Related Manuals for Axis IP-Surveillance system
Summary of Contents for Axis IP-Surveillance system
- Page 1 DESIGN GUIDE IP-Surveillance design guide Setting up an IP-Surveillance system using Axis network cameras, video encoders and AXIS Camera Station software...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of contents This document is a guide to setting up an IP-Surveillance system in a small- to medium-sized security installation. It provides an overview of network video’s functionalities and benefits, and outlines considerations and recommendations for implementing such a system. -
Page 3: Introduction To An Ip-Surveillance System
IP (Internet Protocol-based) computer network such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. In a simple IP-Surveillance system, this involves the use of a network camera (or an ana- log camera with a video encoder/video server), a network switch, a PC for viewing, managing and storing video, and video management software. - Page 4 The further the analog video signals travel, the weaker they become. In a fully digital IP-Surveillance system, images from a network camera are digitized once and they stay digital with no unnecessary conversions and no image degradation due to distance traveled.
- Page 5 Point of Sales system, or analyze the visual and/or audio data to detect wanted persons in a crowd or unauthorized access to specific areas. 4) Scalable and flexible: An IP-Surveillance system can grow with your needs. You can add as many network video products to the system as desired without significant or costly changes to the network infrastructure.
- Page 6 Network camera with built-in PoE Network camera without built-in 3115 4 0 0 1 P o w e r D s i n e Uninterruptible Power Active PoE-enabled switch Supply (UPS) splitter Power Power over Ethernet Figure 1.1.g. A system that uses Power over Ethernet (PoE). A PoE-supported network camera connects directly to a PoE- enabled switch, while a network camera without built-in PoE support can use an active splitter to make use of PoE.
- Page 7 Overview of an IP-Surveillance system An IP-Surveillance system can be as simple or as sophisticated as your needs require. In a simple sce- nario, you have a PC where you want to view and record video. You have an Ethernet cable between a PC and a network switch (which allows different devices to connect to each other and share, for in- stance, a common Internet connection) and a cable from the switch to the camera location.
- Page 8 Software: A wide range of software is available to help you in the preparation, installation and management of an IP-Surveillance system. For example, you can use the AXIS Design Tool, which helps you estimate how much bandwidth your network video system will require, and installation software such as the AXIS Camera Management (free download), which makes it easier for you to find, install and configure the video products on the network.
- Page 9 1.3. Defining your surveillance application The first and most important step in implementing a video surveillance installation is determining the goal of your surveillance application. It is a good idea to map out where you want video surveillance to take place and for what purpose (i.e.
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Page 10: Component Considerations
Component considerations This chapter describes the major components of an IP-Surveillance system, and provides guidelines for selecting equipment. The components covered in this chapter include network camera, video encoder, network switch, server hardware and video management software (AXIS Camera Station). - Page 11 The optical zoom on PTZ cameras typically ranges from 10X to 26X. A PTZ camera can be mounted on a ceiling or wall. Figure 2.1.f. AXIS 214 PTZ Network Camera...
- Page 12 It means that the camera cannot follow a person walking continuously in a full circle around the camera. An exception is the AXIS 215 PTZ Network Camera, which thanks to its auto-flip functionality, can instantly flip the camera head 180 degrees and continue to pan beyond its zero point.
- Page 13 PC screens if the video is captured using progressive scan. If interlaced video is presented on a PC screen, objects that move between the image capture of two interlaced fields will be blurry. All of Axis’ current network cameras, with the exception of a couple of PTZ dome cameras, use progres- sive scan technology.
- Page 14 > Lens: Different types of lens are available on network cameras. Lenses may be fixed (the focal length or horizontal field of view is fixed), varifocal (allows for the manual adjustment of the focal length) or zoom (allows the camera to stay in focus when zooming in on objects). Varifocal and zoom lenses offer focal lengths that range from telephoto to wide angle.
- Page 15 > Type of video compression: There are three main video compression standards in use today: Motion JPEG, MPEG-4 Part 2 (also referred to simply as MPEG-4 in some references), and H.264 (also known as MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC). Each standard employs different techniques to reduce the amount of data transferred and stored in a network video system.
- Page 16 You can set up the system in such a way that the camera is triggered to capture and send the necessary image frames only when the door opens. I/O ports are available in all Axis network cameras and video encoders.
