Simply put- 10 to 20 times reduction in both video stream Bandwidth as well as Storage (stored images on disk.) H.264 saves money in terms of storage and networking costs associated with bandwidth and allows system designers to either utilize more cameras or Better Cameras ( MegaPixel) within Bandwidth/ Storage/ per dollar parameters.

The real world of stretched budgets forces smart system designers to use H.264 compression products to maximize value and deliver maximum ROI.

Now is all H.264 compression equal? The answer is NO.

There are two approaches to H.264. One is fast and simple approach consisting of purchasing an ‘off the shelf’ H.264 algorithm. The other is approach is to take the documented standard and building your implementation from scratch.

Most of the products on the market fall into the “buy it off the shelf” camp for reasons such as cost and speed to market. There a few such a Arecont Vision that have taken the road less traveled and have developed a H.264 algorithm that is standards based but far more efficient than that of their competition.

I won’t go into the technical details as Dr Michael Korkin has a white paper describing in great detail the Arecont H.264 implementation and the ‘hidden cost of H.264.

http://netcentricsecurity.com/Articles/2009/10/01/H.264-Facts-and-Fiction.aspx

In my travels I have witnessed some truly text book outdoor camera installs. Unfortunately, more times than not, I find fair to poor Outdoor installations. If you feel that your Technician’s work falls into the latter category- this Blog post may be for you- or that Tech. Below are some best practices to be utilized when installing Analog or IP cameras outdoors.

When Cabling is Possible:

1. Use Fiber when ever possible outdoors. The are numerous benefits to using Fiber in outdoor installations. Chief among them are Surge Protection, Very Long Service Lengths, High Signal Integrity, Very High Bandwidth, Impervious  to Ground Loops and/or other Electrical/ Interference issues, and finally future proofing the installation. The last item speaks to the fact that Fiber is so versatile. All of the following can be sent, simultaneously over fiber cabling (Data, Telemetry, Contacts, Video or Multiple Video, Serial Data, Audio and more.) It is also a best practice to pull an extra fiber than your need, for future use. Over course a Very Reliable Fiber Transceiver is required at booth ends of that fiber(s). Rackmount card cage style Fiber Transceivers are cost effective, efficient and ideal for the headend side of larger installations.

2. If copper must be used, “water tight” conduit and Immersion rated cable are next best.  Some Cable Jackets will breakdown overtime after laying in water within “waterproof” conduits. Also, CAT 6 UTP cabling would be ideal due to reduced cost and longer service distances.

For longer IP camera runs consider using Coaxial- yes Coaxial with a pair of Veracity High Wire Products. This is a fantastic solution to networking wiring service distances (100Meters.)

Also, when conductive materials are utilized- such as copper wire- Lightning and Surge Suppression are a must for the Video, Power and/or Data (or Serial). Juice Goose manufacturers an excellent line of Low Voltage Line Surge Protection. Pole Mounted Lightning Protection is also ideal- however rarely implemented due to expense.

Example of Rack Mountable Line Protection and Power Supply.

When Cabling is Not Possible: Wireless

There are many Wireless best practices to be covered in another future BLOG. In the mean time ,if you have wireless applications ask us about how Verint Nextiva Wireless can help improve your next Wireless Video Project.

Enclosures:

It is critical that the enclosure you use is suited to the environment. One way the industry rates Enclosures is by Ingress Protection (IP) ratings. The rating you will use most of time for outdoor is IP66 (Totally Protected against Dust Ingress and Extremely limited Water Ingress.

IP 67 – Partial Submersion  and IP 68 (High Pressure Water Protection/ Full Submersion) are two less common, but more substantial IP ratings.

You should always utilize any included Silicone or other sealant- because if its in the box, there is a reason to use it.

Finally, Finish Dressing

It is far too common a sight- coax cabling or other wire exposed and unprotected when it would take very little additional time and or expense to properly route cables through Flex Conduit or Armored Flex for high security environments.

Additionally many Camera System Mounts include hidden raceways and channels for protecting the cabling.

Leaving exposed cabling is not only aesthetically displeasing, but a prime opportunity for Vandalism, Insects and Moisture issues.

Jan 28th: Cardinal Peak Showcase Breakfast for area Law Enforcement- SOLD OUT

March 4th: Exacq Vision Certified Re-Seller Training Course- King Of Prussia, PA. To Sign up please see http://www.exacq.com/support/training.html

Also watch for an annoucement regarding Verint Wireless Video Certifification Training- To be announced Soon !

 Using IPTV a facility manages their own ‘Cable TV head-end’ complete with local origination such as: Digital Signage, In house training channels, TV, VoD (Video on Demand) and much more. To date many of the IPTV systems deployed are using MPEG2 or MPEG4 but the most excitement is centered around MPEG-4 Part 10 or H.264. Visionary Solutions Inc has launched one of the industry’s first affordable H.264 encoders. Its available in either a Standalone or Blade Form Factor. The excitement revolving H.264 is directly related to Bandwidth reductions of up to 20X that allows for more Standard Definition and soon- High Definition Channels to be contained within a IPTV network. Footnote: IPTV network can either be completely separate or placed within a VLAN partition of an existing network.

Once VSI releases their HD H.264 encoder boards (end of Q4-08) it will possible with one Mainframe to cost effectively encode (17) channels of HD video in only 3 Rack Units. Of course it will be possible to mix and match SD and HD within a processing rack. All of this with CD quality audio that is precisely synchronized.

Whats more VSI is fully standards compliant. Why is this important? This allows VSI encoders to work within any standards compliant system. It also means that you can decode VSI channels with PC free-ware such as VLC www.videolan.org.  Please contact us for an on-site demo at 888-277-8881.

For more information on Visionary Solutions Inc go to www.vsicam.com

Next Blog…IP Intercom

New Address:

801 E. Lancaster Ave

Evergreen Professional Building

Downingtown, PA 19335

All contact Phone and Fax Numbers remain the same.

I will post pics soon.