Open Platform Video Management Software

Open Platform Video Management Software

Technology is constantly evolving. More mature network infrastructure, wider availability of data and increased processing power have all helped advance technologies such as deep learning and edge analytics to the next level. 

A high quality and exceptional reliability of the Camera, but products OEM/manufacturers don't have any software for further value addition. If this case for 10-16nos camera then any end user scrap the same & put new camera & OEM/manufacturers fulfil customer needs. If this came under 30-50nos camera, no one can do this. Through technology updation & software development. Over the last couple of years analytics have improved greatly. Putting two and two together camera manufacturers have started to create open platforms, which accept third-party applications (Standard API) and act as a server for the analytics.

The end user’s site requires various analytics, so the camera can accept and run more than one analytic function simultaneously, such as people counting and heat-mapping. A multi-camera site may need a number of specialist analytics created by different companies. With the camera’s open platform each camera can essentially run different companies’ analytics without compromising on quality or incurring the expense of multiple servers to run different applications. These cameras are then viewed by video management software (VMS) that pulls everything together.

Open Platform Video Management Software products that support a variety of hardware (cameras and encoders/decoders) from multiple vendors and offer the ability for customized integration with other systems or devices using an open platform software development kit (SDK). Most Popular Open-Platform Video Management Software is Mirasys, Milestone - XProtect, AxxonSoft, AllGoVision etc.

Video surveillance systems based on Axxon can scale infinitely: there are no restrictions on the number of video servers, workstations or video cameras. Support for over 6000 models of IP devices including more than 1500 models of IP cameras. integrated using proprietary protocol and 4500 ONVIF compliant devices is included, as well as remote access from mobile devices and a web interface. Axxon Next versions 3.1 and later include mobile clients for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to monitor the situation at the site from anywhere with Internet access.

Mirasys VMS (Both the Pro & Enterprise versions) supports thousands of different analogue & IP camera models from tens different manufacturers through 70+ native drives of various OEM, ONVIF - Profile S, PSIA, RTSP / HTTP streaming. Mirasys has own analytics which reduces server requirement. Mirasys has 6 Platinum partners who pays to support there feature. Mirasys india sold around 40K license in last 5years.

AllGoVision has been successfully integrated with 10+ major VMS like Milestone, Genetec, Honeywell EBI, HUS, DVM, Wavestore, etc.

Milestone open platform extends beyond camera support, into areas like access control systems that have historically stood apart from video surveillance. Traditionally, the security industry has been very proprietary, with software, cameras and access control all coming from different manufacturers with separate specifications. This means that the infrastructure is tailored for a specific camera model, environment or application. Milestone belief in an open platform extends beyond camera support, into areas like access control systems that have historically stood apart from video surveillance. Traditionally, the security industry has been very proprietary, with software, cameras and access control all coming from different manufacturers with separate specifications. This means that the infrastructure is tailored for a specific camera model, environment or application. Inputs like alarms and alerts would all appear on a single display and get routed to appropriate channels. In this environment, the access control system, cameras and video management system would all share data and communicate with each other as a connected.

Milestone currently has 36 access control vendors who have created integrations with the XProtect VMS, and about half of those have already been developed through the XProtect Access interface that allows use of multiple third-party systems to operate in collaboration. Allows a customizable search based on a single access event, a specific door or a cardholder. XProtect Access can also search for events exclusively associated with a single person, storyboard the panels to see exactly what transpired over time, and create an evidence lock to ensure the video does not get deleted or tampered with.

Open platforms also have these advantages when processing analytics:

1.      Detection quality is much higher and results much improved because it is run inside the camera – at source.

2.      No need to transmit video from the camera to the analytics server, as bandwidth traffic to the recording/viewing platform is much reduced, enabling a smoother flow of image data across the network, increased capacity to add additional cameras without adding to network infrastructure costs, or reducing network infrastructural costs as the number of required network switches is reduced.

