A Well-Rounded Solution

By Geoff Anderson · April 2006

Surveillance using 360-degree panoramic view is gaining momentum across the globe

THE need for increased video surveillance has been confirmed by police and military forces, as well as by ordinary citizens who demand that their government provides safety on public transportation, in their workplace and on highways and bridges.

The opportunity for better video surveillance using the 360-degree panoramic view is supported by the security industry. The current market for 360-degree panoramic is approximately less than 1 percent of the current security camera sales, but that is rapidly changing as the technology is coming of age. The 360-degree panoramic view provides the situational awareness for hallway and elevator areas that are difficult, at best, to cover with six narrow-view 20-degree cameras. Another application for a 360-degree panoramic solution is for perimeter security where several cameras are required to cover buildings. One 360-degree panoramic on each corner can secure the same perimeter.

The 360-degree panoramic view camera is used to reduce the resources required to record and play back this view. A single, 360-degree panoramic provides the same coverage as six or more narrow-view, 20-degree cameras, providing up to five extra video channels for analog recorders or DVR systems. Once these video channels are available, the recording time will be significantly increased because one 360-degree panoramic view camera is recorded on a single video channel.

A Panoramic View on the Homeland
Los Angeles-based Datafone Communications is a systems integrator focused on expanding its surveillance camera installation business in Southern California.

"Southern California is a very strong market for the network camera surveillance systems, and our IT background quickly launched us into some great IP camera system installations," said Kevin Kinsey, Datafone president.

Datafone is currently installing products for network video recording of IP security camera systems after spending many years installing and building IP telephony systems and computer networks. It plans to install cameras to demonstrate the capabilities of 360-degree panoramic surveillance for its customer base.

"IP video surveillance is the next logical step for Datafone, and the demand for this kind of technology is very high because of the capabilities of the IP surveillance systems," Kinsey said. "IP video surveillance technology allows for much greater freedom for installations and the flexibility to use technologies, such as wireless Ethernet, to link remote IP cameras without using a local recorder. Adding the 360-degree surveillance capability will provide the full field-of-view awareness for outdoor and indoor warehouses where it is not possible to run Cat 5e wiring or coax."


International Acceptance
On the international front, 360-degree panoramic view requirements are just as important as they are in the United States. Omar Jónsson, managing director of the Security Center of Iceland, is currently evaluating the ZPAN100TM 360-degree panoramic view camera from Polar Industries to provide added security for super markets, convenience stores, the harbor and even downtown Reykjavik. Iceland is a safe place, but crimes, such as theft, burglary and accidental damage, plague retailers around the country.

"Our customers are demanding better coverage from the camera systems, but the squeeze is always on the system cost," Jónsson said. "The idea of better coverage, more recording time and fewer cameras using the 360-degree panoramic view camera is very enticing to customers."

Security Center of Iceland is one of the largest systems integrators in Iceland, and it also is providing live video monitoring services for its customers. The market for live monitoring is expanding globally with the growth of high-bandwidth networks.

"The live monitoring sector of our business is growing the fastest, and we have redesigned and expanded our monitoring facility to handle the growing demand," Jónsson said. "Our security operators are rigorously trained on the video surveillance techniques, and now the 360-degree panoramic view will increase the awareness for our security staff."

"I don't care what the application is, whether this is a shopping center, government facility or high school, there is a need for more video surveillance as a prevention tool," said Adrian Parvulescu, CTO for Polar Industries.

It is clear: The world is changing, and the new "normal" means more video surveillance. This increased need must be matched with the technology for the job, and the 360-degree panoramic view will be providing more situational awareness in the future.

About the author

Geoff Anderson
Geoff Anderson is the COO for Polar Industries.


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