Luxriot Video Management Software

 Luxriot Video Management Software

A video management software (VMS) is a part of video surveillance system that allows the user to access real time videos, record, store, & playback recorded videos and derive useful insights of the surveillance site.

Current Video Management Systems are capable of offering much more than just surveillance, hence, upgrading a VMS system becomes as important as upgrading the other assets of the business. A VMS system can be upgraded when an organization is:

·        Using a traditional CCTV surveillance system (Old equipment and cameras)

·        Incurring increased maintenance costs of the existing surveillance system.

·        Expanding from Single site to multiple sites (Small to medium to large sized enterprises)

·        In the need of Intelligent Video Analytics for monitoring sites, employees or business processes.

·        Requiring Video Analytics for improving the site operations to benefit the customers, users of the VMS or employees.

·        In need for standardization of VMS system equipment.

There are few things that users must consider while selecting Video surveillance cameras for their VMS system. Users must check:

·        The camera resolution (image quality)

·        Indoor or outdoor camera compatibility

·        Wired or wireless cameras

·        Light sensitivity of the camera (ability of a surveillance camera to work in low light)

·        Shape of the camera (box type, bullet camera or dome camera)

·        Frame rate (more frames per second –fps defines more clear video)

Video Management Software can be classified into three main categories are per the surveillance sites ― small, medium and large sized VMS installations. Small size VMS installations support 10-20 cameras and are suitable for small enterprises, primarily operating in single sites. Mid-sized VMS installations (connecting 20 -50 cameras) are suitable for small to mid-sized enterprises and large-sized VMS installations (more than 50 cameras) are suitable for big multi-site or multi location enterprises. Small enterprises can just purchase plug-and-play VMS packages and get it installed by any technician. In medium or large sized VMS projects, companies can either outsource the services to VMS service providers or system integrators.

Third party systems are compatible devices, systems, and applications (from another vendor) that can be integrated with a Video Management System to improve its functionality. Security devices like access control devices, IP cameras, alarms, fire, and smoke detectors or devices like barcode scanners, speakers, Point of sale systems, electronic tags, etc., which can help businesses to streamline their operations are a few of the third-party systems for a video management software. Luxriot VMS is an open architecture Video Management System (VMS). Luxriot VMS accepts MJPEG, MPEG4 and H.264 as well as HD and megapixel video streams from Network (IP) cameras, encoders and video capture boards. Luxriot® VMS is integrated with over 3000 devices from all major manufacturers including ACTi, Arecont Vision, Axis, Hikvision, Messoa, Samsung, SONY, UDP, Vivotek and others. This along with Luxriot® VMS client-server architecture allows to build hybrid scalable solutions from a single NVR/DVR to the multiple server system handling thousands of cameras. Indian Country business partner is SSA Integrate.

Video Management Software can be classified into three deployment types:

·        On-premise VMS
On-premise VMS solutions are best suitable for managing video surveillance of a single site. All the streaming, recording & management servers, storage devices & applications are installed locally on-site. This allows user to manage their security and connected device ecosystem from the site itself.

·        Cloud based VMS
The cloud based VMS, unlike the on-premise VMS possesses higher flexibility and scalability. It allows the user to manage multiple sites, all at the same time – from any location and at any time.

·        Hybrid VMS
Hybrid VMS solution is a flexible surveillance solution, which generally comes with the capability of managing both analog and IP video signals simultaneously. It allows the enterprises to have traditional VMS solution to coexist with the functionalities of cloud Video Surveillance.

Latency in Video Management System can be defined as a delay in time between the frames captured by the surveillance camera and video feeds displayed on the screen. Latency is measured in seconds and milliseconds (ms). The delay in video feeds (Latency) in a VMS system can occur at different stages of the system; right from IP cameras, transmission network, streamer server to display monitors. To have efficient and real-time video surveillance, VMS systems are intended to function with zero or low latency.

Small businesses with a single location can be secured using on premise video management systems, which may require IP cameras as per requirement (up to 9 / 16 cameras), a DVR for on premise storage, a monitor to display footage, and an open software for basic surveillance functionality. Users can also upgrade their systems with additional security analytical features by purchasing specific licensed versions of the VMS software. Small businesses can also integrate systems like POS software, time and attendance software, and security alarms to manage important business processes with the VMS system.