3.      Reducing total ownership costs by future-proofing is at the back of every buyer’s mind. An open platform does just that, as any new software release will automatically work with the camera without the need for a concomitant firmware upgrade.

Many Video Management Software (VMS) providers offer free versions, either open source, for a limited number of cameras or for a limited amount of time.

We share some small list of open-source, restricted use, and trial-version VMS in below.

A.     Open Source/Free:-

Open/Free source options for VMS are limited.

1.     Shinobi - Open source VMS, developed in node.js

2.     Zoneminder - Offers precompiled packages for linux distros, and also open source code.

3.     iSpy - Visual Studio 2015 source code is available as well as precompiled installable versions.

B.     Free With Restricted Use:-

These products all work without any timeout period, but generally have limitations around the number of channels or the amount of storage supported in the free version.

1.     Axxon Next - 4 channels, 1TB storage.

2.     Pelco VideoXpert Professional - 1 year trial (renewable) for 4 channels

3.     Milestone Essential - 8 channels, no storage limits, requires annual renewal for free license key

4.     March Networks Command Lite - 6 channels, 1 week of recording

5.     Alnet Systems Netstation - 4 channels, 7 days recording, software login required every 8 hours

C.     Free For Trial Period:-

Generally offer full functionality, but timeout after a limited period.

1.     Avigilon Control Center - 30 day trial of Enterprise product, sales people can provide 180 day trial keys.

2.     Axis Camera Station - 30 day trial

3.     Exacq - 45 day trial key

4.     IndigoVision Control Center - 5 camera/45 day trial.

5.     Milestone XProtect - 30 day trial of any version, 8 channels/5 days storage

6.     OnSSI Occularis - 30 day trial, requires providing project/user details

7.     Sony RealShot Manager 30 day trial for up to 32 channels

8.     VideoInsight VI Monitor - 60 day trial, up to 99 cameras

9.     Wavestore VMS - 30 day trial

D.     Free With Same-Brand Cameras:-

Manufacturers have VMS that do not require a license when used with their own brand of cameras.

1.     ACTi NVR - Free for use with ACTi cameras + 1 free channel for non-ACTi cameras.

2.     Axis Camera Companion - Only works with Axis cameras, 16 channel limit

3.     Mobotix Control Center - Free for Mobotix cameras

4.     Sony RealShot Manager - 9 channels free for use with Sony cameras

5.     Video Insight VI Monitor - Free when used with Panasonic cameras

6.     Vivotek VAST - 32 channels free when used with Vivotek cameras.

Fishy Incidents — Industry Perspectives

Spot the fishy incidents — 10 perspectives from the industry

Panoramic fisheye cameras have seen fast growth in the surveillance industry. With the key feature in surround view monitoring and the advantage in reduction of installation cost, they are becoming the popular adoption in security system. With a promising market ahead, differentiation of product and market strategy from competitors is the way for major manufacturers to think when planning next moves.

EU and US regions

We here presented 10 worldwide providers from the security industry – VIVOTEK, Sony, Axis Communications, Hikvision Digital Technology, Samsung Techwin, Dahua Technology, Merit LILIN, EverFocus Electronics, Panasonic System Networks & AMG System.

Asia regions

VIVOTEK｜Taiwan

“The 360-degree cameras can be especially ideal for intercom or retail applications. Retail stores especially demand for a cost-effective and comprehensive surveillance system, which dissuades shoplifting and pickpocketing,” said Steve Ma, Executive Vice President of VIVOTEK. “With several unique features and wide surveillance coverage that can be delivered by the 360-degree fisheye camera under complicated environment, retail stores tend to deploy 360-degree fisheye camera the most.”
“The deployment of 360-degree fisheye cameras could be financially and technically beneficial. It is worth to note that just one 360-degree fisheye camera can deliver the same coverage as 6 to7 cameras that have been used in the stores. With the installation of panoramic models, the total number of cameras needed by the clients can be significantly reduced,” explained Ma.
VIVOTEK has made our fisheye camera as a pro-active smart sensor through our superior algorithms, making fisheye cameras performing intelligently, like people counting, field detection, trip wire, according to Ma. “With the technology evolvement and rising awareness of cost-effective solutions, the prevalent adoption of 360-degree fisheye camera for wide open area surveillance in the following years is foreseen. In addition, a 360-degree fisheye camera with intelligent capacity is undoubtedly to be a trend.”

