Benchmark looks at 12 products of interest forsystem integrators actively involved in the creation of smart video surveillance solutions.
Avigilon: AI Appliance
The Avigilon AI Appliance adds patented self-learning video analytics and Avigilon Appearance Search technology to a wide range of third party IP cameras. Previously, the advanced functionality of Appearance Search could only be accessed if the system made use of Avigilon cameras including the self-learning analytics functionality.
When the AI Appliance is connected to hardware running the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) VMS software, integrators and installers can leverage legacy cameras to create and implement powerful video surveillance solutions making use of AI-driven features, including automatic alerts if potentially critical events occur, along with the ability to search for, and locate, people or vehicles of interest across an entire site where hundreds of cameras may be deployed.
The appliance has been purpose-built to deliver high performance. The unit includes leading CPU-based and GPU-based hardware that simultaneously supports video analytics and Appearance Search technology.
Available in two variants, the AI Appliance is capable of supporting either 30 or 60 two megapixel video streams in the same 2U form factor. As a result, the appliance can integrate into existing installations and scale to meet system requirements. The AI Appliance is supplied pre-configured and ready to run out of the box.
Theia: SL1250 4K Lenses
The SL1250 is a true 4K UHD 12 megapixel lens with telephoto capabilities. The lens is ideal for long range security surveillance and number plate recognition (ANPR) applications. The varifocal lens has a focal length of 12-50mm and delivers high quality images.
The SL1250 has been designed for use with cameras that utilise image sensors ranging from 1/2.3 inch up to 1/1.7 inch. Its compact design ensures it can be used in small, unobtrusive enclosures.
The SL1250 lens is available in three variants: DC auto-iris (SL1250A), P-iris (SL1250P) and manual iris (SL1250M). All variants feature IR correction for use with artificial lighting with no focus shift, and use standard CS mounts.
A version with motorised zoom and focus, the TL1250, is also available with the same optical specifications.
Luminite: OCULi
OCULi is a battery-powered wireless PIR motion sensors which includes an integrated camera with infrared illuminators for day/night deployments.
Designed to deliver rapid video verification of an alarm event using the mobile phone network. the systems utilises a dedicated cloud server to provide a simple to install and configure systems that sends push notifications to the OCULi mobile phone app when an event is detected.
Aside from the detector/camera unit, no further equipment is required for the device to be operational. The customer needs to sign up to a SIM usage rolling monthly contract, giving access to the secure cloud server and mobile phone app.
Images are 640 x 480 pixels and are streamed over the 3G data network. OCULi uses quad pyro technology and has tamper protection including anti-masking and enclosure tamper alarms.
OCULi units are user programmable to set and unset up to three times per day. Other features include communication facilities for two way audio challenge and remote control of other wireless devices on site.
OCULi devices can also be programmed to integrate with other Luminite wireless PIR and detection products.
Arecont Vision Costar: MegaVideo Flex Series
The MegaVideo Flex camera series offers a cost-effective security solution for installations that require a flexible, compact design. Due to its small size, the MegaVideo Flex cameras can be used in a wide range of applications. With a discrete camera head linked to the body by a cable, the devices easily fit into tight spaces or devices such as automatic teller machines (ATMs) or vending machines.
The indoor cameras feature a choice of 1.2 megapixel, HD1080p, 3 megapixel and 5 megapixel resolutions, and a tethered USB cabling design allows the camera to be mounted in one area while the main unit is mounted up to 12 metres away.
The tethered cabling system allows the image sensor and up to two optional IR illumination units to be installed inside a wall cavity or even in another room entirely.
The camera heads can be automatically focused via the camera box web page, and additional screw-in lenses allow the focal length to be changed. Lenses are available with focal lengths ranging from 2.1mm to 16mm.
Other features include edge recording via an SD card, WDR, corridor view and SNAPstream bandwidth reduction.
Iluminar: OPTO Series
Iluminar, a leading manufacturer of infrared and white light products for video surveillance, offers a wide range of specialist illuminators within the company’s OPTO series of cost-effective LED lighting products.
Designed to ensure the availability of advanced lighting solutions for camera surveillance and critical applications which the user is cost-conscious, the varied OPTO range optimises the return on investment whilst also delivering efficient and effective illumination for night-time surveillance over ranges of up to 130 metres.
OPTO products are currently available in both infrared and white light variants, and the illuminators are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. All illuminators are supplied with an IP66-rated dustproof and water resistant housing.
To ensure additional flexibility, while also offering ease of installation for system integrators and security installers, devices in the OPTO range can be powered by a variety of low voltage inputs, including 12V DC, 24V AC, PoE and PoE+.
The series also includes 180 degree illuminators which are ideal for use with panoramic cameras.
Fujinon: DV2.2×4.1SR4A-SA2L
The DV2.2×4.1SR4A-SA2L is a well-established high quality lens for video surveillance applications where the capture of sharp detail is critical. There are certainly no concerns about build-quality, and the lens has proven itself in the field to be well constructed.
Focus and zoom adjustments are smooth, and the securing knobs are easy to access. The focus securing knob is not used to make the adjustment – a focus ring performs this task – so tightening can be performed without accidentally changing the focus, which is a benefit.
In field tests carried out by Benchmark, the Fujinon lens shows its capability. It delivers high levels of detail and crispness. Colours are accurate and iris response is very good. While the lens is rated as 6 megapixel, it shows clean and sharp detail up to the edge of the image area with a 4K stream.
