It is now almost a decade since the phrase ‘Video Analytics’ found its way into the CCTV industry’s vocabulary.
It was hyped as an exciting advance in technology which offered to dramatically improve the effectiveness of CCTV systems.
Unfortunately the delivery did not always match the hype, with the consequence that installers and system integrators very quickly took video analytics off their list of system design options.
Video analytics clearly has the potential to offer both operational and financial benefits for all kinds of surveillance projects and whilst it should certainly be considered for high security applications, it can also deliver tangible benefits in respect of health and safety issues.
It can also capture invaluable management information to assist an organisation in improving its operation efficiency.
Advanced motion detection
Video analytics is an advanced form, and what some would say, is a more intelligent version of motion detection technology, which has been available since the early 1990s.
The challenge has always been to balance the need for maximum detection rates, whilst avoiding the generation of a high number of false alarms which will sap the confidence of control operators in the technology, as well as take up so much of their time.
The algorithms incorporated into the latest video analytics software have, to a large extent, overcome the problem of false alarms and offer an effective way to detect activity with a camera’s field using a range of features including ‘tripwire’, enter/exit direction and object appear/disappear detection, which can be applied to both live or recorded video.
Camera selection is of course an important factor in ensuring a successful use of video analytics as is, of course, the need for careful consideration of lighting conditions.
Other benefits
In addition to the obvious security applications such as the detection of intruders or groups of people who are loitering, video analytics can also assist with people counting and crowd monitoring and number plate recognition, whilst some developers of video analytics software are claiming a high success rate with facial recognition.
The value of the much simpler object appear/disappear detection feature should not however, be underestimated at a time when we are all constantly being urged to report unidentified objects.
The good news for end-users is that most leading CCTV brands are incorporating video analytics to some, if not all, of their latest generation of cameras and recording devices.
It is therefore available free of charge and depending on what you are trying to achieve from your surveillance system it may be something you will wish to utilise.
Complexity and sophistication
You may, however, need to invest in the more sophisticated stand-alone versions of video analytics software if yours is a complex or high security project.
You will of course have to pay good money for these but it is all a matter of individual expectations and requirements.
As always with technology you are not totally confident about, ask the supplier for a live demonstration. In today’s competitive marketplace they are unlikely to refuse your request.
Free Download: The Video Surveillance Report 2023
Discover the latest developments in the rapidly-evolving video surveillance sector by downloading the 2023 Video Surveillance Report. Over 500 responses to our survey, which come from integrators to consultants and heads of security, inform our analysis of the latest trends including AI, the state of the video surveillance market, uptake of the cloud, and the wider economic and geopolitical events impacting the sector!
Download for FREE to discover top industry insight around the latest innovations in video surveillance systems.
