What is Internet Bandwidth?
Internet bandwidth can be thought of as an electronic byway that connects the Internet to your computer. Increasing bandwidth (widening the lane) allows more traffic to flow, increasing speed. Having a little or a lot of Internet bandwidth available makes the difference between watching a graphic-intensive Web page load in phases over a period of several minutes, or having it pop into your window like a flash of lightening. The more bandwidth your connection has, the faster it will load and the more time you will save.
Internet bandwidth test meters are available online to test your connection speed. The hosting site will upload blocks of data recording the amount of time it takes to complete the transfers. Speed is a measurement of how much data can be transferred from the Internet to your computer per second. A graph will reveal the results, allowing you to see if your connection is performing as expected. Close unnecessary background processes and programs before you start, and take several bandwidth tests from several sites to establish an average, true speed.
Unfortunately we cannot “unthrottle” bandwidth at will. Internet service providers (ISPs) allot computer connections so much bandwidth based on the price of the package purchased. To get more speed, you have to upgrade to a package with a greater allowance of bandwidth. In the case of dial-up, the slowest type of Internet service, the technology itself limits the connection speed to less than 56 kilobits per second (kbps). As a point of reference, one Megabyte is 8,192 kilobits so transferring one Megabyte of data over dial-up can take close to three minutes. This limitation eventually pushes most customers towards faster technologies.
IP
What is Power Over Ethernet?
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology for wired Ethernet LANs (local area networks) that allows the electrical current necessary for the operation of each device to be carried by the data cables rather than by power cords. Doing so minimizes the number of wires that must be strung in order to install the network. The result is lower cost, less downtime, easier maintenance, and greater installation flexibility than with traditional wiring.
For PoE to work, the electrical current must go into the data cable at the power-supply end, and come out at the device end, in such a way that the current is kept separate from the data signal so that neither interferes with the other. The current enters the cable by means of a component called an injector. If the device at the other end of the cable is PoE compatible, then that device will function properly without modification. If the device is not PoE compatible, then a component called a picker or tap must be installed to remove the current from the cable. This "picked-off" current is routed to the power jack.
To minimize the possibility of damage to equipment in the event of a malfunction, the more sophisticated PoE systems employ fault protection. This feature shuts off the power supply if excessive current or a short circuit is detected.
About Onvif
ONVIF is an open industry forum for the development of a global standard for the interface of IP-based physical security products. Founded in 2008 by Axis, Bosch and Sony, the forum rapidly gained momentum and is today endorsed by the majority of the world’s largest manufacturers of IP video products.
The ONVIF specification ensures interoperability between IP-based physical security products regardless of brand. There are many ONVIF-conformant products available on the market, which allows system integrators and end users to easily design and build network video systems with devices from different vendors.
The scope of ONVIF covers network video products as well as physical access control products. The cornerstones of the organization are:
Standardization of communication between IP-based physical security devices
Interoperability between IP-based physical security products regardless of manufacturer
Open to all companies and organizations
What is Smart Tracking? How to enable PTZ Smart Tracking?
Smart Tracking is an innovative technology for Smart PTZ cameras, which increases the effectiveness of the video surveillance system, especially in locations where the occasional presence of people or vehicles requires special attention, such as at bank vaults, hotel corridors, park garages, office buildings and schools, etc., after working hours or during night time.
To change the target during tracking, users simply click on the new target in the view screen.
Always keep in mind that this feature is disabled by default. To enable it, go to the camera IP address --> Configuration --> Advanced Configuration --> PTZ --> Smart Tracking, then check the Smart Tracking box.
Talk to your sales representatives to find out which PTZ cameras have this function.
HD-TVI vs. IP Video Surveillance
IP cameras (commonly referred to as Network cameras, or Megapixel cameras) feature an embedded video server that converts images into a digital format inside of the camera. Because IP cameras are embedded devices and do not need to output an analog signal, they are capable of capturing far higher resolutions than traditional analog cameras.
IP cameras connect to a local network via a single Ethernet cable, which transmits power, video and data to and from the camera. Additionally, IP cameras have a unique IP address, and can be accessed directly via the network – providing remote access and storage flexibility.
Most common IP solutions range from 1.3 megapixel (1280 x 1024 pixels) to 5.0 megapixel (2592 x 1944 pixels), and some manufacturers offer IP cameras that deliver 20+ megapixel resolutions. However, the resolution and frame rate captured for a specific application are typically limited by storage and bandwidth constraints, and higher megapixel models can be cost prohibitive.
Benefits of IP
Capable of higher resolutions than traditional analog solutions
Transmit power, video and data over single Ethernet cable
IP camera can operate as a standalone network device, capable of functioning without a network video recorder
Limitations of IP
Require a complex network infrastructure
Offer limited transmission distance
Commonly experience video latency
Require considerable network bandwidth
Can be extremely costly compared to comparable HD-TVI systems
The Advantages of HD-TVI
HD-TVI systems are capable of delivering up to 1080p HD video – addressing the primary shortcoming of traditional analog solutions. 1080p (or 2.1 megapixel) cameras capture more than 4x the resolution of the most powerful analog cameras – allowing users to effectively zoom in to view the level of detail required for most common security applications.
Additionally, HD-TVI systems are capable of transmitting video over standard coaxial cabling (new or existing) – dramatically reducing the time, cost and complexity associated with a comparable IP solution. HD-TVI cameras can transmit video up to 1600’ – over 5x the distance of an IP system, and transmits with zero latency – a very common issue with most IP installations.
HD-TVI systems are as simple to install and maintain as traditional analog solutions – not requiring the networking equipment and knowledge associated with IP solutions. And because HD-TVI lives off the network, they don’t interfere with other network-related activities, or consume valuable network bandwidth required by other devices.
There are no licensing or recurring fees associated with HD-TVI solutions, and all channels come completely enabled – for the life of your product. Comparable IP solutions commonly require the purchase of a license for every channel used, and a recurring annual fee to maintain that license. This is an important consideration from a perspective of both management complexity and total cost of ownership.
And importantly, HD-TVI technology has become increasingly accessible. With the growing demand for higher definition video and the recent emergence of more cost-effective technologies, the market price for HD-TVI solutions has reduced dramatically – almost to Analog levels. HD-TVI equipment is now available for less than half the price of a comparable IP solution.