- Page 17 > Alarm and event management: With this capability, event triggers can be programmed based on schedule, I/Os, video motion detection, audio detection, active tampering alarm or temperature, among others. Pre- and post-alarm image buffers within a network camera can save and send images collected before and after an alarm occurs.
- Page 18 Before you set out to order or buy many network cameras, it is a good idea to field test a few cameras before making a decision. Try out an Axis network camera with a free AXIS Camera Station One video management software, which is packaged with every network camera purchase and is also downloadable on Axis’...
- Page 19 With image buffering, a video encoder can also send pre- and post-alarm images. Some Axis video encoders also support Power over Ethernet (PoE), which enables the video encoders, as well as the analog cameras that are connected to them, to receive power through the same cable as for data transmission.
- Page 20 Figure 2.2.c. When the AXIS Q7900 Rack is fully outfitted with 6-channel video encoder blades, it can accommodate 84 analog cameras. In instances where there are large numbers of analog cameras with coaxial cables running to a dedi- cated control room, rack-mounted video encoders or blades (video encoders without their casings) are beneficial.
- Page 21 Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and standard IPv4 addresses. > Video management software: Axis video encoders are supported by a wide range of application software, including AXIS Camera Station.
- Page 22 Wireless technology can also be used to bridge sites without expensive ground cabling. Network switch Axis network Server camera Wireless access...
- Page 23 The type of video compression employed also effects storage calculations. The H.264 compression for- mat is by far the most efficient video compression technique available today. Without compromising image quality, an H.264 encoder can reduce the size of a digital video file by more than 80 percent compared with the Motion JPEG format and as much as 50 percent more than with the MPEG-4 Part 2 (referred to simply as MPEG-4 in future references) standard.
- Page 24 AXIS Camera Station AXIS Camera Station is a video management software program that is designed specifically for manag- ing Axis network cameras and video encoders. It enables multi-camera viewing, high-quality recording, playback and event management.
- Page 25 The administrator does not have to visit each location to upgrade every camera. Each AXIS Camera Station installation lets you monitor up to 50 cameras at the same time. You can install as many AXIS Camera Station programs as required. Based on a PC Server platform solution, the software enables full scalability as cameras can be added one at a time and there is no limit to the num- ber of cameras that can be added or managed.
- Page 26 Axis network cameras ADMINISTRATION Figure 2.5.b. AXIS Camera Station is installed on a Windows-based PC. Remote users can access the software via a Windows client. The AXIS Camera Station Client enables users to switch between different servers with the video man- agement software installed.
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Page 27: Mounting Surveillance Cameras
IP66-rated casing and have a built-in heater and fan, such as the AXIS 225FD Network Camera. In such a case, no additional housing accessory is required. Figure 3.b. Outdoor casing suitable for use with Axis network cameras. - Page 28 > Secure support A camera should be placed on stable supports to minimize camera movement. As PTZ cameras move around, the action can cause image interference if the camera mounting is not properly secured. In outdoor situations, sturdy mounting equipment should always be used to avoid vibrations caused by strong winds.
- Page 29 > Avoid direct sunlight Direct sunlight should always be avoided. Direct sunlight will “blind” the camera and can reduce the performance of the image sensor chip. If possible, position the camera with the sun shining from behind the camera. > Bright areas in the images should be avoided as they might become overexposed (bright white) and objects can then appear too dark.
- Page 30 A longer exposure time will improve image quality but it may lower the total frame rate and result in increased motion blur. In Axis network cameras, an automatic exposure setting means the frame rate will increase or decrease with the amount of available light.
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Page 31: Server Selection
> The disk drive (normally C:) where Windows and AXIS Camera Station are installed should have enough disk space for the AXIS Camera Station log files. Allow at least 1 GB free disk space for the log files. > The AXIS Camera Station Client requires a good graphics adaptor with at least 256 MB of memory and support for DirectX 9.0C. - Page 32 Network-attached storage (NAS) and RAID This section describes how AXIS Camera Station can use NAS to store recordings. AXIS Camera Station will record video on the hard drive. The video will remain there for the number of days specified in the configuration.
- Page 33 4.4. AXIS Camera Station hard disk cleanup procedure While the AXIS Camera Station recording engine is running, some procedures are continuously executed to ensure that your hard disks do not become full. The procedures include: 1) Comparing recorded images with the current date and configured “days to record.” If the saved re- cordings have passed the number of days that they should be stored in the primary hard drive, the im- ages are removed.
