NUUO Digital video recorders (DVRs)  (7)

Human beings have a long-standing relationship with privacy and security. For centuries, we’ve locked our doors, held close our most precious possessions, and been wary of the threats posed by thieves. As time has gone on, our relationship with security has become more complicated as we’ve now got much more to be protective of. As technological advancements in security have got smarter and stronger, so have those looking to compromise it. Cybersecurity Cybersecurity, however, is still incredibly new to humans when we look at the long relationship that we have with security in general. As much as we understand the basics, such as keeping our passwords secure and storing data in safe places, our understanding of cybersecurity as a whole is complicated and so is our understanding of the threats that it protects against. However, the relationship between physical security and cybersecurity is often interlinked. Business leaders may find themselves weighing up the different risks to the physical security of their business. As a result, they implement CCTV into the office space, and alarms are placed on doors to help repel intruders. Importance of cybersecurity But what happens when the data that is collected from such security devices is also at risk of being stolen, and you don’t have to break through the front door of an office to get it? The answer is that your physical security can lose its power to keep your business safe if your cybersecurity is weak. As a result, cybersecurity is incredibly important to empower your physical security. We’ve seen the risks posed by cybersecurity hacks in recent news. Video security company Verkada recently suffered a security breach as malicious attackers obtained access to the contents of many of its live camera feeds, and a recent report by the UK government says two in five UK firms experienced cyberattacks in 2020. Cloud computing – The solution Cloud stores information in data centres located anywhere in the world, and is maintained by a third party Cloud computing offers a solution. The cloud stores your information in data centres located anywhere in the world and is maintained by a third party, such as Claranet. As the data sits on hosted servers, it’s easily accessible while not being at risk of being stolen through your physical device. Here’s why cloud computing can help to ensure that your physical security and the data it holds aren’t compromised. Cloud anxiety It’s completely normal to speculate whether your data is safe when it’s stored within a cloud infrastructure. As we are effectively outsourcing our security by storing our important files on servers we have no control over - and, in some cases, limited understanding of - it’s natural to worry about how vulnerable this is to cyber-attacks. The reality is, the data that you save on the cloud is likely to be a lot safer than that which you store on your device. Cyber hackers can try and trick you into clicking on links that deploy malware or pose as a help desk trying to fix your machine. As a result, they can access your device and if this is where you’re storing important security data, then it is vulnerable. Cloud service providers Cloud service providers offer security that is a lot stronger than the software in the personal computer Cloud service providers offer security that is a lot stronger than the software that is likely in place on your personal computer. Hyperscalers such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Service (AWS) are able to hire countless more security experts than any individual company - save the corporate behemoth - could afford. These major platform owners have culpability for thousands of customers on their cloud and are constantly working to enhance the security of their platforms. The security provided by cloud service providers such as Claranet is an extension of these capabilities. Cloud resistance Cloud servers are located in remote locations that workers don’t have access to. They are also encrypted, which is the process of converting information or data into code to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, cloud infrastructure providers like ourselves look to regularly update your security to protect against viruses and malware, leaving you free to get on with your work without any niggling worries about your data being at risk from hackers. Data centres Cloud providers provide sophisticated security measures and solutions in the form of firewalls and AI Additionally, cloud providers are also able to provide sophisticated security measures and solutions in the form of firewalls and artificial intelligence, as well as data redundancy, where the same piece of data is held within several separate data centres. This is effectively super-strong backup and recovery, meaning that if a server goes down, you can access your files from a backup server. Empowering physical security with cybersecurity By storing the data gathered by your physical security in the cloud, you're not just significantly reducing the risk of cyber-attacks, but also protecting it from physical threats such as damage in the event of a fire or flood. Rather than viewing your physical and cybersecurity as two different entities, treat them as part of one system: if one is compromised, the other is also at risk. They should work in tandem to keep your whole organization secure.