Sony｜Japan
“With its multiple security benefits and associated cost savings for end users, it is easy to understand why the 360-degree security camera has been highlighted by IHS as one of the key drivers for the video surveillance camera market in 2014 – which is slated for double-digit growth this year. Sony also recognizes the importance of these cameras in addressing the ever changing security environments of the modern world, and will continue to advance in the 360-degree security camera market with our end users,” said Riki Nishimura, General Manager of Visual Security Solutions, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP) at Sony Electronics Asia Pacific.

AXIS｜Sweden  
“According to IHS Research, sales of network video start to overtake analog in 2014 due to the powerful functions of advanced video processing and analytics. This is especially true in the retailer sector, as 360-degree cameras allow for an overview of all activities in a given area while being affordable for users having to work with tight-budgets in for example the retail and education sectors,” said Petra Bennermark, Product Manager at Axis Communications. 
“In a study by Axis Communications, more than half (58%) of UK retailers are planning to migrate from analog to network video in order to integrate network cameras with business intelligence (BI) applications. BI application integration was considered the most significant reason for UK retailers to move to network video.”

HikvisionDigitalTechnology｜China
“Normally, SMB users may tend to use entry-level fixed cameras instead of panoramic cameras, since the latter are mainly targeted for middle-to high-end project use, and price are relatively higher. Therefore, Hikvision plans to introduce economical mini panoramic cameras to penetrate into SMB market in the middle of this year,” said Adler Wu, Product Marketing Manager of Hikvision Digital Technology.
“And for Hikvision, we forecast to increase at an annual growth rate of 60%-70% [before 2017], according to our company strategy, product planning and the market development. Panoramic camera would develop in two different ways in the future, one for SMB adoption and the other for high-end application. With more and more manufacturers joining in the competition, the price of panoramic camera may decrease to a level, allowing the cameras to enter SMB market; for high-end use, due to the wide coverage of panoramic camera, more images/ scenes could be achieved compared to common IP camera. Therefore, how to well make use of this advantage could be a breakthrough to eventually benefit the end users.”
“Considering lots of manufacturers have introduced their panoramic cameras, it becomes very important for us to provide innovative products to differ from the others at this stage.”

SamsungTechwin｜Korea 
“360-degree cameras are increasingly being specified for projects where there is a requirement to monitor activity 24/7 in environments such as banks, offices, retail, transportation and warehouses. The advantage they offer is that a single 360-degree observational camera is all that might be needed to efficiently and cost effectively covers a whole area where a much larger number of standard cameras might normally be required, to avoid any blind spots,” suggested Tim Biddulph, Product Manager of Samsung Techwin Europe.
Samsung Techwin's 360 degree camera is part of the company's extensive range of IP network cameras. Tim Biddulph emphasizes the importance of fully understanding clients' needs first, before endeavoring to persuade them to migrate to 360-degree or other products and technologies.

Dahua｜China  
Fisheye cameras are mostly deployed for indoor surveillance, getting more and more popular in public buildings, pointed out by Peter Pan, Product Manager from Dahua. Seen as the economic choice for security system deployment, one single fisheye camera can achieve wider coverage of monitoring than other non-panoramic camera.
This is even true to public units, hotels, and schools. They often have budget concerns; theses users are not too demanding in security image details while their purpose of surveillance system is mainly for prevention, Pan suggested. 
“At present, many surveillance camera manufacturers have proposed new thoughts of design,” he continued. Currently, end users start to use 360-degree cameras and PTZ speed domes altogether, featuring both wide-coverage and detailed monitoring views. The 360-degree cameras are going to become an essential solution in surveillance systems, according to Pan. 
“Although fisheye cameras are expecting fast growth in the near future, the 360-degree cameras won't become the majority in surveillance camera market due to their own pitfalls such as low pixel counts at the edge of images, and image distortion,” explained Pan.
However, as Pan mentioned, the technical improvement related to these pitfalls has been essential to manufacturers in the industry. Meanwhile, some manufacturers have started enhancing camera capacities in IR support for advanced day/night monitoring.

