Bosch Digital video recorders (DVRs)

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.

According to IHS Market, it is estimated that there are over 60 million security cameras in the United States, and other reports say these cameras capture more than four billion hours of footage per week. Over the last decade, IP camera technology has dominated the conversation as it has provided users with a broad offering of enhanced image quality and features. With a large percentage of existing security systems relying on analog, many end users looking for high definition (HD) video quality have been forced to take on a complete system overhaul. Infrastructure Overhaul For HD Video To make the switch, customers would need to change everything, from cameras to hardware to wiring– not to mention the lengthy installation process that would ensue. IP cameras also require higher Internet speeds and more cloud space. Whether constrained by budget, bandwidth or storage, many end users have been unable to adopt this new video surveillance method.Thanks to technological advancements within the security industry, HD over Coax offers a viable solution for integrators and end users alike Thanks to technological advancements within the security industry, HD over Coax offers a viable solution for integrators and end users alike. By utilising the current Coaxial cables, this offering yields high definition video, while requiring minimal infrastructure changes and is an optimal surveillance choice for security customers. Plus, with new advancements and updates being made frequently to this technology, there is a solution for every security need. The enhanced alternative of HD over Coax has been warmly welcomed in the security industry, thanks to its simple solutions and ever-evolving features. Many new analog HD cameras are “plug and play,” able to connect directly to existing Coaxial cables. This eliminates the need for a complete system change, creating cost-savings for the end user and an enhanced video quality offering. Easy Solutions For HD Video As a result, integrators can cost-effectively upgrade their customer’s surveillance solution while using their legacy infrastructure, making it an attractive option for end users and an easy sell for dealers. Latency in video is another common issue with network-based camera systems, where even the slightest delay in video surveillance can hinder security response HD over Coax cameras themselves are always expanding and evolving to meet a wide array of security needs. With the introduction of fisheye and multi-sensor cameras, users now have a multitude of coverage options, not to mention the introduction of 4K bringing resolution options to the same level as IP. Some newer technologies are even touting 4K cameras paired with 4K digital video recorders (DVRs) made specifically for analog systems. Longer cables grant transmission for up to 1600 feet, double the distance of standard analog solutions, and triple that of IP systems. This single cable is able to transmit both HD video and audio. Recently, broadcast quality audio over Coax has become available in limited models, a substantial improvement over older analog technology, which was unable to transmit audio. Stopping Video Delay Latency in video is another common issue with network-based camera systems. Even the slightest delay in video surveillance can hinder security response. IP cameras are forced to compress and packetize their video for transmission. The outcome of this is a reduced number of images per video, which in turn causes delay. HD over Coax on the other hand, delivers an unlimited amount of HD images in real time, with smooth motion and impressive clarity. Additionally, the point-to-point transmission delivers uncompressed video free of lag. Another touted benefit is that, unlike IP networked cameras, analog systems provide a more secure video transmission. With so much sensitive information housed on a businesses’ network, adding another point of network access through an IP camera can create concerns for cyber security risks. HD over Coax delivers an unlimited amount of HD images in real time, with smooth motion and impressive clarity Preventing Network Hacking With HD over Coax, the physical connections between the camera and DVR prevent network hacking. By keeping the video surveillance system offline, security professionals are able to direct their attention to the physical threats at hand, rather than having to focus on deterring cyber security risks. One of the primary difficulties of deploying HD video solutions is the fact that many older systems utilize a wide variety of HD standards and platforms. To make matters more complicated, after HD over Coax was brought to market, manufacturers raced to create their own version of this technology. Today, the most popular proprietary standards are HD-CVI, HD-TVI and AHD. However, integrators and customers found that attempting to manage multiple HD technologies proved to be near impossible.Integrators and customers found that attempting to manage multiple HD technologies proved to be near impossible Diversifying Surveillance Through One DVR To combat these issues, manufacturers have introduced products with more flexibility to their portfolios. One example of this is the penta-brid DVR which grants the ability to seamlessly integrate multiple technologies deployed across one application. This means that systems with diverse camera brands and technologies, such as a mix of HD-CVI, HD-TVI, AHD, analog or IP, can be connected through one DVR. For many end users with legacy analog systems, penta-brid DVRs give them greater freedom to choose between a variety of solutions, rather than being limited to one option. With video resolution increasing, the space needed to store the footage is similarly rising. Penta-brid technology has been able to adapt to these evolving needs, giving users ample storage space to house the HD and 4K surveillance video with some of the newest models including H.265 compression.  