The Digital Video Transition

Now that the Government has finally mandated and implemented the conversion from analog video to digital video, the security industry is finally going to progress at warp speed in unleashing a storm of new and exciting, and yes user-friendly, products that take full advantage of this technology. There is zero reason to be even thinking Analog anymore! Analog video has served us well but it is time to move on! Personally, I thought that by now the industry would be much further along the digital path that it has.

MPEG H.264/AVC is the latest and greatest compression technology. The purpose of H.264/AVC is to create a new standard which is capable of providing good quality (D1) performance at much lower bit rates that the previous standards. This new standard uses half or less the bit rate of MPEG-2, H.263, or MPEG-4 Part 2. The nice thing about H.264 from the technical standpoint is that it doesn’t increase the complexity of the design very much and it will not be overly expensive to implement from both the hardware and software sides if the isle. An additional and very important aspect of H.264 is the fact that will provide enough flexibility that will allow it to be used in a variety of network applications with the ability to scale both high and low bit rates depending on the application. Both the Blu-ray Disc format and the now-discontinued HD-DVD format include the H.264/AVC high profile as one of 3 mandatory video compression codecs. Sony has also chosen this format for their memory stick video format.


An early version of WTI’s MG400 MPEG Codec from the year 2002 – It was big and it was slow!



WTI’s current Video Encoder: It’s Small and fast and scalable!

For more information on WTI’s C-MAX Ultra Video IP Encoder and Video Server, check it out on our web site at http://www.wtipower.com/Products_UltraVideoEncoder.htm.

~Dan Fancher, President/C.E.O.



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WTI (Wireless Technology, Inc.)

Video Surveillance Products Dedicated to the Broadcast, Global Security and Transportation Markets!

www.gotowti.com ● www.wirelesstech.com

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Decision: Analog or Megapixel?

Megapixel cameras have come a long way in the last few years. Many articles and technical documents reflect a general consensus that the future will be all megapixel cameras.

This is indeed the latest trend and a very likely future… a distant future.

Analog cameras have been around much longer and have a distinct maturity in product offerings. This is seen in variety as well as initial cost to purchase and install. Analog has a proven track record of reliability along with a very large and established install base. This install base reflects an investment that most are not willing to part with until the life of the unit has run its course and the time has come for it to be replaced.

Granted: IP based video systems are here and consideration of network integration for video surveillance and services is a must. Megapixel camera technology is still developing and growing. However, to maintain the existing video investment, many will implement an encoder at the analog video camera to create an IP based camera. Many will simply change the DVR to create an IP based access point for all the analog cameras.

Megapixel or analog is not a choice that needs to be made for the entire system.

The beauty of the megapixel camera trend at the edge of the video network is that it does give more choices in coverage and surveillance options when building new or enhancing an existing video system.

There is a definite place for megapixel cameras in many (and most) surveillance installations. The decision for this should be considered on a camera-by-camera basis with specific regard for what is being monitored, recorded, and recalled for viewing or video evidence purpose.

The general market still indicates analog to be the predominant camera of choice (reference Summary section on page 8 of Analog vs. IP Cameras):

http://www.aventuratechnologies.com/newsletter/DOCS/Aventura_Newsletter_02_Analog_vs_IP_Cameras.pdf

In repeat of a previous blog…
Be it a completely new video network or an update/extension/replacement of an existing video network, the end result that balances function, finance, video coverage, and video storage/recall will very likely be a hybrid video system which contains BOTH analog cameras and megapixel IP cameras.

** Try this live outdoor analog camera connected to an encoder **
http://www.gotowti.com/Info/WTI_SidewinderInternetDemo09.pdf



The following reading is recommended before deciding analog or megapixel:

1.) Choosing Analog or IP Camera Systems for Video Surveillance (CCTV) theCgisite.com (overview of considerations needed to make decision on a camera-by-camera basis):
http://www.thecgisite.com/detail/choosing-analog-or-ip-camera-systems-for-video-surveillance-cctv-35.html

2.) Megapixel Video for D.U.M.I.E.S. – Part 1 of 4 Security Sales & Integration (good coverage of megapixel video technology):
http://www.securitysales.com/resources/SS3dumies.pdf

3.) The difference between HD and megapixel surveillance cameras IP Security Watch (insightful perspective for 2009 HD versus megapixel):
http://www.ipsecuritywatch.com/web/online/IPSW-News/The-difference-between-HD-and-megapixel-surveillance-cameras/512$14934

4.) Megapixel Resolution Comparison Chart PULS Global (basic spec comparisons of megapixel cameras from a camera distributor):
http://www.puls-global.com/megapixel-cctv.htm

5.) The Truth about Megapixel Network Camera Technology Security International (perspective from a megapixel manufacturer):
http://www.security-int.com/categories/megapixel-network-camera-technology/the-truth-about-megapixel-network-camera-technology.asp

~David Scales, Chief Technology Officer