MeritLILIN｜Taiwan
“Fisheye cameras are all about seeing everything in a scene more efficiently than with multiple cameras; therefore, providing security managers the ability to cover an entire scene in a logical way without gaps of coverage is prominent,” according to Chris Hsu, Global Marketing Manager at LILIN. “LILIN panoramic IP camera is an ideal choice for open-ended lobby areas such as entrances, exits, and lobbies.”
“The current leading technology trend in global market is ‘less is more'. We expect cameras can cover a range of area such as 360-degree fisheye camera is an ideal all-in-one product will definitely continue to shine in the following years.”

EverFocusElectronics｜Taiwan
Douglass Wang, Deputy Project Manager of EverFocus Electronics, emphasized the importance of fisheye and speed dome cameras' synergy, combining advantages from both types of cameras, and adding value for wide-area surveillance without compromising the optimal image quality. “The end users can finely utilize pan, tilt, and zoom functions on speed dome to keep tracking region of interest, while monitoring the entire area through 360-degree camera view, more importantly, without any blind spot,” Wang said.
As panoramic camera is favored to be applied with speed dome in areas such as airport, warehouse, public space, and parking lot, end users might hesitate due to complicated cameras configurations. “EverFocus provides end users a 4-steps image calibration which dramatically reduces configuration time,” Wang highlighted.

Panasonic｜Japan 
It is forecast that a growth of more than 50% will be seen in the panoramic camera market – more than current security market trend expectation – as higher image resolution will expand the deployment and acceptance of fisheye camera in more vertical markets, commented Akihito Akiyama, product planning manager at Panasonic.
According to Mr. Akiyama, Panasonic has strengthened its 360-degree cameras by continuingly progressing at technology development, including dewarp, super dynamic function, and vandal resistance. With the solid technical base, the 360-degree cameras are capable for high-resolution image quality with even edges, stable performance under various lighting environments, and last but not least, durability.

AMG｜UK  
Fisheye cameras, compared to other types of cameras, offer a number of key advantages — monitoring of surround view without blind spot and reduction of installation cost and work — whilst still keeping high-resolution recording quality, David J. Myers, Technical Director of AMG, highlighted. AMG have noted that 360-degree fisheye cameras are becoming the mainstream when analog CCTV is gradually replaced by IP CCTV systems. 
“We are not sure that there is one particular market deploying the most 360 degree cameras. In the USA, the retail market is strong. And transportation is a natural market for wide-angle camera when one single camera can cover whole view of a bus, or a train carriage,” Myers said. “Banks, schools, colleges, museums, and public buildings are also the target market of 360-degree cameras. So are car parks and outdoor perimeters.”

-I would like to thanks Michelle Chu from Asmag

Android IP Camera Android Apps

Android IP Camera Android Apps

As a well-known eSecurity Professional in India I got many appreciation call/mail for my Blog writing. Thanks to all of you for read and understand my wrong English writing on my blog. Recently I visit Bhubaneswar (Located in India, Capital of Orissa) and face some question, customer ask you people highlight our NVR/ DVR is support Remote viewing on Android enable phone, but we are not enjoy the benefits of mobile security camera monitoring through our android phone. Our System Integrator / Installer technical person come and say something that we are not understands. So you’ve come to the right place. Many of today’s most trusted manufacturers of IP security cameras, DVR, NVRs, and video management software offer Android IP camera apps for safe and reliable monitoring. I share with you a list of Android security camera apps offered by manufacturers, and the high-end features available on each.

