This is the second and final part about the transition from analog to digital video surveillance. The first part is available . This time we will talk about the transition from one system to another and give comparative characteristics. Well, let's get started.
We form a new set for video surveillance.
The picture above shows a finished video surveillance system with IP cameras. But let's start in order. An analog system includes, as a minimum:
- camera
- DVR
As a maximum:
- Camera
- DVR
- PTZ control panel
- Screen for viewing the picture
Now let's look at the difference between a digital video surveillance system.
Minimum set:
- IP camera
- Switch (PoE or normal)
Max set:
- IP camera
- Switch (PoE or normal)
- DVR
- PTZ control panel
- Screen for viewing the picture
As you can see, the difference lies not only in the fact that analog cameras are connected directly to the DVR, but IP cameras require a switch. The IP camera itself can send video to any server (local NAS or remote FTP) or save video to a flash drive. It should be noted that the addition of a PoE switch also greatly facilitates the work, since when installing a large number of cameras in a place remote from the registrar, it is not necessary to pull a cable from each camera, but just pull one line from the switch.
Camera types
Each task has its own tool. We will consider the main types and their areas of application. It must be said right away that we will describe outdoor cameras that are used for typical tasks. There are variations and subspecies, but there are only 3 main types of cameras.
Cylindrical
Classic cylindrical outdoor camera. The case, as a rule, is made of strong plastic or metal with a round or rectangular section. All optics and electronics are mounted inside. The lens can be varifocal or without the ability to zoom and adjust sharpness. The simplest and most common option. Easy to install and set up. A lot of modifications with different characteristics. Set once and forget.
Dome
Such cameras are more common indoors because the most applicable installation location is the ceiling. They take up very little space. Easy to set up. All electronics, lens and matrix are mounted in one block. Set it up once and forget it. There are modifications with a built-in microphone and an external speaker to communicate with the observed object.
Swivel or dome swivel
The main advantage of these cameras is the ability to pan and zoom in on the image. One such camera allows you to view a large area at once. It can work according to the program (zoom in on object 1, turn around to object 2, inspect the entire area, zoom in on object 3) or at the operator's command. They cost a little more, but they do not have the disadvantages of the two previous cameras - there is no need to physically be near the camera to reconfigure the object of observation.
Since the object of observation is a house, any type of cameras could be used. In order for the system to turn out to be budgetary, but at the same time meet the requirements for image quality, it was decided to use two types of cameras: cylindrical - for inspecting the perimeter and dome - for monitoring the front door and parking lot.
Camera selection
The basis of the video surveillance system was a novelty in the Russian market - a camera . This camera with its compact dimensions has a lot of positive qualities:
- wide operating temperature range: from -30 to +60
- Complete waterproof and dustproof (IP66)
- Full HD (1920*1080) resolution support
- Support transmission over Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- Power over PoE support (only in modifications without Wi-Fi)
- H.264 codec support
- Ability to record to microSD
- Ability to work through the cloud, or with a local DVR
To estimate the dimensions of the camera (176 x 84 x 70 mm), I placed an AA battery next to it. If you are interested in a detailed review of this camera or a comparison with the younger C3C model, write in the comments and I will put it in a separate article.
For comparison with the analog camera that was installed before, a few shots were taken.
It is worth noting that the camera is equipped with IR LEDs and backlight compensation technology, so it can work in complete darkness or with side illumination from a bright moon, snow, or a spotlight. As practice has shown, the object is distinguishable at a distance of up to 20-25 meters in complete darkness and is clearly visible from a distance of 10 meters. The camera supports High Digital Range (HDR) at 120dB. Add to this that the camera can work completely autonomously, without a DVR, recording all videos on a USB flash drive, and access to the camera is possible through an application on a smartphone. And this does not even require a white IP - it is enough to provide access to the camera to the Internet.
What is WDR or HDRWDR (Wide Dynamic Range - wide dynamic range) is a technology that allows you to get high quality images at any difference in light levels.
Another name is HDR or "high dynamic range". When simultaneously hitting areas with a large difference in the level of illumination, a standard video camera calculates the exposure to cover the maximum gradations of brightness. If the camera reduces the amount of light to optimize the highlights, then all areas that are in the shadows will become too dark, and, conversely, when correcting areas with a low level of brightness, the highlights will become too washed out. WDR is measured in decibels (dB).
A dome camera was chosen to monitor the entrance and parking in front of the house. . It has a shorter effective viewing distance in the dark, but at the same time it supports resolutions up to FullHD and is perfectly placed on the facade of the building without attracting much attention. The advantage of the camera is that it is endowed with a microphone and allows you to record video with sound, which is especially important for recording dialogues when someone knocks on the door. The camera is powered exclusively by PoE, can record to the installed microSD card and is endowed with a web interface through which you can monitor what is happening. Another interesting feature is the SIP client. You can connect the camera to a telephony provider or your own VoIP server, and upon a given event (sound movement in the frame), the camera will dial the required subscriber and start broadcasting sound and images.
