Digital Or Analog Surveillance Video Recording System: Take Your Pick
December 30, 2007 by admin · Leave a Comment
Nahshon Roberts asked:
A smart surveillance video recording system uses both digital and analog recordings. This way, top surveillance professionals can make sure that they have everything covered with a back-up system to boot. But would digital and analog mean to you?
Going Digital or Analog?
If you remember your favorite Digital Video Recorder or DVR recording device that you used to control your TV viewing, you’ll be able to imagine the convenience it can give you when you’re prospecting for a surveillance video recording system.
DVR devices have left the analog recording system behind because consumers prefer its multi-functionality and control features, yet there are still those satisfied with the performance of analog recorders. However, using the combined features of the two for a surveillance video recording system has yielded far better results.
A DVR device provides the following functions: management, storage, and reviewing of extensive recorded files with ease and efficiency. The problem lies in the speed when recording multiple cameras simultaneously, and the likelihood of the system to crash.
In contrast, the video cassette recorder or the analog is considered a more dependable mechanical or electrical system. The system won’t “crash” or risk the stored information.
The use of the two operating systems for a surveillance video recording structure assures the security of the recorded images or audio. It is like having a back-up system for each system. The two combined gives an explosive performance. But if you are thinking of installing the system into your PC’s hard disk drive, you will be going digital.
A PC-based Surveillance Video Recording System
Home and small business surveillance security rely on a more modest surveillance set-up. A surveillance system is quite pricey, but consumers are willing to invest in a system as long as it responds to their different and unique security needs.
Using a PC-based video recording system for surveillance purposes can do away with added expense. You do not have to buy an entire DVR system. You will just need a camera, monitor, and a digital video recorder. You can use your personal computer, and with a DVR software and a PC video capture card, you can have your very own surveillance recording system.
Depending on your software, you’ll be using some configuration for the installation of your computer based surveillance system. The video capture card will transform images recorded by the surveillance camera into a digital layout accepted by your computer. You can put up a four camera system with your PC-based surveillance system.
The video capture card provides your PC-based surveillance system multiple functions and the option to enjoy live streaming on your monitor access the recording via the internet highway.
No Reason to Delay Home Security
The video surveillance systems cannot deter crime but you have the peace of mind knowing what’s going on when your back is turned. You can monitor what’s going on and you have control of over your family’s safety and the flow of your business operations.
There is no reason for any further delays in installing your home video security. With a PC, DVR software, and a video capture card and one or two cameras, you are set. Whether you are for a DVR or an analog surveillance video recording system, you are assured of your family’s safety and your business security.
Tivo.com Questions and Answers blog…instantly.
A smart surveillance video recording system uses both digital and analog recordings. This way, top surveillance professionals can make sure that they have everything covered with a back-up system to boot. But would digital and analog mean to you?
Going Digital or Analog?
If you remember your favorite Digital Video Recorder or DVR recording device that you used to control your TV viewing, you’ll be able to imagine the convenience it can give you when you’re prospecting for a surveillance video recording system.
DVR devices have left the analog recording system behind because consumers prefer its multi-functionality and control features, yet there are still those satisfied with the performance of analog recorders. However, using the combined features of the two for a surveillance video recording system has yielded far better results.
A DVR device provides the following functions: management, storage, and reviewing of extensive recorded files with ease and efficiency. The problem lies in the speed when recording multiple cameras simultaneously, and the likelihood of the system to crash.
In contrast, the video cassette recorder or the analog is considered a more dependable mechanical or electrical system. The system won’t “crash” or risk the stored information.
The use of the two operating systems for a surveillance video recording structure assures the security of the recorded images or audio. It is like having a back-up system for each system. The two combined gives an explosive performance. But if you are thinking of installing the system into your PC’s hard disk drive, you will be going digital.
A PC-based Surveillance Video Recording System
Home and small business surveillance security rely on a more modest surveillance set-up. A surveillance system is quite pricey, but consumers are willing to invest in a system as long as it responds to their different and unique security needs.
Using a PC-based video recording system for surveillance purposes can do away with added expense. You do not have to buy an entire DVR system. You will just need a camera, monitor, and a digital video recorder. You can use your personal computer, and with a DVR software and a PC video capture card, you can have your very own surveillance recording system.
Depending on your software, you’ll be using some configuration for the installation of your computer based surveillance system. The video capture card will transform images recorded by the surveillance camera into a digital layout accepted by your computer. You can put up a four camera system with your PC-based surveillance system.
The video capture card provides your PC-based surveillance system multiple functions and the option to enjoy live streaming on your monitor access the recording via the internet highway.
No Reason to Delay Home Security
The video surveillance systems cannot deter crime but you have the peace of mind knowing what’s going on when your back is turned. You can monitor what’s going on and you have control of over your family’s safety and the flow of your business operations.
