New Trend: IP Public View Monitors

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Brian Rhodes
•Published Jul 19, 2012 00:00 AM
PUBLIC - This article does not require an IPVM subscription. Feel free to share.

While Public View Monitors have been a fundamental surveillance tool for many years, they have been analog-only, and therefore fit awkawardly into IP surveillance systems. Now IP versions are coming to market. In this note, we examine IP based PVMs and compare them to traditional offerings.

PVM overview:

Most PVMs are placed at building entrances to display an image captured from an onboard camera. This shows everyone passing by the monitor that video surveillance is deployed and in-use throughout the facility. Not only does this signal a 'safe' environment to honest occupants, it warns troublemakers that they are under observation. For background review our "Public View Monitors" report.

The image below displays an example IP PVM unit, a network connected ViewZ 26" LCD/2.1 MP PVM [link no longer available]:

Advantages

IP versions have 3 key advantages over their analog counterparts:

1. Megapixel Resolution Enhances Utility: Given the greater resolution and wider FoV afforded by megapixel cameras, IP PVMs have the advantage of 'seeing more' than their analog counterparts. Not only can they see more of a given scene, but the increase pixel density could record details not resolute with non-MP models.

2. Multi-purpose use: IP based PVMs can be used for more than just video surveillance displays. Once networked, they can also be used a mass-notification displays, advertising signage, or self-help kiosk displays. This additional functionality can improve more than security in an area; IP PVMs provide an output for dynamic promotional content configured to run during specific intervals (ie: Breakfast Products in the morning, Dinner Products in the evening) or serve as emergency message displays (ie: lost children, weather warnings) aside from just displaying surveillance video. The image below shows a VuIT IP PVM demonstrating the Digital Signage function. This demo looped between pre-produced advertisement and live views from the integrated camera:

3. Straightforward integration into VMS platforms: Perhaps the greatest strength of IP PVMs is the ability to directly connect the camera into the recorder. Given that many PVMs only display the output of the integrated camera, the addition of an IP camera eliminates the need for a secondary encoder. For PVMs used to display the output views from several cameras or a VMS client, the IP connection can mean the elimination of several expensive pieces of equipment like additional workstations or decoder units.

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Product Options

Here are two commercially available IP PVMs:

ViewZ VZ-26iPVMZ [link no longer available]:

  • 2.1 MP camera, 3.6 - 16mm VF lens
  • 26" LED display (600TVL / 1366 x 768 resolution)
  • Display output: 2 cameras max (Integrated MP camera + 1 locally connected analog)
  • Limited VMS integration, RTSP streaming only
  • Pricing: 26" model priced at $2500, other sizes to follow later in year

VuIT VIP Series [link no longer available]:

The VuIT PVM was being demonstrated in the Axis booth at NRF-LP 2012. The product is in the early stages of distribution and is not currently yet available. Final pricing is subject to pending agreements and is not public.

  • Contains Axis M3114 camera:
  • 1280 X 800 camera, 2.0 mm Fixed lens
  • MultiQ PVM Integration for use as Digital Signage or Mass Notification Roles
  • Multi-Pane/Quadview IP camera output
  • VMS integration equivalent to M3114/ONVIF.
  • Pricing has not been released

Negatives

Limited Selection: Because IP PVMs are new products, the selection of screen sizes and camera specifications are not as broad as analog version. At the current time, only a small number of manufacturers are producing IP PVMs, and some are still in the pre-distribution/resell phase. However, early pricing ranges from $2500 and upward.

More Expensive: IP PVMs are more expensive that their analog counterparts. In many cases, justifying the additional cost may prove difficult, especially given the simple, straightforward role that most PVMs provide: local display of a single, attached camera. Especially during the 'early adoption' period, costs of the IP units will sell between $800 - $1500 more than the closest analog equivalent.

However, if the additional features of the IP PVM enhance utility of the units, then the addition cost may be justified compared to piecing together a custom solution.

While the prices of analog PVMs are broad, from less than $500 for small screen and marginal camera performance up to $2500 for units with million-hour duty cycles and high quality analog cameras. For example, a retailer may find value in digital dynamic signage displaying product specials at store entries, and sporting arenas might be able to consolidate mass notification displays with security cameras to improve facility surveillance