10 Ways Your Video Surveillance System Will Disappoint You

What you need to know before you buy a video surveillance system! CCTV versus network cameras? Will a DVR "convert" my existing analog cameras to digital? Am I really getting the recording capacity my vendor says I am?

Abstract

This white paper tells you what you need to know before you purchase a video surveillance system. Most of this information vendors and integrators do not want you to know. SightMind believes that the most informed customer is the best customer. That is what we mean by, "More Knowledge. More Security." The purpose of this white paper is to point out the ways in which modern video surveillance systems disappoint their owners. The paper discusses ways in which features do not perform as expected. Also discussed are ways in which vendors can deliver inferior technology and solutions, yet still meet paper specifications.

1. The wrong cameras for the right task

There are thousands of different models of surveillance cameras from scores of vendors. Prices range from under $100 to over $12,000. Lenses may be fixed, varifocal, or zoom. Do you need night vision? Most sites require nighttime security, but how much should you spend on a "low-light" camera. Camera resolution varies from quarter VGA to megapixel, using an alphabet of terminology, such as "D1," or "CIF." Image sensor size varies from 1/6 inch to 1/2 inch. Larger image-sensors cost more, but provide far better low-light performance. What kind of enclosure do you need? Integral IR illumination? Dome? Vandal resistant? Weatherproof? Cooling? The wrong enclosure invites failure—from heat, cold, moisture, bugs, or vandalism. What happens if the wrong camera is installed? That answer to the last question is simple: you won't be able to see what you need to see. A good security vendor starts by analyzing what you need to see. Then, they choose the lowest-cost camera that meets the requirements for each location.

2. The wrong recording solution

There are stand-alone DVRs, add-in boards for PCs, and numerous vendors of security software. Not all vendor's software works with all cameras. The emerging IPVS market is filled with a mix of open and proprietary products. Often, stated features are not all available at the same time, or the use of multiple features dramatically reduces system capability. Do you know the true frame-recording rate for your system? Can you view and record at the same time? Does your system provide password-protected access? Can all your employees who should be able to get to the system, get to it in an emergency? Is the ease-of-use as simple as point and click? What does motion detection really mean? Systems that claim 240 fps recording often record at less than 2 frames-per-second, per camera, when fully configured. Be certain your integrator guarantees the "as–configured" features and performance of your complete system.

3. Playback is not convenient

Failure to quickly locate the video you need when an event occurs is the Achilles heel of most surveillance systems. Although many systems claim you can search by date and time, or by motion, have you tried using the system yourself? Often, motion detection zones must be set-up prior to recording. Grainy, low-resolution images easily trigger false-motion detection. You don’t have time to look through hours of recorded video when you need to be managing your organization’s response to a serious incident. Can you easily save video before it gets erased? According to surveys, inconvenient playback and inconvenient video saving is the number one way that video surveillance systems disappoint users.

4. System is not upgradeable

Proprietary solutions that do not use open standards will lock you into a dead-end street. The video security industry has a constant stream of new products, including intelligent cameras, third party software options, motion tracking, integration with POS or access systems, wireless cameras and wireless viewing options. The owners of IP-based video surveillance systems upgrade their systems, on average, within the first two years of installation. Will you be able to take advantage of new products? Proprietary solutions often prohibit upgrades, even within the original manufacturer's product line.

5. Poor resolution

If something happens, you need to know who did it. Could a neutral third party system recognize faces captured with your system? Can you read license plates or identify vehicles with it? Is the video evidence clear enough to present in court? If not, you are paying for a system that won't be there when you need it the most. Inexpensive cameras generate poor-quality video. Some vendors claim they can store a month's worth of video on one disk drive, but high image-compression ratios make images too fuzzy to use. Have you viewed single frames from your actual configured system?

6. Motion detection detects the wrong motion

Reliable, high quality motion detection is difficult to achieve. Most night-vision cameras are incompatible with software-based motion detection because the high image noise causes continuous false-motion recording. Are you going to watch eight hours of video in the hopes that the thief was visible for a frame or two? Is false-motion detection causing your disk to fill up immediately? Are you recording moving headlights and feral cats, instead of intruders? A good vendor positions cameras away from false motion sources, and sets up motion masks to provide effective motion detection. Your vendor needs to select the type of motion-detector that works reliably for your site.

