Hanwha Vision Network cameras

Hanwha Techwin America Techwin upgrade for IP Network cameras dynamically improves bandwidth usage
Hanwha Techwin America Techwin upgrade for IP Network cameras dynamically improves bandwidth usage

Samsung Techwin has introduced a firmware upgrade that has dramatically reduced the bandwidth and video storage requirements of the company’s IP network cameras, domes and encoders. “The Samsung Techwin software engineering team has devised some very clever improvements to our version of the H.264 method of compressing images and as a result, a much lower bitrate is required to transmit the high quality images captured by our HD megapixel cameras,” said Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager for Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd. “Our 3MP Full HD models, for example, previously needed a bit rate of 10Mbps, but now only require 3Mbps to ensure that there are no latency issues or that artefacts do not spoil the quality of the video when customers have configured the cameras to capture images at the highest possible resolution.”  The upgraded firmware, which applies to almost all of Samsung Techwin’s IP network models, can be downloaded free of charge by customers from the product section at www.samsungsecurity.co.uk. “The improvement in the bitrate is in itself a major benefit to our customers because it reduces the amount of bandwidth and storage required to operate an effective video surveillance system,” said Tim Biddulph. “The firmware upgrade however innovatively offers a lot more in terms of transmission efficiency in that it is able to dynamically adjust the transmission bitrate and compression settings depending on the level of activity that may be occurring within a camera’s  field of view. There is little need to transmit very high quality images of an empty building or car park at night, but when however there is activity this needs to be transmitted. Our upgraded firmware automatically takes this into account and adjusts the camera settings accordingly. This results in a much more efficient and effective use of the available bandwidth.”

Hanwha Techwin America’s new WiseNetIII 2MP Full HD (1080P) network camera range on show at IFSEC 2013
Hanwha Techwin America’s new WiseNetIII 2MP Full HD (1080P) network camera range on show at IFSEC 2013

The eight new WiseNetIII camera models have been developed by Samsung as a result of a market research programme which identified what users and installers felt were the key ‘must haves’ in order for high definition IP network cameras to automatically become the preferred choice when a new video surveillance system was being specified, or an existing system was being upgraded. “Price is always an important consideration and it was also not a surprise to learn that customers wanted to see further improvements in image quality particularly in low light conditions,” said Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager for Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd. “Also high up on the wish list was smarter utilisation of network bandwidth and the need for cameras to be more installer friendly by making them easier to install and configure.” Samsung’s response to the feedback from its existing and potential customers has been to pack the new models, with a long list of new technically advanced features, many of which ensure that superb quality images can be captured and recorded regardless of the lighting or environmental conditions.  The new Full HD cameras and domes can capture high quality images when the lighting level is as low as 0.01 Lux, and have an ultra fast frame rate of 60fps at 1080p which results in latency free clear images. The enhanced Wide Dynamic Range built into the WiseNetIII DSP chipset, with performance greater than 100dB, can accurately produce images in scenes that simultaneously contain very bright and very dark areas. P-iris technology optimises the iris when multiple lighting conditions exist within a single field of view to create images with better clarity and depth of field.  A Defog feature can be used to help improve the clarity of images captured in poor weather conditions such as rain or fog, whilst Digital Image Stabilization (DIS), previously only seen in analogue chipsets, negates the effects of a camera shaking due to high winds or building vibration. A Simple Focus feature, which is built into most of the models, automatically focuses the camera. All that is needed is one simple push of a button on the back of the camera to achieve optical focus. Collectively the eight new models are designed to offer a solution for every possible type of application. Samsung’s stand at IFSEC will be divided into various vertical market zones, such as retail, education, commercial and transportation, to allow visitors to identify the best combination of WiseNetIII cameras and domes to meet the requirements of specific projects. “Within each zone we will be able to demonstrate the key features of a specific camera model or recording device and how it can best help provide the solution to monitor what may be a range of activities within that market sector,” said Peter Ainsworth, Senior Product Manager for Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd. “In retail, for example, there are many different reasons why a video surveillance system may be deployed such as the need to deter and detect shop theft, ensure health & safety compliance and record activity in car parks, delivery bays and at the point of sale.” The eight new WiseNetIII models are: SNB-6004 - Bodied camera with Simple Focus, P-Iris & day/ night operation. SNB-6003 - Bodied camera with P-Iris & colour/ mono operation. SND-6084 - Internal dome camera with Simple Focus, motorized varifocal lens & day/ night operation SND-6083 - Internal dome camera with varifocal lens & colour/ mono operation SNV-6012M - Vandal IP66 flat dome for use on buses, trains and other means of transport. SND-6084R - Internal dome camera with Simple Focus, motorised varifocal lens, day/ night operation & IR illuminators. SNO-6084R - Bullet IP66 camera with Simple Focus, motorised varifocal lens, day/ night operation & IR illuminators. SNV-6084R - Vandal IP66 dome camera with Simple Focus, motorised varifocal lens, day/ night operation & IR illuminators. As is the case with all Samsung professional security products, all of the cameras and domes in the WiseNetIII range are  supplied with full support services from Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd.

Hanwha Techwin America look Smart at IFSEC 2012
Hanwha Techwin America look Smart at IFSEC 2012

The weather may have been disappointing outside the NEC, but the sun seemed to shine all week on the Samsung stand on all of the four days of IFSEC 2012.  A record number of visitors took the time to visit stand D130 which was one of the largest at the exhibition. “We took the opportunity at IFSEC 2012 to promote our Smart Security philosophy and this was reflected in the fact that a major part of the stand was dedicated to demonstrating to installers and systems integrators how they can recommend Samsung IP equipment and with our help, be confident it will meet, if not exceed, their clients’ expectations,” said Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager for Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd. The Samsung stand was packed with interactive product demonstration areas where visitors were able to try out the latest IP video surveillance and access control products and there were specific areas of the stand where Samsung’s security solutions for the commercial, education and transport sectors were on show. Samsung are however in the strong position of being able to allow customers to choose the best solution for their specific application or environment. It has a comprehensive and competitively priced range of analogue cameras, DVRs and monitors and at IFSEC it was also able to show an impressive line-up of high definition megapixel cameras. "Hybrid" options included encoders, which provide a cost effective and easy to implement method of adding analogue cameras to an IP/network based video surveillance system, and HD-SDI cameras, which allow the transmission of uncompressed and non-packetized Full HD (1080P) video over analogue cabling. “Visitors to our stand were among the first to learn about the Samsung IP Institute (SIPI) which we will be launching in the UK in June and elsewhere in Europe later on in 2012," said Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager for Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd. “SIPI will provide training, targeted at installers and system integrators and is intended to take the mystery out of installing an IP and network solution.” Samsung’s professional security products are widely accessible across Europe via an extensive network of distributors. For further information please email STEsecurity@samsung.com or telephone +44 (0)1932 45 5308 or visit www.samsungsecurity.com