7 possibilities of modern video surveillance

The first video surveillance system was launched 76 years ago. At that time, cameras were installed solely for the needs of the military, but gradually the technology found application in other areas. Earlier such systems had only a data acquisition function. The capabilities of modern video surveillance have expanded considerably to include analysis of collected data and decision-making. Therefore, it’s being installed not only to solve security issues.

Features of modern surveillance systems

Modern cameras are equipped with sensors and controllers. All elements are built into the camera, the lack of the need for additional devices makes the systems oversized and simple.

The main features of modern surveillance systems include:

• facial recognition (it’s easier to identify intruders, look for a specific person in the crowd);
• online viewing of video and work with the archive of recordings from any device (you can watch the house from your smartphone on vacation);
• identification of a running person in a crowd (and any uncharacteristic movements that could be a signal of danger);
• recognizing license plates (so you don't have to write down the number of a troublemaker in a hurry, or to know who's coming to visit);
• finding and reacting to things left unattended (always better to be reinsured);
• availability of infrared illumination (no need for an additional light source at night);
• start recording after detecting motion in the monitored area (to record only the «interesting» things);
• rotation of the camera to track a specific object (due to the bracket).

Types and uses of cameras

Cameras can be analog or digital, and the type of signal determines the quality of the shooting. IP cameras are the most popular today. They work with data in digital form and use the Internet for transmission, and it is their many features that were mentioned earlier.

The cameras are also divided into body cameras and modular cameras. The latter are a lens and board and can be mounted in any housing. Body cameras can be dome, cylindrical, cubic, etc. The angle of view depends on the lens and the type of housing. The camera can be narrow (angle of 5-7 degrees) and omnidirectional (360 degrees of view). The wider the viewing angle, the smaller the range, and vice versa. There are miniature (built into the interior) and camouflaged (imitate light bulbs, smoke detectors) cameras.

Dome cameras are often installed in office premises, cameras on brackets — in stores. For outdoor installation, special external models are designed, whose housing protects against temperature fluctuations, humidity and mechanical damage (vandal-proof).

Organizing data storage

There are several options for storing the data that cameras record. The most convenient solution is cloud video surveillance, where information is stored on the cloud of the service provider, which is accessed 24/7.

The second option is to record data to the video recorder of the owner of the video surveillance system. Modern recorders can simultaneously receive signals from 64 cameras. However, when choosing this type of data storage, the subscriber himself should take care of the performance, accessibility and availability of free space on the server.

If you imagined a situation where, like in the movies, an intruder would cut the wire to the camera or de-energize the building, fear not. Some modern IP camcorders have built-in data storage and a battery. If the connection to the server is lost, the camera will switch to saving data on its own storage medium.

The capabilities of a video surveillance system largely depend not only on the camera's characteristics, but also on the accompanying software. It’s thanks to the software that you can configure the camera actions at a particular event. What software you use determines what your camera «can» do.

Video surveillance from Maxnet

Our company offers implementation of individual video surveillance projects for business and home. For each room we choose the optimal location and type of cameras, and offer ways to store data. We recommend using cloud data storage — it's not only cheaper, but also more convenient. The subscriber won’t have any difficulties scaling the system (no need to change the recorder when choosing a new camera type), no need to worry about maintaining its performance. At the design stage we offer cameras with a resolution of 2-18 megapixels.

As a platform we provide licensed software, which implements a large set of features. After the design, our experts install the cameras and configure the software, and after the launch of the system they provide support.

Video surveillance technology doesn’t stand still, new features are constantly emerging. For example, the cameras have already received a dusk color function (conventional IR illumination only captures a black and white picture). We have our finger on the pulse and know exactly how to create a project that effectively addresses security, quality control and monitoring issues. For a consultation, contact us by leaving a request on the page.