- Operating temperature range: -40 to +60
- Full moisture and dust protection (IP67)
- Full HD (1920*1080) resolution support
- Ethernet transmission support
- PoE support
- H.264 and H.265 codec support
- Ability to record to microSD
- The presence of a built-in microphone
- Embedded web server
- Built-in SIP client
Another camera was installed under the canopy to view the entire site with an access road. In this case, there were particularly high requirements for image quality, so the camera was chosen . It is capable of sending 3 streams with FullHD picture quality and can make SIP calls when there is movement in a given area. Powered by PoE and works great with glare and side lighting.
- Operating temperature range: -40 to +60
- Full moisture and dust protection (IP67)
- Full HD (1920*1080) resolution support
- Ethernet transmission support
- Support for PoE and 12V DC
- H.264 and H.265 codec support
- Ability to record to microSD
- Variable focal length
- Embedded web server
- Built-in SIP client
Preparing the network
So, we decided on the cameras and now we need to put everything together and save the video. Since the home network is not very large, it was decided not to physically separate the video surveillance network and the home network, but to combine them together. Since the amount of information is growing every year, and the video on the home server is increasingly stored in FullHD resolution, a stake was placed on building a gigabit network. For correct operation, you need a good switch with PoE support. The main requirements were simple: high reliability, stable power supply, support for PoE and Gigabit Ethernet. The solution was found quickly and smart switch was chosen to create a home network .
It is made in a standard format, occupies 1 unit in a 19" rack and is capable of powering PoE devices up to 450 W - this is enormous power, given that the selected cameras, even when IR illumination is turned on, consume no more than 10 W. The device has 24 ports in total, you can configure the power schedule for each port, the speed and everything that smart switches can do. port activity, at the bottom - ports that are powered by PoE. In case of configuration problems, this allows you to immediately determine whether the camera has received power or configuration problems. In general, the device is from the βset it and forget itβ category.
DVR
In order for the video surveillance system to be complete and to be able to view old recordings, a server or NVR is needed. The great thing about Network Video Recorder is that they only work with IP cameras. The requirements were simple: support for all cameras, storage of information for at least two weeks, ease of setup and reliable operation. Since I already had experience with QNAP NAS, I decided to use this company's NVR in my system. For my task, one of the younger models with support for 8 cameras was suitable. So, the registrar was chosen as the storage and playback system . Support for two hard drives with a total capacity of 8 TB, a gigabit network port and a familiar web interface tip the scales in favor of this NVR.
The recorder itself supports recording video streams according to H.264, MPEG-4 and M-JPEG standards from cameras connected to it. All selected cameras support H.264 codec. It should be noted that this codec allows you to significantly reduce the video bitrate without losing image quality, but this requires serious computing resources. This codec has many functions, including the adaptation of cyclic actions. For example, a swinging tree branch will not take as much bitrate as when using the M-JPEG codec.
Attentive readers will notice a resemblance to this company's NAS . It should be noted that the filling of the models is similar, differentΠΈonly the number of channels for connecting video cameras (8 for NVR versus 2 for NAS) and support for NAS drives with a capacity of 10 TB each (against 4 TB each for NVR) are specified.
The settings interface is familiar and familiar to everyone who has dealt with this technique.
And viewing of all cameras and recorded video is carried out through proprietary software. In general, the model is simple and functional.
Comparison of cameras
And now I propose to compare the picture from only one camera. It will be significant enough. The first shot is the operation of an analog camera at night with a spotlight turned on from the side. original resolution.
The second shot is the operation of an analog camera at night with the spotlight turned off. Illumination by IR illumination of the camera. original resolution.
The third shot is the operation of the IP camera at night with the spotlight turned off. Illumination by IR illumination of the camera. original resolution.
In addition to the increased resolution (1920 * 1080 versus 704 * 576), we see a noticeably clearer picture, because the frame is processed by the camera itself and a ready-made picture is sent to the video surveillance server without interference that may appear in the analog video signal on the way to the recorder. On the frame itself, you can even see the backlight of other CCTV cameras.
A moment of relaxation for the eyes
Literally 5 minutes from the recording of the Ezviz C3S camera installed next to the feeder.
Conclusion
As mentioned in the first part, a video surveillance system based on IP video cameras is not much more expensive than an analog set similar in function. But with digital technology, functionality can grow with the advent of new firmware, and the analog system almost always changes entirely if new functionality is required (sometimes the issue is solved by replacing the heart of the system - a DVR). Using this project as an example, it became clear that creating a video surveillance system is a fairly simple procedure if you follow a plan: set a task, make a diagram, determine the required parameters, select equipment, mount and configure.
And remember: video surveillance is not the protection of your home. This is just one of the elements that will help prevent break-ins or find unexpected guests. Try to position the cameras so that you can see the faces of those entering. In addition, the video surveillance server must be well hidden or all records must be duplicated in a remote storage. And may your home always be your fortress!
Source: habr.com