A Strategy to Maximize the Effectiveness of your Video System

Creating the best system for your needs is easy when you use Honeywell’s approach. Generally speaking, for the most effective system, you need to consider a number of variables that affect visible scenes, image quality and available storage. You need to be able to record the right images at a quality level that provides sufficient evidence of the incident. When cameras work together as a team you can identify specific individuals, places where they have left fingerprints, actions they performed, all within the date and time-stamped period which they were present.

Here are some suggestions that raise the effectiveness of your video system.

1. When designing a system, there are two main sections that need to be evaluated:

   1. Choosing the right cameras based on what conditions are at each location

   2. Choosing the right head-end based on who will be using the system, how easy it needs to be, how available it needs to be, what its main purposes are, etc. Different designers may come up with very different ideas to address these two parts of the system and so it is very important to listen closely to the needs of the end-users.

2. When choosing a camera, one of the first decisions is between fixed and PTZ (Pan, Tilt and Zoom) cameras.

   1. Fixed cameras record one area of view continuously. PTZ cameras can record multiple views, but must be controlled either by on-site security, surveillance staff or automatically by using pre-sets or triggers from other systems such as intrusion or access control. Fixed cameras are less expensive but it will require more of them to get the same coverage area as a single PTZ. When staff is available, the advantage of a PTZ is to gain overlapping coverage, with giving up the recorded views of the fixed cameras.

3. By integrating the intrusion detection system with the camera system, opening doors and windows, or triggering a motion detector can cause the video camera to direct itself to the area requiring observation. The intrusion detection system can apply different behaviors for when the system is armed, as opposed to when it is disarmed. PTZ ‘s have the ability to take alarm inputs such as a window contact, motion sensor or glass break, When these inputs are activated, cameras can either go to a preset position or a tour, which means the camera will pan across an area that has been previously programmed.

4. Color vs. Monochrome. Cameras have a wide variety of options which allow the right camera to be chosen for each location. Color cameras are typically the standard, unless the area of coverage has inadequate lighting conditions. Today’s color cameras have much better low-lux ratings than in the past, but monochrome cameras still have lower ratings. If the area to be viewed has very low illumination, it still may be best to use a quality black and white camera for particular areas.

5. Day-Night. The best of both worlds is to use a day-night camera, or a camera that switches from color to monochrome when the lux level reaches a certain level. There are two types of day-night cameras:

   1. True Day-Night (TDN). This camera has a mechanical cut-filter, which is removed when the lighting conditions drop to a certain level, thus, allowing the camera to operate in monochrome, which has greater lighting sensitivities and will see more in dark conditions.

   2. Software enhanced Day-Night (SDN). This camera does the same thing as the true day-night, but via software instead of hardware. The difference is a slight loss of picture quality and potential difficulty in adjusting when there is infra-red lighting

   NOTE: It is important to understand that unless a TDN lens is used with a TDN camera; all the benefits of the camera will not be utilized. A TDN lens, however, should not be used with a software-enhanced SDN camera.

6. Standard vs. High Resolution. Cameras typically have a choice between standard and high resolution. Total vertical lines (TVL) will determine the picture sharpness. The higher the resolution, the crisper the picture quality, with less graininess. Higher resolution does carry a higher cost, and some customers may not see enough difference to pay the higher cost. Also, it is important to note that the resolution of the camera is only as good as the monitor it will be viewed at, or the recording device being used. If the monitor is only rated for standard resolution, a higher resolution camera will bring no value, thus wasting the additional cost. Also, if the recording device cannot record at the higher resolution there is no need to use a higher resolution camera.

7. Use cameras at each entrance to a protected area and at each high-security area like cash registers, ATMs, and Vending areas. At all key points, it is best to use a grouping of fixed cameras that ensure you don’t miss any important scenes, and all necessary areas are covered. Consider the following items you will want to capture at these key points:

   1. Close up of face or profile

   2. Color of clothing

   3. Height of individual

   4. Build of individual

8. Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). Lighting conditions at entrances (doorways, lobbies, etc.) can be very harsh. With the contrast between bright sunlight and the darker interior, many cameras will not be able to record the necessary detail. In these cases, it is good to look at Wide Dynamic Cameras which are specifically designed for areas of extreme lighting contrast. These cameras are more expensive than standard fixed cameras, but are only necessary in those few entrance locations and do make a dramatic difference in the quality of video that is recorded.

9. The quality of the camera will tremendously affect DVR performance. Graininess, low DB levels, signal to noise ratios, poor video connections – all adversely affect hard-drive storage, which could easily drive up the cost of a project. Two technologies to consider combating these issues are DNR and DSS. Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) removes noise artifacts, improving the performance of motion detection and typically giving end users the ability to record for longer periods using their existing DVR unit. Digital Slow Shutter (DSS) technology improves the light sensitivity of the camera and extends its usable range.

10. Use cameras at each transaction location. Consider the following items that you will want to capture using close-range cameras at nearby locations and long-range cameras when the camera is located away from the close-up action:

    1. Direct activity in the cash drawer

    2. Direct activity of merchandise being purchased and bagged

    3. Images of the employee and the customer

    4. Direct activity at product counting tables, such as in pharmacies, manufacturing, and other places where procedures must be monitored.

11. Once each individual have been identified by entry cameras, you can obtain useful video of general travel through the building or protected area. Use cameras to collect general activity views like:

    1. General location of individual in the building

    2. An individual’s general contact with door frames, counters, and things they handle

    3. Use clothing colors and patterns to aid in identifying individuals.

12. If you have multiple DVRs in a location or organization, it is good to have an overall video management system to limit confusion.