In low light applications, the DV2.2×4.1SR4A-SA2L delivers clean and detailed images with minimal noise at light levels approximately 2 lux lower than those required when using an unbranded lens, which is a significant difference. Under artifical illumination, the lens performs well, and there is no visible focus shift during day/night switching.
Tyco: exacqVision Edge
Tyco’s exacqVision Edge is a complete VMS software solution that runs directly on an IP camera and stores video to an SD card in the camera. Claimed to offer the same features of the server-based recording software, but without the server, the functionality allows the integrator or installer to deliver viewing of live streams and recorded video from multiple edge and server-based recorders, simultaneously, with the included client software.
It is possible to upgrade to Edge+ where there is a need to archive more video to a network storage appliance. It is also possible to view video in a browser on a tablet or smartphone.
The deployment of exacqVision Edge is ideal for smaller systems, as it can save server and installation costs. Speed of deployment is increased, as integrators and installers can completely pre-configure video system prior to installation.
Reliability is increased as there are no risks with server failure stopping the video recording process. The edge approach also adds benefits where unreliable networks are an issue, such as in environments with unreliable wireless or WAN connectivity. This is because the camera records all footage, even if the network is down. As a result, it is ideal for monitoring remote server rooms or other locations with low camera counts, independently of building-wide surveillance recording.
Seagate: Skyhawk 14TB
The video surveillance industry is seeing increased demand for higher video resolution, analytics, and longer retention times, all of which requires greater storage capacities. Seagate’s SkyHawk provides an optimum combination of performance and high capacity with the latest 14TB product.
With the ability to store over 9,000 hours of HD video and up to 64 video streams, the 14TB has been optimised for DVRs and NVRs, hardened for 24/7 workloads, and equipped with ImagePerfect firmware to minimise dropped frames and downtime.
Supported by a three year limited warranty, integrators and installers also benefit from the Skyhawk Health Management technology that actively monitors and analyses hard drive health, enabling engineers to prevent, intervene and recover data following any hard drive anomalies.
Hanwha Techwin: SPC-7000
The SPC-7000 is a system control keyboard of video surveillance solutions. Designed with the system operator in mind, the keyboard includes a five inch TFT touch LCD display for ease of use.
The SPC-7000 can be used in conjunction with networked cameras and video peripheral devices, VMS software, analogue and legacy devices, DVRs and NVRs, etc..
The keyboard boasts a user-friendly design and easy-to-use keypad, along with a three-axis joystick to accurately control PTZ functionality, and a jog-shuttle for simple video search. The joystick and jog-shuttle elements are detachable, allowing a greater level of ergonomics with either right-handed or left-handed operations.
Supported RS-485/422 protocols include SRD, Pelco-D/P, Panasonic, Vicon, AD, Honeywell, Bosch, Elmo, GE and Samsung-T/E.
Mobotix: Mobotix NAS
Mobotix offers a NAS (network attached storage) option that includes integrated recording software which supports MJPEG, H.264 and ONVIF-S compatible network cameras.
The hardware supports an unlimited number of recording channels for Mobotix IoT cameras (utilising the proprietary MxPEG+ video codec), obviously dependent upon hardware capacities.
The Mobotix NAS supports the use of hot swappable HDDs and support of external JBOD storage. SD card support is only available with Mobotix IoT cameras. To offer the required resilience for security applications, it also features redundant power supplies.
The supplied recording software supports Mobotix Move and third-party ONVIF cameras, and is configured to be ready to manage up to 32 ONVIF recording channels.
There are no additional license fees when connecting Mobotix IoT cameras, and the NAS is supported by the Mobotix team.
Raytec: Vario 2 IP
Raytec’s range of network-connected video surveillance illuminators is available in both infrared and white light variants, providing dedicated IP-based lighting for network cameras.
Vario 2 IP allows integrators and installers to remotely set up and operate a lighting scheme from anywhere on the network via the web interface, VMS or directly with camera-based applications.
Users have live control or automated control over their lighting at all times, to respond to incidents in real time and to fine-tune surveillance images.
The illuminators include an integrated web interface which allows additional control over the lighting, including features such as pulsed lighting.
Vario illuminators make use of Raytec’s interchangeable lens system which enables coverage angles of between 10 and 120 degrees from a single product.
Hikvision: Wireless Bridge
Hikvision offers a wireless bridge for ‘last mi8le’ video connectivity, making the delivery of video surveillance to remote and difficult to access areas a simpler task.
The DS-3WF01C-2N is a high performance 802.11n 2×2 MIMO device which features four operating modes: Access Point, Client, Access Point (WDS) and Client (WDS).
Using integrated XTrans technology, the wireless bridge makes use of TDMA technology, enabling multiple streams to use the transmission medium. This solves the problems of hidden-nodes in the 802.11 network, enabling enhanced long-distance performance and improved PtMP (point-to-multipoint) connectivity, according to the manufacturer.
The bridges support point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections, and the combination of antenna, RF amplifier and low noise receiver have been designed to provide long-distance video transmission.
Web-based set-up and configuration makes the installation an easier task for integrators and installers.
The devices are supplied in temperature and flame resistant housings, and the devices are ruggedised to ensure stable operation in harsh environments.