What is Video analytics?

Video Analytics, also known as Video Content Analysis (VCA), is a generic term used to describe computerised processing and analysis of video streams. The term is typically associated with analysis of video streams captured by surveillance systems. Video Analytics applications can perform real-time analysis of video for immediate detection of events as well as analysis of pre-recorded video for the purpose of extracting events and data from the recorded video.

Why Video Analytics

According to several studies, a human operator of a surveillance system, tasked with observing video screens, cannot remain alert and attentive for more than 20 minutes. Also, the operator’s ability to monitor the video and effectively respond to events is significantly compromised as time goes by. Video Analytics that automatically monitors cameras and alert for events of interest is an ideal solution that meets the needs of surveillance system operators, security officers, and corporate managers.

How Video Analytics work

Video analytic systems work in a series of processing steps - as a fundamental first step, the content needs to dissect what is happening in the video, frame by frame. Video analytic systems work on these two key concepts:

Motion Detection: By examining each pixel in the frame, the video analytics software is able to pick up even the slightest movement.

Pattern Recognition: Objects are distinguished within a frame. Specific objects/patterns can be programmed for recognition and will be recognised within the frame.

Once analysed, the system then qualifies these changes in each frame, correlates qualified changes over multiple frames, and finally, interprets these correlated changes. Should any change happen, i.e. object is moved, goes missing, or new object added, the software immediately recognizes it and sends out an alert.