ip video system design discussion

VICON A&E SUMMIT ORLANDO, FLORIDA JAN. 25-27, 2009

IP Video System Design Discussion

Guy AraziVicon Digital Products Manager


Digital Video System Components

• DVR – Digital Video Recorder

• Hybrid DVR

• Video Encoder

• IP Camera

• NVR – Network Video Recorder


DVR – Digital Video Recorder

• Pioneer of digital CCTV• Fixed number of analog video/audio inputs• Includes a compression card• Includes hard drives for recording• Usually includes a fixed number of PTZ

channels, alarm inputs and relay outputs• Most modern DVRs have network

capabilities


Typical DVR Front and Rear


DVR – Digital Video Recorder

• Advantages– Solid all-in-one solution– Good track record – Offers display and storage flexibility

• Disadvantages– Physical size, weight and temperature– Video requires cable connection to it– Fixed number of video inputs


Hybrid DVR

• A DVR that can record IP camera video from the network in addition to its fixed analog inputs

• By definition has network capabilities• Allows system scalability and

expansion flexibility

Key feature is: Scalability


Video Encoders

• Single- and multi-channel video encoders• Captures and compresses analog

video/audio and makes it available on the network

• Usually has a fixed number of PTZ, alarm inputs and relay outputs

• Runs a lean operating system with task-specific functionality

• Some offer limited internal memory for recording (several seconds)

• Recording needs to be done across the network to a DVR or NVR


Video Encoders

Single-Channel Encoder

Multi-Channel Encoder


IP Cameras

• A camera that includes the compression and network board internally

• Sends digital video directly to the network• Usually has a fixed number of alarm inputs

and relay outputs• PTZ IP cameras support PTZ over the network • Runs a lean operating system with task-

specific functionality • Some offer limited internal memory for

recording (several seconds)• Recording needs to be done across the

network to a DVR or NVR


Various IP Cameras


IP Cameras and Encoders

• Advantages– SCALABILITY– Potentially higher resolution in megapixel– Physical size– Simpler installation anywhere

• Disadvantages – Relies more on networking– Doesn’t have internal recording – Doesn’t typically have local display


NVR – Network Video Recorder• A computer running software that allows

it to record video over the network from:– Video Encoders – IP Cameras– DVRs

• Has a fixed number of channels it can handle; this might depend on video parameters

• Has various hard drive options


Digital Video Systems Overview

• A digital video system is any combination of the different components

• A system is defined by the actual devices and their deployment:– Central based, pure DVR-based system– Central based, hybrid DVR-based system– Distributed, encoder-based system– Distributed, IP camera-based system


Head End Options• At the head end, the user can choose

how to view, playback and control the video system

• The different environments where video systems are installed require different user interfaces:– PC-based software– Multiple viewing options– Virtual matrix controller


PC-Based Software

• Is installed and runs as an application window or several of those on a PC

• Offers various tools for viewing and control of the video over the system

• Allows seamless usage and control of any device on the network

• Is limited to the actual PC screens and performance capabilities


• Picture, PC screen with video


Multi-View Options

• Some users want to be able to view all or many of their cameras all the time

• This opens the following questions:– How many cameras on what size

monitor?– How many monitors can a PC drive?– How many cameras can be viewed

effectively?


Virtual Matrix Controller

• Allows switching and displaying the digital video sources on analog monitors like a legacy matrix

• Uses video decoders to take the video “off” the network and out to an analog monitor

• A strong platform allows seamless usage and control of any device on the network

• Allows a “monitor anywhere” approach and takes advantage of the network


Virtual Matrix Controller


ViconNet Version 5

• New software version includes a list of enhancements to the enterprise capabilities of the system:– Open platform– Vicon Access Control solution– Enhanced Analytics Integration– Improved display offerings – Integration with 3rd party software– New IP cameras and encoders– Advanced compression algorithms


Open Platform

• What is open platform?– The ability to accept many to any IP-based

video into the video management system – Allow 3rd party cameras to be used in the

ViconNet software

• Specific for ViconNet– Keep supporting our own “build for security”

cameras – Support all cameras on same GUI


Open Platform “Challenges”

• Every camera comes with a different set of supported functions

• Camera update will probably require ViconNet to update

• A lot of these cameras are browser-based and offer a less secure path than proprietary protocols


Integration• Integration of low voltage systems is a

much desired feature• Often based on events• Ways to integrate systems

– Dry contact– RS-232/422/485 and host protocols– SDK and API

• We assume that the system we are integrating with the video system notifies the video system of those events and the video system displays


Dry Contact

• The oldest trick in the book…• The integrated system provides a dry contact

on each event while the video system responds accordingly– Advantages

• Simple 1 to 1 design• Available even in legacy technology

– Disadvantages• A LOT of wiring• Distance issues• Larger system usually don’t have enough contacts


Dry Contact

• A simple switch


Serial Host Protocol• Sends commands over serial connection• Video system responds accordingly• Main integration method with analog matrix

system– Advantages

• Reach protocol-based solution• Most legacy systems are already created to work with

analog matrix• Easy to implement and maintain• No need for programmer

– Disadvantages • Control is from integrated party to video• Requires dedicated cabling • Limited to the protocol


What is an API?