HD Casino Surveillance Made Simple For casinos, HD images are critical for identifying unauthorized personnel and unlawful behaviours to create a safe environment for guests and staff While HD over Coax is beneficial to many end users and integrators, those in the casino and hospitality markets find it crucial. With a combination of high profile guests, large amounts of cash on hand, constant crowds and strict industry regulations, reliable video surveillance is a must. Deploying new IP systems comes at a stiff price. When looking to upgrade their video surveillance, casinos must also be mindful of the installation process. When moving to an IP-based system, ripping out old wires and replacing them with new is the standard practice. This practice can be both disruptive and costly, not to mention gaming regulations require casino activities be monitored at all times so a complete system shutdown would result in revenue loss. This cost can be hard to justify, especially when the current legacy analog system remains in working condition with only the lower image resolution to date it. For these scenarios, the most cost-effective option is to leverage the legacy infrastructure, replace the existing cameras with new devices, and reap the benefits that HD video has to offer without any lapse in security. For casinos, HD images are critical for identifying unauthorized personnel and unlawful behaviours to create a safe environment for guests and staff. HD over Coax cameras now offer the same resolution as IP cameras with a plug and play approach, that cuts down on expense without sacrificing quality. For businesses and applications that are unable to adopt IP technology, whether it be cost or time prohibitive, HD over Coax now features most of the same benefits IP has to offer without breaking the bank. By providing clear images in real time, maximizing existing infrastructure, and affording cyber security benefits, HD over Coax provides an attractive solution for many end users and integrators.

Dollars spent by video surveillance customers must go towards ensuring high-availability capture, storage and on-demand access to live and archived video. Reaching this goal mandates high-availability of independent components – camera, network, storage (edge, external), internet connectivity, display, all Video Management Software (VMS) components and an architecture that can take advantage of this. In this note, we focus on seeing our way through to a video surveillance architecture, that provides high availability storage, access to live and stored video content. Of all options available to store recorded video, edge recording is the only one that is unaffected by network failure Edge Recording Of all options available to store recorded video, edge recording is the only one that is unaffected by network failure. This makes edge storage a must-have. But, this has some limitations at present: Edge storage capacity is limited. Edge media has a short lifetime, rated only for thousands of hours of continuous recording. Most cameras are not secure and physical damage to the camera could lead to catastrophic loss of edge stored content. As storage and compression technology evolve, the constraints imposed by (1) and (2) could go away. However, securing cameras will continue to be a barrier for most installations. Secure External Storage It is thus imperative to also store video in secure external storage. Such an architecture uses edge storage to fill in content gaps created by network, external storage outages. As edge storage technology improves, larger gaps can be filled in, but one will always need external storage. By our definition, ‘external storage’ is a solution stack that includes storage media and all software (including VMS) that provide access to this storage. Access To Live And Archived Video Access to live video can either be met by external storage or directly by the camera Every surveillance solution needs to provide access to live and archived video. Access to live video can either be met by external storage or (and) directly by the camera. All things being equal, having the camera directly provide live video access, is a higher-availability solution. There is dependence on fewer components in the chain. Solutions in the market use one of the above two approaches for access to live video. Due to limited capacity and low physical security of edge storage, it makes sense at present, to have external storage meet all requests for archive video. Thus, we are led to an architecture that has heavy dependence on external storage. Dual-Recording For high-availability, external storage must be architected with redundancy. Ideally, independent components that make up external storage – storage media, associated hardware and software (including VMS components), should be individually redundant and have smart interconnectivity. However, solutions in the market rigidly tie these components together. Failure of a single component causes failure of external storage. For e.g. hardware failure of a server causes VMS component failure AND storage failure. DR provides a smart way to provide high-availability for external storage For these solutions in the market, high-availability is achieved by having additional external storage units that step-in during outages of primary units. If these additional units continuously duplicate primary units, access gaps are minimized, and archive access is un-affected during primary unit outages. This is the idea behind Dual-Recording (DR).  To meet cost budgets, these additional units can be configured to store subsampled (framerate, resolution) video content. A small number of additional units can support concurrent outages of all primary units. A few-to-many redundancy. Rising Need For Dual-Recording Most cameras cannot be physically secured, and video content produced by a camera must be stored externally. Many VMS solutions use external storage to service live video access requests. Edge storage limitations impose restrictions on edge archive access at present. So, external storage is used to service requests for archive access too. Thus, a surveillance system ends up being over-dependent on external storage. DR provides a smart way to provide high-availability for external storage. As edge storage improves, it will be able to service archive access requests. VMS software will need to evolve, to use this capability smartly.