Video analytics is a capability of leveraging structured algorithms in a video management software to analyse the unstructured video data and generate actionable insights for immediate response and effective decisions. Video analytics continuously scans the live video footage and captures the incidents according to the user configured criteria.  The data generated through live and recorded videos, via video analytics, helps in establishing a comprehensive security solution for retail, fleet transportation, city surveillance & other industry verticals.

Luxriot VMS Software Features

·        English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Hebrew, Hungarian, Chinese, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Greek, Simplified Chinese, Turkish, Korean, Japanese and Dutch localizations

·        DATA MINING with smart search filters for all Analytics

·        Luxriot API/SDK (Client Kit) 

·        License Plate Recognition (add-on product)

·        Broadcast Server for web and mobile clients

·        Video Analytics (add-on product) (people counting, car counting, object counting, intruder perimeter detection, direction filter, dwell filter, removed object detection, abandoned object detection, tailgating, calibration, camera shake cancellation, camera tamper detection, enter exit filters, stopping filter and more.

·        JPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264 video compressions 

·        HTTP, RTP, RTSP, TFTP  protocols 

·        Certified ONVIF Profile S compliancy

·        4K Ready

·        Chromecast support

·        Two-way audio for Audio enabled devices

·        Multicast for multicast enabled cameras

·        Support for multiple capture boards for hybrid installations

·        Video and Audio recording, playback and export. Export both remotely and locally

·        Full, time-lapse, motion-controlled, scheduler-controlled recording

·        SAN, DAS and NAS storage support (DAS support for Luxriot® VMS servers)

·        Multiple monitors support 

·        Extensive user/group permissions control

·        Web access from IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari browsers

·        Mobile Applications for Android and iOS devices

·        PTZ control by Joystick and CCTV Keyboard

·        Bandwidth, FPS and resolution control 

Insights from video analytics not only helps retail stores in improving security, but also helps in improving customer’s shopping experience through in-depth insights on their buying behavior.  Devices like cameras, temperature sensors, handheld scanners, smart shelves, smart carts & access control devices, etc. generate in-store video analytics data.

Multi-site businesses require Video Management Software to be installed as a combination of On-premise and Cloud based VMS systems (Hybrid VMS). While, on premise Video Management Software allows each site to secure its premise through video surveillance, at the same time, cloud based VMS on multi-tenant federated architecture ensures interconnectivity and centralized monitoring of the sites. A federated cloud architecture based VMS also provides scalability and multi-tenancy to VMS system of geographically distributed multi-site enterprises.

Mail us to know more: ssaintegrate@gmail.com

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.

Security Camera with VMS and Access Control Integration

Controlling access to business facilities and private property is often a requirement in today’s world, even more so than in the past.

Application varies, of course, but you might see anything from keypads to biometric scanners on doors, gates, or other entry and access points throughout a facility. These systems are in place to protect company assets and employees from both internal and external threats.

In the past, integrating these access control systems with security cameras to create a more comprehensive solution

Now, however, with advances in IP network surveillance and access control technology, we can design and implement much more complex and useful systems that integrate high quality CCTV cameras with access control systems.and allow for true identification and cataloging of individuals or vehicles was difficult, clunky, low quality, and plagued with functionality issues.

CCTV Camera & Access Control Integration Video

These complete access control surveillance systems capture photo and video of the user, which is then attached to the access logs for archival and review purposes. Data is transmitted over the facilities computer network, stored using network attached storage devices, and is even accessible via mobile devices.

More complex security camera and access control systems use facial or license plate recognition, along with other forms of authentication, to allow or deny entry to individuals or vehicles.

Administrators can review video and data logs, and even control access functionality, such as locking or unlocking a door, remotely from their phone, tablet, or laptops. Real-time text and e-mail alerts, multi-level authorization, event triggered recording, and integration with alarm and fire systems are all features we also include in many installations.

This type of access control functionality was unheard of just a few short years ago, when it was only seen in TV shows and movies, but is becoming more commonplace today as companies and enterprises tighten security to cut internal losses and protect themselves from external threats.

Both Access Control software and Video Management Software (VMS) have become vital components in modern security systems. However, many are confused as to how exactly the two should be deployed.

It is important to get this right, as the two have very different strengths and features, and deploying the wrong one as the front end could leave end users without features that could be useful, or even vital to their security system.

In this article, we will examine the strengths of both Access Control and VMS, and how the two can be used to enhance each other and provide a better all-round security system.

The Strength of Access Control
Access Control systems are designed with immediacy in mind. Whenever someone interacts with the system, by swiping an ID card for example, the system immediately informs the operator who is requesting clearance, and what they are attempting to access.

