Advantages of adding IP Technology to an existing Analogue solution

3 Sep 2013

Simon Shawley, General Manager UK and Ireland, Samsung Techwin Europe Limited, explains the advantages of combined IP and analogue outputs the WiseNetIII 2MP Full HD network camera range feature.

Why would an end user need both analogue and network output?

The reality is, there are many thousands of existing analogue CCTV systems which are working perfectly. There are also many situations where the end-user requirements have changed since the original system was installed. There may now be a need to capture higher quality images at certain locations, which they cannot do with their existing analogue cameras. In this scenario it is possible to get the best of both worlds; protect your existing investment by utilising the current recording system, which provide the desired results, whilst at the same time adding WiseNetIII cameras to benefit from simultaneous analogue and digital HD video streams.

But when these situations occur, why would the end-user not just ask their preferred installation company to replace the existing cameras with the latest generation of analogue cameras that are able to capture higher resolution images?

That is certainly one option, but with Full HD cameras now being affordable for virtually any application or project, why would anyone not want to take advantage of the superb evidence grade images that can be captured by them, as well as a long list of technically advanced features that can offer real-life benefits which cannot be offered by traditional analogue cameras? In many cases the long-term vision to move to an IP based solution has been made, but budgetary restrictions mean a phased approach is necessary. In this scenario end-users can start the upgrade process of moving towards a future proof solution by adding a WiseNetIII camera, whilst continuing to use existing recording equipment that is still fit for purpose. Increasingly we are working with end-users who see this as a viable strategy, especially as there is no need for additional cables; the install is quick and more importantly – there is no disruption to the business.

In simple terms, what does the hybrid nature of the WiseNetIII camera range mean and what benefits does it deliver?

It allows the cameras to be installed and work as part of an existing analogue CCTV system that uses conventional coaxial cable. The images captured by a WiseNetIII IP camera or dome can be:

1. Transmitted over the coaxial cable and remotely viewed alongside the images captured by existing analogue cameras

2. Transmitted over the network for remote viewing and transmitted over the coaxial cable for local viewing

Can you give some examples of what kind of business would benefit from this?

The retail sector is an obvious example. In a tough economic environment, it may be difficult for a retailer to consider totally replacing an existing CCTV system, but at entrances/exits where there are quite highly visible front of house monitors to deter would be thieves, or at check-outs where you are trying to reduce shrinkage, there may be a desire to replace a small number of cameras with Full HD models.

Banks, casinos, indeed any environment where the availability of the highest possible resolution images can help combat criminal activity, ensure compliance with health & safety policies or introduce efficiencies, are likely to benefit from this option. For example, by adding a WiseNetIII camera to an entrance it is possible to benefit from Face Detection being visible on your existing entrance monitor.

So how is it possible and how does it work?

It is possible because the WiseNetIII Full HD cameras and domes uniquely have an analogue output that constantly provides a one volt peak to peak signal. It is true that there are high definition cameras available from other manufacturers which have an analogue output signal, but this signal is intended to only be used for test purposes when a camera is being installed.

The flexibility offered by the dual output of the WiseNetIII range provides a number of options:

1. Use the analogue output of a WiseNetIII camera to record captured images onto a DVR via an existing coaxial cable, whilst recording up to 2MP Full HD (1080P) quality images on the camera’s internal SD card for retrieval when required. All WiseNetIII camera models have the capacity to store on board up to 64GB of video but they also feature Intelligent Video Analytics such as; face detection and bandwidth management i.e. crop zones and Regions of Interest to trigger recording when an event has occurred. This minimises file size and maximising recording time on the SD card.

2. Dual Output: As in option one, the analogue output is used to display and record locally the captured images onto a DVR via the existing coaxial cable, but at the same time, the IP output is used to allow remote viewing and retrieval of HD images over a Wide Area Network (WAN). The HD images can also be retrieved from the SD card. This removes the need for additional NVRs, recording software or camera licences as the live camera and recorded SD card images can be viewed simply via the web browser interface or from our own free viewing software, Samsung Software Manager (SSM).

3. The IP video streams from cameras can be transmitted over existing coaxial cabling. Samsung works closely with third party providers to enable Full HD images to be transmitted over a coaxial cable by using a simple converter at either end of the coaxial cable so that the Full HD images can be transmitted over the LAN/WAN.

Which of these options is likely to attract the most interest?

They are all easy to implement and it will depend on the individual user requirements. All options offer the ability to have constant streaming from the WiseNetIII IP cameras over an analogue infrastructure and all therefore offer the potential to upgrade and extend the life of an existing CCTV system. Clearly, the most cost-effective way of converting an analogue system to an IP system is to replace all the elements – camera, coax and DVR – all-in-one-go but this is often not viable for budgetary reasons. Encoders can be used to convert analogue to IP but this is additional cost and NVRs or network storage is then a further additional cost requirement. The WiseNetIII cameras allow the user to immediately upgrade those cameras that need it and plan the migration of the rest of the system as budget and needs dictate.

By introducing a planned replacement of analogue cameras with WiseNetIII cameras, perhaps under a maintenance contract with a current Service Provider, end users can get immediate access to HD recorded images whilst making their system ready for switch over to a network solution – “HD ready” as we call it.

How did this product range emerge?

Customers wanted to see further improvements in image quality, particularly in analogue systems. Also high up on the wish list was the need for cameras to be more installer friendly, especially to those new to working with IP cameras. Samsung Techwin’s response to the feedback from its existing and potential customers has been to pack the new models, with a long list of new technically advanced features, many of which ensure that superb quality images can be captured and recorded regardless of the system type; network or analogue.

The introduction of Samsung Techwin’s WiseNetIII network range has proved to be a great success. Billed as the company’s most significant product launch for 2013, the new 2MP Full HD network cameras and domes were developed as a direct result of a market research programme which identified what users and installers felt were the key ‘must haves’ in order for high definition IP network cameras to automatically become the preferred choice when a new video surveillance system was being specified, or an existing system was being upgrade