IP Video Surveillance

There is a lot of interest in IP video surveillance. Most all major manufactures have developed some form of an IP system, NVR (Network Video Recorder) and camera. However, there are a LOT of misconceptions with IP Video Surveillance.

I cannot tell you then number of horror stories I have heard with organizations that attempted to deploy IP video surveillance with integrators that did not know the difference between static and dynamic IPs. In other words, most of today’s CCTV integrators do not have the skills nor experience to properly install and implement an IP based video surveillance system.  As a result, the extra benefits that you should get for the extra cost for IP is not seen, In fact, most of the time it ends up being worst than an old MPEG2 DVR system.

The next couple of posts I am going to dedicate to IP Video Surveillance. As way of introduction I am going to start with the misconceptions of IP video surveillance. Please understand, I do think IP is the next generation of technology and over 90% of the projects we do are IP. However, there are several misconceptions that need to be addressed!

Misconceptions:

-          IP Video has better video resolution.

o   On the surface this does seem to be true. With the use of Megapixel cameras the resolution has improved, noticeably. However, for 98% of the projects I work on, megapixel cameras are not used. The reason, cost and bandwidth! They are more than double the price of a typical, hi end analog camera. Also, they require massive amounts of bandwidth which most networks would never be able to handle. In some applications they fit, but in most general surveillance environments they do not.

o   Other than the 2% that may use megapixel cameras, IP cameras typical do not have better resolution; in fact, most of them have lower resolution, due to compression, and image quality than their analog counter parts. The reason for this is manufactures have spent years and millions of dollars in developing the technology behind analog cameras. IP cameras have not quite caught up. I do see this changing which I will address in future posts.

-          IP Video has higher ROI (Return on Investment)

o   Again, this is a push by manufactures trying to push their products into the market. There is the ROI for having a system that is on the leading edge of technology, but what most manufactures do not tell you is, there are huge recurring, maintenance, software, licensing and service costs with their systems. I have seen some systems cost as much as $30,000 per year for software updates.

-          IP Video can sit on your existing network

o   If anyone tells you this, politely ask them to leave and never call them back. They have NO idea how IP works or the consequence of putting video onto your network. I watched a school go through this, they chose the lowest bidder and they installed the cameras on the network… and the network crashed! They are can hardly run 1ips without crashing the school’s network. This does not work!

These are a few of the misconceptions, there are more. As I continue I will address these issues specifically as well as provide a foundation for a proper system design.  

Tactical and Emergency Wireless

Tactical and Emergency Wireless is the most underused forms of wireless. We have yet to fully see and realize the potential of using wireless in both tactical and emergency applications. And when wireless is used, it is typically not deployed correctly or the wrong technology is used for the application. The advantages that are gained by a properly designed and deployed wireless system, vastly out way the investment.

Example: Active Shooter in a School.

A local high school has an active shooter. The shooter has hostages in one of the class rooms. The school is equipped with access control and video surveillance, both of these systems are connected to the schools LAN. However, only the Principle and Safety Officer have access to these systems from their desktop PCs, in their offices, on the school LAN.

A Mobile Command Vehicle is deployed and the local PD is starting to assess the situation. They discover that the school has access control and video surveillance but are unable to access either system because there is no way for them to get into the School’s LAN.

Solution, with proper planning and cooperation between the Security Consultant, PD and School a secure, wireless link could have been put in place to allow the local PD access to the schools security systems. The PD would have access to the access control system, allowing them to lock and unlock doors as needed as well as access to the video surveillance system allowing them to see what is happening within the school.

This is only one example; there are many applications for this. Banks, hospitals, colleges and retirement homes could also benefit from this type of technology.

As for tactical wireless, we have worked to develop mobile trailers with surveillance equipment, rapid deployment solutions using tripods and cameras as well as systems that are completely stand alone and have self contained power. Again the use for these systems are huge.

Wireless Technology has come a long way in the past 5 years and is continuing to advance. We have to fully see the benefits of this technology. The key is, proper design and implementation. One needs to make sure to partner with a Security Consultant that has extensive wireless experience. The investment has huge returns and benefits.