Cameras

IP & Network Cameras

When selecting IP video surveillance cameras, it’s essential to prioritise the quality of the images they capture. The primary purpose of a surveillance camera is to provide clear and detailed pictures for effective monitoring and identification. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the following critical factors related to image quality when beginning camera selection:

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  • Resolution: The camera’s resolution, measured in pixels, determines the detail and clarity of an image. Higher-resolution cameras offer more pixels, resulting in sharper and clearer video footage, but they require more bandwidth and storage. Common resolutions include 1080p, 2K, 4K, and even higher. Choosing a camera resolution involves balancing cost, bandwidth, storage, and image quality needs and depends on the specific requirements of the surveillance application.

  • Low-Light Performance: A camera can capture usable images in low-light or challenging lighting conditions. Look for low-light sensitivity, wide dynamic range (WDR), and infrared (IR) illumination for improved visibility in dark areas. Our range includes cameras that provide excellent image quality without needing external light sources, including cameras with full-colour video and minimal motion blur in near darkness.

  • Image Sensor Size and Type: Larger image sensors perform better in low-light conditions and produce higher-quality images. Different sensor types, such as CMOS or CCD, may impact image quality, noise levels, and dynamic range.

  • Lens Quality: Consider the quality and type of lens used in the camera. A high-quality lens can significantly impact image sharpness, clarity, and distortion correction.

  • Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): WDR technology helps to balance exposure in scenes with contrasting light conditions, preventing overexposure to bright areas and underexposure to dark places. WDR is especially useful in environments with strong backlighting or varying lighting conditions.Visit the AXIS Wide Dynamic Range page to learn more.

  • Frame Rate: The frame rate represents the number of frames per second that the camera can capture. A higher frame rate ensures smoother video playback, especially for capturing fast-moving objects or activities.

  • Bandwidth: bandwidth requirements in video surveillance applications can fluctuate based on camera resolution, frame rate, compression method, and camera quantity. Effective bandwidth management ensures smooth operation and high-quality footage without network strain or latency problems.

  • Compression Technology: Increasing compression can result in savings on storage costs (less storage required for similar durations), server configuration (less CPU required to store less bandwidth), and switches (copper gigabit switches may be used instead of fibre 10GbE). Efficient compression algorithms ensure optimal bandwidth utilisation and storage efficiency without compromising image quality. Our chosen camera vendors employ technologies like Zipstream, an AXIS technology that preserves important forensic details while lowering bandwidth & storage requirements by an average of 50% or more. LightCatcher is an Avigilon technology that provides clear image quality in low-light environments.

While other functionalities are essential for specific surveillance needs, image quality is crucial when comparing IP video surveillance cameras. It directly impacts the camera’s ability to provide clear, detailed, and actionable video footage, essential for effective surveillance and incident analysis.

Low Light Performance and Video Quality

There is a relationship between low-light performance and video quality. Here are five examples:

  1. Noise Reduction: In low light conditions, cameras often increase their sensitivity (ISO) to capture more light. This can introduce noise, which degrades image quality. Tier 1 cameras use noise reduction algorithms to minimize this effect, but excessive noise reduction can also blur details, reducing the overall clarity of the video.

  2. Slow Shutter Speeds: Cameras may use slower shutter speeds to allow more light to hit the sensor and improve low-light performance. While this can brighten the image, it can also cause motion blur if moving objects are present in the scene, making it difficult to capture clear, sharp images.

  3. Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): Cameras with WDR capabilities can better handle scenes with both bright and dark areas. WDR helps balance the exposure in low light conditions, ensuring that the shadows and highlights retain detail. This improves the overall video quality by providing a more balanced and detailed image.

  4. Infrared (IR) Illumination: Many surveillance cameras are equipped with IR LEDs to enhance low-light performance. IR illumination allows cameras to capture clear images in complete darkness. However, IR can only produce black-and-white images, which might not be as detailed or informative as colour images. IR can sometimes cause overexposure if objects are too close to the camera.

  5. Sensor Size and Pixel Size: Larger sensors and larger pixels can capture more light, improving low-light performance. Cameras with larger sensors (e.g., 1/2″ or larger) and larger pixels can produce clearer, more detailed images in low-light conditions than those with smaller sensors and pixels. This is because larger pixels can gather more light, reducing noise and improving image quality.

