Top 10 Misconceptions in Interpreting IP Video Surveillance

IP monitoring technology does not have a high degree of complexity, but IP applications have absorbed their own security and are expanding into the mysterious IT field. In this sense, new technologies and entirely new environments pose a threat to reality and trigger disputes. The fact that IP monitoring directly competes with DVR has caused many problems, and currently many people have misunderstandings about IP monitoring. Therefore, the editor has specially compiled the top ten common misconceptions for everyone's reference.

Misconception 1: DVR is the latest and best CCTV monitoring technology

Actual situation: People generally believe that DVR is the latest and best technology, and many people also think that DVR is a fully digital network technology, but this is not the case. Compared with VCR, DVR has many advantages: no need to replace the video tape, stable image quality, and fast search. However, there are analog cables everywhere, which can affect image quality and are quite expensive. IP monitoring has all the advantages and additional features of a DVR, including the following:

Scalability: IP monitoring can increase the speed of adding a single camera from one to thousands of cameras. Unlike DVR, it does not experience a sharp increase in 16 channels, and IP monitoring can provide various frame rates for various cameras at any time without any restrictions;

Economic architecture: Most devices are connected by twisted pair cables, so using IP architecture does not require additional wiring (a significant expense in CCTV installation projects), and manages data, video, audio, and other files, achieving efficient and low-cost management;

Remote access: Real time or recorded video streams can be securely accessed and controlled from anywhere through wired or wireless networks;

The intelligence of the camera: dynamic detection, event processing, sensor input, relay output, time and date, and other built-in functions enable the camera to make intelligent judgments to determine the time and object of alarm transmission, the time of video transmission, and even frame rate or clarity, etc;

Low system cost: For many installation systems, IP monitoring systems have been proven to be a low-cost system. Open and standardized networks, servers, and storage devices allow multiple vendors to participate in market competition, breaking the monopoly of a single vendor in the DVR market. In addition, with lower additional hardware installation and maintenance costs, good performance can be achieved, and it is clear that IP monitoring can save a considerable amount of costs.

Contrary to some misconceptions, DVR is not the ultimate solution, but a milestone in the development of CCTV technology. Practice has proved that IP monitoring technology has its progressiveness nature, and there is a great difference between the two technologies. Now people have just realized this.

Misconception 2: IP technology is not yet mature

If this technology is better, why don't security solution providers vigorously promote it?

Actual situation: This erroneous statement has raised many related issues, which are closely related to the structure and purchasing methods of the security market, rather than the performance and reliability of IP monitoring solutions.

IP monitoring is a relatively new technology, and many powerful manufacturers currently consider DVR as a competitive solution. It is natural for these manufacturers to want to protect their investments in DVR. New technologies and ideas require the establishment of a knowledge system and architecture among integrators, consulting firms, and vendors to break away from traditional ideas and procedures. How many of us still remember when people were told that typewriters could meet all our requirements, and who needed these newly invented word processors? Is it a distant thing? Let's take another look at cassette players or VCRs, they have been replaced by DVDs, and it takes time to change the accustomed technology and way of thinking.

The number of IP monitoring installations, as well as the number of integrators and agents, is increasing every day. The market will soon discover the superiority of IP monitoring and the rapid growth in the number of systems supporting this architecture.

If these pieces of evidence are not clear enough, then IBM's recent entry into the cybersecurity market, as well as Cisco and Proxim's research into this field, further confirm our point of view.

Misconception 3: IP monitoring cannot meet the requirements of enterprise level applications

Actual situation: The larger the installation scale and the higher the system performance requirements, the stronger the competitiveness and superiority of the IP monitoring system can be displayed.

Among the advantages of the IP monitoring system obtained above, upgradability is a requirement for high-end users. For example, Axis typically receives orders for the installation of 200 and 300 or more cameras, with the largest quantity so far being 1300 cameras, some of which are used in high security places such as international airports and prisons. This erroneous statement is easily corrected: the application case of IP monitoring proves that it can fully meet the requirements of enterprise level. In fact, IP is now the preferred architecture in contracts for large surveillance systems such as government and airports, whereas 12 months ago, the situation was not like this.

Misconception 4: The quality of online video images is not as good as simulated

Actual situation: High quality network cameras come with the same high-quality image sensor (CCD) and lens as analog cameras. Moreover, by using video servers, analog cameras or already installed analog cameras can be combined with IP monitoring systems. We must emphasize that high-quality network cameras are intended for use by professional departments. These high-quality dedicated network cameras should not be confused with low-end network or computer network cameras. In fact, these types of cameras do not yet reach the level of fully functional network cameras in terms of functionality.