It does this by accessing an extensive database, which can include information such as names, pass codes etc.

One striking aspect of this process is how the system relies on the person in question co-operating with it; in order to be effective, it requires the subject to willingly interact with the system. Let's take, as an example, a member of staff walking up to a door to swipe their ID card; they actively wish to be identified as they know they are.

Access Control software, even with video integration, is designed for this type of installation. Video functionality is often a basic “live video” pop up, giving visual verification along with the Access Control database information.

Unfortunately, Access Control systems are ill-equipped to deal with an intruder actively seeking to bypass the system by forcing entry through a door or gate. It is also limited when dealing with intruders bypassing controlled entry points altogether by forcing entry through a window or fence. In cases such as this, basic video display in the Access Control software provides limited information beyond the initial alarm, making it difficult to establish precisely what happened and has limited pre and post-event video analysis capabilities.

The Advantages of Video Management
This is where VMS comes into its own, with its more proactive nature allowing it to detect intruders whether they choose to engage with the surveillance system or not.

This means that VMS can provide a complete visual account of events before during and after an incident, leaving operators in no doubt as to what transpired.

Indeed, the ability to review evidence from before during and after an event is one of VMS' greatest strengths. Designed with a more forensic-based approach in mind, VMS features tools, such as thumbnails and bookmarks, to allow specific clips to be marked, searched and reviewed effortlessly. The footage can then be easily exported to the appropriate authorities.

This means that VMS can quickly establish a detailed timeline of events leading up to and following the main incident, which can provide vital information in an investigation, or key evidence in a trial. IndigoVision's Control Center even water marks video, both at the point of recording and again at the point of export, to guarantee that the video is authentic and has not been tampered with.

The superior analytics the VMS supports such as motion detection are another asset, as they offer a wider variety of logics to trigger alarms. In the case of IndigoVision's Control Center there is an additional benefit in the form of Activity Controlled Frame rate, which allows cameras to function at low frame rate and only increase to full frame rate if an analytic is triggered with no impact on video quality, while greatly reducing storage.

It is also worth noting that the VMS offers far more comprehensive surveillance, for example if a building is protected by Access Control alone and a car outside is stolen, the system will be of limited help. A strong VMS however could capture the incident and provide valuable evidence to resolve the situation.

So while Access Control performs one specific function exceptionally well, VMS is able to provide the security surveillance for a variety of areas of the property to be secured, creating a more adaptable and comprehensive surveillance system. All of these features mean that VMS is highly effective in open areas, areas of high traffic where checkpoints are not feasible, or areas with multiple points of entry, such as an airport.

Integration – The Best of Both
With this in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that Access Control and VMS providers have been working to integrate with one another.

This allows Access Control systems to employ more video functionality such as live & playback video and PTZ control & export, while VMS can monitor Access Control events such as elevator control, card tracing and advanced door monitoring.

In most cases though, it is still best to deploy Access Control and VMS side by side, as this creates a more robust and well-rounded system. If the security system has been designed around limited entry points, with Access Control entry, and the operator only requires a basic visual verification, then Access Control software may be sufficient.

However, the more advanced analytics and forensic capabilities of VMS, combined with its versatility and wider coverage, make it better suited for monitoring larger areas with numerous entry points. Therefore in these environments, VMS should be the front-end, with an integrated Access Control plugin to allow management of events and alarms.

The future Security Moves on solar power

Solar panels generate power directly from the sun. They convert the sunlight that they draw directly into electricity; this form of power is friendly to the environment, as there are no harmful gases or chemicals that are used in producing this power. This is therefore better for the environment.

The solar panels are made up of a collection of individual silicon. A single solar cell can produce about 0,5volt. Solar cells are grouped together to create a panel, which can produce up to 24 volts output. Solar panels can also be wired in parallel, this will increase the power output creating more power, and if wired in series, this will increase voltage for 24, 48 or possibly even higher voltage systems.

The three types of solar panels are mono-crystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous. At present, PSS Distributors is concentrating on two types, mono-crystalline and polycrystalline. We already discussed in my earlier post.

The differences between the panels are as follows:

Monocrystalline – All crystals face the same direction. This form of solar panel is the most effective, but the cost factor is a lot more expensive. Slices are cut at sizes of 0,2 and 0,4 mm thick. These are then put together as individual cells, wired together in the panel. Manufacturing temperature is around 1400 degrees Celsius.