7. Incorrect frame-rate programmed?

A low frame-rate means that you are likely to miss a critical frame. Can't see who started the fight? Can't tell if cashier rung the transaction or not. Can't see who caused the vandalism? Was the shoplifter too quick for your system? A low frame-rate is likely to cause you to miss the critical action, or end up with a video clip too slow to use in court. A high frame-rate may use up all your disk storage, or force resolution-robbing compression ratios. A security system expert selects frame-rates for each camera and each location, as needed. Some systems permit automatic variable frame-rates, based on activity.

8. System dead with the power off

The easiest way for any thief or vandal to defeat a low budget surveillance system is to cut power. An employee might simply wait for a natural power failure, before taking the most expensive item in the building. Do you have backup power for the entire system, including the server, cameras, switches and lighting? Most systems will not re-start automatically following a power loss. Will a one-second power-failure leave your system inoperative until an administrator re-sets it?

9. Can't easily control cameras remotely

Can anyone easily point the pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras in your system, to zoom-in on a trouble zone? If your system has remote access, using the web or wireless PDA's, a key individual in the field is able to control cameras remotely. Are the PTZ cameras set up to automatically return to their "home" positions, after they have been moved? If not, you will likely have unprotected areas before long, as operators move cameras, but fail to move them back. Can your PTZ cameras be set up to patrol—automatically sweeping different fields of view? Do you have to run proprietary and additional wires to control PTZ cameras? Budget software and low-cost DVRs often have camera-control as an extra-cost option. Usually this option is clumsy enough not to be useful. .

10. Poor post-installation support

Will your vendor train new employees? Will they re-point and re-focus cameras, as your needs evolve? Will they quote you for comprehensive maintenance? The best vendors also offer 3-year, 4-year and 5-year maintenance contracts. Even if you chose not to go this route, wouldn’t you like to know your system is built with quality components? Who will reconfigure your system as you grow? The best vendors give you complete peace-of-mind, whether you purchase a maintenance contract, or not.

Plus, three bonus ways your video system might disappoint you…

Bonus 1. The system isn't legal

Do you know what you can legally record and not record? What happens if one of your cameras is looking into a public space? Or looking into a corner of someone else's private cubicle? Does your vendor understand this? Do they know how to set up camera masking to keep your system legal? Do you know how long you need to keep video? Suppose an employee files a claim, just after your storage is erased? Do your system's storage and video save capabilities mesh with your policies?

Bonus 2. Night lighting is too poor to provide security

Does your vendor understand lighting and cameras? Do they know how to add infrared (IR) lighting, or motion-triggered flood lighting? Do they know how to position cameras to avoid night-blindness, manage shadows, and eliminate glare? Most crime happens at night, yet the majority of surveillance systems operate marginally, if at all, at night.

Bonus 3. Not considering Total Cost of Ownership

Cheap components reduce the up-front cost, but increase total cost of system ownership (TCO). There are dozens of ways to cut corners in IPVS hardware, software and installation. Insufficient cooling for enclosed cameras or disk bays will dramatically shorten the life of these electronics. Improperly specified cameras will focus-drift, requiring frequent re-alignment. Lightweight outdoor mounts will corrode and shift position. What is the quality of the power-supplies your integrator has chosen? The best software licenses provide 100% credit towards upgrades. Does your server have the capacity to support two additional cameras? Can your router or switch handle higher frame rates, or a mega-pixel camera upgrade? Will your vendor let you purchase new features, such as PDA video, à la carte? Is your system based on open, industry standards?

About SightMind, Inc.

SightMind is a national company dedicated to providing IP-based video surveillance (IPVS) solutions to schools, government agencies, and commercial/industrial facilities.
SightMind was founded with the goal to bring highly reliable IP-based video surveillance systems to the major institutions and organizations in North America, including high schools, colleges, natural resources, utilities, transportation, public safety, shopping centers, industrial facilities, and large private sites. Legacy CCTV systems are being replaced and updated with modern, digital, networked systems. These IP-based systems provide extensive benefits to their owners, including expanded storage, higher reliability, high resolution sufficient to provide clear identification of people and vehicles, easier administration, cost savings, and customer service benefits far beyond the original security motivations.

IP-based video surveillance systems provide not only proven security benefits, but also site operational cost savings, labor savings, and customer service benefits beyond most customer's original expectations.

www.sightmind.com
SightMind, Inc., 48025 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538
Tel 877-478-7988
email: info@sightmind.com