Connected Technologies LLC, maker of the award-winning patented Connect ONE integrated cloud-hosted security management platform, has boosted the capacity of its Access Expander to handle up to 100,000 users. Prior to developing this new programming capability the Access Expander handled up to 10,000 system users, depending on the panel manufacturer’s integration. Integrated access control Connect ONE allows security dealers to offer home automation with integrated access control Connect ONE allows security dealers to easily offer home and commercial automation with integrated access control, security, video, energy management and critical environmental temperature monitoring, as well as smartphone credentials through ScanPass Mobile Credential. Compatible with DMP XR panels; Bosch B/G; ELK M1; and Honeywell Vista Turbo, the enhanced features of the Access Expander provides up to 100,000 system users for DMP and 90,000 for ELK M1 with conventional readers and/or ScanPass Mobile Credentials. Honeywell Vista Turbo along with Bosch B and G series panels allows for 100,000 users when using ScanPass. Connect One Access Expander Connected Technologies is founded on the principle of acting on security dealer’s needs in the field and that’s how the latest iteration of Access Expander evolved, according to Mike Simon, Managing Partner, Connected Technologies. “We continually listen to the dealer and they were looking for additional user capacities for larger, enterprise solutions and thousands of users,” he said. “Our goal is to help dealers secure new projects by providing value-add capabilities that help them achieve their goals.” Additional features of the Access Expander include: 200+ total door expansion when used with ScanPass Mobile Credential 1,000 Permission Profiles 250 Time Windows 50 Holidays Instant always-on VPN communication with Connect ONE Connect ONE is a patented management solution for system integrations that dealers resell to their customers, growing their monthly recurring revenue. The integrated security management platform provides a single user interface to control intrusion, access control, critical environmental monitoring, energy management and video surveillance.

Several video manufacturers have participated in the development of a U.K. 'Secure by Default' baseline standard to ensure cybersecurity measures are included in equipment as it leaves the factory. The standard includes ensuring that passwords must be changed from the manufacturer default at start-up, that chosen passwords should be sufficiently complex to provide a degree of assurance, and that controls are placed around how and when remote access should be commissioned. The standard aims to ensure security products are cyber- and network-secure by default and out of the box. The concept is that network video products will ship to installers in the most hardened, cyber-security-optimal form possible, with default settings that provide minimal vulnerabilities on first use. Secure by Default is a self-certification scheme that allows manufacturers to assess their systems for compliance and to apply for the U.K. Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Secure by Default mark. The mark demonstrates to installers and customers that they are a competent manufacturer who takes the security of their products seriously. The Secure By Default mark demonstrates to installers and customers that they take the security of their products seriously Axis, Bosch, Hanwha, HikVision and Milestone Systems participated in developing the standard, which was officially unveiled at the IFSEC 2019 show. “The launch of the standard is not the end of the journey, but rather the beginning of something unique, exciting and vital for the future success of video surveillance,” says cybersecurity consultant Mike Gillespie, who works with the National Surveillance Camera Strategy for England and Wales. The standard has been developed so as not to present a barrier to entry The manufacturer standard is intended to lay out the basic areas where all video surveillance systems should be secure, regardless of their intended use, whether in public space or not, says Gillespie. “This is very much intended to be an entry-level standard and has been written with the intention of providing [video] manufacturers with a minimum baseline level all should aspire to,” he says. The standard has been developed so as not to present a barrier to entry for any competent and responsible manufacturer, he adds. The Secure by Default standards form part of a wider set of cyber security proposals from the Surveillance Camera Commissioner for the UK Home Office. Adoption within the industry Hanwha Techwin has embraced Secure by Default as part of its comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. “Although we appreciate security needs to be easy to implement, we do not allow for a default password to be used,” according to Hanwha Techwin. “We consider it essential that a secure password be set up during the initial installation process, which is why we prohibit the consecutive use of the same letter or number and we encourage the use of special characters as well as a combination of letters and numbers.” Hanwha Techwin’s approach has been to make security a fundamental feature of cameras and recording devices. Cybersecurity has been taken into account at the start of the design and development process, and not just treated as an optional feature. Article 25 mandates that organizations put in place appropriate technical and organization measures Axis is aligned with the Secure by Default principles recommended by the U.K. National Cybersecurity Strategy Code of Practice. Furthermore, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) makes data protection and security by design and default a legal requirement. Article 25 mandates that organizations put in place appropriate technical and organization measures designed to implement data protection in an effective manner. Gary Harmer, UK and Ireland Sales Director for Hikvision, said the new Secure by Default scheme is a further positive step forward for the industry, one which Hikvision fully supports. “The process of developing these standards has been one of open collaboration between companies across the network video security industry,” he said. “It’s a truly positive and genuine initiative geared towards creating a more secure environment for all stakeholders in the network security ecosystem.”