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Page 34: Axis Camera Station Installation And Configuration
5.1. Installing AXIS Camera Station AXIS Camera Station should be installed on a dedicated, standalone PC where you wish to run the main administration of your network cameras and video encoders. When the program is installed, it will ask you to register your license. The license key can only be used on one computer. Once the license key is registered, it cannot be used again. - Page 35 Customize the view in AXIS Camera Station AXIS Camera Station offers a number of different ways and layouts to view one or many cameras simul- taneously. These are called Auto views, My Views, Shared Views and Camera Views. Auto Views are predefined (showing views from cameras that are added to AXIS Camera Station) and cannot be changed.
- Page 36 5.4. Event handling AXIS Camera Station has an event handler that is built into the recording engine. It allows you to con- figure the actions to be taken when defined events are triggered. Triggers in AXIS Camera Station are classified under two categories: video motion detection and input/output.
- Page 37 5) Image complexity (the more motion or scene changes, the higher the bandwidth usage) The above criteria can be set either in the AXIS Camera Station software or in the network camera or video encoder itself. A simulation-based calculation tool called the AXIS Design Tool is available at www.axis.com/products/video/design_tool/ (or on a DVD) and helps provide guidance on a network...
- Page 38 For each user, you can choose which cameras the user will be allowed to access. There are also options to allow/deny access to functions such as audio and PTZ control for each user or camera. Figure 5.6a. AXIS Camera Station allows an administrator to select which camera and functionality a user may have access to.
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Page 39: Video Motion Detection
AXIS Camera Station. The built-in video motion detection feature in Axis network cameras or video encoders is used to gener- ate an alarm whenever movement occurs in the viewing area. You can configure a number of “included”... -
Page 40: Daily Operation
Daily operation This chapter describes the functions in the AXIS Camera Station that may be used on a daily basis: events search, live image viewing, log files and configuration check, as well as remote connections. 7.1. Events search AXIS Camera Station offers easy ways to search for recorded events. The Event Search function pulls up re- cordings that are triggered by alarms or by manual recordings. - Page 41 AXIS Camera Station also enables pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) control when working with a PTZ or dome network camera. The software allows you to control the PTZ function of the camera by 1) clicking on a display keypad, 2) using a mouse (you can click in the image to move the camera or zoom in using the mouse scroll wheel), or 3) using the AXIS 295 Video Surveillance Joystick.
- Page 42 The audit log allows you to generate a list of user actions based on the user, time, type of activity and camera. All user activities are logged in AXIS Camera Station. All fields in the generated list can be fil- tered and sorted.
- Page 43 For maintenance purposes, the AXIS Camera Station’s configuration sheet enables you to obtain, in one place, an overview of all camera and recording configurations. The sheet is accessible from the Help menu. Figure 7.4.a. AXIS Camera Station’s configuration sheet provides an overview of all camera and recording configurations. 7.5. Remote connections...
- Page 44 AXIS Camera Station recording server. Once the Client program is installed, you simply enter the IP ad- dress or host name of the server PC where AXIS Camera Station is installed and, if required, enter the user name and password. The Client will download and inherit the camera settings from the AXIS Camera Sta- tion server.
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Page 45: Scaling Up Your Surveillance System
Adding more cameras AXIS Camera Station allows you to easily add cameras to the system simply by using the Add function. You can add as many cameras to the system as the purchased license allows. If the number of cameras exceeds the number allowed under license, simply purchase an add-on license. - Page 46 Network switch, broadband router or Computer server with video Axis network cameras coprorate firewall management software Figure 8.4.a. Network-attached storage NAS provides a single storage device that is directly attached to a LAN and offers shared storage to all clients on the network.
- Page 47 There are a number of options for providing this added storage layer in an IP-Surveillance system, including a Redundant Array of Indepen- dent Disks (RAID), data replication, server clustering and multiple video recipients.
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Page 48: Conclusion
We hope this document has been helpful in providing guidelines for implementing an IP-Surveillance system. While there are many considerations to take into account, it is relatively easy to set up and operate an Axis IP-Surveillance system once you have defined your application requirements and deter- mined the components you require. - Page 50 ©2008 Axis Communications AB. AXIS COMMUNICATIONS, AXIS, ETRAX, ARTPEC and VAPIX are registered trademarks or trademark applications of Axis AB in various jurisdictions. All other company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. We reserve the right...