The sound of sirens in the distance is commonplace, nowadays. Whether related to a medical emergency or everyday crimes, such as theft, property crimes, and so on, we’re all accustomed to hearing these sirens by now. It is worth noting that many incidents that police respond to take place at night. According to a recent report by the Sleep Judge, more than half of murders, manslaughter, sexual assaults, robberies, aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts happen long after the sun has set. To anyone looking to address the round-the-clock security challenge, deploying the most comprehensive surveillance solution is a must, and this means, looking at the instrumental role illumination plays in video capture. Limitations of Traditional Video Surveillance If surveillance cameras can’t be used to prevent, detect and/or resolve crimes that occur in these areas, the entire security operation is obsolete For surveillance cameras relying on video analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver functionalities such as facial recognition, license plate reading and motion detection, nighttime crimes can pose something of a problem. Without adequate illumination, images from video cameras are grainy and unusable. Without proper lighting, potential criminals and moving objects essentially become indistinguishable, at night, thereby inhibiting even the most advanced security technologies. This limitation of traditional surveillance technology not only hinders immediate police response, but it also stops crime investigations dead in their tracks. Often, without video evidence that is clear and discernible, conviction in a court of law is next to impossible. A common response to this issue is to place security cameras near streetlights or well-lit areas. After all, according to NPR, street lights are effective in deterring crime,  as “there are people — neighbors, pedestrians or police — to actually see suspicious activity.” However, even if streetside and primary entrances are well lit, the areas that still need most to be surveilled are rear or side doorways shrouded by darkness, unlit back alleys, and so on. If surveillance cameras can’t be used to prevent, detect and resolve crimes that occur in these areas, the entire security operation is obsolete. Best-in-class security solutions must be able to see everything, day and night. A Purpose-Designed Solution to the Problem Addressing this issue is easier than you might think. Much like a human eye needs some sort of light to “see,” so does video surveillance technology. Integrating external illuminators into a security solution can optimize camera performance exponentially, expanding a camera’s video capture and coverage abilities and ensuring the operation of video analytics, day and night. Opting for an external illuminator allows system integrators to select a device that matches the exact emission range of a camera’s field of view (FOV). The result is an evenly lit visual field, where captured images are clear and effective for security purposes. The two most common options available to integrators include infrared (IR) and white light illuminators. Each technology is built to optimize particular deployments, depending on their needs. Infrared Versus White Light IR illuminators emit IR light, which is invisible to the human eye and perfect for covert surveillance operations. When cameras need to be able to detect potential threats over long distances, IR illuminators are perfect for the job as they typically have longer emission ranges. IR illuminators are optimal for surveillance operations in license plate recognition, border patrol, safe cities, theme park, and medical sleep lab applications. If an end user needs to implement full-color video analytics for identification purposes, such as facial, object and license plate recognition, white light illuminators are undoubtedly an integrator’s best bet. IR illumination and traditional thermal security cameras, after all, are only able to provide black-and-white images, whereas object recognition software often identifies objects based on their color. White light illuminators installed alongside AI-powered surveillance cameras enable enhanced video image clarity, which, optimizes video analytics performance. When customers want to physically deter suspicious activity, deploying white light illuminators is effective. A recent study out of Crime Labs New York found that businesses that deployed visible lights to deter crime “experienced crime rates that were significantly lower,” which “led to a 36 percent reduction in ‘index crimes’”. On top of all this, LED based white lights operate at low running costs and typically have long lifespans, saving end users thousands of dollars a year in energy costs without having to sacrifice surveillance optimization. External Versus Built-In Illumination Security customers looking to use lighting to deter crime and improve the performance of video surveillance may consider “all-in-one" solutions, as some cameras have LEDs (light emitting diodes) built into them. These LEDs typically encircle the lens and therefore shed light in whatever direction the camera is pointed. However convenient these may seem, built-in illumination can cause problems.Cameras deployed without proper illumination are rendered blind, especially at night First, LEDs built into cameras and next to other electronic components often cause heat to build up, which attracts insects that can trigger motion detection and obstruct a camera’s view. This heat buildup also shortens the LED lights lifespan. Built-in LEDs also tend to create “hot spots” with glare and reflection back into the camera, often because these lights only cover a 30-degree field of view (FOV), even though the average camera’s FOV is 90 degrees. This issue can severely limit a camera’s visibility, essentially rendering those remaining 60 degrees dark and unusable. All in all, when integrating lighting solutions into your security deployment, a cost-effective solution that enhances a camera’s video capture and coverage abilities, are external illuminators because they offer flexible choices of field of view and distances. Best-in-Class Solution When it comes to criminal conviction in a court of law, “seeing really is believing.” Cameras deployed without proper illumination are rendered blind, especially at night, just as any security officer would be when patrolling the same unlit area. To guarantee end users the most reliable and highest performing security solution, consider integrating best-in-class illumination into your offerings.

