EverFocus based in Taipei, Taiwan, produces digital video recorders, video cameras and accessories. In this iXtenso interview, Master of Engineering Detlef Schreiber reports on the state of technology. He says, digital technology is able to do more and more and is getting ever more affordable. This is also what the Security-Messe (Security Trade Show) in Essen at the end of September is all about.
You have your own booth in Essen. What are your trade show highlights?
We have a medium-sized booth and are going to introduce our new products in the Full HD area. This pertains to network technology and HDcctv over coaxial cable. We will illustrate the differences between both technologies to interested parties. We will also showcase a digital video recorder with ”Tribrid“functionality, which processes the analog signal as well as the Full HD network signal and the Full HDcctv over coax signal. This is the fusion of the world of video so to speak.
What are the basic differences between network technology and a connection through cable?
The big difference is that network cameras, aside from the actual camera component, also contain a small computer. It handles image data compression and takes care of sending the data over the network. In the past, you input camera images over coaxial cable up to 150 meter into a digital recorder, which processed all signals, compressed and filed them. IP cameras deliver efficient network technologies with which the rigid structures of analog video surveillance systems are being broken up. The engineer has to rethink things here, because aside from technical knowledge on video design, he/she also needs expertise in IP technology. This is how we get to the last approach to solving this problem, the so-called ”HD-CCTV over Coax“. As the name already indicates, here you use HD standard and are able to transmit it over coaxial cable. The engineer only needs his/her video knowledge, but is able to achieve the same results as with network technology.
Keyword HD: when do you talk about High Definition?
Generally, HD starts at an image resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, the so-called 720p standard. ”Full HD“ starts at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the 1080p standard. Since most displays on the market support Full HD at this point, this format will also catch on more and more as the standard for cameras. This trend is also aided by the price development of HD camera chipsets. Full HD cameras are becoming more and more attractive in terms of price and are closing in on the price level of analog cameras.
Is HD possible with analog as well as digital cameras?
No. Analog cameras based on the PAL or NTSC standards reach their physical limitations in this instance. There are also new developments for analog cameras such as the new 960H technology, which improves the resolution of analog cameras to widescreen format and about 570,000 pixels. By comparison, Full HD delivers 2,070.000 pixels. We do not expect any groundbreaking advancement in analog technology in the direction of HD resolution. The future of HD is digital.
The focus at the trade fair is IP cameras. What is the benefit of network control?
You have new options with IP cameras to implement different surveillance tasks, be that due to the high resolution, the easy data processing, high quality video analysis or easy remote access.
German consumers do not trust cameras. What can you do about this?
Cameras can give people a feeling of security; equally, however, they also convey a feeling of surveillance and threat. Depending on the application, closed-circuit television has different functions. What’s important is that no laws, staff association collective agreements or other regulations or agreements are being broken. I believe it is important to clarify the positive objectives of a surveillance system, because essentially it is not the cameras that should be viewed with mistrust, but rather the “black sheep” who are being caught by the video images of the system when they break the rules.
Cameras are only as good as the software. What makes for a great recognition and controlling software?
Great software should be clear and easy to operate, but it should also be fairly flexible to respond to customer needs. In any case, a clear menu is standard plus an easy and fast viewfinder/image interpretation.
How do you find a qualified consultant for choosing and installing camera systems?
EverFocus has already collaborated with a network of retailers for many years. Together we host roadshow events, where we specifically demonstrate the strengths of our products. We are also happy to train interested parties, so that they are able to implement surveillance tasks at the end customer with their corresponding knowledge.
Interview by René Schellbach, iXtenso.com
