Watching the future

Camera formats vary to suit specific applications.

Video surveillance has been long established in places such as the US and Europe for several decades now and is commonplace in both public spaces and in corporate environments.

Compared to these regions, the Middle East is still an ‘emerging’ market, which means the market for video security in this region is wide open and positively booming.

“When it comes to video surveillance, the highest level of growth is going to be in the Middle East,” says Alistair Hayfield, video surveillance research analyst at IMS Research.

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“We predict that the growth rate will exceed 30% for the next five years.” Compare this to a near stagnation of the markets in Europe and the US, and it is clear to see why the Middle East offers such a great opportunity.

Adding to the exciting nature of the market here is the fact that it is the ideal place to showcase the latest and best technologies.

“This is a very technical market. Customers and end users are early adopters. They do not fear adopting new technology, and these are brand-new markets,” confirms Gilles Ortega, regional manager at Axis Communications.

This eagerness to adopt new technology could see the Middle East become a market leader in video surveillance.

“Given the fact the Middle East market is a much newer market, people are willing to make the choice of using IP technology, and going directly to the best and newest technology out there. There is a much faster drive compared to the rest of the world towards IP video solutions,” says Kris de Smedt, video project manager, GE Security.

HIP-IP-HOORAY
When it comes to discussing the latest video technology, there is really just one major game in town.

“Network surveillance is the most significant trend in video surveillance,” says Hayfield. Network or IP (Internet Protocol) video opens up far more possibilities than traditional analogue CCTV systems. Key to IP video is the ability to access cameras remotely from any Internet-enabled device.

Rather than having images located on a circuit accessible only from one certain location (as in closed-circuit television, or CCTV), IP video sends data through standard computer networks, the data feed being visible on any Internet-enabled device – provided, of course, the user is able to supply the necessary security credentials.

Rather than having a guard stuck in a small basement surrounded by multiple monitors, the security feed can be viewed from a standard computer, or even the CEO’s mobile phone.

“Everything is going through IP now,” asserts Ortega. “The interest is to have cameras, access control, fire, alarms and even the BMS integrated in only one system. You do not have to handle five different solutions; it is only one, with access to different modules. Only IP can make this happen.”

IP systems also allow limitless expansion of the system, making it ideal for companies who plan to expand their premises, or businesses requiring large amounts of cameras, such as airports.

Other opportunities opened up by the shift to IP video surveillance include increased image quality delivered by high-definition cameras, and intelligent video, whereby the video system is able to automate large parts of the surveillance operation and even add additional security features.