In today’s market, efficient use of bandwidth and storage is an essential part of maintaining an effective video surveillance system. A video management system’s ability to provide analysis, real time event notifications and crucial image detail is only as a good as the speed and bandwidth of a surveillance network. In the physical security industry, H.264 is the video compression format used by most companies. Some companies also employ H.264 enhancements to compress areas of an image that are irrelevant to the user at a higher ratio within a video stream in order to preserve image quality for more important details like faces, license plates or buildings. The H.265, H.264’s successor, will be increasingly used for compression in the future. Some companies are already using H.265 in their cameras and video management systems, while a host of other manufacturers are certainly preparing for its broader adoption in the years to come. Video Compression Technologies Reduced bandwidth and storage requirements are the primary benefits of video compression technologies Reduced bandwidth and storage requirements are the primary benefits of video compression technologies. In some cases, H.265 can double the data compression ratio of H.264, while retaining the same quality. Increased compression rate translates into decreased storage requirements on hard drives, less bandwidth usage and fewer switches – all of which reduce overall costs of system ownership. H.265 compression delivers a lower bitrate than H.264, which is relevant to end users and integrators because the lower bitrate reduces strain on hardware and can reduce playback issues. It’s very important that the compression format that is used is supported in all of the different components of a system: cameras, desktop computers on which the VMS is running and the VMS itself. It is also good for end users and integrators to understand the basics of video compression. Having a basic understanding of compression allows users to tweak settings to reduce bandwidth usage even more. Many cameras come with default settings that can be changed to ultimately reduce costs. ONVIF Physical Security In the physical security industry, ONVIF is working to incorporate into its specifications the use of new formats such as H.265 but is not directly involved in developing the compression standards themselves. With Profile T, the new ONVIF video profile released will employ a new media service that is compression agnostic. This means that it can support new video compression formats, including H.265, as well as new audio compression formats, with the ability to include new video and audio codecs as needed in the future without having to redesign its media service. In the physical security industry, ONVIF is working to incorporate into its specifications the use of new formats such as H.265 Standardization organizations that are directly addressing new compression standards include the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and a joint commission of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which is addressing the coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information. Other compression formats on par with H.264 and H.265 are being developed by companies such as Google. H.265 Compression Formats Using products that employ H.265 compression will reduce costs through bandwidth reduction, as will changing default settings on cameras, which are often conservative. Having a basic understanding of compression formats and how to tweak camera factory default settings also gives integrators the ability to further reduce bandwidth for added costs savings and increased system performance. These enhancements will analyse which parts of an image are most important and adjust local levels of compressions accordingly It is also worth noting that H.265 enhancements will likely be developed by camera manufacturers to further reduce bandwidth, as was the case with H.264. These enhancements will analyze which parts of an image are most important and adjust local levels of compressions accordingly. While H.265 itself is ready for prime time, its value as a tool for IP-based surveillance systems is dependent on support for the codec in all parts of the system – the VMS, server hardware, graphics cards and camera. Though widespread H.265 adoption is predicted, providers of these components are jumping on the H.265 bandwagon at different rates of speed. ONVIF is including support for H.265 in its new video profile, Profile T, because it believes it will become the most widely used compression format and ONVIF recognizes the need to anticipate that migration as a future need of the industry. The new media service, which will be implemented with Profile T, will be future-proof in that when new compression formats are released in the future, ONVIF can adopt them very quickly. That flexibility will definitely help integrators.

