The video surveillance market is booming,
driven by increased public and private security concerns, as well as a technology shift.
The transition to network video is a reality
as customers take advantage of flexible, industry standard systems for security and
video surveillance. As security management
over the IP network expands and intelligence
capabilities move out to network cameras,
systems can scale much more easily. This
move to open systems empowers a much
more productive and cost-effective means of
surveillance than was ever possible.
For the security manager, the shift to network video creates new opportunities where digital
technology can be put to use to deliver maximum value.
Superior image quality
Image quality is clearly one of the most important
features of any camera, if not the most important.
Superior image quality enables the user to more closely
follow details and changes in images, making for better and faster decisions to more effectively safeguard
people and property. It also ensures greater accuracy
for automated analysis and alarm tools. Axis network
cameras provide high-quality video images, and megapixel network cameras are available to provide even
more image details.
Remote accessibility
With network video, users can access real-time video
at any time from any authorized computer anywhere.
Axis network video products provide an easy way to
capture and distribute high quality video over any kind
of IP network or the Internet. The video can be stored
at remote locations for convenience and security, and
the information can be transported over the LAN or
Internet.
Easy, future-proof integration
There are almost no limitations as to where a network
video product can be placed. Axis network video has
the capacity to provide a high level of integration with
other equipment and functions, making it a continually
developing system. A fully integrated Axis network video system can be used for a multitude of applications
simultaneously: for instance, access control, building
management, point-of-sales systems, ATMs, as well as
fire, intruder and visitor management.
Scalability and flexibility
An Axis network video system can be expanded by
adding more network cameras. You can choose exactly
what you need today, and scale the system at any time
to meet your growing needs. New technologies, additional cameras, and extra storage capacity can all be
easily added as required, thanks to strict adherence to
industry standards.
Cost-effectiveness
Based on open standards, Axis network video products
run on IP networks. Using standard PC server hardware rather than proprietary equipment such as DVRs
radically reduces management and equipment costs,
particularly for larger systems where storage and servers are a significant portion of the total solution cost.
Additional cost savings come from the infrastructure
used. IP-based networks such as LANs and the Internet can be leveraged for other applications across the
organization.
Distributed intelligence
These days, a massive amount video is being recorded,
but never watched or reviewed due to lack of time. As
a result, events and activities are missed, and suspicious behaviors remain unnoticed. With network video,
intelligence has been brought into the camera itself.
Network cameras can have built-in video motion detection and alarm management so the camera decides
when to send video, at what frame rate and resolution,
and when to alert a specific operator. Other unique
features include audio detection and active tampering alarm.
The IP Way:
How it works
Protecting existing CCTV investments
Significant investments in analog CCTV systems may
have already been made. The technology shift to network video does not, however, mean that existing analog CCTV investments have to be discarded. With an
Axis network video solution, you can integrate your
existing analog system into an IP-based solution. The
solution enables you to take advantage of numerous
functionalities such as remote pan/tilt/zoom, Power
over Ethernet, audio, video motion detection, while
meeting user requirements for image quality, recording
capabilities, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Leveraging IT investments and achieving a
lower total cost of ownership
The majority of businesses now have high-speed, IPbased networks connected to the Internet. Adding an
Axis network video system simply utilizes and extends
the same infrastructure to include video functionality.
Standard IT equipment such as switches, PC servers for
video recording and storage, are used, so existing investments in IT infrastructure and devices can be leveraged, ensuring high return on investment.
Analog cameras
A more secure system
Network video offers more ways to secure access to video than can be provided by an analog CCT V system.
Passwords can be used to limit access, and video can be encrypted before being sent over the network to make
sure it cannot be viewed or tampered with. The system can also be set up to authenticate the connection
using encrypted certificates that only accept a specific network video device, thus eliminating the possibility
of anyone hacking into the system.
Axis video encoders and
rack solutions
Axis video encoders make it possible to move toward a network video
system without having to discard
existing analog equipment. They
connect to analog cameras, digitize
the images and send them over an
IP network, allowing analog cameras to take advantage of many of
the same benefits as provided by
network cameras.
An Axis network video system is able to send video without the need for a dedicated
physical infrastructure. It uses standard IP networks, such as Local Area Networks (LANs)
and the Internet, for transporting information, rather than dedicated point-to-point
cabling, such as that used in analog video systems.
IP NETWORK
Axis network cameras
Connecting directly to the IP network, they capture and send live
video directly over the IP network.
Video management and
storage
A standard PC with video management software can be used to monitor and record the video.
Remote access
Any camera can be monitored remotely from anywhere on the LAN
or the Internet.
Axis video decoder
If network video streams need to be
mon it or ed on e xis ti ng ana lo g e qui pment, an Axis video decoder can be
used.
Easy and cost-effective expansion
A network video system is extremely flexible. Cameras can be moved freely around the network, and the
system can be expanded by adding more network cameras. This is easily done regardless of whether the new
cameras are to be placed at the same site, or at a new location communicating over the Internet.
