SightLogix Video Analytics Examined

SightLogix is optimizing a video analytics solution for outdoor use in harsh weather conditions and over large areas. The product aims to be more sophisticated than solutions from Object Video, ioimage and Agent Vi. This report reviews the key claims, potential and evaluation metrics to be used in evaluating SightLogix. As I have not personally tested SightLogix's products, I cannot validate their claims. Nonetheless, the company has a significant track record to justify further industry consideration.

Need for Outdoor Video Analytic Products

Outdoor video analytics are challenging, especially for large-scale perimeter protection. Changing weather conditions significantly increases the risk for false alarms. At the same time, most security operators using video analytics are not staffed or willing to handle significant amounts of false alarms. On the implementation side, the costs and complication of installing perimeter protection can be very high as the ability to mount cameras, provide power and networking can be limited and expensive at the edge of a campus/base.

While some have success with outdoor video analytics, many are still having challenges making systems work effectively. Moreover, since many analytic providers are dedicating increased resources to retail analytics, having a strong option for outdoor security applications is a good force for the market. As such, new alternatives and increased capabilities would be valuable to consumers.

SightLogix Company Background

SightLogix has been developing video analytics products since 2003. Key engineering team members were previously at Sarnoff where they developed first generation video analytic solutions. SightLogix has recently been selected by the Department of Homeland Security for multi-year nationwide first responder projects.

SightLogix manufactures intelligent cameras. These cameras are an all-in-one appliance deployed in a similar manner to ioimage's cameras (but unlike ObjectVideo, SightLogix does not offer their software to be loaded on third party cameras). SightLogix is already supported by a number of leading video management systems including Milestone, Genetec, Cisco and NICE. Please review specifications of the product and watch a video demonstrating SightLogix's functionalities.

SightLogix Central Claims

SightLogix makes the following key claims that would differentiate and provide increased value to customers:

• Decrease false alerts: Unlike the common use of a single TI DSP, SightLogix uses a more complex, custom and costly solution. This approach makes it feasible to believe that SightLogix can accomplish this, despite this being a common claim by most suppliers.
• Increase range of coverage: SightLogix claims their cameras can cover 3x the distance of competitor's cameras (1500 versus 500 feet). To the extent that they can do this, this could significantly reduce the number of cameras, and more importantly, the associated infrastructure and construction costs for cameras.
• Provide geotargeting of suspects. Sightlogic tracks and displays the real-time movements of suspects on a 2D map, even before a perimeter breach. If you have seen demos of Vistascape, this is quite similar (watch the SightLogix sample movie to view). Geotargeting helps monitors more quickly and accurately intercept suspects.
• Mount cameras on building rather than fenceline: Combining the longer range of the cameras with the geotracking, SightLogix offers the potential of mounting cameras on buildings rather than on the fenceline. Such a design change could significantly reduce infrastructure and operational costs (which are far higher at the perimeter than on a building).

Relative Cost of SightLogix

SightLogix's products are approximately 4x to 5x more expensive than smart cameras from ioimage or ObjectVideo. If they meet their claims, for large-scale outdoor deployments, they should be able to justify the increased cost through improved accuracy, lower installation costs, fewer cameras required and/or easier operation

Key Area to Evaluate

To determine if SightLogix provides value for your application, you should evaluate 3 key areas:

• How well does SightLogix decrease false alerts? This is an obvious but important element to evaluate all video analytic providers. Specifically for SightLogix you should examine how much better SightLogix performs in harsh conditions and applications with very low tolerance for false alerts. This is an area of highest need in the market today. Sighlogix could emerge as a strong choice for the most demanding military and critical infrastructure deployments.
• How much greater range does SightLogix provide? To the extent that SightLogix can reduce camera count, SightLogix has the potential to offer a lower overall cost than using multiple, individually less expensive smart cameras. Nonetheless, this should not be taken for granted. Basic environmental issues such as lack of line of sight (e.g., hills) could reduce the total camera savings. These benefits should be examined relative to the physical layout of the facility you are considering deployment.
• How much infrastructure/construction costs does SightLogix eliminate? This depends on the range that Sighlogix can achieve and the reliability of the geotracking. If you can mount on buildings instead of fencelines, you can easily save $5000 or more per camera eliminated. If this saves you from installing new poles, the savings can even be far higher.

Concluding Thoughts

SightLogix's approach offers significant potential in a key area of the market that has faced many challenges in the last few years. Integrators and customers should carefully consider SightLogix for outdoor video analytic projects.