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Customers are increasingly knowledgeable about what's available and are requesting systems that allow remote access to images. Here is some of the very latest IP equipment on the market, including products showcased at IIPSEC 2006.

Verint Systems Inc. has launched the Nextiva S1900e Intelligent Edge Device, a compact Ethernet Video Server with onboard storage.

The device is designed to deliver actionable intelligence from virtually any location on the IP network. By applying sophisticated analytics to high-quality video at the point of capture, it makes intelligent decisions about when to record and eliminates the need to send all video to centralised servers for analysis. Nextiva analytics "at the edge" is designed to promote faster response to important security and operational situations, reduce false alarms, decrease data transport and storage requirements, and enable organisations to readily expand analytics capabilities without adding costly servers.

It includes an optional SD flash memory card for storing critical video in the event of network failure and a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) feature with auxiliary camera power feed that turns any CCTV camera into a cost effective, intelligent IP video sensor.

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Use analogue cams in IP

With the launch of its new retrofit IP modules, Siemens Building Technologies says it has made it easy and inexpensive to use analogue CCTV cameras in digital installations based on IP technology.

SBT says analogue cameras typically provide better picture quality than their digital counterparts and, in many applications, they also offer extra versatility.

The new IP modules are available in two versions: One for use with internal fixed and varifocal cameras, the other for use with cameras in the IP66 vandal-resistant monochrome, colour and day/night range.

Both have an integrated web server, allowing images to be viewed with an ordinary web browser, such as Internet Explorer with Java plug-in. Live video images can also be embedded in HTML pages, and video streams from the new modules can be saved directly using a SISTORE MX digital video recorder.

Modules are said to be easy to fit into existing dome-camera installations, allowing older analogue systems to be upgraded economically to the latest digital standards.

To speed up installation, the IP modules allow connection of a local monitor for picture adjustment.

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High performer

Axis Communications has launched the AXIS 214 pan/tilt/zoom network camera, a high performance camera for professional surveillance and remote monitoring.

Enhanced with day/night and audio functions, the camera is capable of covering a wide field of view, making it suitable for use in mid-sized businesses.

Axis says it provides high quality colour video in low light conditions and sharp black-and-white video in extremely dark conditions. The camera's synchronised two-way audio feature enables remote users to listen to, and speak with, visitors or intruders. It has an 18x optical motorised lens and a 12x digital zoom with auto focus plus built-in motion detection and simultaneous MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG compression.

Thew company says: "The demand for PTZ network cameras has grown, as it is a cost-efficient and convenient improvement over analogue systems which require additional wiring."

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World control

The Dowshu Network Management System allows multi-site monitoring and control from anywhere in the world.

It can be used by a company to monitor multiple sites or, located in a central monitoring station, to monitor multiple companies and sites. It can be managed from a single remote pc, pda or mobile phone.

The company says that despite it being network based, no IT knowledge is required to install and use it. It can be simply plugged in and installed using familiar pc commands and a standard keyboard.

Functions include multi-site, multi-screen viewing, video verification of remote alarms, multiple DVR search, site map displays and detailed alarm management. Alarms are logged automatically and tracked by an operator, with a complete audit trail.

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Remote access

Milestone Systems has released XProtect Professional version 4.6 software which enables users to remotely manage and view live or recorded images from 16 video channels simultaneously.

XProtect Professional is full-featured software designed for managing IP video surveillance installations with 1-36 cameras. This newest version offers many additional features such as 'Remote Client' for an unlimited number of users.

It also supports the option to add XProtect PDA Client for mobile access to the surveillance system.

It can run from the system server or from a user's local computer.

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Trigger to success

New trigger and action functions are included in the latest version of the Net2 network access control solution from Paxton Access Ltd.

These enable users to link the Net2 software with a range of building services to generate specific actions as a result of trigger events.

"This will prove enormously popular with users and demonstrates our belief in the future of intelligent integration," says Sales and Marketing Director, Adam Stroud.

Potential applications for trigger and action functions were "enormous".

Examples include the ability to link lighting or heating systems to the entry of specific individuals into the building or the ability to notify security of alarm events via email or text message.

Site Graphics allows users to 'place' all doors and cameras onto a visual representation of the site imported into the Net2 software. Security staff can swiftly identify the location of an alarm event and double click on the camera associated with it to view live images of what is occurring at the relevant door. This reduces the level of staff training required and the need for security personnel to know the building intimately.

Net2 v4 also features integration with Milestone Systems' IP video surveillance software.

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Convert analogue to IP

Analogue camera systems can be converted to IP surveillance systems with the latest four channel encoder from JVC.

The encoder achieves live full motion at 30fps on all four channels simultaneously at VGA resolution in JPEG compression.

A built-in web server allows the user to connect the system directly to the Internet without having to route it through a dedicated computer, enabling delivery of live images to multiple computers anywhere in the world. JVC says there is no frame rate degradation when the encoder is accessed by multiple users.

The VN-E4 is able to multi stream VGA and QVGA simultaneously - useful for clients with limited bandwidth.

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Enjoying a joystick

NetView Control Centre is an IP-based video management software system that provides event handling and video decoding.

The "virtual" matrix is said to be a state of the art replacement for analogue legacy systems and provides multiple monitoring on any networked PC.