Optica

Android Security Camera App Name: OpticaMobile

Optica, a leading manufacturer of high-definition IP cameras, offers OpticaMobile and OpticaMobile HD mobile apps designed for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. OpticaMobile delivers a wide spectrum of features to improve the viewing experience for all Optica IP cameras, including quad-view mode, live video streams, bookmarking, audio, snapshots, dual stream support, and PTZ control of Optica’s P218Z speed dome. It’s an easy and convenient way to tap into your Optica IP camera system while on the go. OpticaMobile HD is built for use on the iPad, while OpticaMobile is compatible with iPhone and Android devices.

Milestone

Android IP Camera App Name: XProtect Mobile

Created by Milestone, one of world’s leading developers of video management software, the XProtect Mobile Android security app offers a bevy of features catered to on-the-go surveillance users. With an average rating of 4.6, with 5 being the highest score, users have raved about its built-in features and usability. What’s great about this video surveillance app is how many cameras you’re able to view and manage at once. Users were most excited about the number of cameras they can monitor on this app – one even wrote that the app was able to support all 38 of the user’s IP cameras. Key features include video push, control of inputs and outputs, control of PTZ cameras, viewing live video feed from numerous remote security cameras, snapshot sharing to send via email or MMS, and compatibility with WiFi, 3G, and 4G networks.

Smartvue

Android IP Camera App Name: Smartvue Android App

Smartvue has remained on the cutting-edge of NVR technology since its inception. Recognized as an innovator in this market, Smartvue offers complimentary remote video surveillance access to its NVRs so you can check your IP cameras while on-the-go. Designed for Android versions 2.2 and up, the Smartvue Android App gives you complete access to your IP camera system when you’re physically off-site. With the Smartvue Android App installed, you can view your live video feed, playback archived recordings, swipe the screen to change cameras, control display settings as needed, monitor multiple cameras at once, and control PTZ functions. It also works with a wide variety of IP camera brands and body styles. Users have given this video surveillance app excellent ratings for its convenience, ease-of-use, and intuitively designed interface.

VivoTek

Android IP Camera App Name: iViewer LITE

This Android IP camera viewer app offered by Vivotek enables surveillance users to monitor live streaming video from all of their IP cameras, or those that are managed by Vivotek’s video management software for up to 360 seconds at a time. Note that this app currently works only with Android V2.3 and higher. Supporting IP cameras from a multitude of server connections, this app allows PTZ control via the touch screen, real-time video switching for different display options, image snapshots, single-channel playback by search, and the ability to playback recorded video for 1, 2, 5, and 10 minute intervals Additionally, you can configure your app to support fisheye camera views.

QNAP

Android IP Camera App Name: VMobile

Offered by NVR manufacturer QNAP, the VMobile Android App facilitates remote and wireless monitoring of IP cameras by connecting to the company’s VioStar NVR through Android versions v1.6, v2.1, and v2.2. VMobile is able to manage an unlimited number of servers and cameras for a wide variety of IP camera brands and body styles. With this app, you’re able to adjust the display mode, control PTZ, receive notifications if your IP camera detects tampering or vandalism, and capture snapshots that you want to save. You’re also able to playback recorded video from each of your IP cameras and search recorded video based on date and time.

EverFocus

Android IP Camera App Name: MobileFocus & MobileFocusPlus

Through the MobileFocus Android security camera app, you can connect to Everfocus DVRs and IP cameras at the touch of a button. Everfocus is one of the leading manufacturers of CCTV cameras, DVRs, and professional security products, including a select line of IP cameras catered to the ever-growing IP surveillance market. The mobile monitoring app’s easiest functions are viewing your cameras in real-time and controlling PTZ remote security camera models. Auxiliary mobile monitoring technologies include device management, channel control, gesture digital zoom, image snapshots, and full screen mode.