Making the most out of your system
With Axis network video solutions, you can take advantage of advanced features that will
further enhance your application.
Many network cameras employ progressive scan technology that better depicts moving objects clearly. This
advanced image capture technology means that the
whole image is captured at one time, thus providing
crystal clear images even with a high degree of motion.
Power over Ethernet:
Increasing savings and reliability
Not available for analog cameras, Power over Ethernet
(PoE, IEEE 802.3af standard) means that the cameras
get power from a PoE-enabled switch or midspan over
the same standard cable that transmits video. PoE provides multiple benefits, including reduced installation
costs and flexibility in camera placement. In addition,
cameras can get centralized backup power from the
server room, so in the event of a power failure they will
continue to operate.
Megapixel resolution:
See what you’ve been missing
A megapixel network camera provides more detail or
can cover larger areas. In addition to the advantage of
depicting more detail with greater pixel density, it can
be used to digitally pan, tilt and zoom, and to create
multi-view video.
Wireless networking:
For full installation flexibility
Sometimes wireless solutions are the best and most
cost-effective option for video surveillance installations. For example, it is useful in historic buildings,
where the installation of cables would damage the interior, or within facilities where there is a need to move
cameras to new locations on a regular basis. The technology can also be used to bridge sites without expensive ground cabling.
Video compression formats:
H.264, MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG
Video compression formats can be a determining factor for a video surveillance application. Many Axis network video products feature advanced real-time video
encoding that can deliver Motion JPEG, MPEG-4 as
well as H.264 video streams. This gives the flexibility to
maximize image quality for recording while reducing
bandwidth and storage needs.
Intelligent video:
Scalable intelligence at the edge
Intelligent video makes video more manageable for
systems and persons. Applications range from analytics such as video motion detection and audio detection, to more advanced systems including camera tampering detection, people counting, virtual fences, and
vehicle license plate recognition. Building this sort of
analytics into edge devices such as network cameras
has major advantages. An intelligent network camera
is never idle and supports the operator 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. It is constantly on guard, waiting
for an impulse to start recording or sending an alarm to
the operator.
Total cost of ownership at a glance
All the advanced features offered by network video come at a cost. The initial price for a network camera can be higher than an analog camera, if one compares only the camera. But
comparing the cost per video channel, the Axis network video system, with all its superior
flexibility and performance, quickly becomes comparable with an analog system anchored by
a DVR. In many system configurations, the upfront cost for a surveillance system based on
network video products is lower.
According to independent research on the differences
between analog and digital solutions, installation, configuration and training costs for analog systems are
almost 50% more than for IP systems. For example,
cabling is almost three times as expensive in analog
systems compared with IP-based systems. The primary
reason is that coaxial cabling is more expensive than
Ethernet cabling. Also, analog typically requires separate power cabling, while Power over Ethernet eliminates the need for electrical connections in the IP system, and separate cabling is also needed to control
analog PTZ cameras. A network video system allows
users to incorporate open PC systems and open storage
with video management software, which costs 20%
less than DVRs.
> If an IP infrastructure is installed, the network video
system is always lower in cost.
> Network video systems of 40 cameras or more have
a lower total cost of ownership than analog-based
systems.
> 32 cameras is the break-even point for IP systems vs.
analog. Beyond 32 cameras, the network video system in common scenarios has a lower cost, and between 16 and 32, the cost is quite similar or may be
slightly lower for analog systems.
> Network video products have other benefits that
cannot be quantified: scalability, easier integration
with other systems, superior image quality, better
maintenance and service, easier troubleshooting,
and many more.
To read the full study, please visit:
www.axis.com/corporate/corp/papers/tco.htm
IP system
US$ 61,382
The total cost for network video systems with existing infrastructure vs.
analog solutions will range from 35% lower for systems with up to four
cam eras to an aver age of 15% le ss for sy stems with more than 60 c ameras. In cases where there is no existing IP infrastructure, analog solutions have a 5%-10% price advantage for systems up to 32 cameras
vs. IP. But beyond 32 cameras, the price advantage for network video
systems averages 5%.
Analog solutions
US$ 63,481
Why Axis
> Worldwide #1 in network video,
the world’s leading expert
> Proven installations across all
continents
> Broadest product portfolio in the
industry
> Broadest network of security and
IT partners
> Over 20 years of networking
excellence
www.axis.com
About Axis Communications
Axis is an IT company offering network video solutions
for professional installations. The company is the global
market leader in network video, driving the ongoing
shift from analog to digital video surveillance. Axis
products and solutions focus on security surveillance
and remote monitoring, and are based on innovative,
open technology platforms.
Axis is a Swedish-based company, operating worldwide
with offices in more than 20 countries and cooperating
with par tners in m ore th an 70 countr ies . Fo unded in 1984,
Axis is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange under the
ticker AXIS. For more information about Axis, please visit
our website at www.axis.com