Security personnel can select and instantly view live video or retrieve recorded images via a PC keyboard/mouse although one of the key features built into NetView is the ability to operate with a traditional CCTV keyboard joystick.

"The feedback from customers is that security personnel like the familiarity and ease of use of a standard CCTV keyboard that has a joystick," said Mark Novak, Commercial Director of Vigilant Technology UK.

"Training time is reduced, productivity is increased and operators are more likely to take full advantage of the system's extensive functionality."

NetView can be configured to display video from an unlimited number of cameras on 1, 4, 9 or 16 way split video screens across as many monitors as required.

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Inside and out

A range of dedicated IP dome cameras for internal and external applications has been developed by IndigoVision.

They are compatible with the company's "Control Centre" video and alarm management software and its range of Network Video recorders.

The domes incorporate a high quality Sony camera module, robust PTZ mechanisms and Indigovision's MPEG-4 encoder technology.

The new domes enable easy deployment of video systems, as they require only local power and a single CAT 5 cable connection to the network.

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Everything is possible

Analogue, multi megapixel and IP cameras can all be recorded in the same Wavestore HiNet unit.

HiNet comprises hard and software technologies to enable various formats of video and audio data to be recorded on to the same server with minimal start-up costs.

As well as supporting a wide range of analogue cameras, HiNet interfaces directly with IP and multi-megapixel cameras from major manufacturers. Using Wavelet compression, it supports IP cameras with Mpeg , H.264 and Jpeg2000 formats.

Up to 24 analogue and 20 IP cameras per server can be supported simultaneously and the unit is said to have a "very fast find capability".

It has user friendly set-up routines and the ability to change them as the requirement evolves.

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Visitors analysed

IP camera specialists ipCCTVcameras have launched what they call the "world's first" video analytics system that generates marketing intelligence from live video in real time.

VideoMining is used to generate market intelligence on consumer's gender, age and ethnic origin, as well as behaviour and movement of each individual within a camera's point of view.

It can be deployed in large or small retail outlets, banks, shopping centres and airports to improve operations and store planning.

The company says the system has already been deployed extensively throughout the USA by leading retail groups.

Information is generated on speed of travel, complex traffic patterns, direction, duration of visit, loiter points, visit abandonment rate, dwell times, purpose of visit space usage, number in queue, average waiting time and average processing times.

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Quantum leap

Digital Sprite 2, the latest generation network DVR from Dedicated Micros, can switch from Mpeg low resolution continuous recording to high resolution evidential quality JPEG images on alarm.

The switch takes place while still streaming in either format from the same camera.

The ability to make this "dynamic" switch is due to the NetVu Connected Trans-coding engine embedded in the unit.

The system administrator has complete control over the use of bandwidth and also gets maximum recording performance by being able to record continuously on all cameras without doubling the disk space.

The new DS2 can be integrated with other NetVu Connected IP products such as DM's IP-enabled dome recording and mega pixel image recording. It achieves multi-user network viewing and recording in one "plug and play" box.

Other features include: dial out on alarm; BS8418 compliance, MultiMode recording; zoned VMD and a maximum overall recording rate of 100 pictures per second.

Said Pauline Norstrom, Worldwide Head of Marketing: "The New DS2 takes a quantum leap forward and is a worthy successor to its award-winning predecessors."

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Compact package

MEL Secure Systems' new four channel IP-based DVR has 1300 hours recording capacity in a single compact, robust and easy to use package.

Available as a standalone unit or integrated with one of MEL's control systems, each of the four channels can support a fully functional PTZ camera through the on-board RS-485 communications port.

It uses real-time MPEG4 compression and offers high levels of flexibility by enabling each of the four channels to be configured to different rates and image quality.

If required, multiple DVRs can be linked, enabling greater numbers of cameras to be recorded.

Live and recorded views can be accessed by operators using mobile control systems or remotely via Ethernet networking or the Internet.

This DVR can be used to upgrade existing CCTV systems that use four channel multiplexers and video cassette recorders

Powered from a 12-volt source, it is suitable for both fixed and temporary installations.

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Can't get a grip

The 9440 vandal proof mini dome is the newest of DVTel's line of MPEG-4 based IP cameras. Housed in a vandal-resistant "No grip" housing, it is said to be suitable for the most demanding installations.

The company says it achieves both high frame rate and high resolution while maintaining a significantly lower file size that requires less bandwidth compared to other image compression cameras. It uses IGMP Snooping (multicasting) technology to enable a single stream to be transmitted to multiple viewers on the network simultaneously. .

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DVD quality results

Dallmeier supply a single channel network video codec that is especially designed for use with securiuty transmission, video and audio recording systems.

Compressed to MPEG standard, the data can be transmitted over the built in network interface and simultaneously recorded on an internal hard disk. At the same time another data stream can be received from the network and displayed on a locally connected monitor.

The company says that, depending on the configuration, the picture and sound quality can meet DVD quality. MPEG-2 video compression is used.

It is suitable for applications in airports, casinos, light rail systems, subways, railway stations, ports, traffic monitoring situations, larger buildings and anywhere suitable network infrastructure is already in existence.It is available in two formats - DIS-1/S and DIS-1/L.

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