According to Ms Regina Tsai, the Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, the key for exhibitors is to tap into the diverse pool of trade visitors that will be filtering through the halls of the fair next month: “As Vietnam’s largest business platform for safety, security, fire and smart building products, the fair is able to attract the right mix of decision makers and purchasing managers from across the region’s growing vertical markets. From the standpoint of exhibitors, the fair is an ideal place to showcase new solutions.” She added: “We are delighted to be setting a new record for exhibitor participation and we are looking forward to hosting a productive three days of business at next month’s show.” Another strong turnout Last year, the fair achieved its highest ever visitor turnout as over 13,800 buyers journeyed to the show Last year, the fair achieved its highest ever visitor turnout as over 13,800 buyers (2017: 12,097) journeyed to the show. Thanks to this year’s uptick in exhibitor numbers, fair organizers are anticipating another strong turnout from channel players, including distributors, systems integrators and end users from factories, industrial zones, hotels and construction projects. Exhibitors will hail from 21 countries and regions, including industry pioneers in their respective fields such as Avigilon, Bosch, Hanwha Techwin, Hitron, KPS, LILIN, PHUC BINH, Nha An Toan (a distributor of Hikvision and ABB products), and ZKTeco. Strong distribution channels Algatec, a renowned brand name in the global security lock sector, after exhibiting consecutively at Secutech Vietnam for seven years, commented that, “Secutech Vietnam has always been an effective platform for us to network and interact with our local channel partners as well as industry players from surrounding countries. Through the show, we can showcase our products and develop our presence in this region. This will eventually enable us to build strong distribution channels,” said Ms Shirley Ng from the company’s sales and marketing division. Secutech Vietnam this year, held concurrently with SMAbuilding, will bring together best-in-industry systems and solutions, including product categories from surveillance cameras and video analytics software to access control and management platforms. For added value, and to meet demands from the smart factory and smart building sectors, the solutions not only focus on security, but also management efficiency and energy savings. Smart factory sectors Fire and Safety Vietnam will return at the fair for its 12th edition While the smart building and smart factory sectors are recurring themes at the show, the fair will also provide coverage to the smart city, smart transportation and smart hotel sectors. The Singapore Pavilion will accommodate leading-edge suppliers in the shape of Kedacom, Force21, Multron, Servo Dynamic, Worldtags, Ubergard and Teleradio, who will showcase a variety of network cameras, management platforms, RFID products, biometric solutions and more. With support from the Fire Department, Ministry of Public Security, Fire and Safety Vietnam will return at the fair for its 12th edition. A supplier of specialist rescue and fire fighting equipment, Pacific and Fire AEC, will be exhibiting at the event following a successful first participation in 2018. “At last year’s show, we gathered more than 100 relevant contacts from sectors such as public and industrial safety as well as fire rescue,” said Mr Dirk Bloxham, the Managing Director of the company. Firefighting equipment “This helped us to develop additional sales channels for our fire hoses, fire nozzles and firefighting equipment. We take a long-term approach to building relationships with dealers and end users from Southeast Asia. The relationship building process will begin again at the upcoming edition of Secutech Vietnam.” The company will be exhibiting alongside D&C Vina, Funayama, Himax, Masflow, Naffco, Nittan, Secom, Sffeco, Yun Yang, VT Plus, Quoc Nam and many more. Besides rescue and firefighting equipment, trade visitors will also be able to locate extinguishing systems, alarms, valves, personal protection equipment (masks, specialist clothing, and gloves), CPR solutions, and fire dust detection systems at the event. Making a welcome debut will be the NFES Japan Fire Pavilion, while the Korea Fire Institute will also be represented at a dedicated pavilion. There will also be a fire truck display from VT Plus, and a rescue boat showcased by local company Tan Vien Dong.