9 Things to Know About Video Analytics

Mar 1, 2007 12:00 PM

1. STANDARDS-BASED: Video Analytics is not standalone technology. Compatibility with network and video equipment is essential for optimum performance. Open and standards-based systems are mandatory.

2. REAL-TIME OPERATION: This seems like a no-brainer, but real-time monitoring and real-time alerts are crucial capabilities. Facing a potential security threat is no time to go to the videotape. You want your video analytics to detect the threat as it is unfolding, thus ensuring an immediate alert so that proper action can be taken to avert the event.

3. SITE-SPECIFIC RULES: Due to cost constraints, many video analytics systems offer a limited number of detections — maybe one, perhaps two — per camera, and the same one or two detections for all cameras in the system. However, most enterprise-grade organizations, both public and private, need to detect several different types of security threats in some locations and a different set of threats at others.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: The video analytics system should be fully operable in indoor or outdoor locations, in daylight or in shadows, under artificial lighting or in sunlight, and under adverse and varying weather conditions. The software should compensate for background interference such as moving trees, and it should also include filters for shadows cast by moving or stationary objects, variable light levels and random weather factors such as clouds, rain, snow, ice and wind.

5. RELIABILITY: While current video analytics systems are more accurate than their predecessors, accuracy claims still bear close scrutiny. When evaluating systems, the question to ask is: Under what conditions were the measurements taken? Was it an ideal indoor set-up, with controlled lighting and no weather to mention? Or outdoors at twilight on a windy, rainy day?

6. SCALABILITY: Every provider claims that their system is scalable, but at what cost? Video analytics software tends to be far more accommodating related to cost than the supporting hardware. In the typical system configuration, each surveillance camera transmits video to a central video server where the analytics software analyzes the incoming video for security breaches and suspicious activity. If a typical server can only support a maximum of 16 cameras, adding a 17th camera will mean adding a whole new server for just that one camera. It can be a budget-breaker when added to the other costs for a new camera, new video encoder and supporting network equipment. Security-wise, it's also risky to operate with compromised security until you reach that threshold.

7. CAMERAS: Selecting the right cameras is as critical as selecting the right video analytics. Certainly you want a system that supports the full range of camera technologies — analog, digital, IP, IFR/ thermal — so that it can be integrated with an existing surveillance system. But you may not need the highest-end cameras in all locations. Match camera type to the specific circumstances of each location and the corresponding environmental conditions. Optimizing camera costs allows you to afford more coverage.

8. USER-FRIENDLINESS: This is not a trivial point: Training time and costs can be a back-breaker when the annual personnel turnover rate can run 200 percent or higher. A system that is intuitive to operate is more easily and quickly learned.

9. SECURITY NEEDS: Understanding your specific security needs is fundamental, so look for a video analytics system that best matches your needs. Video analytics covers a lot of territory, such as perimeter security, intrusion detection, graffiti and vandalism, people security, building security, moved or stolen object detection, unattended package or baggage detection, stopped vehicles, tailgating, crowd dynamics, etc., and the list is growing.

This list is provided by video analytics solution provider Agent Vi, New York (agentvi.com), who adds the following additional tips:

• Check out customer references — don't take anything at face value. Ask the referenced customer about any problems they encountered and if they are still using the system. You might also ask if the customer actually purchased the system, or if theirs is a free “showcase” installation.

• The systems integrator is king — because integrators play a pivotal role in designing and installing the system, it is critical that they be familiar with the demands of this new technology and the capabilities of various solutions. Video analytics systems cannot work if the hardware falls short.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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