The latest HD security cameras are more effective, reliable and cost-efficient

There are various HD security cameras available in the market with diverse features and advanced technologies to suit every application

By Richa Chakravarty

Tuesday, February 11, 2014: A recent addition to the security and surveillance industry is the high definition (HD) camera. Until recently, the only way to get HD resolutions was to use IP cameras, but now, HD CCTV cameras offer an alternative.

HD cameras come with a picture quality of 720 or 1080 TV lines (TVL) of resolution, with speeds of 30 frames per second. The best part about HD CCTV cameras is that they can be used with existing coaxial cables, making it possible to upgrade some existing CCTV cameras. So installers no longer need to extend an IP LAN to every HD camera mount in order to deliver the benefits of HD video. This means HD CCTV offers the benefits of both a wide screen and high resolution, giving users the best of both worlds in their surveillance applications.

The latest in the market

In October 2013, Vantage Integrated Security launched a full range of HD pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras. Along with the usual features of high-end speed dome cameras and a HD resolution of 1080p, these cameras come with the latest features of smart tracking and ‘region of interest’ (ROI), which makes PTZ cameras very easy to operate. “All the cameras in this range are full HD (1080p) with many variants in this series such as the 10.16 cm (4”) mini HD 20x PTZ high speed dome camera, the full HD 30x PTZ high speed dome camera, and the night vision full HD 30x PTZ high speed dome camera. These cameras also feature the latest H-PoE support and are now available with up to 30x optical zoom capabilities,” shares Prateek Verma, sales director, Vantage Integrated Security Solutions (P) Ltd.

Launched in November 2013, Bosch’s new range includes the Starlight HD (720p) camera, the VG5 7000 HD, the Flexidome 5000 IP and the bullet IR 5000 IP cameras. “While 720p Starlight cameras have a new class of sensors in combination with our latest dynamic noise reduction technology (CBIT), the VG5 7000 offers new intelligent tracking and alarms with on-board intelligent video analytics. Also, the Flexidome 5000 and Bullet IR offer true day/night variants,” informs Sudhir Tiku, head, South Asia, Bosch Security Systems.

Hikvision introduced a 5 megapixel full HD network box camera in October 2013, which comes with an IR cut filter with an auto switch, motion detection, tampering alarm, network disconnect, along with saturation, brightness and contrast adjustable mode that can be operated with client software or via a Web browser.

Launched in June 2013, Autocop offers Vivotek’s latest FD8372 professional bullet camera with 5-megapixel full HD resolution and image quality up to 30 fps. Informs Samir Ramadas, product manager, Autocop India Pvt Ltd, “This camera’s smart focus system allows for easy installation and adjustment by adopting a lens with a built-in stepper motor that can remotely control the focal length and precisely adjust the camera focus, ensuring hassle-free installation and maintenance.”

Axis Communications has recently launched its P5415-E PTZ camera. It is a reliable, low-maintenance PTZ camera and has a very light sensitive image sensor that enables it to deliver better image quality in low-light conditions than many other HDTV 1080p PTZ cameras. “Its pan/tilt system is durable and highly efficient since there are no mechanical parts such as belts or gears. The camera can be directly attached to the drive shaft of two motors—one for panning and another for tilting the camera,” says Sudhindra Holla, country manager, Axis Communications India.

Technological advancements

Content-based imaging technology (CBIT): This technology takes the analysis data of the sensor, image pipe, encoder and intelligent video analytics (IVA) module to dynamically tune the image processing, boosting image performance. Bosch HD cameras use this technology, which offers high clarity images even in extreme light sensitive conditions.

Intelligent video analytics (IVA): By introducing a new level of automation to video monitoring, this technology supports security personnel with a comprehensive and efficient event detection and alarm system. This edge-based, real-time processing IVA technology identifies ‘alert’ conditions, hence giving the security team the information it needs to react swiftly and take action. IVA enabled models provide a broad range of video content analysis features, such as people counting, line crossing, entering the field, flow detection and many more.

Intelligent alarm systems: This alarm technology alerts the concerned authorities at once when the cameras are being tampered with. When vandals realise there are security cameras that are watching them, they try to tamper with the camera in numerous ways. This technology alerts the authorities and ensures that the vandals are caught before any further damage is done.

Automatic CCTV identification and analytics: The latest trend is the development and adoption of automatic identification and analytics. Technological advancements have been made, particularly in the fields of sound and gait recognition, along with other advanced suspect identification and tracking systems. Advanced audio recognition CCTV software can identify sounds like gunfire and breaking of glass, and warn the CCTV operator. Similarly, on video, facial recognition software that identifies people from the side is becoming better.

Buying tips

There are various aspects that one needs to consider when buying a HD security camera. HD video is an important pre-requisite; hence, buyers should look into the megapixels offered and match it with their requirements (i.e., their purpose of monitoring). HDTV images provide better clarity, more details and improved colour reproduction. High definition video footage is very important to identify individuals and other minute details such as the number plate in a vehicle. Hence, when opting for an HD CCTV camera, a buyer should ensure the following:

• Efficient and clear capturing of video footage at all times—the cameras need to be able to adjust to various light and weather conditions

• HD cameras should be able to capture video at various angles to ensure every corner of the building/area is covered

• Apart from live streaming, HD cameras come with in-built storage cards that not only help store the video captured, but also ensure that this recording is available at a later date for analysis and insight. As the cameras operate 24/7, it is necessary to have good storage capacity in the camera

• Picture quality is measured by the number of horizontal lines the sensor chip in the camera provides and is called TV lines of resolution or TVL. Naturally, the higher the TVL, the better the quality of the image

• Infrared LEDs allow security cameras to ‘see’ in dark areas by flooding the area with infrared light. So, the more the number of LEDs, the better a camera can see in low light environments

• One should opt for a vandal-resistant camera with a hardened plastic or metal housing for its more rugged build

• An important factor to keep in mind when shopping for cameras is that the shorter the lens’ focal length (the mm spec), the wider your field of view will be.