We follow step by step the installation of a video surveillance system at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai. Hybrid DVRs, HD cameras and PTZ domes were some of the elements used in this installation.
by Alejandra García Vélez
China, the country of 1.3 billion people, the country that has hosted massive events and is the scene of some of the largest fairs in the world can not be oblivious to the security needs demanded by events of such magnitude.
For example, the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, a fair that took place for six months and attracted more than 73 million visitors from its beginning in May until its conclusion in October. As one of the main pavilions, the China Pavilion was looking for a comprehensive security solution, which featured high-definition images and intelligent video.
That's where Hikvision came in, with the installation of an intelligent video surveillance system, which included hybrid DVRs with capacity for video analysis, HD cameras and speed domes, as well as video management software to protect the China Pavilion.
Objectives and challenges
The China Pavilion security team sought to prevent illegal intrusions during World Expo 2010. To achieve this, they requested the creation of an intelligent perimeter monitored with PTZ cameras, which can effectively detect and track intruders as soon as they enter unauthorized areas. "This solution allowed the customer to detect unusual behaviors or events and also analyze them in retrospect," Hikvision representatives said.
In addition, to ensure continuous monitoring of the pavilion, the status check of the cameras included: loss of video input, disconnection of the cable and damage to cameras. Another of the client's requirements was to have video preview and playback, storage, records management, PTZ control and e-map function.
One of the main challenges encountered by Hikvisión when planning the installation of the security system was the size of the area to be covered, so the surveillance devices were installed in more than 100 points to achieve full coverage of the space. Among these, several hybrid DVRs with video analysis algorithms that were used for motion tracking and object classification.
These DVRs also have intelligent behavioral analysis for the detection of events, with scenarios that include entry and exit of objects, and appearance of suspicious objects. Alert zones and time specifications can also be designated.
Another fundamental aspect of the installation was the software used, it supports a variety of inputs in addition to offering secure storage and emergency responses. The software runs on a dedicated server to monitor analysis and event-triggered alarms.
"Once the alarm is triggered, high-definition photographs of intrusion events can be taken, and a record of the time and location of the event is updated. Users can click on the alarm events to access the stored shots," explained the Hickvision representative.
Post-event scans can also be performed. In case of unusual activity, such as a thrown object, graffiti on the walls or illegal parking, the images can be recovered along with the time and date of the reference event. Users can also define different time periods to retrieve video streams, as needed.
From the technical to the practical
In such a large surveillance area, it is difficult for cameras to capture wide images and specific details of the object at the same time. This project had the need to find a balance to identify people and objects if required. To achieve this, a solution was used with HD cameras and speed domes on the perimeter of the China Pavilion.
One of the strategies used by the company was to install a fixed camera as a "leading" unit to monitor large areas, accompanied by high-speed PTZ domes as "support". If the "lead" camera detects suspicious events, the video stream is automatically transferred to the DVRs for analysis and alarm triggering.
"The DVR should send the order to the auxiliary PTZ domes to track and zoom in for more details. This solution can help the administration to have great coverage without losing details in the images that can be crucial for the police investigation," said the representative of Hikvision.
In addition to the above, most cameras with standard definition record at a resolution of CIF or 4CIF that reaches up to 704x576 and that is not always sufficient for the monitoring of large areas. The devices used in this project had a resolution of 1.4 megapixels for images of 1360x1024.