Soon after, with the adoption of megapixel resolution, network cameras and IP surveillance technology will be able to provide higher image quality, while analog cameras are limited by the 0.4 Mpixel resolution in the NTSC/PAL standard.

Misconception 5: The cost of network cameras is higher than that of analog cameras, making IP monitoring expensive

Actual situation: Network cameras are indeed more expensive than analog ones because they include a considerable number of functions, such as digitization, image compression, and intelligence. If we analyze the total cost of hardware (cameras, cables, and recording equipment), we can find that IP surveillance systems usually have advantages over DVRs. If we take into account the installation cost, the advantages of IP monitoring systems become more apparent because IP based architectures are much cheaper than analog coaxial cables in terms of cost. In addition, the system controlled by PTZ requires the laying of additional lines, while IP does not. Ethernet power supply is another cost saving feature that does not require a power cord and is connected to the uninterrupted power supply in the IT network center.

In the high-end installation project completed by Axis in 2002, 300 network cameras were installed in very important high security areas and equipped with high frame rate recording equipment. The total cost of installing a complete IP video surveillance system is $800000 or $2700 per channel. The same functionality, if installed with a DVR, would cost approximately $1.8 million, or $6000 per channel, which is more than twice as much as an IP monitoring system.

Misconception 6: If I have already installed an analog camera, then I should not choose an IP monitoring system because DVR is what I need

Actual situation: In fact, it may not be the case, but video server technology can demonstrate its capabilities. Leading IP monitoring vendors can obtain video servers without investing much capital. The video server converts analog video signals into network digital video streams, just like converting analog cameras into network cameras. Most IP surveillance installation projects include analog cameras, network video servers, and units entirely composed of network cameras. A system with all network functions and existing analog cameras will not pose any obstacles to the application of advanced P monitoring technology.

Misconception 7: Transmitting all video data over the network will result in overload, making this technology unusable

Actual situation: If there are only a few cameras, the existing high-speed Ethernet (100Mbit) office network can usually meet all transmission requirements. For compression, the video stream speed of a single ordinary network camera is 0.2 to 2.0 Mbit per second, depending on the compression rate, size, and frame rate. For any large-scale system configured with network cameras and video servers, we recommend a separate network video system.

Taking the railway transportation system as an example, if the existing lines are very crowded, another set of lines needs to be established. In terms of enterprise scale, the local network kernel should run on a gigabit Ethernet network. Using current network switches and routers, network segmentation is easy. In addition, other special steps can be taken to ensure the integration of IP monitoring technology with the system without adding burden to the network.

In addition, due to the built-in intelligent function of the network camera, the frame rate for sending information can be determined based on events, activity status, and time. In many cases, cameras only send videos over the network when there is a need to record them, with a probability of only 10%, and 90% of the time still requiring video transmission.

Misconception 8: Transmitting videos through IP networks for secure purposes is unreliable

Actual situation: Although the Internet is mainly used in the field of public information, it can also be used to transmit various sensitive information with firewall, VPN, password protection and other security measures. Banks and financial institutions usually use the Internet as a media to conduct financial transactions worldwide. Moreover, the Internet has been shown to be used for security monitoring and other applications. Completely different from this new digital technology, analog monitoring systems cannot encrypt or authenticate information, making it easy for "hackers" to access relevant information and even manipulate it online (similar to the movie "Ocean's 11"). This situation is impossible to occur on a secure IP network.

Misconception 9: IP monitoring is not as reliable as other technologies; For example, when the network is paralyzed

Actual situation: When developing IP network architecture in the 1960s and 1970s, providing redundancy capability was the first requirement. Similarly, transmission links, application servers, storage, and switches all have corresponding maintenance phases and optional communication paths. The storage can be reinforced, and the server can use backup power, hot swappable RAID disks, error correcting memory, and dual-mode network cards. It all depends on the network designer. Although small networks cannot be equipped with all security measures, choosing high-quality network IT components is more reliable than CCTV systems equipped with VCRs or DVRs. It is worth noting that with standard servers and network equipment, the time and cost of hardware replacement for the system are lower than professional DVR solutions.

Misconception 10: IP monitoring will take at least five years to achieve

Actual situation: This statement is the biggest mistake! Since the first network camera was introduced in 1996, Axis has installed over 280000 network videos, while people's interest in IP surveillance and orders in this area continue to increase. IP monitoring is a mature solution in terms of cost, performance, reliability, and other aspects, and will continue to develop and improve as a core technology for the future.