Pelco Releases "Free" Video Analytics

JH
John Honovich
•Published Jan 05, 2011 00:00 AM
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Starting with Sarix Release 1.6, Pelco is providing 'free' video analytics for its Extended Platform (EP) models. This is a very interesting move as Pelco has a much publicized relationship / resale of Object Video's analytics. In this note, we examine the features, competitive pricing and positioning of this move.

As a starting point, it is important to recognize that Pelco offers both 'regular' and Extended Platform cameras. Relative to the regular or base offerings, the 'EP' models provide additional processing power for edge-based video analytics and increased frame-rates. As of firmware 1.6 Pelco's full suite of analytics have been consolidated into one suite and is offered 'free' in the price of base 'EP' models. (Object Video analytics will still maintain its multi-suite pricing structure).

While Pelco analytics are free with purchase of the Extended Platform models, those models are only, on average $100 more in online price than the non-'EP' versions. Note that this applies only to the 1.3MP (e.g., IX10DN vs. IXE10DN) models. The 2.1MP models are 'EP' only.

EP vs. non-EP online pricing (1.3MP models only):

  • IX10DN/IXE10DN - $725/$950
  • ID10DN/IDE10DN - $700/$750
  • IE10DN/IEE10DN - $825/$900

Pelco includes eight (8) different behaviors [link no longer available], such as loitering, abandoned object, adaptive motion etc. However integrations are restricted to Pelco's own Endura VMS and a limited number of 3rd party systems that support Pelco's Analytics API. (Pelco did not disclose any 3rd party VMS systems supporting their analytics). The benefit of the Pelco analytics is its inclusion in the cost of all base 'EP' models.

The OV analytics include a total of 11 different behaviors, that have been divided up into 3 separate suites or bundles. The basic OV Security Suite offers 3 behaviors: camera tamper, tripwire, and area intrusion. The OV Security Suite Plus adds multi-line tripwire, object left-behind, and loitering. The OV Event Counting Suite includes behaviors more appropriate for retail/marketing applications. The OV analytics will interoperate with OV Ready systems, such as Genetec.

EP base models with Pelco Video Analytics:

  • IXE Box - 1.3MP (online $950) or 2.1MP [link no longer available] (online $1250)
  • IEE Outdoor Dome - 1.3MP [link no longer available] (online $900) or 2.1MP [link no longer available] (online $1400)
  • IDE Indoor Dome- 1.3MP [link no longer available] (online $750) or 2.1MP [link no longer available] (online $1300)

Each base dome model is available in 4 different SKUs (excludes SKUs for lens/bubble options):

  • 3 OV SKUs - OV Security (OS), OV Security+ (OSP), and OV Event Counting (OCP)
  • 1 Base Model SKU (Pelco Analytics)

Each base box model is available in 8 different SKUs (excludes SKUs for lens/bubble options):

  • 3 OV SKUs - OV Security (OS), OV Security+ (OSP), and OV Event Counting (OCP)
  • 1 Base Model SKU (Pelco Analytics)
  • Each in either D/N or Color

For example the IXE20DN-OS (online $1300) is a 2.1 MP D/N box with OV Security Suite. OV and Pelco models do not provide for simple licensing/firmware to migrate from one analytics package to another. An OV Security model, for example, can not be changed to an OSP, OCP or Pelco analytics suite.

Pelco's base EP models include all eight analytic behaviors and is roughly $200 less online than the basic OV suite and $400 less online than the advanced OV analytics. Note that Pelco does not offer analytics for retail/marketing applications. On the other hand the OV Event Counting Suite provides behaviors such as Occupancy Sensing and Dwell-Time Monitoring for non-security or marketing/retail.

For 'greenfield' deployments Pelco's analytics may be considered the more cost-effective solution provided a supported VMS is specified. The cost difference between the Pelco and OV analytics can become significant over a large number of cameras. For existing systems looking to add Pelco's EP analytics, the OV suites are more widely supported by 3rd party (OV Ready) VMSes.

Here is an online pricing comparison with the Pelco analytic version first, followed by the OV analytic options:

  • IXE20DN (online $900), IXE20DN-OS (online $1300), IXE20DN-OSP/OCP (online $1500)
  • IEE20DN (online $1400), IEE20DN-OS ($1600), IEE20DN-OSP/OCP ($1800)
  • IDE20DN (online $1300), IDE20DN-OS (online $1500), IDE20DN-OSP/OCP (online $1700)
  • IEE10DN (online $900), IEE10DN-OS (online $1000), IEE10DN-OCP/OSP (online $1200)
  • IDE10DN (online $750), IDE10DN-OS (online $900), IDE10DN-OCP/OSP (online $1000)

Pelco expects their analytics to perform comparably with leading analytic providers. However, we have tested neither Pelco nor Object Video analytics and can provide no feedback as to their quality of performance. Obviously, any use case highly reliant on analytics should consider testing the candidate offerings (e.g. a pilot, proof-of-concept etc.).