The video surveillance system installed incorporates 15 Arecont Vision AV1355 1.3- Megapixel H.264 MegaDome® Cameras Customer Pat LaFrieda Wholesale Meat Company has supplied fresh meat to New York City's restaurants, hotels, banquet facilities and retail outlets for three generations. During the night, butchers process steak, veal, chopped beef and many other products for delivery by 5:30 a.m. each business day, just in time to be on the menu of some of the city's best restaurants. Years of good service and good products have made Pat LaFrieda the number one name in meats distributed to restaurants in New York City. Challenge Pat LaFrieda Wholesale Meat Company recently constructed a new state-of-the-art building in New Jersey. Effectively managing the business to meet strict delivery schedules is a key to the company's success, and with the move to a new location they began searching for a new technology tool to help keep track of delivery vehicles, pallets and boxes – and to provide advanced security. Megapixel solution Pat LaFrieda Wholesale Meat Company called on VisionTec Solutions located on Long Island, New York to design and install a video surveillance system to meet their security and productivity objectives. A supporter of megapixel technology since its initial introduction to market, VisionTec Solutions employs the most advanced technologies to deliver the highest value and mission-critical performance. For this application, they immediately turned to Arecont Vision Megapixel technology. The video surveillance system installed in the new facility incorporates 15 Arecont Vision AV1355 1.3- Megapixel H.264 MegaDome® Cameras and 12 Arecont Vision AV2155 2-Megapixel Day/Night Cameras inside and outside the facility to provide video images with extreme clarity throughout the course of the day. In addition to greater image clarity, the megapixel cameras are able to cover more square footage with fewer cameras versus conventional IP cameras. The megapixel cameras allows management to zoom in on specific areas of live or archived video to see important details such as the words printed on the side of a box. Arecont Vision megapixel cameras are able to cover more square footage with fewer cameras versus conventional IP cameras The Arecont Vision megapixel cameras are networked to a custom-built server and network video recorder (NVR) software by NUUO with 5 terabytes of storage. Arecont Vision collaborates with NUUO and various other NVR and video management system (VMS) suppliers to ensure smooth system operation of Arecont Vision cameras. The system at Pat LaFrieda Meats is monitored on a 46-inch Sharp LCD in the main office, and at two other offices throughout the building.  “Arecont Vision cameras were a natural choice for the Pat LaFrieda installation,” said Ralph Tisei, President of VisionTec Solutions Corp. “The image reproduction from Arecont Vision far surpasses any other megapixel manufacturer. No other cameras were even considered. On this project, the cameras we used yield many times the video resolution compared to traditional analog cameras.” The Arecont Vision Model AV1355 is a 1.3 megapixel H.264 MegaDome® network (IP) camera providing 1280x1024-pixel images at 32 frames per second. Features of the all-in-one integrated camera, lens and IP66-rated dome housing include a 1/2” CMOS sensor and Arecont Vision's MegaVideo® image processing at 80 billion operations per second. The cameras employ H.264 (MPEG 4, Part 10) compression to minimize bandwidth and storage requirements while maintaining real-time image resolution. Capabilities include motion detection, image cropping, region-of-interest viewing and the ability to zoom into an image after it is archived (forensic zooming). Light sensitivity of 0.1 lux at F1.4 enables low-light viewing and recording, and the day/night version of the camera has a motorized infrared (IR) cut filter. For applications requiring even greater resolution, the Arecont Vision AV2155 H.264 network (IP) MegaDome integrated camera, lens and IP66-rated dome provides 1600x1200-pixel images at 24 frames per second and 0.1 lux light sensitivity at F1.4. Megapixel benefit The Arecont vision megapixel solution has already proven its value at Pat LaFrieda Meats. In one instance, the system was used to confirm that a truck delivery invoiced to the company had never been made.   “Megapixel technology has been very popular for us,” said Mr. Tisei. “On average, megapixel cameras yield four to fourteen times the image quality as conventional cameras. The clarity is spectacular and provides extreme detail for face and license plate recognition.” VisionTec Solutions also reports that support from Arecont Vision has been very good. It's not surprising, considering that Arecont Vision was awarded the Frost & Sullivan 2008 Product Award for strategic product innovation and insight into customers' needs worldwide. “The quality of Pat LaFrieda's products are represented every day on the best menus throughout Manhattan,” said Chris Sessa, Director of Eastern Sales – North America, Arecont Vision. “We are pleased that a quality conscious company like Pat LaFrieda Meats recognizes the performance and dependability of Arecont Vision megapixel technology and that our products are helping make their business even better.”