There is no reason for any further delays in installing your home video security. With a PC, DVR software, and a video capture card and one or two cameras, you are set. Whether you are for a DVR or an analog surveillance video recording system, you are assured of your family’s safety and your business security.
Tivo.com Questions and Answers blog…instantly.
What You Need to Know About Digital Video Recorders
September 10, 2007 by admin · Leave a Comment
William Ward asked:
Digital video recorders or DVR’s record videos that are in digital format to a medium. A disk drive is a sample of this medium. These digital video recorders come in the form of stand-alone set-top boxes that are connected to a monitor or television set for viewing. By connecting a digital video recorder to your video surveillance system, you can easily record the images captured by your security camera.
DVR vs. VCR
Unlike the VCR and other older methods, the digital video recorder can impress you with its wide array of functions and benefits. For one thing, you can store more video footages when you use a digital video recorder since the video is compressed onto a hard drive.
Another advantage of using a digital video recorder is having more viewing and recording options. Recording only when there is motion is most popular but scheduled and alarm recording are also available. Being able to mark the footages that you store can make it easier for you to find them later on. There’s no more need for you to go through piles of video tapes just to find the footage that you are looking for. With an IP-based digital video recorder, you also have the option of sending video feeds over the Internet allowing you to view them wherever you go. This system is usually used by BPO companies for monitoring their employees all over the world.
With a digital video recorder, you also have the option of storing the footage taken by more than one camera at the same time. You can also view more than one camera on your monitor during live or playback mode. You just need to choose a digital video recorder that has the number of channels that you need. This benefit is not available in conventional recording devices like VCR’s.
Another advantage of having a digital video recorder instead of older recording devices is that you can also command it to alert you when it detects certain security threats. Because some digital video recorders have built-in sensors that can detect movements as well as changes in the environment, you can program it to send you a notification through your e-mail in order to warn you of the event. With the help of a digital video recorder, business owners can watch over their employees even though they are far away. Even parents who are away on a business trip can make sure that their kids are safe. And, they don’t have to worry about leaving their kids to a babysitter because they can monitor her every move.
Video Compression Formats
Video compression in DVR’s is necessary since raw video takes up gigabytes of space on a hard drive. So in order to make use of limited hard drive space the video is compressed when recorded and decompressed when viewed. You’ve probably seen a number of DVR’s stating different compression formats such as MJPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Wavlet, H.263, H.264. These are different methods of compression called Codec’s, Codec is a short name for coder-decoder. When purchasing a DVR what you will mainly find is MJPEG will be used in less expensive models intended for the homeowner or individuals that may not be recording continuously. These models do a good job of compressing and decompressing the video adequately and their playback quality is good. In many cases MJPEG is all you need. However if you intend to use networking and view or record the video remotely MPEG-4 or H.264 are better choices. Their per frame size is smaller resulting in more frames per second that you can receive when viewing over the internet and they also take up less space on your hard drive. The MPEG-4 and H.264 digital video recorders will cost more but may be worth the investment in the long run.
Tivo.com Questions and Answers blog…instantly.
Digital video recorders or DVR’s record videos that are in digital format to a medium. A disk drive is a sample of this medium. These digital video recorders come in the form of stand-alone set-top boxes that are connected to a monitor or television set for viewing. By connecting a digital video recorder to your video surveillance system, you can easily record the images captured by your security camera.
DVR vs. VCR
Unlike the VCR and other older methods, the digital video recorder can impress you with its wide array of functions and benefits. For one thing, you can store more video footages when you use a digital video recorder since the video is compressed onto a hard drive.
Another advantage of using a digital video recorder is having more viewing and recording options. Recording only when there is motion is most popular but scheduled and alarm recording are also available. Being able to mark the footages that you store can make it easier for you to find them later on. There’s no more need for you to go through piles of video tapes just to find the footage that you are looking for. With an IP-based digital video recorder, you also have the option of sending video feeds over the Internet allowing you to view them wherever you go. This system is usually used by BPO companies for monitoring their employees all over the world.
With a digital video recorder, you also have the option of storing the footage taken by more than one camera at the same time. You can also view more than one camera on your monitor during live or playback mode. You just need to choose a digital video recorder that has the number of channels that you need. This benefit is not available in conventional recording devices like VCR’s.
Another advantage of having a digital video recorder instead of older recording devices is that you can also command it to alert you when it detects certain security threats. Because some digital video recorders have built-in sensors that can detect movements as well as changes in the environment, you can program it to send you a notification through your e-mail in order to warn you of the event. With the help of a digital video recorder, business owners can watch over their employees even though they are far away. Even parents who are away on a business trip can make sure that their kids are safe. And, they don’t have to worry about leaving their kids to a babysitter because they can monitor her every move.
