INNOVATION > COMPLEX SURVEILLANCEMaking Sense of Surveillance Technology OptionsFundamentally, we believe effective surveillance systems are about more than technology decisions. Digital Barriers develops surveillance systems that are highly functional, reliable, cost-effective and scalable – taking into account current and future requirements, as well as existing infrastructure. We do not advocate a single core network technology (Ethernet/IP or analogue) and choose instead to combine these technologies in hybrid networks. This provides organisations with the most effective solution in any given case – and might include a network design that allows reuse of existing analogue cameras, simple multi-point access to video, or adoption of video analytics. We are pioneers of hybrid network designs that could encompass analogue and IP protocol transmission, conventional analogue video, digital fibre (uncompressed/compressed) and twisted pair (Cat 5 Ethernet). We understand the current level of interest in IP/Ethernet based surveillance – given it has benefits such as flexibility, ease of access, cost-effectiveness, efficient storage and retrieval and the potential for video content analysis – but we favour a more objective and balanced view of this technology standard. In many cases, aspects of ‘pure’ IP/Ethernet systems can be unsuitable in complex operating environments, such as transportation and industrial. For example, unlike many analogue cameras, IP cameras are typically not suited for use in extreme or real world operating temperatures. Similarly, HD cameras must be considered in terms of the performance of the overall system, since the viewable resolution from an HD camera – while impressive on its own technical specification – will be significanly reduced if its video is encoded, as is typical, into a standards based IP format such as H.264. We also believe that for most complex surveillance systems, ‘pure’ IP networks are not a simple alternative to conventional or hybrid approaches, in terms of their deployment and integration, since Ethernet/IP networks are themselves complex, requiring understanding of quality of service to ensure the ‘always on’ data transmission required for video surveillance.
Our customers benefit from our technology agnostic approach to system design, ensuring their surveillance capabilities reuse existing investments in equipment and futureproof them so their systems scale as required. We have supported some of the world's largest and most complex surveillance system, pioneering new technologies and approaches that maximise flexibility, minimise cost and ensure access to emerging areas of technology, such as video analytics. We also help shape industry standards and direction and support open standards, such as ONVIF, for greater interoperability with third-party technologies. FURTHER INFORMATIONFor further information on our approach to surveillance system design and technologies, or to discuss your complex surveillance networking requirements, please contact us at:
Digital Barriers
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