| Q. |
What is video analytics? |
| A. |
Video analytics - also known as intelligent video surveillance (IVS) - is a technology that analyzes video for specific data. Its typical application is physical security, for instance to detect movement which could indicate a potential threat, such as trespassing.
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Q. |
How does video analytics work? |
| A. |
Video analytics uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze every pixel of CCTV images. When many pixels are seen as shifting in an area which itself is moving in a direction, the software detects this as motion. According to how the system is configured, users can then be alerted or the software can automatically take further action such as continuing to track the event.
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Q. |
How does this differ from basic motion detection? |
| A. |
Motion detection systems are a form of simple video analytics. They have several limitations, notably the triggering of false alarms caused by sudden changes in lighting conditions, small animals, flying debris, etc.
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Q. |
What are the benefits of video analytics? |
| A. |
Video analytics enables the use of security cameras to easily and effectively monitor large areas, automating the labor-intensive task of continuously watching CCTV images. It ignores irrelevant objects and extraneous environmental activity, dramatically reducing the incidence of false alarms, thus making it much more effective for outdoor applications.
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Q. |
What can video analytics actually do? |
| A. |
While detecting and tracking objects and people, advanced video analytics can evaluate numerous factors such as the speed, direction and distance of a moving target and filter out environmental effects such as changes in lighting and weather patterns. The software generates an alarm only when particular conditions - as configured by the user - are met, resulting in a very low level of false alarms. Advanced video analytics will alert in the event of camera tampering, camera shifting and video loss.
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Q. |
Where is intelligent video used? |
| A. |
Intelligent video is useful for a broad range of applications. For instance, it can be utilized to count people entering an area; assess travel velocity and direction; detect suspicious movement of people or objects; identify license plates; and determine the length of time a package is left unattended.
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Q. |
What are the advantages of video analytics over outdoor PIR's? |
| A. |
Passive infrared sensors (PIR) detect changes in infrared radiation in the form of heat emitted by entities such as people, cars and small animals within a particular area or field of view (FOV). Because they respond to heat sensitivity and the FOV is affected by changes in weather and temperature and the size of the heat source, PIRs are less effective during the summer and more effective during the winter. They also provide limited detection in different movement directions and are more likely to pick up an intruder arriving in parallel to a sensor than one approaching towards a sensor (vertically).
Video analytics, on the other hand, is based on image analysis and is consequently not prone to the limitations imposed by PIRs. Key features include visual verification and tracking of the detected intruder; capability of fine-tuning the set-up and alarm zones; faster start-up time; two-way audio support; larger coverage area; wider surveillance view; selectable detection zones; and better mechanisms to detect tampering, weak signal, low visibility and camera position shift.
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Q. |
What are the advantages of an edge device solution? |
| A. |
Edge devices reduce strain on the network in terms of system requirements and bandwidth since video is transmitted only upon alert. When smart cameras and encoders process images at the edge, they record or transmit only upon event - for example, when someone enters a predefined area that is under surveillance, such as a fence perimeter. Other video methods transmit or record all images processed, including stagnant video when no one has entered the field of view.
The intelligent video edge device requires only minimal network and standard security knowledge to deploy and operate. As a stand-alone solution, it analyzes and detects without network-sharing of image-processing resources, latency, bandwidth consumption and system instability.
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Q. |
What are the advantages of DSP-based appliances over s/w solutions? |
| A. |
DSP-based appliances make better use of resources, are less expensive and easier to operate.
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s/w solution |
DSP-based appliance |
| Resources |
Network-based surveillance and centralized video analytics solutions can choke the system if not set up properly. They require that information be constantly transmitted to a central location or server for processing and storage. Then, to view that data or video, it uses additional bandwidth to retrieve the information. These solutions take up a tremendous amount of bandwidth, both to view the video and store hundreds of hours of it for back processing. |
Saves bandwidth since video is transmitted only upon alert. |
| Cost |
Additional expenses incurred by PCs, operating system licenses; Grab cards and their maintenance; technical training; and maintenance. |
No extra components are needed: The solution is integrated, packaged and delivered for immediate use. |
| Simplicity |
Due to the multi-component nature of a s/w based solution, the end user needs to deal with multiple vendors not only at the purchasing phase but also for installation, maintenance and support. |
One vendor, proprietary platform. Single point of contact for upgrading, maintenance and installation. |
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Q. |
Is video analytics suitable only for the high-end market? |
| A. |
Video analytics was initially geared for military and high-risk facilities. Technological developments have enabled it to be packaged into a DSP-based, off-the-shelf, easy-to-use solution. Besides typical border and perimeter protection, intelligent video now responds to the wide security needs of shopping centers, warehouses, car dealerships, museums, public transportation, etc. The price has also become more affordable to the mid-range market.
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Q. |
What technical skills are required to install video analytics? |
| A. |
Video analytics packaged on a DSP-based appliance, along with a simple, browser-based set up process allow quick and effortless deployment, with scaling from a few to tens of channels.
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Q. |
Does video analytics really work? |
| A. |
In the early days, performance was poor. In recent years however, with advances in algorithms research, performance has soared to new h eights, gaining the public’s confidence and approval. This is apparent through the implementation of video analytics in high-risk markets such as critical infrastructure and even the mid- range market such as car dealerships, museums and shopping malls.
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Q. |
What has been impeding the evolution of video analytics? |
| A. |
For years, the security market waited for video analytics to mature while many of the early adopters were stuck with high-maintenance, low-performance systems. Their downfalls were being too expensive and complex, and they required a bundle of hardware modifications and software installations. These demanding systems catered to large, high-budget installations such as airports and military and nuclear facilities that could afford the time, effort, cost and training required.
Out of this came the appliance-based intelligent video device that eliminated these problems by consolidating and simplifying deployment. Intelligent video now provides a practical, affordable solution for the mainstream market.
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Q. |
Does video analytics replace the human guard? |
| A. |
No. Video analytics, like most technologies, is aimed at helping the decision- making process. A typical monitoring station is fed with many video streams and the guard’s responsibility is to survey and analyze them, and then act accordingly. Video analytics enables the automated detection of security events and alleviates the task of simultaneously watching several video feeds. It also allows the security guard to arrive at the site of the breach informed – since the guard viewed the breach on screen.
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Q. |
What are the supported Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras for autonomous PTZ tracking? |
| A. |
Click here to view list of supported PTZ cameras
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