Video manufacturers are transitioning over to IP, causing the bottom to drop out of the analog market, and the retail and gadget markets are being flooded with inexpensive products.
Security professionals have already faced a similar phenomenon. Notable examples include:
- The introduction of the mass marketing of free residential alarm systems
- Direct Internet sales to end-users
- Manufacturing’s offshore shift
- Product in home centers changing the face of the locksmithing industry
The transition from analog to IP is not unforeseen or earth shaking, but it ranks up there anyway.
In a recent article, Locksmith Ledger reported on video developer and manufacturer QVIS (www.locksmithledger.com/10875806). Since that report, QVIS has turned the corner and revamped its entire product offering to IP products, although the video surveillance industry continues to produce and support both analog, hybrid and IP products.
So QVIS is nimble enough to respond to the market and make a change. Perhaps this is a valuable lesson more of us should learn.
QVIS Line
The CYBORG HYBRID is billed as offering seamless integration between analog and digital. Features include:
- 16 Channels D1 + 16 Channels IP 2MP
- 32 total channels of video recording
- 16 full D1 real time and 16 2MP IP cameras
- 1080p HDMI, VGA and DVI
- DVD writer, Blu-ray optional
- Simple GUI
- 2U & 4U rack-mountable
- Digital Zoom
- Up to 40TB of internal storage
- RAID 5 and 10 optional
- Gigabit network interface built-in
- Motion Activity
- Throttled Video
- Integrated Alarms
- Instant Playback response
- Digital Zoom
- Free Feature updates
- Simultaneous live & recorded view, New Smart phone monitoring
- Backup video saved in universal iTunes format; use any player; no file conversion
- Backup via built-in DVD/Blu-ray, flash drive, USB HDD, USB CD/DVD/Blu-ray and remote network download
- New CMS Mac compatibility
- Available In 4TB, 8TB & 12TB
The QVIS TERMINATOR PRO Cortex ZMS is the solution for central Management of multiple cameras and NVR’s across one or more sites.
QVIS also offers several IP camera models. The CC-VAN-2801 CAMERA is a2 megapixel camera with 3-12mm Varifocal lens. IR range is 30M iR RANGE, 30pcs IR LED
The CC-EYE-2801 camera is a 2 megapixel, 3.6MM fixed lens camera with a 30M IR RANGE, 36PCS IR LED.
For further information on QVIS products, visit www.qvissecurity.com.
Optiview
Another player in the video surveillance is Optiview in Jacksonville, FL. (Read a previous article about Optiview at www.locksmithledger.com/10612774.) Optiview continue to offer custom-manufactured solutions as well as a catalog of all types of video surveillance. Their support and design staff stand ready to assist you through every phase of your project.
Installation sites that are large and spread across several buildings can be a challenge. Cameras are needed inside and out, and in varying requirements of resolution, focal-length, and night-time viewing distance. When feasible all the cameras need to be integrated into one system so they can be configured, viewed and recorded in one easy to manage interface. A solution is Optiview Hybrid DVRs and Hybrid Camera Systems.
Hybrid DVRs like the VR Series DVRs from Optiview will manage and record both analog and IP security cameras providing you the advantages of both of these technologies.
Advantages of analog security camera systems are lower cost and lower hard drive and network bandwidth requirements. Advantages of IP camera systems are much higher resolutions, use of available IP infrastructure, and more options for wireless functionality.
Adaptive cost effective solutions are possible by using analog cameras and high resolution IP cameras appropriate to the risk assessment, resolution required and installation site conditions.
Secure IP wireless functionality can be used to connect many cameras across a wide area together.
With Hybrid DVRs like the VR Series PC-based machines you get “free inputs” too. For example, if you purchase an Optiview VR800 DVR, which is an 8 camera DVR, it can actually hold up to 16 cameras. You get 8 BNC inputs for analog cameras and you can also connect up to 8 IP cameras. Therefore an 8 port DVR can effectively function as a 16 port DVR.
When adding IP megapixel cameras to a system, you always have to consider hard drive and bandwidth capacity. Analog cameras record at a relatively low resolution (CIF), while megapixel cameras will be much higher (as much as 5MP). The VR Series PC-based machines have you covered here too.
The VR Server case alone can hold up to 15TB of storage. If you need more space, Optiview offers the TERASERVER15. This 15 bay hard drive storage solution will hold another 45 terabytes (assuming 3TB hard drives).
A Hybrid DVR like the Optiview VR800 DVR is a great solution for a job site that is growing or might expand down the road. A hybrid DVR supports multiple analog and IP cameras providing the advantages of both of these surveillance technologies
The Optiview VR Series DVR offers the latest H.264 hardware compression, real-time recording up to 64 cameras, 32 audio inputs, D1 resolution up to 32 cameras, and IP camera and video server support. These advanced features, combined with an easy to use graphical user interface (GUI), makes the VR Series one of the best Hybrid DVRs available on the market today.