Polycrystalline – Crystal faces have different directions, grains are not parallel and can also be called multi-crystalline. These panels are less expensive, but can also be less efficient. The cells are not single crystals but a block of many crystals. Manufacturing temperature is a bit lower than Monocrystalline at about 800-1000 degrees Celsius.

Amorphous – This is the angle of the adjustable solar panel, which can be changed two or more times during the year. This helps increase the solar output by approximately 25%.

When you have decided on the location of the solar panels, ensure you have a good amount of sunlight between the times of 9 am – 4 pm. It is not advised that solar panels be placed in the shade, but remember that heat build up can cause the panel to be less efficient. There should always be spacing around the panels, this will ensure that there is sufficient cooling and ensure that the panels do not build up to much heat. 

Solar panels should always face the equator for effective coverage. So if living in the southern hemisphere, the solar panels would face in a northern direction. The angle of the panel should only be changed twice per year. In winter +15° latitude and in summer -15° latitude. This will increase the solar panels output by a further 25%.

Tracking solar panels are the most effective type as they follow the sun, but the cost of these units are expensive and during winter, may not be as effective. Solar panels are a more cost effective way of ensuring constant power as well as ensuring that the environment remains emission free and allows the environment to remain green.

Having now completed the construction of a 9, 4-megawatt solar farm in the province of Turin, the company turned to address the problem of guaranteeing the highest possible levels of protection.

“The client asked us to design a solution in which the network infrastructure was both sturdy and scalable so that it could be used simultaneously by the security system, the video-surveillance system and the other equipment used to monitor the production of electricity. Moreover, in compliance with the applicable laws in force, the video-surveillance system had to ensure low luminous impact at night and, therefore, had to be able to operate satisfactorily without any lights on, except in exceptional circumstances,” explains Claudio Toaldo, owner of Sicurtel, the company that built the plant.

The plant took about two months to complete, including meetings with the client and the realisation of the design plan.

Given the distance of the perimeter (about 4000 metres) and the possible electromagnetic interference caused by 12 inverters installed on the field, Sicurtel decided to construct a closed ring fibre-optic Ethernet infrastructure using O-ring technology with 12 field switches and an extended temperature range of -40°C/+75°C.

The network hosts 28 ERMO 482 X PRO Cias microwave barriers and 11 Ulisse Compact IP 36 + Videotec 110 mt IR cameras.

The Cias barriers are connected on the field via 15 485/Ethernet IB-FMCREP-ETH converters and are controlled by means of an IB-SYSTEM IP server.

The Videotec cameras used for the surveillance system guarantee lowest environmental impact during nighttime monitoring and are also fitted with a powerful optical zoom for close-up inspection when necessary.

Sicurtel considered the Milestone XProtect system to be the only fully integrated platform that could manage all the field equipment on an IP platform, hence satisfying its client’s requirements.

“We decided to use the Milestone XProtect Corporate video management and recording system,” continues Toaldo, “because it allows you to record video images and transmit them to the security company’s control room. This enables the control room to handle emergencies and, at the same time, collect information on any alarms detected by the system and recorded by one of at least three pre-set cameras, which the Milestone video management software (VMS) immediately focuses on the security barrier section that triggered the alarm. This is extremely helpful to the work of the security companies, as they are able to quickly and effectively verify all intrusion attempts”. 

The system provides the end user with real time data on the production of electricity. The XProtect Smart Client can be used from the company’s headquarters. Furthermore, XProtect Mobile is a useful and powerful tool for maintenance operators. It is used to remotely plan and verify all interventions, whenever and wherever they are. 

The Milestone VMS supports a number of I/O IP modules to allow the operator, the end user and the security company to use XProtect Smart Client to turn on the lights installed along the perimeter when an alarm is triggered at night, to monitor anomalies detected inside electrical substations or special situations such as a lack of power supply.

“The possibility to integrate the anti-intrusion security system, the video-surveillance system and the electricity production monitoring equipment within the same network infrastructure means that the end user has full control over all the systems installed at the solar farm and, at the same time, can realize important economies of scale, while paving the way for all future upgrades to the systems,” highlights Toaldo.

The solution guarantees efficacy and timely interventions by technical assistance teams managed by Sicurtel using remote systems. In particular, all the routine maintenance operations and interventions to resolve any malfunctions detected by the system that do not imply the replacement or repair of and field devices or equipment are managed via the Internet.