ExacqVision software update

Taken from the Exacq Blog:

Version 3.6 of exacqVision Video Management Software has just been released. This latest release, compatible with all exacqVision Hybrid and IP video surveillance systems, incorporates new features and enhancements, and continues our quest for rapid, incremental updates.

Version 3.6 is available for download here. Key features in the 3.6 Release:

• Enhanced Smart Search
• Multi-System User Configuration
• Basler IP camera support
• IQeye 4-series IP camera support
• PCSC Access Control integration

CCTV Installation Rules of Thumb

Camera Positioning

-To reduce reflections, always position the camera/lens as forward as possible inside the housing.

-Always position fixed cameras below the horizon to eliminate sunlight glare.

-Always be aware of true east and west when designing outdoor camera systems. If cameras are facing east or west, there is a good chance you will see unwanted glare from these directions. Proper placement of cameras in relation to east and west is critical to a properly designed CCTV surveillance system.

Dome Types

-The use of tinted domes will reduce the available light to the camera. Typically, a normal tinting will reduce the light by a factor of 1 f-stop. This is equivalent to dividing the available light by 2.

-The use of mirrored domes will greatly reduce the available light to the camera. Typically a mirrored dome will reduce the light by a factor of 2 f-stops or more. This is equivalent to dividing the available light by 4.

PTZ Cameras vs. Fixed

-If a guard is available 24/7 to monitor, PTZ cameras are a practical solution.

-If searching “after the fact” is the norm, then PTZ cameras are not as practical as fixed with the proper field of view.

Megapixel vs. Analog Cameras

-Digital pan/tilt/zoom is very popular among security directors when searching for video after an incident has occurred. Megapixel cameras will give you the ability to perform digital pan/tilt and zoom features when searching for video. Megapixel camera will give you better resolution than analog cameras, but will require more hard drive capacity for storage.

Video Motion Detectors

-REMEMBER: If you can’t see it, you can’t detect it.

-Use the correct camera/lens for the desired field of view

Wiring runs with fixed mounts

-Many mounts now have accommodations for running the wiring inside the mounts and exiting just below the cameras. Make sure you utilize this feature if your mount has it to improve the aesthetics of the installation.

Should IP cameras be UL Listed?

Occasionally, customers ask me about "Underwriters Laboratories"-listed IP cameras (devices tested and approved by the nonprofit product safety organization). They wonder whether or not a non-UL-listed IP camera can cause a life-safety issue during any life-threatening emergency. All IP cameras should be powered up using a UL-listed power supply, whether a POE switch or a power injector. I am not sure if you can even find a non-UL-listed POE switch and injector, so for all practical purposes, it should be a non-issue. Since all Power Over Ethernet IP cameras lack their own power supplies, they wouldn't be listed with UL. If someone has a good reason to use a non-UL-listed camera, I would love to hear it.

Q&A #1

A question from a local building and grounds director:

Q: I am currently recording video with DVRs. This gives me the retention I need but my cameras are not giving me the quality I need to identify students. Some of my DVRs are now going “End of Life”. My analog cameras are still working properly even though they are not giving me the proper resolution so I can identify people. What is the best way to correct this problem?

A: This isn't uncommon. Your first issue is the video quality. One way to correct this is to check the camera's lens type. If it's a varifocal lens, then try zooming in closer to obtain the required field of view (so you're able to identify students).

Alternatively, replace the lens with a telephoto lens. Instead of using an 8 mm lens, use a 25 mm lens instead. This will give you a more close-up view of the scene and maybe allow the operator to identify students. Many of the camera manufacturers now offer a lens field of view calculator, which indicates what mm lens will offer you the best field of view based upon your requirements.

As for your DVRs' end of life, try hybrid DVRs. Ensure that the hybrid DVR is compatible with the Video Management Software being considered for future.

Power over Ethernet for IP Surveillance Systems

You've probably seen advertisements for POE switches and POE-compatible IP cameras. Here's what this all means, at least as far as IP cameras and other devices that are installed over an Ethernet network.

POE is an established technology that provides low-voltage direct current (DC) power delivery to network devices over the same wires that currently carry data. This means you can now run only one cable and still be able to both power the device and transfer data. The specifications come from the IEEE standard 802.af. This allows the powering device to use a voltage from 36-57 VCD. The most common voltage found is 48 volts.

Here are the different classes of POE devices.
Class Usage Maximum Power Levels at Input of Powered Device [Watt]
0 Default 0.44 - 12.94
1 Optional 0.44 - 3.84
2 Optional 3.84 - 6.49
3 Optional 6.49 - 12.95
4 Reserved (PSEs classify as Class 0)

One of the problems with CCTV IP cameras is that sometimes a heater, blower and a PTZ device are needed in some applications. The current standard only provides a maximum of 15.4 watts. Most PTZ devices and heaters and blower exceed this maximum.

There is good news on the horizon. A future standard, commonly referred to as POE+, is being developed by the IEEE 802.3at task force. There is still debate on the maximum wattage, but it is typically between 24 and 30 watts. This will allow many manufacturers to design their PTZ cameras with heaters and blowers around this new standard and still only run one cable to the camera location from the network switch.

Understanding IP Megapixel Resolution

Many end users will specify a mega pixel resolution camera but not consider what they will actually see with the cameras themselves. Many manufacturers have their own numbers for the ability to identify people and license plates. This number is called the pixel density (how many pixels are available in a given space) and is stated as pixels per foot. We will use one manufacturer’s number of 45 pixels per foot to be able to read a license plate.

Let’s say we have a three megapixel camera and we want to know if we will be able to have license plate recognition (LPR). The formula for determining this is as follows:
Pixel Density (PD) = Pixels (camera resolution)/ Field of View.
For our example, our field of view is 30 feet.
The horizontal pixel count for a 3 mega pixel camera is 2048 pixels.

PD = 2048 / 30
PD = 68.2 pixels per foot

The answer is yes, we will be able to read the license plate with a field of view of 30 feet, using a 3 megapixel camera.

We can look at this from another perspective. What would my field of view be if I have a 5 megapixel camera and I still want to have the ability to view license plates?
The horizontal pixel count for a 5 mega pixel camera is 2592 pixels.
Field of View (FOV) = Pixels / Pixel Density

FOV = 2592 / 45
FOV = 57.6 feet

Before the camera system is installed, examine what exactly you want to view and don't just blindly install cameras in all locations.

Success in Flushing Community School District

Between top education priorities and the Fourth of July weekend, we didn't have time to put together a new tip for you. Fortunately, our friends at Exacq have a success story to share.

The Flushing Community School District covers 65 square miles, with a population of approximately 25,000. K-12 enrollment is approximately 4,277 students, with 8 school buildings serving the educational needs of the students.

exacqVision video management software (VMS) was installed to help Flushing administration "monitor student behavior after the fact." exacqVision is installed on two industry standard servers with video recording to a 30TB iSCSI disk array. ExacqVision manages 149 IP cameras and encoders located throughout 8 school buildings to provide a safe and orderly environment in which all student have an opportunity to realize their potential.

Each school has the exacqVision client software installed on the principals' and secretaries' PCs, giving them access to only those cameras located in their buildings. When an incident is reported, staff will search digital video recorded on the servers to investigate and support their findings. Video can be easily exported to a DVD or USB flash drive and may be shown to students, parents or police as per board policy. Video evidence helps Flushing reduce repeat offenses.

The complete success story can be found at http://www.exacq.com/downloads/exacqvision-education-fcs.pdf.