International. Milestone Systems released Device Pack 8.2 for the benefit of partners and customers using Milestone's XProtect® monitoring solutions.
One of the highlights of this release is the support for video perspective correction from Schneider Electric's 180, 270- or 360-degree panoramic cameras.
This support is achieved through a plug-in from Milestone's XProtect® Smart Client. Research analysts at IHS forecast a more than 60 percent annual increase in shipments of 180/360-degree panoramic network cameras worldwide. Panoramic cameras are expected to achieve greater market share in vertical markets, such as retail, airports and casinos, where monitoring large indoor surfaces is a fundamental requirement that the video security solution must meet.
In these environments, panoramic cameras can reduce capital expenditures as less equipment is required to cover the same area, compared to fixed cameras or PTZ (panning horizontal, vertical and zoom) cameras.
The challenge of using panoramic fisheye cameras is that it is necessary to correct the perspective of the camera image, an adjustment that can be made either in the camera or in the software. This process, called distortion correction, has several advantages when carried out in the software, as it allows for a retrospective viewing. This gives the user the ability to go back in time to see the entire scene in its original form and then pan vertically or horizontally pan or zoom, with perspective correction, within the 360-degree image.
In addition to support for Pelco's panoramic cameras, nearly 200 devices have been added to Milestone's Device Pack 8.2. This list of new compatible models includes cameras from Axis Communications, Bosch and Samsung Techwin. The number of devices compatible with ONVIF has increased by 64, and the total number of devices now totals 1271.
Milestone Device Packs include drivers that have been tested and optimized to allow the performance of cameras or other hardware devices to be managed using XProtect® software. The tests to which these controllers are subjected guarantee the maximum functionality of a video surveillance solution, which is important for the operability, efficiency and overall stability of the system. Milestone works closely with device manufacturers that are part of the Camera Partner Program (CAPP) to achieve the optimal interaction between their devices and the Xprotect VMS.
Milestone Device Packs have always promoted standards for controllers like ONVIF. The company remains true to its commitment to support the widest range of cameras and devices on the market. For ONVIF-compatible devices, it is commonly assumed that a device that has passed the ONVIF verification test will perform perfectly on a given infrastructure. This does not always happen, as there are very specific needs that need to be considered to ensure proper interoperability and take advantage of the full functionality of a device with a VMS. Before ONVIF-compatible devices are included in the list of equipment supported by Milestone, in milestonesys.com, they have been tested to verify that the functionality with XProtect meets the ONVIF specifications.
In Milestone's CAPP program this ONVIF functionality test can be done through Milestone or distributors can perform it at their facility, after doing a four-day training course taught by Milestone. The ability to do the entire Milestone testing process can save camera manufacturers time and costs in their market penetration strategy.
"We are constantly working with our camera partners to provide the highest quality solutions for the benefit of our common partners and customers," concludes Henrik Sydbo Hansen, Head of the Camera Partner Program at Milestone Systems. "This ensures the highest possible quality in a video surveillance solution."
Milestone's XProtect Device Pack 8.2 is now available, you can download it at the following link: www.milestonesys.com/support/download-software/
