Dynamic Network Factory Blog » IP Surveillance

Break the 3000FPS Barrier with DNF Security’s Falcon Extreme™

Roela Regalado — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:03:01 +0000

DNF Security’s new release – Falcon Extreme™ builds on the powerful Falcon Video Storage Platform to provide unrivaled levels of performance and reliability. The newest addition to its Falcon Video Storage Platform Series with the Falcon Extreme™. Falcon Extreme™ is the first ever appliance-specific recording platform to surpass 3000 frames per second (FPS). Falcon Extreme™ leverages the customized architecture and massive processing power of the multi-core Falcon Video Storage Platform for unrivaled reliability and performance. Featuring custom-tuned, multi-threaded, high performance processors, Falcon Extreme™ sets a new standard for IP video processing and storage.

Tested and certified by the Arecont Vision MegaLab™, the Falcon Extreme™ is available in several popular form factors and configurations, ranging from six bay units to thirty-six bay systems. Additionally, Falcon Extreme™ is also available in the new, ultra-quiet, TBQ configuration. Falcon Extreme™ has set a new industry standard for performance of application specific recording platforms – this is a feature that our customers have been asking for, and that is what DNF Security is delivering with Falcon Extreme.

Find out more about Falcon Video Storage Platform here.

Surveillance System Considerations

simratdhindsa — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:53:46 +0000

Choosing an IP-based surveillance system is an important decision – there are several factors to consider. Since, network cameras transmit over your existing IP network, bandwidth is important. You’ll also need to think about storage based on archival time, image quality and continuous vs recording triggered with motion. Other key consideration include network and system scalability. Putting thought into these areas before your system setup will ensure that you have the right equipment and proper game plan to fulfill your surveillance requirements.

There are a number of factors to consider when calculating the amount of hard disk space required for your specific storage need:

1. How many surveillance cameras are you operating ?

2. Will the cameras be recording continuously or only at certain hours of the day ?

3. Will your IP cameras be set too record only when motion is detected?

4. How long will the video footage be stored on the hard disk?

5. What level of image quality is the required (this will determine parameters such as frame rate and compression)

Feeling overwhelmed with these questions ? Not to worry – speak now with an IP surveillance expert at 510.265.1122.

We will get you the right configuration, at right price with tech. support just a call away.

Preparing your IT Environment for IP Video Surveillance

Roela Regalado — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:12:04 +0000

ATTENTION IT Integrators! Preparing your IT environment for IP surveillance isn’t as difficult than you think.

According to the CRN.com article “How To Integrate Video Surveillance Into Your IT Solutions” about 90% of the installation process are processes you already know.

Think about it, configuring storage, servers, and critical software applications to your IT environment is pretty much the same as integrating an IP surveillance environment. The only difficulty that you might face is installing the video cameras, but even so, camera manufacturers often provide a wealth of resources for successful integration.

For more information about IP surveillance integration, check out our video “IP Network Storage For Security Surveillance” on our DNF Security YouTube page.

Port Surveillance – Top Concerns

Roela Regalado — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:40:49 +0000

Surveillance in Ports is nothing new. With millions (possibly billions) of dollars worth of inventory passing through their docks everyday, security is a top priority. Which is why many ports today are opting for more sophisticated and robust surveillance systems that can deal with their demanding requirements. Based on our experience, here are some top concerns ports have on implementing a surveillance system:

Scalability and Flexibility: The ability to grow the number of cameras on the fly is something ports look for, and its important to have a solution that will give them the ability to do so.
Need for Advanced Applications: Advanced video analytics, high mega-pixel cameras, and a video storage system that is able to handle them are all just some features ports are looking for.
Around-the-Clock Surveillance: Theft is always an issue, but in the case of ports, its vital to have around-the-clock monitoring.

See how DNF Security helped the Port of West Sacramento upgrade their surveillance system to IP on this Case Study.

IP Surveillance: A Bandwidth-eater?

Roela Regalado — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:43:06 +0000

Let’s face it, implementing an IP surveillance environment fills up a lot of your IT resources. From the sophisticated megapixel cameras to the VMS, it’s clear that IP requires not only regular maintenance, but also bandwidth. But there has always seems to be this misconception that IP surveillance is just a big bandwidth-eater. But that’s not the case. With video compression standards like H.264 video streams from those high-resolution cameras can be condensed into smaller files, which minimizes local bandwidth disruption.

