by Ana María Restrepo
We could say that one of the factors that matter most at the time of developing a photo is its focus, as this allows the image to be distinguished and seen perfectly. In the case of digital cameras there are countless additional factors that make a photograph good, such as pixels, which determine the resolution of the image, which constitutes a good or bad size of the photo.
Since 1975 digital cameras began their journey through the world, the first was a development made by Kodak that had the size of a toaster, a quality of 0.01 megapixels and needed 23 minutes to save a black and white image on a cassette tape. This invention was simply a technical exercise, it was not foreseen that it would be produced.
Years later, in 1991 Kodac launched the DCS-100 model with a 1.3 megapixel sensor; In 1992, Apple showed the first digital camera to the general public. Three years later the first photographic equipment with a liquid crystal display on the back, Cassio QV-10, was created, and later, the following year the Kodak DC-25 was introduced that used CompactFlash memory cards.
On the security side, explicitly speaking of CCTV, the first closed circuit television installed was in 1942 and since that time cameras have been placed throughout the cities, in companies, government, commerce, banks, among other places.
As is known, CCTVs are composed of cameras, monitors and storage devices (DVR, NVR), have an analog or digital structure, are banned in IP or wireless networks, or combine some of these options to give life to hybrid CCTV.
However, this time the topic to be discussed will be megapixel (MP) cameras, their evolution, market trends and characteristics.
To talk about this topic, SECURITY SALES, interviewed four professionals experts in the field who presented us with their points of view.
What it provides
Megapixel cameras provide a resolution three times better than that of an analog camera, giving more details and greater possibilities of identification in terms of surveillance and security.
Some cameras are more suitable in some areas than others, and effectively the factor that decides whether or not to install a megapixel is the need of the end user. However, the impact that this type of camera has presented on CCTV is highly positive from multiple points of view as explained by Luis Carlos Delcampo, of Crockett International. "Obtaining an image that exceeds the resolution D1 (720x480) allows users of this type of technology to have more detail without losing quality in the image when making digital approaches, including being able to see clearly details that with resolution D1 would never be perceptible."
In the area of security, especially video surveillance, there may be situations in which it is necessary to identify the people or objects of certain scenes, a reason that makes it necessary to use a megapixel camera, because as Claudia Dunphy of Lumenera Corporation mentions, these cameras have as greater capacity digital zoom analysis post incident, and its high resolution facilitates positive identification as mentioned above.
For his part, Paul Bodell of IQinVision, considers that the impact of megapixel technology on CCTV, outside of the quality of the images, is that since mega pixel cameras use IP technology, it is no longer necessary to configure or adjust the cameras from their point of location, which translates into a saving of time and money. It also states that high-end cameras are capable of recording images on themselves, which means that bandwidth is not used for data transfer over the network.
Young age but good results
According to what was expressed by the professionals interviewed, the age of megapixel technology is not much, Delcampo explains that mega pixel cameras in the world of CCTV have not been more than five years, and that they were presented to the market by some manufacturers.
Claudia says they have been on the market for about four years, but the image sensor technology takes about 10. Kim Robbins of DVTel, says that this technology has been in the security sector for some years, however recently the costs were reduced making it more affordable.
For his part, Paul says that the network of megapixel cameras is not so new in the market and that it has existed for about eight years, what happens is that many companies have only ventured into this segment of the market a short time ago.
He also believes that the deployment of megapixel cameras has occurred because it means a lower total cost of ownership, because if you need to cover a wide area with forensic detail (see, record, recognize images such as plates and faces) 10 CCTV or standard IP resolution cameras are required to reach the same area that three megapixel cameras would cover, this shows that megapixels represent a more effective and low-cost solution for application in a large area.
Different visions
The use of megapixel cameras has increased in recent years, but many of the users have them underused since they do not use them as they should.
Megapixel cameras allow you to have an overview of an entire scene or a place. This vision makes it possible to have a resolution and coverage of a space with a single megapixel camera. They also admit to having a detailed view of places, people, or things as mentioned at the beginning.
Additionally, megapixel technology is characterized by operating under the network, even some are wireless; the amount of information provided is much greater (much more than 720x480 pixels), has better light sensitivity, below the order of 0.05 lux, supports multiple communication protocols that enable it to operate with open platforms, processes video analysis algorithms by itself, compresses the image in different formats such as mjpeg – mpeg4 and the latest technology with H.264 format, among other features.