The collaborated display will show enhanced image quality and system versatility MESSOA Technologies Inc. will be teaming up with NUUO to make its debut appearance at the upcoming ISC East on November 20 in New York City, USA. The two long-term partners together will showcase intelligent video management solutions that combine superior image quality and system versatility for various applications in front of the crowd. Through the ONVIF open-platform standards and SDK integrations, the NUUO NVR and software, ranging from the Titan Series to the NVRSolo Series, are seamlessly interoperated with MESSOA IP cameras, which include the following models: The PRO Series, 2MP models featuring superior HDTV video quality up to 30fps with H.264 codec support 5MP models delivering maximum detail for large covered areas Traffic cameras, such as 2MP LPR network camera NCH517 and CatchAll Technology embedded SCR505 The NIC900 Series Speed Dome, such as NIC990 featuring 1080p, 20X optical zoom, and WDR capability These models, featuring superior HDTV video quality and low light performance, will be showcased at the stand along with live demonstration. The collaborated display will show customers how they could benefit from the enhanced image quality and the system versatility provided by the two leading brands. Join us in the Big Apple where our sale representatives will be available for discussions on the stand. The NUUO-MESSOA booth will be located at Stand No. 301 in the brand new venue of Javits Center.

The partnership with 3S Vision will further expand Observint's portfolio of deeply integrated IP security solutions Observint Technologies has entered into an exclusive agreement to market and distribute 3S Vision megapixel cameras, IP encoders and video surveillance technology in North America. The partnership with 3S Vision further expands Observint’s already impressive portfolio of deeply integrated IP security solutions. “Multi-megapixel imaging solutions are quickly becoming the standard for IP-based video surveillance applications. The addition of 3S Vision’s comprehensive line-up of megapixel cameras and IP technologies takes Observint Technologies to a new level in our ability to deliver comprehensive system solutions to our growing base of customers,” said Mr. Wood. “We are extremely excited about the 3S relationship and look forward to a very successful partnership”. Observint Technologies is also excited to announce the launch 3S Vision’s new line of 5 megapixel network cameras. Available in a variety of form factors and configurations, the cameras deliver 5 megapixel resolution at 15 fps and 1080p resolution at 30 fps. Features include H.264/MJPEG dual codec and streaming capability; 3D Noise Reduction technology to filter noise in low light; Digital Wide Dynamic Range for enhanced imaging in diverse lighting environments; plus motion detection, tamper detection and privacy masking. The cameras offer exceptional performance, quality and value, with prices starting at $420.00 (MSRP). In addition to these new 5 megapixel cameras, the 3S Vision product line includes a broad range of 2 megapixel cameras and accessories, network PTZ cameras, and IP encoders. 3S Vision video surveillance products are compatible with major VMS platforms including Exacq, Milestone, DIGIOP, Digifort, NUUO, Video Insight (API), Genetec, Geovision, OnSSI and Solstice. Observint will provide sales and technical support for the 3S Vision product line including a nation-wide network of manufacturer’s reps, field and inside sales, sales engineers and dedicated technical support. 3S Vision products are available through Observint’s growing distribution network, which currently includes BlueStar, CSC, ScanSource, Security Cameras Direct and Supercircuits. “Combining 3S Vision’s megapixel cameras and IP solutions with Observint Technologies’ extensive sales, marketing and support capabilities represents a great opportunity for both companies.” said Jeffery Lee, President and CEO of 3S Pocketnet Technology, Inc. “In addition, Observint’s established team of engineering professionals and technology partners can help to accelerate the integration and adoption of 3S technologies in the North American market.” 3S Vision products will be on display at ISC West in the Observint Technologies booth (#12087) in Las Vegas, from April 10-12, 2013.