When playing back recorded video on the DVR, you can view all of the cameras at once. However, when playing back remotely using the client software or a web browser, you can view up to four cameras at a time (4-part partition). You can view any of the available cameras but only four at a time.
Optiview’s TERASERVER15 is an external 4U-15 bay hot-swappable SATA rack-mount disk array storage chassis. It provides users a most big storage capacity for up to 15 SATA drives for 1/0/5/JBOD RAID configuration. This 4U-15 Bay external SATA JBOD is designed with 3 high quality eSATA (Port Multiplier) connectors. One 120mm Ball bearing fan offers long lasting and enhanced thermal cooling solution.
For more information, visit www.optiviewusa.com
Swann
Swann is a global leader in security monitoring solutions, fun gadgets and I.T. peripherals targeting consumers through retail channels. The company's products are mainly do-it-yourself (DIY) with easy-to-follow 'plug-and-play' instructions, full after-sale technical support and retail-friendly product packaging aimed at home, office and small-to-medium retail users. Swann is at the forefront of the latest international trends including wireless connectivity, professional quality CCTV cameras with infrared night vision, digital video recording with motion detection and networkability, web surveillance and remote notification. Swann's reseller network includes some of the world's largest retailers and distributors.
Swann was founded in 1987 by David Swann in Melbourne, Australia and now has offices in the USA, Australia, China and Hong Kong with global distribution through partners around the world.
The Professional HD Security System NVR4-7200™ 4 Channel 1080p Network Video Recorder & 4 pc. 1080p NHD-820™ Cameras comprise Swann’s latest network video recording security system with 1080P high definition live viewing & playback in real-time (25/30 fps per channel). State-of-the-art digital imaging technology provides 5x the picture sharpness of traditional security systems including analog D1 (and 20x the picture sharpness of traditional CIF security systems).
Full HDTV provides 1080 lines with progressive scanning (sometimes referred to as 1080p). In these specifications, the numeral indicates the number of horizontal lines in the complete raster, the p stands for progressive scanning (where each scan displays every line in the image raster sequentially from top to bottom), and the i stands for interlaced scanning (where each scan displays alternate lines in the image raster, and two complete scans are therefore required to display the entire image).
Progressive scanning is considered superior to interlaced scanning for full-motion video displays. There is less jitter, particularly for the portrayal of objects that move diagonally or vertically across the screen. The improvement is especially noticeable for fast-moving images, typical of television and DVD programs. Another advantage of progressive scanning is the fact that it is required for satisfactory video on TV sets that use micro displays, plasma displays, or liquid-crystal display (LCD) flat panels, all of which are becoming increasingly popular. The improved image quality afforded by full HDTV is well suited to the extra-large-screen displays used in home theater systems.
The Swann Professional HD Security System includes 4 x Full HD 1000TVL cameras capable of generating clear 1920 x 1080 pixels (2.1 Megapixel without interpolation) video with IR cut filters for powerful night vision to 115ft / 35m & a weather-resistant rating of IP66 for indoor & outdoor use.
The DVR provides continuous four-channel recording for 45 days+ onto the standard included 2TB hard drive (expandable to 4TB) or even longer with motion detection. Video of incidents may be searched and located then transferred to external storage via USB or network
Cameras are powered by the NVR & connect via single CAT5E Ethernet cables (which are included). The NVR connects to the internet quickly using the setup software wizard. Live viewing on a Smartphone or tablet including iOS (iPhone, iPad) & Android devices is possible using the free SwannView NVR app, with email notifications of activity.
The Swann Professional HD Security System is supplied with:
• NVR4-7200™
• 2TB Hard Drive (installed)
• NHD-820™ Cameras x 4
• HDMI Cable (6ft/2m)
• Power Cable
• Mouse
• CAT5E Ethernet Cable x 5 (1 x 6ft/2m, 4 x 60ft/18m)
• Mounting Screws & Plugs
• Operating Instructions
• Software CD
• Theft Deterrent Stickers x 4
Setup is quick. Swann’s software guides set-up and the built-in UPnP (Universal Plug n Play) technology automatically configures the DVR to the router and the internet. Swann’s complementary DDNS service ensures remote log-on to the DVR.
Downloading the free SwannView app for Smartphone or tablet (including iPhone, iPad, Android devices, BlackBerry devices and more) enable live camera viewing over mobile devices. The DVR can be configured to send email alerts of camera activity with a JPEG image attached.
The system includes 4 x Full HD 1080p cameras capable of generating crystal clear 1920 x 1080 pixels (2.1 Megapixels without interpolation) video with IR cut filters for extra-powerful night vision to 170 feet and a weather resistant rating of IP66 for indoor & outdoor use.
For more information, visit www.swann.com.
Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.