However if there has to be a concern over excessive bandwidth consumption, then it would probably be downloading video streams across the WAN. That’s because:

Multiple locations are being utilized.
It may compromise video quality if you need to transmit the resources to another location.
There is a need to define which video areas need to be focused on…which means, more system planning and maintenance.

Want to know more about how your surveillance system really effects your bandwidth? Check out this article on IP Security Watch.

Technology Tribute: H.264

joshuaspires — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:45:58 +0000

Does it ever seem like technological innovation is making life more complicated, not less? H.264 Video compression technology might be the exception that proves the rule. With the ability to provide higher resolutions within smaller files than competing codecs, H.264 has drastically increased the amount of video data that can be captured, transmitted and stored by a single system.

Compared to the preceding technology, H.264 allows users to transmit video clips using up to 80% less bandwidth. That means the same pipe that once carried a single feed can now transmit five. H.264 video encoding also dramatically reduces storage requirements, permitting users to store and retain more images. In the words of one video compression expert: “Better compression means greater flexibility – the more efficiently data is handled, the more choices you have with your existing resources.” For more information about H.264 video technology, check out this article By Yu Kitamura in Security News.

Defining the ‘Needs’ for School Surveillance Systems

Roela Regalado — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:00:18 +0000

Keeping schools safe has always been a priority, but it seems that these days it’s more of a necessity. As we live in a post 9/11 world, the need to protect students and teachers in the educational space is urging many schools across the country to implement video surveillance systems across their campuses. But when it comes to buying a system, what are their needs?

Here are some common concerns and requirements schools have before choosing a system:

Cost Effectiveness: Working with a tight budget is difficult and schools are looking for a solution that won’t cost them an arm and a leg
Easy User Experience: It’s more likely that those that will be monitoring the surveillance system won’t be a tech-savvy as an IT manager, so it is important for the overall surveillance solution to have a relatively easy user interface.
24-hour Monitoring: Once schools out, that doesn’t mean that the cameras are turned off. Having the system on at all times is a requirement to keep the property safe.

Defining VSaaS for Surveillance

Roela Regalado — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:00:50 +0000

In our last blog we explored Cloud Computing layer Infrastructure-as-a-Service (or IaaS) and the advantages of utilizing it to your IT infrastructure. Now it’s surveillance’s time.

Video-Surveillance-as-a-Service or VSaaS – like IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS – is a cloud computing element, but designed for the video surveillance environment. The way it work is that video resources from on-site cameras are streamed to systems at the provider’s site. VSaaS is quite cost effective, saving on maintenance costs, and interestingly enough, has no need to integrate a VMS to view your video resources.

Essentially there VSaaS can be divided by the following:

Hosted Video: Video streamed off-site over the WAN to a hosting provider’s data center.
Managed Video: Video resources are streamed to the end-user’s site and managed by the hosting provider remotely.
or a combination of both!

To learn more about VSaaS, check out this interesting article on CSO Online.

Hybrid Surveillance Systems for Casinos

Roela Regalado — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:20:52 +0000

When it comes to surveillance systems, casinos are known to have very sophisticated systems in their facilities. And although implementing a complete IP solution would be ideal, having a hybrid solution with pre-existing CCTV components is another alternative. In the SourceSecurity.com article, Specifying IP Video CCTV Systems for Casinos, is an interesting piece that points out the advantages of integrating a hybrid solution to casino facilities.

According the article, here are some of the highlights of implementing a hybrid solution:

High-quality frame rate video
Fault tolerance, redundancy, diagnostics and hardware monitoring
Little or No Latency

For more information about hybrid surveillance solutions, check out this video.

DNF Security partners with Arecont Vision

Roela Regalado — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:57:44 +0000

This week DNF Security announced a technology partnership with leading IP-camera provider Arecont Vision. DNF Security has worked with Arecont Vision to set up DNF video storage solutions to Arecont’s MegaLab in Los Angeles, California.

MegaLab is a unique facility where end users and integrators can come and see these systems operating in real time. With Arecont Vision’s line of dynamic IP cameras bundled with leading VMS, video storage solutions, and now DNF Security’s high performance storage appliances, visitors can witness how these solutions work together before buying.

For more information about this partnership check out our latest press release. And for more information on how to visit Arecont Vision’s MegaLab visit their website at www.arecontvision.com.