Network Video Transmission - Controlware Networked Video Solutions

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a highly important weapon against the threat of crime and terrorism. Many locations from airports to shopping centres are protected by CCTV surveillance systems that help deter and solve crime.

Everything over IP

Most of these existing CCTV surveillance systems are analogue based, relying on VHS recorders and tapes. These systems are inflexible and in some cases unreliable and this is where networked solutions and new Intelligent Video Analysis technology from Controlware are able to help.
 
Controlware’s Networked Video solutions enable LIVE video and audio transmission, storage, management and Intelligent Video Analysis over data networks. The combination of our communications networking experience, market leading products and strategic partnerships with security equipment manufacturers and system integrators enable Controlware to be a leading supplier of Networked Video Solutions.

Controlware Communication Systems headquartered in Dietzenbach, Germany was founded in 1980 and is a manufacturer and supplier of superior networking communications products. With global sales and support operations and employing over 300 people worldwide Controlware understands that efficient and reliable networking solutions can make the difference between who wins and who loses. As a leading supplier of Wide Area Network (WAN) resilience, Networked Video, ATM Broadcast and Fibre Optic Solutions Controlware help organisations from all industry sectors to get the most out of their networks.

Traditional Surveillance Systems

The majority of CCTV surveillance today is achieved through traditional analogue based transmission systems that are inflexible in terms of remote surveillance options and network extension. This inherent inflexibility is important when we consider that a primary requirement of today’s information era is high availability and access to information. Controlware can resolve these issues through integration of the latest digital IP-technology, delivering all the flexibility, scalability and functions that previously could not be achieved. Controlware Networked Video Solutions deliver all the benefits and opportunities of digital video transmission, management, storage and even automatic analysis of video images.

The benefits of Networked Video

The increasing availability of low-cost broadband technology, mobile communication devices and other high bandwidth networking connections has made the transmission of video images and more importantly real time video, more viable. As increased reliance upon information and security grows, live video surveillance needs to be more accessible to more people in the organisation. Traditionally it was only in the interest of the security manager to monitor the building but today there are additional departments that have specific requirements, for example the IT department needs to know who is accessing their secure areas. Controlware Networked Video Solutions can enable the whole organisation to benefit from the convergence of high-quality video over the existing data network as well as automating video surveillance operations.

The flexibility of live video convergence with the data network not only benefits CCTV surveillance; other applications such as production or confidence monitoring can be supported easily and cost-effectively. Controlware Networked Video Solutions enable:

• Cost reduction through use of a single network infrastructure 
• Access for multiple users to live video from any networked PC 
• Remote monitoring / camera PTZ control via Intranet / Internet 
• Live broadcast on websites 
• Integration with camera access control and building management systems 
• Increased storage capacity and flexible digital image archiving 
• Reduce operation costs through automated Intelligent Video Analysis

The Market

In the last few years, the total surveillance market (including Access control, CCTV and Integrated systems) has exploded due to the potential ways it can help manage the threat of crime. In the UK today there is 1 CCTV camera for every 14 people and in London you could be caught on camera up to 300 times a day. Reliance Security’s recent research of UK Security Managers from financial, retail, manufacturing, government and education sectors found that more than 70% of UK organisations are planning to increase their take up of CCTV and intruder detection over the next three years. The 2004 study revealed that 68% of organisations have increased expenditure on electronic security over the last year as both public and private sectors place increasing significance on securing their employees, customers and property.

Market & Business Development Ltd in „The UK Security Equipment Development Report“ estimate that the total surveillance market in 2003 was worth £2724 million, 21% growth from 1999. CCTV surveillance sector sales for the same year were £1008 million, a 40% increase since 1999. The total market is forecast to reach £2882 million by 2008 with the CCTV surveillance sector predicted to be worth £1099 million. The report found that increased deployment of city centre, retail and industrial surveillance applications were significant and that the development of IP Networked Surveillance solutions offered potential for future growth. 

 
Do you feel there is a skills shortage in IP security technology?

One of the main aims of CMPi’s „Network Advantage“ study unveiled at the IFSEC exhibition was to „assess the impact of IP and networks technology on the security market“. The survey found that two thirds of the security market currently uses or installs IP Networked Video solutions. The potential barrier to uptake by the remaining third of the security market is lack of necessary IT skills. The general perception (85%) of respondents believes that there is an IT skills shortage within the security industry. The specific areas of skill shortage highlighted by respondents were IT security, technical implementation, networking, data protection legislation and data storage. This situation could severely affect the security market in terms of future growth but simultaneously offers an opportunity for IT Systems Integrators and service providers who understand networking technologies to move into the security market.