• Application Programming Interface• Set of routines and data structures

provided in order to support building applications

• Usually an abstract set of code that needs to be used by the developers to make functions work (include in their code)


What is a SDK?

• Software Development Kit• Set of tools to allow certain access to

certain functionality • Comes in many shapes and forms

– ActiveX download– Tool to include items in web page– Tie in to a system


API and SDK Integration

• Software-based interface• Software tools to allow access to video• Many forms and options (no standard)

– Advantages• Bring video from anywhere into your application• Very flexible• Usually not a physical connection (uses network)

– Disadvantages• Requires writing computer code• Requires on-going support and updates


API Integration Demo

Touch Screen System with Video

Simplex Grinnell


Examples

• Dry contact:– Legacy intercom system, added video and

wants a camera to show the door• Host protocol:

– Detention touch screen-base system to control the video switching

– Access control events to trigger video• API and SDK

– Detention touch screen to show video on the touch screen itself

– Integration with building automation system to show video in the MI interface


Video Analytics

• An optional software package

• Solution for intelligent video analysis

• Per-channel set of pre-defined behaviors are being monitored in real time on the video

• Automatic identification and alert of defined behaviors

• Key feature for event-driven monitoring


How Does it Work?

• The video system is integrated with the video analytics module providing it with “material” to analyze

• Video is analyzed to alert of specific events • Alarm events are sent to the monitoring

application screen• Graphical overlay on the video will highlight the

actual person / object detected for this event


Enhanced Analytics Integration

• Enhance the integration between the CCTV system and the analytics engine:– Transparent communication– Graphical feedback on live and playback– Common user and alarms interface

Analytics is value-added to video and represents a growing need


Analytics Reality

• Many misconceptions and myths surrounding the capabilities of the software

• First items to consider:– FAR – False Alarm Ratio– NAR – No Alarm Ratio– Ease of use

• This is a support tool for the system operator and needs to be easy and intuitive


Setup Analytics Channel

Demo of video analytics rule setup on local camera


The Next GenerationsViconNet Road Map

• Version 6 is in development and will include the following:– Event bookmarking and external alarms integration tools

(demo)– Web browser viewer application– H.264 compression in DVRs – Improved Virtual Matrix Decoder (H.264, HD)– New video encoder technology (H.264 Real time)

• Version 7 in the following year:– Map enhancements– IT compliance enhancements– Auto-archiving of video– Events-based video segment lock


Event Bookmarking

• Allows adding a text bookmark to a video segment during live view

• Allows accepting bookmarks from external sources such as: POS, ATM and others

• Allows searching the video by those bookmarks

• Supports alarms from “any” source to tag the video


Web Browser

• Create a web browser viewer software• Self loading by browser (no installation)• View and control any camera• Run on any web browser• Allow remote connectivity over the

Internet from “any” browser• Support of non-Microsoft browsers


H.264 Compression

• Newest and most compressed video format influencing the industry

• Already well accepted in the broadcast industry and replacing Mpeg-2

• Requires faster DSP as well as stronger PC for the same number of channels

• Offers significant savings on storage


Improved Video Decoder

• Development of a PC-based video decoder instead of a DSP-based

• VGA and DVI output (no BNC)

• Support for H.264 and HD images

• More pictures on every output

• Development flexibility (PC platform)


New Video Encoder

• 4-channel real time H.264 encoder

• D1 on every channel

• Newer and faster DSP chip

• Competitive price-per-channel


Map Enhancements

• PTZ control from maps• Video on maps• Alarm indication on map icons• Camera position indication• Absolute position feedback from

dome


IT Compliance Enhancements

• Allow the transmission of video in Multicast mode for lower bandwidth networks

• Support existing standard network formats as well as new TCP/IP standards (IPV6)

• Integrate with Microsoft Active Directory for user management


Auto Archiving of Video

• Allow automatic archives of video from the ViconNet system FIFO database to a permanent storage location

• Support archive on schedule and event


Event Video Lock

• Allow pre/post alarm segments to be locked into the database

• Protect locked video from being overwritten by FIFO function of database

ip video system design discussion

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