Video Compression Formats
Video compression in DVR’s is necessary since raw video takes up gigabytes of space on a hard drive. So in order to make use of limited hard drive space the video is compressed when recorded and decompressed when viewed. You’ve probably seen a number of DVR’s stating different compression formats such as MJPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Wavlet, H.263, H.264. These are different methods of compression called Codec’s, Codec is a short name for coder-decoder. When purchasing a DVR what you will mainly find is MJPEG will be used in less expensive models intended for the homeowner or individuals that may not be recording continuously. These models do a good job of compressing and decompressing the video adequately and their playback quality is good. In many cases MJPEG is all you need. However if you intend to use networking and view or record the video remotely MPEG-4 or H.264 are better choices. Their per frame size is smaller resulting in more frames per second that you can receive when viewing over the internet and they also take up less space on your hard drive. The MPEG-4 and H.264 digital video recorders will cost more but may be worth the investment in the long run.
Tivo.com Questions and Answers blog…instantly.
Ultimax – the Market Leader in Digital Cctv Recording
August 16, 2007 by admin · Leave a Comment
Michal Lepiarz asked:
ULTIMAX is a series of 3rd generation digital video recorders (see –> DIPOL ULTIMAX offer), with implemented, so far the most efficient, H.264 compression. This type of deep compression is characterized by capability of providing good video quality at substantially lower bitrates than the previous standards. The standard was developed jointly in a partnership of VCEG and MPEG, and is marked as H.264/AVC, AVC/H.264, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, or MPEG-4/H.264 AVC (AVC – Advanced Video Coding).
Network digital video recorders of ULTIMAX series are excellent digital surveillance products. Equipped with embedded MCU and dedicated real-time operating system (RTOS), they combine the most advanced electronic and computer technologies, such as efficient video and audio encoding/decoding, hard disk recording (support of virtually unlimited disc capacity), and TCP/IP protocols. The firmware is stored in flash memory, and can be easily updated.
Any device from the ULTIMAX series has both the features of a digital video recorder (DVR) and digital video server (DVS). It can work as stand-alone device, or be used to build powerful surveillance networks, widely used in banks, telecommunication companies, transportation, factories, warehouses etc.
The DVRs, being very versatile, support many special functions allowing cooperation with POS terminals, ATM/cash machines etc.
ULTIMAX-716
he basic criterion for actual quality of video monitoring system is ability of identifying people from the recorded video data and possibility of handing over the archives on original storage media for legal proceedings. ULTIMAX 7xx DVRs fulfill state requirements for video coverage of mass events in Poland and majority of other countries.
Due to efficient H.264/AVC compression it is possible to record D1 images (704 x 576) at 25 fps (PAL) from each channel (camera). It means that the ULTIMAX-716 (16 channels) is capable of recording up to 400 fps with D1 resolution.
ULTIMAX 7xx DVRs end the era of frame by frame analysis. The playback of D1 images at 25 fps is similar to watching quality TV transmission or a DVD film rather than the typical jumps from image to image in the previous CCTV systems.
ULTIMAX-716 has huge storage potential – after installing eight HDDs with 2000GB (2TB) capacity each, the total disc space amounts to 16 TB. It allows to create enormous archives. Even in the case of simultaneous and continuous recording of video data from all 16 channels, with D1 resolution and maximum bitrate (8000 Kbps, it is enough for 285 hours, i.e. nearly 12 days and nights. Such archives would deliver DVD quality.
It is possible to test the actual frame rate by analyzing the images frame by frame and using a frame counter. Comparing the displayed time and the counter indications it is easy to prove the 25 fps rate.
Because of network operation, the priority is adequate security level. To protect the system and data against unauthorized access, there is multi-level access control, with passwords and defined privileges for local and network management (e.g. viewing images from cameras, accesses to archives, system setup). There can be defined MAC addresses of the computers capable of getting access to the DVR resources.
Rear panel of the ULTIMAX-716
The DVR enables the administrator/operator to set resolution and frame rate independently for each camera. There is possibility of defining channels that are to be recorded after triggering alarm in a camera path, with long pre- and post-alarm periods.
Network software allows to manage several DVRs and other ULTIMAX and ULITCAM devices (video servers and IP cameras). Easy operation thanks to user-friendly graphic interface, including mouse pointer.
There is possibility of embedding maps (BMP files with deployment of cameras) which enable the operator of a bigger monitoring system to quickly localize the spots and manage the surveillance network.
Due to cooperation with external recorders/devices (CD/DVR, hard disc, USB flash drives) connected via USB port, it is easy to backup, review and playback the recordings.
