Arecont Vision’s video solutions secure Astro Pay TV provider

The decision to opt for megapixel cameras was based on the need for better image quality

When installing a video surveillance system, the company chose 3 megapixel and 8 megapixel 360-degree panoramic cameras from Arecont Vision. The cameras, installed by Sensorlink Sdn. Bhd., a local Kuala Lumpur solutions provider, incorporate H.264 (MPEG-4, Part 10) compression to minimise bandwidth and storage requirements while maintaining real-time high definition images. Megapixel cameras were installed in the two main guard houses and along the security lobby and corridors.

The 3 megapixel camera used at Astro is the Arecont Vision Model AV3105DN Day/ Night camera providing 2048x1536-pixel images at 15 frames per second. The camera uses a 1/2" CMOS sensor and Arecont Vision's MegaVideo® image processing at 80 billion operations per second. The day/night version has a motorised infrared (IR) cut filter. Other capabilities include motion detection, image cropping, region-of-interest viewing and forensic zooming. Protecting outdoor cameras from the elements are Arecont Vision HSG1 environmental housings.

The Astro installation also uses Arecont Vision's AV8365, an 8 megapixel panoramic view IP network camera enclosed in a 6-inch IP66-rated dome (Dome 6-0-W). The camera provides a 360-degree view of large areas while capturing megapixel detail. Each unit uses four 2-megapixel sensors and provides up to 6400x1200-pixel images at 5.5 frames per second (fps), or can be set for lower resolutions at higher frame speeds, such as 1600x1200-pixel images at 22 fps or 800x600-pixel images at 88 fps. Light sensitivity is 0.2 lux at F2.0, and the camera provides image cropping and up to four regions-of-interest.

The network video recorders (NVR) installed in the Astro project are by Genius Vision Digital, Inc. (GVD) and are fully interoperable with Arecont Vision's megapixel cameras. The Astro system is monitored centrally from a main control room and viewed remotely via sub-control rooms that are linked by a fiber network.

Arecont Vision works closely with NVR leaders such as GVD to ensure compatibility of Arecont Vision's megapixel cameras with GVD's NVR platform and other industry-leading technologies.

"As an HD NVR provider in this industry, we work closely with Arecont Vision to provide cutting edge technology to our customers. Arecont Vision's AV8385 is one of the best megapixel cameras in this industry. Designing an HD NVR to handle multiple AV8385 cameras with the good balance between the network bandwidth consumption and video storage usage is the key to this project success," said Steve Chu, CEO of Genius Vision Digital, Inc.

AV3105 3 Megapixel IP Camera

Key Features

• 2048(H)x1536 (V)
• 15 fps @ 2048(H)x1536 (V)
• H.264 (MPEG4, Part 10), Motion JPEG
• Color: 0.2 Lux @ F1.4
• Forensic Zooming
• Motion detection
• Motorised IR cut filter (DN Version)

MEGAPIXEL BENEFITS

Syed Baba bin Mohd Gous, Business Development Manager of Sensorlink, designed the Astro system to take advantage of the efficiencies and flexibility of megapixel video. The superior image quality provides the ability to zoom in to see important details in a scene both live or on recorded video. Sensorlink is a supplier and solutions provider of advanced total surveillance solutions for various industries.

The decision to opt for megapixel cameras was based on the need for better image quality that maintains resolution during live view and playback. Seeing Arecont Vision's picture quality was all it took to sell Astro on the technology, along with the assurance of quality that comes from Arecont Vision being a U.S. based company. They also liked the uniqueness of the panoramic cameras.

"This megapixel solution designed by Sensorlink is an excellent example of how cost effective Arecont Vision cameras can be for large outdoor installations, as well as more conventional interior installations," said Becky Zhou, Asia Pacific Sales Director, Arecont Vision. "The image quality of the Arecont cameras is a vast improvement over Astro's previous analog solution for license plate and facial recognition requirements."

Benefits of GVD's integration with Arecont Vision cameras include simplifying management of video, making it much easier, for example, to search for a specific image.

Megapixel imaging represents a significant upgrade in system functionality compared to standard-resolution cameras. In addition to lower bandwidth and storage requirements, megapixel cameras can dramatically decrease costs related to other elements of a system, such as fewer software licenses, fewer lenses, and a decrease in man-hours needed to bring it all together.

A single Arecont Vision panoramic camera can be used in lieu of a dozen or more analog or standard network cameras while improving resolution to enable close-up viewing of details in the video. Using fewer cameras contributes to system return on investment (ROI) because there are fewer infrastructure costs (cables, mounts, housings, etc.).

"Arecont Vision provides an extensive line of megapixel cameras, which makes it easy to find exactly the right camera for any application," said Syed Baba bin Mohd Gous of Sensorlink. "In the case of Astro TV, the availability of a 360-degree-view panoramic camera was a perfect solution for the customer's need to view large areas with precise detail. The 3-megapixel camera provides close-up views to show faces and license plate numbers. In both cases, the success of the applications confirms the performance, quality and dependability of the cameras. The overall benefits of the cameras also contribute to system return on investment."

Arecont Vision is the leading manufacturer of high-performance megapixel IP cameras and associated software. Arecont Vision products are made in the USA and feature low-cost massively parallel image processing architectures MegaVideo® and SurroundVideo® that represent a drastic departure from traditional analog and network camera designs. All-in-one products such as MegaDome® and MegaView^TM provide installer friendly solutions. Compact JPEG and H.264 series of cameras address cost sensitive applications. These innovative technologies enable Arecont Vision to deliver multi-megapixel digital video at IP VGA camera price points.