Large construction projects require constant communication among all trades, including security installers. Most are totally reliant on others to keep them informed on project changes, and even simple errors in construction design can bring a host...
By Brian Rhodes - about 8 years ago
Detection, classification, recognition and identification is all very easy until you put it in practice. Then you realize that there are big practical and subjective problems that make using them difficult. Academically, the terms are straightfor...
By John Honovich - about 8 years ago
Selecting the right lens can be confusing and tough, especially because lenses are often integrated into cameras, severely restricting flexibility to mix and match the right lens feature sets. In this tutorial, we examine 7 key criteria in selecti...
By John Honovich - about 8 years ago
Surveillance cameras must deal with wide variations of lighting -- automatically and continuously. It can be 10,000+ lux during the day and under 1 lux at night. In a few seconds, lighting can drop dramatically, for example, if the sun goes behind...
By John Honovich - about 8 years ago
Thermal cameras can deliver where visible conventional cameras fail, but they come with significant tradeoffs which must be considered. In this tutorial, we cover these topics, including: Thermal image detail Detection, no recognition Availab...
By Ethan Ace - about 8 years ago
Despite being one of the most common components of access control, specifying the right electric strike can be deceptively complex. Understanding the particulars of each device can be overwhelming. In this note we describe which characteristics of...
By Brian Rhodes - about 8 years ago
Strangely, digital zoom tends to be both underappreciated and overrated. On the one hand, many feel that you need a super high resolution monitor to make use out of megapixel cameras. On the other, many believe that super high digital zooms make...
By John Honovich - about 8 years ago
Selecting video analytics can be difficult because many factors impact the choice. In this report, we examine 8 important questions that should be addressed when evaluating video analytics. The easy part is usually determining the type of video a...
By John Honovich - about 8 years ago
Water destroys countless surveillance cameras each year. As big as the problem is, water remains a huge issue for surveillance systems year after year. What can be done to mitigate the problem? This report takes a look at how to successfully water...
By Brian Rhodes - over 8 years ago
In this tutorial, we cover the fundamentals of connecting IP cameras to VMS systems, including: Analog vs IP RTSP Direct Integration 'Standards' - ONVIF / PSIA Advanced Integration - PTZ control, Panoramics Advanced Non Supported Functions...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
Bad installations of box cameras are nearly everywhere. Not only does it make the site look bad, it increases risk of vandalism and service problems. In this note, we look at what it takes to properly hang a box camera, and identify some of the mo...
By Brian Rhodes - over 8 years ago
Shooting cameras is the surest way to disable them, and criminals know this. Most factory housings can endure getting smacked by a ball or even small rocks, but they are no match for bullets. In areas where gunfire is a threat, bullet resistant ho...
By Brian Rhodes - over 8 years ago
Documenting camera layouts can be important: Ensuring that you have a realistic field of view that covers the area you want with the sufficient coverage Understanding what gaps in coverage you might have and where there are overlaps Selecting...
By Ethan Ace - over 8 years ago
The perfect spot for installing a camera may be infeasible or impossible to install. Lots of logistical challenges force cameras to be mounted in less than ideal conditions. In this note, we review the most common issues including: Placing came...
By Brian Rhodes - over 8 years ago
Even once you know what you to monitor - the front door, the safe, the parking lot, etc. - how to layout cameras can be tricky. In this note, we explain the 4 fundamental considerations for camera layouts: Field of View Width Pixel Density Ca...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
Ignore depth of field concerns for 95%+ of surveillance applications, despite what you hear. While this is a common consideration in digital photography, its goals and logistics differ. In this note, we explain the drivers, why it is generally not...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
The biggest risk to your surveillance systems can be from the smallest threats. Cabling that connects and powers cameras is quite vulnerable, but often nothing is done to protect it from being damaged by insects and rodents. In this note, we exami...
By Brian Rhodes - over 8 years ago
Knowing how far a PTZ can see is a critical but tricky question for PTZ use. On the one hand, seeing very far away is a common reason for choosing PTZs. On the other hand, we regularly hear people radically overestimate how far one can see with a ...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
High temperature locations are some of the most unforgiving for surveillance cameras. Dealing with excessive heat, as in deserts or industrial facilities, requires special consideration to reduce or eliminate the risk of cameras overheating. In th...
By Ethan Ace - over 8 years ago
Lightning strikes can cause significant damage and major expenses for surveillance systems. An unprotected camera hit by lightning cannot only kill the camera but lots of other devices connected to the camera (switches, recorders, etc.). In this n...
By Ethan Ace - over 8 years ago
Try having one manufacturer's VMS integrate another manufacturer's VMS, DVR or NVR. The results are likely to be disappointing. While integrating different manufacturer's cameras to a VMS is increasingly simple, integrating different recorders int...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
Watermarking is one of the most confusing aspects of surveillance. This can become a serious problem when watermarking is demanded by users (or courts) to prove the validity of surveillance evidence. In this note, we explain the two main ‘types' o...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
Should you be concerned about the energy costs from your surveillance systems? Are these a hidden killer or can certain products deliver huge savings? In this note, we break down the energy costs for surveillance system, examining the impact of re...
By Brian Rhodes - over 8 years ago
Day / Night cameras are very popular but not often understood. In this tutorial, we explain what makes a 'true' day / night camera, break down the role of a mechanical cut filter, share a 5 minute demonstration video and compare day / night camera...
By John Honovich - over 8 years ago
Surveillance cameras are expected to work outdoors, ranging from deserts to monsoons to blizards. Ensuring that cameras works reliably in these extreme conditions is critical and takes more than the normal indoor camera provides. In this tutorial,...
By Ethan Ace - over 8 years ago