DVR can get text/number strings through RS-232 or network port. The strings can be sent from devices such as ATM/cash machine, POS machine or others. DVR can paste the strings into the real time image and record. The same strings (entered from numeric keyboard) can be used as keys for searching the recorded files to play them back.
There are available the following ULTIMAX DVRs:
16-channel
* ULTIMAX-716
* ULTIMAX-516
* ULTIMAX-316
8-channel
* ULTIMAX-708
* ULTIMAX-508
* ULTIMAX-308
4-channel
* ULTIMAX-504
* ULTIMAX-304
Do you need more information? Go to DIPOL web site for full features’ list.
Tivo.com Questions and Answers blog…instantly.
ULTIMAX is a series of 3rd generation digital video recorders (see –> DIPOL ULTIMAX offer), with implemented, so far the most efficient, H.264 compression. This type of deep compression is characterized by capability of providing good video quality at substantially lower bitrates than the previous standards. The standard was developed jointly in a partnership of VCEG and MPEG, and is marked as H.264/AVC, AVC/H.264, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, or MPEG-4/H.264 AVC (AVC – Advanced Video Coding).
Network digital video recorders of ULTIMAX series are excellent digital surveillance products. Equipped with embedded MCU and dedicated real-time operating system (RTOS), they combine the most advanced electronic and computer technologies, such as efficient video and audio encoding/decoding, hard disk recording (support of virtually unlimited disc capacity), and TCP/IP protocols. The firmware is stored in flash memory, and can be easily updated.
Any device from the ULTIMAX series has both the features of a digital video recorder (DVR) and digital video server (DVS). It can work as stand-alone device, or be used to build powerful surveillance networks, widely used in banks, telecommunication companies, transportation, factories, warehouses etc.
The DVRs, being very versatile, support many special functions allowing cooperation with POS terminals, ATM/cash machines etc.
ULTIMAX-716
he basic criterion for actual quality of video monitoring system is ability of identifying people from the recorded video data and possibility of handing over the archives on original storage media for legal proceedings. ULTIMAX 7xx DVRs fulfill state requirements for video coverage of mass events in Poland and majority of other countries.
Due to efficient H.264/AVC compression it is possible to record D1 images (704 x 576) at 25 fps (PAL) from each channel (camera). It means that the ULTIMAX-716 (16 channels) is capable of recording up to 400 fps with D1 resolution.
ULTIMAX 7xx DVRs end the era of frame by frame analysis. The playback of D1 images at 25 fps is similar to watching quality TV transmission or a DVD film rather than the typical jumps from image to image in the previous CCTV systems.
ULTIMAX-716 has huge storage potential – after installing eight HDDs with 2000GB (2TB) capacity each, the total disc space amounts to 16 TB. It allows to create enormous archives. Even in the case of simultaneous and continuous recording of video data from all 16 channels, with D1 resolution and maximum bitrate (8000 Kbps, it is enough for 285 hours, i.e. nearly 12 days and nights. Such archives would deliver DVD quality.
It is possible to test the actual frame rate by analyzing the images frame by frame and using a frame counter. Comparing the displayed time and the counter indications it is easy to prove the 25 fps rate.
Because of network operation, the priority is adequate security level. To protect the system and data against unauthorized access, there is multi-level access control, with passwords and defined privileges for local and network management (e.g. viewing images from cameras, accesses to archives, system setup). There can be defined MAC addresses of the computers capable of getting access to the DVR resources.
Rear panel of the ULTIMAX-716
The DVR enables the administrator/operator to set resolution and frame rate independently for each camera. There is possibility of defining channels that are to be recorded after triggering alarm in a camera path, with long pre- and post-alarm periods.
Network software allows to manage several DVRs and other ULTIMAX and ULITCAM devices (video servers and IP cameras). Easy operation thanks to user-friendly graphic interface, including mouse pointer.
There is possibility of embedding maps (BMP files with deployment of cameras) which enable the operator of a bigger monitoring system to quickly localize the spots and manage the surveillance network.
Due to cooperation with external recorders/devices (CD/DVR, hard disc, USB flash drives) connected via USB port, it is easy to backup, review and playback the recordings.
DVR can get text/number strings through RS-232 or network port. The strings can be sent from devices such as ATM/cash machine, POS machine or others. DVR can paste the strings into the real time image and record. The same strings (entered from numeric keyboard) can be used as keys for searching the recorded files to play them back.
There are available the following ULTIMAX DVRs:
16-channel
* ULTIMAX-716
* ULTIMAX-516
* ULTIMAX-316
8-channel
* ULTIMAX-708
* ULTIMAX-508
* ULTIMAX-308
4-channel
* ULTIMAX-504
* ULTIMAX-304
Do you need more information? Go to DIPOL web site for full features’ list.
Tivo.com Questions and Answers blog…instantly.
