering Manchester and Glasgow city centres.

A more likely source of concern surrounding IP video is the relatively poor quality of images when viewed over public telecoms networks. For most people, their experience of webcams has been limited to viewing them over PSTN or ISDN links at home. Naturally, the quality of images isn't very good. "Slow transmission only becomes an issue when people are talking about using a 56K modem," adds Breeze. "It's not really what network cameras have been designed for."

IP video and the necessary requirement for telecoms expertise may prove to be a major handicap. The industry isn’t likely to have much respite to develop any expertise. Large organisations with LANs already boast network expertise, and will be askin

However, LAN/WAN bandwidth is much greater, and the images are – accordingly – much better. This is something of an educational problem, one that can only be resolved by directly linking demonstration sites with adequate band-width. This perception should improve when more broadband connections are taken up in the home.

The Government, it seems, is fully supportive of IP surveillance and in recent months the cost of such links has been dropping. That said, the marketing of IP video isn't helped in the slightest when misleading messages are given about the image quality of network camera footage being better than that delivered by conventional CCTV. In truth, that particular scenario can only be achieved by devoting the required amount of bandwidth to achieve the required quality. IP video is something of a technical compromise, and there are often better solutions available.

A lack of communication
Probably the major reason for the low take-up of IP video lies in the failure of the concept to be fully understood by those persons who matter – the managers within blue chip organisations. Although the benefits may be obvious, it's only the security industry that has accepted them without question. Managers have a personal interest in controlling their functional responsibilities, whether related to IT, Health and Safety or process monitoring, etc. "Security managers are often loath to talk to IT managers for reasons of office politics," continues Gary James. "As a result, IT staff remain ignorant of their organisation's security network."

Aside from these difficulties, there's also the concern that IP video may be used as a 'Spy in the Workplace', as the images can be viewed remotely from within the organisation. In most companies, the only people who can see the benefits of convergence are likely to be the chief executive and the finance director!

One of the obvious reasons for sluggish growth lies in the normal problems associated with infant technology. IP video has recently been described as "a technological solution looking for a problem". The costs of installation are not excessive, therefore a customer can contemplate installing the technology. However, John Watson of InterVid reckons that most of the bigger security players aren't yet ready to tackle integrated security equipment and IP solutions. "They don't have the cross-trained engineers, but once that situation has been improved upon the IP video scene will move forward," suggests Watson. An analysis that enjoys strong support from other observers of the electronic security sector.

What about the fact that the security industry doesn't really understand the concept of IP video?

Many industry observers believe that this marks something of a watershed in the basic purpose of the industry. Electronic security has moved slowly but steadily over the past decade or so. The advent of IP video and the necessary requirement for telecoms expertise may prove to be a major handicap. After all, the industry isn't likely to have much respite to develop any expertise.

Large organisations with LANs already boast network expertise, and will soon be asking hard questions. The generation gap between the two technologies – analogue and LAN/WAN – desperately needs to be bridged.

Is IP a better solution?
Perhaps IP video has suffered from being marketed as a 'better' solution to surveillance situations currently tackled by more traditional CCTV systems. Some manufacturers have promoted IP as the surveillance answer for clients needing to monitor car parks, ATM transactions, public spaces, Electronic Point-of-Sale staff and petrol stations. All of which are already perfectly served by very satisfactory CCTV installations.

This is nothing less than poor target marketing, as IP video is NOT a CCTV surveillance solution. Instead, it should be seen as a communications tool to enable greater access to visual information by making better use of existing networks. It's not a security matter, but rather a technical solution to a concept that hasn't yet been fully understood, not least by those promoting it.

The convergence of systems is a commercially advantageous activity. A fact recognised by the formation of the LonUser UK Open Systems Association (UKOSA). UKOSA representative Sarah Harden states: "Device networking technology enables end users to remotely connect, monitor and control devices such as CCTV, fire safety, lighting and access control". It should be noted that the move towards convergence has been taken up in a serious fashion by network systems manufacturers.

2003 is being forecast as a significant time for IP video. There is strong evidence to suggest that telecoms, IT and Internet companies will enter the security market in a meaningful way. In addition, electronic security providers will begin to partner these companies, and the crossover of expertise will duly accelerate. The transition is underway, and some manufacturers have already hosted roadshows in the networking of CCTV.

Let's close with a comment from Consultant Andrew Davies of Vision Systems, who states: "The networking of digital video is here to stay. Adoption rates will grow fastest where benefits are clear, and the price is right". As always, the customer will decide when the financial benefits become apparent.