A little bit of history

Analog cameras have been around since the 1970's. Improvements to resolutions have occurred every year. But the improvements go beyond increasing resolution. Auto-iris lens have made dealing with florescent lighting situations easier. Backlight controls have been introduced to help with bright lights coming into an area, like light streaming in through a window next to a door. Privacy masks built into PTZs can handle some of the concerns over misuse of CCTV cameras.

IP cameras grew from simple web cameras. The idea behind them was to move some of intelligence from the DVR to the camera itself. Many of the current IP cameras have their own built in motion detection. Some cameras have the ability to record to SD cards inside the camera itself, offering a layer of redundancy. Other features include adding an analog output to the camera so that it can become a bridge between an analog system and an IP based system, and IR cut filters for night time / low light conditions.

IP cameras can be connected to a network by either wireless transmissions or by Cat5. Through the use of switches/hubs/and routers the Cat5 can be extended almost indefinitely. Some IP cameras are hybrid in nature, allowing for both network and analog connections.

Advantages of IP-based video surveillance

The leap into completely IP-based technology is the best bang for your buck both monetarily and in terms of security by far. Digital surveillance can be done over a LAN network, of course, but TCP/IP transmittal of surveillance makes sense for remote monitoring of multiple locations and for remote recording of data onto back-up servers and hard disks for long-term storage.

With IP-based video surveillance, you can connect your surveillance camera or cameras to any network or wireless adapter, and you are extremely flexible in your placement of the camera itself. A typical PC-attached video camera, while providing digital picture image quality, still has to be within approximately ten feet of the computer itself.

Set-up of an IP-based video system is easy - once you've set up an IP address, you're up and running and it's extremely stable and reliable. Because this is the technology of the future, it is also upgradeable. You won't be outgrowing an IP-based video surveillance system any time soon because new developments are based on improving this market. Therefore, you will be able to add on and improve this system for years to come while older, CCTV+DVR hybrids will dead-end and become obsolete.

Comparing analog and IP-based video surveillance

A better way to understand the differences between analog and IP-based video surveillance may be to compare the two and how they work:

Analog or CCTV+DVR video surveillance

• Image quality is poor
• "Easy to use" - operates like a VCR
• Storage tapes wear out over time, and are bulky to store
• Broadcasting images live isn't practical: no remote viewing
• Changing cassettes and rewinding regularly means human error frequently interferes with effectiveness
• Uses analog recording, recording in low-grade picture quality and inability to search and track easily

• IP-based recording means instant transmittal of images anywhere in the world.
• Can monitor multiple cameras from one remote location
• No decrease in recording quality over time or with repeated replays
• Digital picture quality far superior to analog
• IP-base recording is highly compressed for easier storage and can be transported over a variety of media
• Digital images can be encrypted for security purposes
• Updates and add-ons are relatively inexpensive through software packages and Internet computer networking
• Adjustable frame rates and recording archive
• Ability to record on motion only, saving storage space
• Remote or shared viewing may be done over the Internet or a wireless connection
• Standard IP video compression techniques are used
• IP surveillance cameras may be added individually or in groups according to your needs

If you are contemplating increased or upgrading video surveillance for your company or home, understanding how IP-based video surveillance works will make your decision easier. It is the future of video surveillance and, although in the short term may be a bit more expensive, is obviously an investment in superior quality and flexibility.

I have some interesting news to report back from NAB (National Association of Broadcaster) 2010 in Las Vegas, NV.

The Broadcast Divisions of Canon, Panasonic and Sony all had their versions of an HD PTZ cameras on display at the show.

Hmmm you say...

Exactly my thought... hmmm indeed, who are they targeting with these familiar features and sensationalized security IP PTZ camera?

These big time players in the filmmaking industry are targeting the Live Stadium broadcasters, The Weather Stations, The Nature Observation Clients, and Filmmakers.

Panasonic says, Come check out our new AW-HE50 S/H "Compact New Production Quality Video with IP Network Control" - There couldn't be a more perfect camera for the D-Series enclosures.

Sony displayed their BRC-Z330 LIVE in our Dotworkz COOLDOME™ and claimed "a revolutionary PTZ, especially designed for remote video shooting applications".

Why not dabble in the fun world of broadcast for a change, give the people what they want! Give them Baseball, Live weather updates with HD Video, Give them National Geographic quality footage from their PTZ camera.

Don't be intimidated by all this Motion Picture Broadcast terminology. Broaden your Scopes and contact your local television station or stadium and go win yourself Emmy Award for Best Broadcast Integration!

But WAIT don't forget to ask us at Dotworkz how the broadcast industry is using our enclosures for their outdoor live broadcasts.

Yet again, Dotworkz was a huge hit at this year's ISC West. But what drew the crowd wasn't just our unique D Series Environmental Enclosures, or our hot off the mold S-Type MVP Static Enclosures, it was our beautiful and bright-eyed DomeWizard Girl, Shannon. I did a quick Q&A session after the tradeshow with our Spokesmodel and DomeWizard™ Pro.

What did you think about this year's ISC West?
"This was the first year that I have worked ISC West. I think the show went great! The Dotworkz booth was constantly busy with guests interested in our products."

How did you get people interested in the product?
"The DomeWizard™ is definitely an eye catcher, and it does most of the hard work for me. We had built a traffic jam multiple times from people stopping to look and watch the DomeWizard™."

What do you enjoy about being a spokesperson for Dotworkz?
"I think that Dotworkz has a great team of people behind it and I love working with them. We always have a great time at the shows. It is easy to promote great products backed by good people."

Is it ever difficult being a spokesmodel? Have you ever had any interesting encounters while working at the tradeshow?
"Working in the tradeshow industry you tend to always have very strange encounters with people. It is great to be able to have a job where you get to talk to new and interesting people every day. It can be difficult if you don't have the right pair of shoes, but other than that I am very lucky.

What was the number one question asked during the show?
The number one question we got asked this time around was, 'If I buy the DomeWizard™, do you come with it?'"

Anything else you would like to add?
"Dotworkz is a great company and I am very lucky to get the chance to work with you guys. Thanks!"