Pelco Launches Optera Multi-Sensor Panoramic Cameras, Spectra Enhanced PTZ Dome Systems and VideoXpert VMS at IFSEC 2015

Pelco’s new Optera range is showcased at IFSEC 2015

Pelco by Schneider Electric launched a range of genuinely “unique” panoramic cameras at IFSEC 2015, as well as new PTZ cameras and what it believes is a mould-breaking VMS system.

Eschewing the ‘stitched-together’ approach that characterises other panoramic surveillance cameras on the market  the Optera models, which deploy four, 3MP cameras, have adopted a ‘blended’ approach, Pelco VP of EMEA Dave Dalleske told assorted journalists at last week’s IFSEC press launch.

VideoXpert, a success to the company’s Endura and Digital Sentry VMS platforms that was also launched during the show, also breaks new ground, claimed Dalleske.

Explaining why the new Optera multi-sensor panoramic cameras are genuinely innovative Dalleske said: “We’ve added multiple sensors, so we’ve got four sensors with a 180-degree view.

“Now that alone is not unique. But we’ve taken a completely different approach and we’ve taken out patents on what we think is truly unique.

“If you look at a lot of the multi-sensor cameras, often the cameras are misaligned. You’ll find someone who maybe their torso has been cut, you’ll find differences in white balance, differences in colour when you look across different sensors, because the sensors are stitched together rather than blended.”

One, seamless image

Pelco is launching the 180 version immediately, with the 270 and 360 versions being released later in the year.

“It’s one seamless image since we have not only the camera but VMS technology that allows you to pan, tilt and zoom across all four sensors for a 180, 270 or 360 degree view, rather than being limited to a bunch of individual cameras joined together with ‘stitch’ technology.”

VideoXpert™ manages single and multi-site video security systems from a single workspace interface. A ‘Unified User Interface’ allows up to six monitors to operate as a single workstation, fully configurable to suit the operator.

“Our videoExpert platform is really a successor to Endura, which we’ve had nearly 10 years, as well as our Digital Sentry platform, which serve different market segments. We’ve joined those together – we’re not going to leave anyone behind in that respect – but the new approach has allowed us to do some very unique things with the user experience.

“It’s an open model, which isn’t unique in itself. But the way we’re managing the software integrations and the concept of plug-in architectures is a unique offering.

“Apple has mastered their operating system, the iOS. You can download a billion apps and other people specialize in [developing] the tools and functionality.

“So we’ve opened up this architecture and there are a couple of plugins that we’ve developed with another company. We’ve created a toolkit that allows them to create an app that you can download and embed inside our video management system.

“It’s a seamless operation; it’s not two separate windows or a separate application that I have to launch if I want to have a licence plate recognition system for my access control system. My alarms can come straight into my user interface and they’re shared back and forth between the systems. It’s no longer that, typically, the access control system would be the main driver.

“Now the user and the operator can control what they want to see in front of them. So if I have a site with one brand of access control and another with a different brand I can download different apps from the app store and embed them into the architecture.

Supporting limitless cameras and hundreds of operators VideoXpert “is a scalable approach,” said Dalleske.

“A software only approach if you so desire, or a turnkey hardware-software solution, which we’ve done in the past but that wont necessarily suit all markets and meet all requirements.”

Modular, scalable

VideoXpert is deployed on distributed IT architecture, with built-in redundancy and modular, scalable, failover management to maximise system reliability.

Said Pelco EMEA marketing director Mark Pritchard: “The Optera series cameras should not be confused with fisheye cameras. The Optera enables the viewing and recording of extremely high-quality panoramic views. Electronic pan, tilt and zoom functionality allows operators to zoom in on areas of interest and see levels of detail more comparable to a PTZ dome.

“Client-side de-warping ensures Pelco’s VideoXpert™ and other third-party VMS solutions see the Optera™ series as a single camera for licensing and video management purposes. SureVision™ 2.0, 130dB Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), ensures high-contrast and demanding lighting conditions present little problem.”

Meanwhile, the Spectra Enhanced Full HD, high speed PTZ dome – also launched at IFSEC – boasts 20-30x optical zoom options and a 60 images per second frame rate; electronic image stabilisation to eliminate vibration noise; and SureVision 2.0 with 130dB WDR to suit all lighting environments. Built-in analytics, single cable HPOE installation, ONVIF G edge recording and HD optimized dome bubble technology are featured on all models.

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