IP video surveillance
It is said IP video surveillance that type of installation that uses a data network as a communication vector between the devices. This infrastructure is made only with category 5 or higher UTP cables and in addition, if necessary, with external power lines (generally at 12VDC). Unlike the "traditional" system, the structure of an IP system can be branched with the aid of specific equipment (network switch) to allow greater flexibility of installation and possibility of future extensions.
As you can see in the connection diagram, this type of installation can reduce the amount of physical connections between the cameras and the recording unit considerably compared to the "traditional" system. All this is possible with the routing of data packets (images or audio in our case) between the peripherals and then passing on a single cable to the NVR. For the use of this technology it is necessary to have the knowledge of networks to correctly configure each single piece of equipment. These will have a unique address on their network which will be essential to recognize each device and establish communication. Then will be the task of the NVR to archive, compress and possibly analyze the images that will already be sent as digital data from the individual cameras. Furthermore, with this technology it is possible to access the internal configuration of the cameras to calibrate all those values that would normally be modified directly on board (such as exposure, WDR, Smar IR, etc.), even remotely via a PC connected to the network.
It is necessary to distinguish two main types of IP or "network" cameras:
- cameras with PoE power supply : these are powered directly from the network cable as long as there is a peripheral (switch or NVR itself) upstream that has the possibility of supplying a PoE power supply on the port to which it is connected. It therefore does not require external power supplies.
- cameras with external power supply : these, on the other hand, need an external power supply (normally 12VDC) in order to function, as well as the network connection.
Camera solutions
Speed-Dome
The "Speed-Dome" cameras are outdoor or indoor cameras equipped with motorization on several lens axes and with lenses with electronic Zoom and Focus adjustment. This type of movement makes it possible to make the shot dynamic, therefore controllable manually via the recording unit itself or remotely or controlled automatically, by setting the so-called "tour" that is a defined path in which the camera must follow certain conditions or "following" a certain moving object (called "tracking").
Traditional with interchangeable lens
The "traditional" cameras are fixed-frame indoor cameras, which can also be installed outdoors by inserting them inside special thermo-heated enclosures. These enclosures by means of thermo-heating avoid the fogging of the external glass caused by the thermal excursion and by the humidity present in the environment.
These cameras use interchangeable lenses according to the framing needs, with manual optics and electric diaphragm, in order to adapt a single camera to very heterogeneous scenes.
Bullet
The "Bullet" cameras are all of those indoor and outdoor cylindrical cameras with an upper sunshield and frontally equipped with an illuminator for viewing in conditions of absence of light.
Very versatile, easy to install and orient, normally an excellent solution for quality / price ratio able to satisfy most requests.
The presence of an infrared illuminator allows the viewing of images even in the total absence of light using an illumination not visible to the human eye even at considerable distances. Normally they integrate a manual varifocal lens able to calibrate the frame according to the scene to be analyzed.
Fixed mini-domes
"Fixed Mini-Dome" cameras are indoor or outdoor cameras for ceiling or wall installation, which due to their shape are aesthetically less invasive and in some cases use "vandal-proof" solutions for particularly exposed installations.
There are also solutions with infrared illuminator for viewing images in the absence of light.
Compared to the Speed-Domes, they have a fixed-frame lens with a fixed varifocal lens, therefore manually adjustable with respect to the scene directly on the camera but not remotely modifiable.
Discrete or hidden cameras
The "discrete" cameras are all those cameras hidden inside commonly used objects (such as: sensors, sirens, lighting, electrical components, etc.).
The small size of the machine body allows it to be hidden in relatively small objects. These, for any operation in the absence of light, require an external lighting source, since they cannot house the on-board illuminator.
They become a very flexible solution for special needs and highly effective if installed correctly. They can also make on-board recordings on microSD.
Recording unit (or NVR)
The recording unit (or NVR) is the heart of the system, where all video streams are collected and stored inside a hard disk or a remote network device.
This equipment must be protected and possibly hidden inside special containers or cabinets, to prevent damage or theft of the equipment itself.
The machines must firstly be reliable and stable, equipment of excellent quality capable of guaranteeing correct operation over the years, and secondly, as far as possible, easy to use and consult even by the customer, who in case of need has the ability to intuitively manage their recordings.
These will then also be accessible remotely on a PC using specific specially designed centralization tools and via APP on Android or iOS peripherals with an extremely simplified interface.
Inside it contains one or several hard disks for archiving and backing up images, suitably sized according to the complexity of the system.
Network switch
If the recording unit has a single network port for connecting the cameras or if for installation requirements it is necessary to branch the connections, it is essential to use a network switch.
These have 5 or more ports available and unless otherwise specified, each single port has the same priority as the rest, thus making the connection simple and immediate. It will be the switch itself that will correctly route the data packets between the peripherals properly configured between them.
As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, they can be:
- "standard" switch : with all available ports without PoE power output (also used for Internet network connections).
- PoE switch : with one or more ports with PoE power output (to which the respective PoE cameras will be connected).
As with recording units, it is important to use reliable, quality switches to avoid temporary loss of service.
UPS and power supplies
An important part of the system is the power section. This must guarantee the power supply of the entire video surveillance system even in the momentary absence of energy and protect the equipment in the event of voltage fluctuations.
These devices will therefore be sized according to the complexity of the system and the request for autonomy in the absence of power.
All system equipment is then powered by uninterruptible power supplies or power supplies with backup batteries.
Monitors and management peripherals
Finally, specific monitors for video surveillance and management peripherals (such as mice, keyboards and joysticks) are necessary for the correct use by the user and viewing images in a simple and clear way.