Low-light performance directly impacts video quality, highlighting the importance of noise reduction, slow shutter speeds, WDR, IR illumination, and sensor size in maintaining high video quality under low-light conditions.

Frame Rate and Video Usability

The relationship between frame rate and video usability is between seeing and not seeing something. Here are five examples that illustrate this relationship:

  1. Motion Clarity: Higher frame rates provide smoother and more precise motion, crucial for capturing fast-moving objects. For example, a frame rate of 30 frames per second (fps) or higher is often necessary to capture the movement of vehicles or people in surveillance footage, reducing motion blur and making it easier to identify details.

  2. Viewer Experience: Higher frame rates improve the viewing experience by reducing flicker and providing a more lifelike motion representation. For instance, a surveillance video recorded at 60 fps will appear much smoother and more natural to the viewer than one recorded at 15 fps, which will appear choppy and disjointed.

  3. Event Detection: In video analytics, higher frame rates can enhance the accuracy of event detection algorithms. For example, systems that rely on motion detection or facial recognition can perform more effectively with higher frame rates, as they provide more data points for the algorithms to analyse per second, reducing the likelihood of missed events.

  4. Storage and Bandwidth: Higher frame rates require more storage space and greater bandwidth for transmission. For example, a video recorded at 30 fps will consume more storage and bandwidth than one recorded at 15 fps. This trade-off must be considered when designing a surveillance system, especially in environments with limited storage capacity or bandwidth.

  5. Compatibility with Display Devices: Different display devices have varying frame rate capabilities. For instance, modern high-definition monitors and TVs can display video at 60 fps or higher, providing a smoother viewing experience. However, older devices may only support lower frame rates, such as 30 fps, which can impact the usability of the video on these devices.

Frame rate directly affects video usability in various contexts, from improving motion clarity and viewer experience to influencing storage, bandwidth requirements, and compatibility with display devices.

Artificial Intelligence

IP video surveillance cameras have advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, enabling advanced analytics and automation to enhance functionality. These AI capabilities include Object Detection and Recognition, Facial Recognition, Intrusion Detection, Behavioural Analysis, License Plate Recognition, Abandoned Object Detection, Crowd Management, Heat Mapping, Predictive Analytics, Real-time Alerts and Notifications:

  • Object Detection & Recognition is a powerful feature that allows cameras to identify and track particular targets or trigger specific actions based on detected objects, such as people, vehicles, or items of interest. Popular cameras with this capability include AXIS, Avigilon, and Avigilon Alta.

  • Facial Recognition is another AI feature that allows cameras to recognise and verify individuals’ faces in real-time. This makes it useful for access control, flagging potential threats, or identifying known individuals.

  • Intrusion Detection: is another AI-enabled feature that raises alarms for unauthorised intrusions or movements in restricted areas, alerting security personnel to potential security breaches.

  • Behavioural Analysis: Another feature that allows cameras to analyse and understand people’s behaviour patterns within their field of view. They can identify suspicious activities, such as loitering, sudden crowd formation, or abnormal movements, and generate alerts for potential security risks.

  • License Plate Recognition: This AI-powered feature enables cameras to recognise and capture license plate information from vehicles within their coverage area. This is useful for parking management, traffic enforcement, or identifying suspicious cars.

  • Abandoned Object Detection: This AI capability detects and identifies abandoned objects or bags in public spaces, helping identify potential security threats and trigger appropriate responses.

  • Crowd Management: is another feature that analyses crowd density, monitors crowd flow, and detects overcrowding situations. This information can optimise crowd management strategies, ensure public safety, and prevent accidents in crowded areas.

  • Heat Mapping: is another capability that generates heat maps by analysing the density and movement of people within an area. This can be useful for optimising space utilisation, identifying popular areas, or improving crowd flow.

  • Predictive Analytics: is another feature that allows cameras to leverage historical data and patterns to predict and identify potential security incidents or trends, enabling proactive decision-making and resource allocation based on predictive insights.

  • Real-time Alerts and Notifications: is another AI-enabled feature that generates real-time alerts and notifications based on predefined rules or anomaly detection. Security personnel can receive immediate alerts for events that require attention or intervention.

    • These AI capabilities empower IP surveillance cameras beyond simple video recording and monitoring. They enable proactive surveillance, intelligent analytics, and automation, enhancing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of video surveillance systems.

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    Call us on 1300 556 334 or email [email protected] to learn more.

    Customers in New Zealand call 0800 345 677 or email [email protected].