The Thermal Revolution is now under way!

I can remember sitting in a meeting over 20 years ago in Langley, Virginia discussing that one day there could be video sensors capable of seeing clearly in total darkness, through dust, smoke and fog! I also remember someone mentioning that if a camera did have that capability it would cost a small fortune to make and to buy. Well that day is upon us, but thankfully the sensors don’t cost a small fortune.

It is amazing that the technological breakthroughs that change the very nature of an industry happen before anyone takes notice of them – even people who think that they are on the forefront of technology. A good example of this is the point and shoot CMOS digital cameras that we all now take for granted. It wasn’t all that long ago that their cost was high and their performance wasn’t nearly as good as film. However, because of their ease of use, instant picture review (gratification) and the ability to quickly email and share the pictures, their volumes increased and their production costs decreased. Now they have replaced pretty much all film cameras and put the once great instant picture company into a tail spin. By the way, I wonder what Kodak and Polaroid were thinking along the way to now?

Here is the news folks: a paradigm shift is now underway in thermal sensor technology and it is forever going to change the way video detection gets done. This snowball is rolling and picking up steam and getting bigger every day. This technology has changed the way the security industry gets things done. It has changed the way firefighting gets done. This technology has changed the way we fight our wars. This technology is going to have a profound improvement in the way vehicle traffic is managed thus creating safer and more efficient roads, cleaner air and an overall improved quality of life. This technology is going to be as common as digital cameras in cell phones.

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

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