Taking into account the wide possibilities of surveillance that are obtained when using megapixel technology, many end users choose this and not another type of system to carry out the protection of banks, offices, hotels, chain stores, companies, etc., although the needs that you want to meet must always be taken into account before choosing the solution to be implemented.
For Claudia this is the best option when it comes to the identification of subjects and objects, in addition to the case of fast-moving vehicles, IP cameras with ccD megapixel (interconnected electrical charges device) provide high resolution images captured using the global shutter, which means that all the lines of the image are exposed at the same time to produce a clear image of the movement of the vehicle.
For his part, Delcampo explains again that the type of application in which the camera will be installed must be taken into account, "because its cost and great versatility may be characteristics far from the current project." He also comments that "basically these cameras are demanded where the conditions of high level of definition in the image are the key parameter in the design as well as the need to handle video analytics, without requiring large management platforms of the CCTV system".
Paul Bodell believes that an important fact before acquiring a video surveillance solution is to evaluate the company that will give the support as well as the manufacturer and the experience of the latter in the manufacture of megapixel cameras.
Good market potential
Megapixel technology is being used in most markets and the trend is that it will replace many standard definition cameras as Kim Robbins believes. "Megapixel cameras hold great promise when it comes to environments or applications that require higher resolution previously available with 500TVL or 4CIF cameras."
Also the market trends point to the issue of IP convergence as Luis Carlos affirms, since the solutions (video, data, audio, telephony,) will operate simultaneously under the same network infrastructure. "All the new developments aim to have 100% IP equipment, meeting Ethernet connectivity standards and exploiting the great advance in quality of service issues by switch manufacturers."
An important point that Claudia highlights is that consumer expectations have changed and now they have a high interest in the quality and resolution of video surveillance. "As more people become familiar with HDTV and megapixel digital cameras as consumer products, their expectations for surveillance products will also increase." It also states that IP surveillance devices represent a small portion of the total sales of CCT, but they are the segment with the highest growth according to the information published in ipvideomarket.info, for this year that begins, the IP CCTV market will grow about 15 percent and with megapixel cameras it will reach 30 percent.
On the road to Latin America
Latin America has been potentiated in the implementation of electronic security solutions, new technologies every day arrive in Latin American countries to be used in different types of economic sectors, both public and private, additionally the region is being conceived by most manufacturers and distributors as one of the best places for the commercialization of their equipment.
According to the data provided by Kim, MP cameras are widely deployed around the world in the different CCTV facilities, in addition these are based on digital imaging standards and do not have the NTSC (National Commission of Television Systems) or PAL (alternating line in phase) compatibilities that limit the use from one country to another.
In the case of Latin America, the professionals interviewed consider that this technology is implemented throughout the region, starting from Central America to South America, although the countries that have high levels of investment in this type of cameras are Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.
As for the economic areas where the cameras that provide great detail are being used are: universities, public transport systems, companies, banks, government entities, energy and oil sector, infrastructure, airports and intelligent traffic systems.
For each of the economic sectors, MP cameras offer the possibility of meeting the needs they have in terms of surveillance. In commerce these can be used in order to have a complete view avoiding blind spots in warehouses. If it is urban surveillance, megapixel technology provides high-resolution images where they allow to identify passers-by either in real time or in recordings, this same advantage is offered for transport and the banking sector.
Price factor
Each of the technologies brings with it a factor that is indispensable at the time of putting a security solution to work, the cost. Generally the cheap is expensive and many times it is better to invest a good sum of money in a novel system of more value but that provides greater security, as well as many more years of life and utility.
In the case of the technology of megapixel cameras, the price is a factor that influences decision-making just like a few years ago when it came to IP cameras, the good thing about this issue is that thanks to the evolutions and developments in terms of infrastructure and information technology the world has advanced more and more, and some regions such as Latin have reached high points of technology.
For Claudia Dumphy the great barrier in the adoption of megapixel cameras is not necessarily the price, because in existing network installations this becomes a great saving associated with the deployment of megapixel IP cameras. Also in new developments the cost of networking is lower, since it handles a price reduction of network cables compared to coaxial cables. In addition, it is possible to use a five-megapixel or higher resolution camera to monitor a wide area without the need to combine multiple cameras or provide special coverage of entry points, which translates into an additional reduction in the costs of other equipment and installation.
For his part, Luis Carlos affirms that the price influences by depending on the market where the cameras will be implemented, however the growth in the use of these cameras have been the advance in the development of technology at the level of networks and IP recording systems.
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