IP is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol, the most common protocol for communication over computer networks and the Internet. An IP-Surveillance application creates digitized video streams that are transferred via a wired or wireless IP network, enabling monitoring and video recording as far away as the network reaches, as well as enabling integration with other types of systems such as access control.

According to industry analyst, J.P. Freeman and Co., Inc. there are more than 20 million analog cameras installed in the U.S. alone. Of this 20 million, 1.5 million analog cameras were sold in 2002. Despite these rather impressive numbers for analog cameras, it is network cameras that have emerged as the fastest growing product category, providing a clear indicator that IP-based systems are poised to take over. Network cameras are connected directly to an IP-based network and integrate to applications on the network, enabling users to have cameras at remote locations and view, store and analyse live video at another location, or multiple locations, over the network/Internet. Network cameras are forecast to comprise more than half of the security camera market by 2007 and the global network video market is expected to reach approximately $790 million by 2005.

Whether it’s network cameras or analog cameras connected to video servers, or an installation that employs both camera types, IP-Surveillance is proving to be attractive in nearly all vertical markets. In numerous applications this revolutionary technology is replacing traditional systems to reduce costs and increase safety. While in other applications, it is being used for the first time to create and stimulate new, exciting markets.

Because of its scalability, among other advantages, IP-Surveillance is an established, attractive technology not only for enhancing or revitalizing existing surveillance and remote monitoring applications, but also for a vast number of new applications in vertical markets as well including,

· Education: security and remote monitoring of school playground areas, corridors, halls and classrooms, as well as security of the buildings themselves.

· Transportation: remote monitoring of railway stations and tracks, highways and airports

· Banking: traditional security applications in high street banks, branch offices and anywhere ATMs are located

· Government: within security surveillance applications, often integrated into existing and new access control systems

· Retail: for security and remote monitoring purposes to making store management easier and more efficient

· Industry: monitoring manufacturing processes, logistic systems, warehouse and stock control systems

2 Why Misperceptions about IP-Surveillance Technology?

As with any new technology, there is an initial period of market education. The more complicated the technology and/or the more entrenched the current technology and business model—the longer the period of market education. During this learning phase it is only natural that there are gaps in knowledge and misunderstandings. It is from these conditions that misperceptions and myths can grow and foster.

IP-Surveillance technology is by no means highly complicated, but the “IP” portion of it does take security out its natural state and move into the IT realm, unknown territory for many. In this sense, new technology and entirely new conditions can compound fears and stir support for the status quo. The fact that IP-Surveillance competes directly with the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) raises a number of issues, not the least of which is that it challenges the current assumption that DVR technology and the analog camera represent the end-point, and therefore best, technology. Let’s face it, there is an entire industry, from manufacturers to installer and integrators on down to end users and their organizations, who have a vested interest in seeing the DVR be the dominant technology. To add to these “myth-making” market conditions, consider that the security industry is one in which proprietary, single-brand solutions are common and expected. IP-Surveillance solutions combine “best of breed” products and services from a number of different vendors. This ends up being great for the end user, but it is rather different from current conditions and expectations.

Now that we understand the reasons for the misperceptions and half-truths that have grown up around IP-Surveillance, let’s examine some of them more closely.

3 Ten Greatest Myths about IP-Surveillance

There are a number of myths, large and small, surrounding IP-Surveillance technology. We’ve taken the 10 most often-heard myths and organized them into two categories: general and technical. We’ll take the general un-truths first and then launch into some of the technical misperceptions.