The CMPi’s „Network Advantage“ study provides the most recent and strongest evidence that the security industry is beginning to recognise the advantages of Networked Video Solutions with nearly 90% of respondents believing that IP would become the common industry standard.

Do you feel that IP technology will become the common standard with the security industry?

IP is thought to become the industry standard by 2008 by over 85% of the respondents with the remaining 15% thinking that it will become standard within 10 years.

Controlware Networked Video Solutions

Controlware Networked Video Solutions include transmission, management, storage and Intelligent Video Analysis solutions designed to increase monitoring flexibility and reduce costs.

Transmission Solutions

Controlware’s transmission solutions consist of a range of video CODEC’s that convert the video output from analogue cameras to IP for transport across the LAN, WAN or Internet and support integration with all popular PTZ cameras, domes, and multiplexers. Features include MPEG-2/4 based compression, 1-8 video inputs, full duplex audio, intelligent bandwidth control (7kb/s – 5Mb/s), local recording options and dual or triple encoding that enables viewing or recording at different bandwidths. The wide range of functionalities and features enables us to precisely meet diverse transmission requirements.

Management and Viewing

Controlware’s intelligent management systems provide control of live and recorded video surveillance, seamlessly integrating digital and analogue components within an entirely open platform. Individual operator screens can be customized through the creation of site maps and navigated in response to alarm events including schedules and logical combinations of alarms. Simultaneous display of cameras from any site, instant replay capabilities, digital zoom for clear identification, and camera touring are available to operators at the click of a mouse.

Recording and Storage

Controlware recording and storage options are supported at the transmission CODEC and via Network Video Recording solutions. Network Video Recording technology enables the creation of high-density and scalable storage solutions. Fail-over management and redundant recording ensures that recorded video is not lost even in the event of network downtime. By employing off-the-shelf PC-server and RAID storage devices price and performance is dramatically improved over conventional Digital Video Recorders. There are no storage capacity limitations, more Network Video Recording capacity can be added as the surveillance network evolves allowing any PC connected to the network to access live or recorded video at anytime. Integration with Storage Area Network’s allows capacity to be scaled into the terabyte and even the pentabyte range guaranteeing solutions and storage requirements are completely future-proofed.

Intelligent Video Analysis

The transmission, management and storage aspects of our solutions range are concerned with the convergence of video surveillance with the data network and managing it once it is there. In addition to this Intelligent Video Analysis provides a new dimension of intelligent control by automating video surveillance activities. The Video Analysis software automatically detects, tracks, zooms in on and records all target activity from any camera without operator intervention. Artificial intelligence software accurately differentiates and classifies people, vehicles, objects and behaviours automatically. All unauthorised activity in pre-defined target zones is monitored including unattended objects, loitering, objects / people falling, trespassing, fence climbing, vehicles speeding or stopping in restricted zones and vehicles / people moving in the wrong direction. Proprietary tracking algorithms enable the highest standards of performance in even the most severe weather conditions, lighting changes and shadows in order to isolate potential threats and reduce the occurrence of false alarms. When an event violates a defined policy, for instance a person entering a restricted area or a vehicle parking in a forbidden zone, the intelligent software will automatically execute counter-measures such as alerting security via email or SMS, sounding an audible alarm, or automatically controlling a Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera.

Intelligent Video Analysis integrates with existing systems, maximising efficiency and effectiveness of security personnel and resources while increasing the probability of preventing security threats and false alarms. As more cameras are installed more security personnel are required to monitor the cameras and proportionally the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) increases. Consider the following: 

• CCTV operators absorb just 5 per cent of what they see after 22 minutes of work
• Every 6-10 video monitors require one member of staff
• For 24/7/365 monitoring, one security monitor position equates to 4-6 full-time employees 
• The average full-time, annual salary for one CCTV operator is € 20,000 - € 45,000
• 90% of security alarms in a typical CCTV installation are false alarms

Real-time analysis

Applications

Controlware Networked Video Solutions deliver market leading Networked surveillance and are used by private sector and government organisations. The possible surveillance applications are virtually infinite:

• Surveillance: Transport, Town centres / Hospitals / Hotels / Military / Schools
• Confidence / Production / Industrial Process monitoring
• Point-of-sale monitoring
• Alarm / Access control verification
• Facilities / Building management

Given the huge of number of potential applications and the increasing market size Controlware Networked Video Solutions represent an opportunity for security organisations to take advantage of IP enabled solutions and IT system integrators to enter a new and lucrative market. Controlware Networked Video Solutions provide increased flexibility and scalability over traditional surveillance and monitoring systems delivering market leading transmission, control and storage of real-time video. Controlware Networked Video Solutions are the future of next generation transmission, video management and intelligent analysis.

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