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Using a PC as a digital video multiplexer for recording video inputs onto the hard disk of a PC, a video camera package may consist of 32 bit Windows based software and a video card with a number of inputs which can be installed inside the PC in a spare PCI slot. Depending on the model, expansion modules may be added to provide up to 16 inputs per PC.
Motion Detection on Playback
When playing back video images the user can select an area of the screen to detect motion in and then press play to do a motion search. The software will stop playback when movement occurs inside the selected area. This can save hours of sitting at the PC watching playback for a specific event.
Alarm Events and triggers
Alarm input cables provide the activation signals. When a monitored event triggers an alarm, the PC is set to automatically record for a predefined duration.
Record and playback images
View live and stored images locally or
remotely via network or internet
Having multiple inputs allows you to
constantly view images from a number of cameras simultaneously, recording
and organizing those images so that they can be found and replayed later.
Another advantage is being able to view stored images whilst actually
recording.
Surveillance Software
IP-surveillance applications
create video streams that are transferred via a wired or wireless IP
network, enabling remote video recording, as well as integration to other
systems such as access control.
What is an IP camera?
A network camera can be described as a camera and computer combined into one unit; it connects directly to the network as any other network device.
A network camera has its own IP address and built-in computing functions to handle network communication. Everything needed for viewing images over the network is built into the unit.
A network camera has built-in software for a Web server, FTP server, FTP client and e-mail client. Other features include alarm input and output functions.
Advanced network cameras can also be equipped with many value-added options such as motion detection and an analogue video output.
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CCTV IP Cameras
This operates on wired and wireless TCP/IP computer networks and removes the need for running separate cables for the CCTV system, making installation, quick, convenient and inexpensive.
As the CCTV system operates over a network the cameras can be accessed by anyone on the same network or via the Internet and recorded on a PC.
Another advantage of CCTV IP cameras is that they can connect directly to a computer network or ADSL connection with no PC is required; the cameras are self contained and supplied ready for connection. This saves on cost because separate PCs are not needed for each camera/location, there is less equipment involved and cameras have no hard disk.
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Combined EPOS /CCTV?
Many businesses wish to exploit the potential for combining EPOS with CCTV. Using programmable events triggers which can be activated automatically or via user intervention from within the software is increasingly available. Certain EPOS systems have software triggers that can be set to activate "PC video" or "image" recording and even activate remote cameras.Automated operation leaves the decision with the software, where, for example, on access to a particular module or activation of a certain function within the software, an action can be taken, a trigger can be fired.
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Flexible Camera Hardware
Unlike dedicated POS technology or cash registers, EPOS systems using PC technology can display camera output on the same screen as the EPOS software, saving on additional display units.
 Broadband Connection
CCTV software may be implemented at centralized stations to allow monitoring over a broadband IP connection. Alarm, video and audio IP devices may also be fitted at the remote site.
Viewing Video over a PC Network
Viewing pictures over a PC network or dial up network can be achieved by sending the video over the TCP/IP network. Each networked computer can view and store the images on its own hard disk and replay them at a later date.
Email and Web Server Upload
Software has the ability to email a picture to several email addresses. This feature can be programmed onto the software’s function keys, can be automatically triggered by an alarm input, keyboard, timers or on screen buttons. An email may have a JPEG image attached to it, or not in the case of an SMS text message. The web upload command can be attached to a function key and is intended for use by anyone who wants to show pictures from CCTV cameras on the Internet or the intranet.
If exists a permanent connection to the internet (cable modem or DSL) then images can be uploaded at a specified rate.
Another option is for the software to make a dial up connection via telephone line, upload the picture and then disconnect to save on call costs. Range of Cameras
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) provides a clear image in low light conditions
Electronic Iris of up to 1/100,000th of a second
Gamma characteristics - Operating at a gamma of 0.45
Day and Night Functionality
High quality CCTV cameras include built-in light sensor detectors. The camera automatically changes to night vision mode and activates the built-in infra-red LEDs, giving a high quality black and white night time image - distance and quality depends on the camera model.
Time-Lapse Recording
This maintains as many days of images as storage will allow. Software can be set to record time-lapse on hard disk, DVD, network server or any PC storage device. Alarm triggered recordings can be saved separately from time-lapse recordings.
Alarm Recording
'Recording on alarm' is where images are recorded after the alarm is fired, and for a specified period of time. This is important where storage capacity is limited. It is also useful to indicate which camera inputs to use.
Flexible Configuration
Choose where to record images, internal, external or networked drive(s); choose which hours during the day to record and which cameras to record during those periods; choose the quality of your recordings; choose the speed of recording; choose how much hard disk space to preserve.
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