ratified the HDCCTV standard to ensure backward and backward compatibility in surveillance cameras. By: Ana María Restrepo
Over the years, new technologies come to the security industry with greater force and less waiting time. Closed Circuit Television have been some of the systems that have presented the most innovations and improvements in terms of technology.
In the second half of 2010, the HDCCTV Alliance, a non-profit consortium made up of the most prominent companies in the field of image processing technology for surveillance, has ratified the certification program for compliance with the HDcctv standard, an open standard that will allow different manufacturers to have the possibility of creating interoperable devices, scalable, with both forward and backward compatibility, thus enabling a wide range of devices that ostensibly improve image quality in surveillance and reduce acquisition costs, resulting in a big winner: the end user.
This standard consists of a series of documents that describe the main requirements, the construction methodology, the compliance of tests in the processing and testing of the specifications that must be handled by the devices that want to be certified and carry the seal of guarantee of compatibility of this surveillance technology.
Knowing that megapixel cameras are much more expensive compared to analog cameras; however, this standard allows to keep prices low since it does not make it necessary to buy new devices if you want higher image quality within the Closed Circuit Television, making this technology quite attractive for end users with relatively small companies and with tight budgets. Additionally, HDCCTV reduces the complexity of management and the level of training and infrastructure required to have IP cameras.
It is worth clarifying that this does not mean that this technology is better than megapixel or IP cameras but that it has been created to meet other needs, since IP or megapixels can be the best solution for large companies due to the amount of information they handle and the areas of great extension that are required to be covered.
Less cost, more quality
The most important feature of HDCCTV is the improvement it represents in the quality of the video in the subject of surveillance, this leads to forensic evidence being much more reliable and easy to analyze. This video quality is achieved thanks to the fact that the information is not compressed but transmitted digitally, in addition to the fact that they do not incur latency times due to the fact that IP is not used. Thanks to the standard any certified camera is compatible with conventional CCTV devices or is also compatible with IP-based systems, this makes this technology compatible forward and backward.
Mirna Castañeda, sales manager for Latin America at EverFocus Electronics Corp, tells us that one of the advantages of HDCCTV technology is the ability to capture the details in a high-definition video, as well as not having to incur costs and add complexity to the system as is the case with IP cameras, in addition to having the facility to install the devices in a plug and play way, both to new and old systems, benefits that can only be achieved with an open standard when there are so many companies offering different devices in the market.
He also adds: "We have realized that many manufacturers and vendors extend specifications beyond the current capacity of the technology, and no one can challenge these specifications, this alliance will serve to control this problem." Referring to the work done by the HDCCTV Alliance, Everfocus as a leading member of the alliance, will debut in compliance with the standard with its 8-channel high-definition DVR. As a manufacturer, it states that IP security systems have their place in the market, but given the features, compatibility and low costs that HDCCTV has, since it does not require many changes or updates in the CCTV infrastructure in case it is already available, being very inclusive with end users, both those using IP and analog technologies.
For his part, Isao Mata, manager of international business development, Pacific Corporation, affirms that the end user obtains many advantages, since HDcctv offers the client the possibility of having lower installation costs, obtaining a system that covers their needs.
More advantages
Todd Rockoff, director of the HDCCTV Alliance, says that the demand for high-definition video in surveillance is increasing, since if a user has CCTV systems, he will have no problem simply connecting the HDCCTV camera taking advantage of all the high definition features it has and adding the HDCCTV DVR, in addition, there is no need to make major changes to its infrastructure. HDCCTV provides unprecedented flexibility to security system designers, as HDCCTV video feeders can be converted to IP megapixel (MP) video feeders, not just MP IP cameras anywhere in the system, giving it quite a bit of versatility when it comes to implementation.
Before HDCCTV technology, the only way for video to approach PAL or NTSC quality was through cameras, HDCCTV provides the possibility of obtaining high-definition video faster than the alternatives found in the market. HDCCTV transmits the best video quality available on surveillance devices because the cameras transfer in high definition resolution without compressing the video, avoiding the latency involved in the compression-decompression process.
HD Alliance
Speaking specifically about the alliance, Rockoff explains that belonging to the HDcctv Alliance® identifies companies as players and participants in the growing HDCCTV industry. "The members of the alliance are committed to bringing to market products based on a global standard, only members can put on their products the logo of the alliance, which is a seal of guarantee in the quality, interoperability and forward compatibility that the product possesses.
It should be noted that the alliance aims to manage the standard and increase the use of HDCCTV technology. The management and disclosure of the standard helps the industry address the risk it incurs with cameras known as HD-SDI, which are not tested or meet any global standards.
