Most modern systems for visual observation of objects are integrated with a computer on which the program for video surveillance should be installed. With its help, you can set the equipment settings, the sensitivity of the sensors, the schedule of the camera, select zones, when activity appears in which recording is initiated.
Objectives and necessary equipment for video surveillance
Real-time monitoring of a specific zone or object using a video camera is one of the main safety measures. Observation allows you to record cases of intruders entering the territory. If a record was initiated, it can be used as evidence of the incident. Using video cameras helps to identify the dangers associated with the human factor and harmful situations in the workplace. Often it is used as an integral component of security systems along with fire alarm systems.
Most often, video cameras are installed in the following places:
- In apartments, private and country houses to track the penetration of intruders, as well as monitor the work of nannies and other maintenance personnel.
- In banking institutions.
- In offices - to control the behavior of workers and visitors. In accordance with such tasks, equipment should cope with the identification of persons. If there is a local network, IP cameras are suitable.
- In stores and warehouses to prevent theft and control operations at the box office. For supermarkets, it is advisable to use network surveillance. For a small store, a simple budget analog device is also suitable.
Video surveillance software is often used to solve analytical problems. This includes simple operations such as registering traffic in the observation area and more complex ones - for example, establishing an identity, recognizing car numbers or finding left things.
To organize surveillance, in addition to a computer, you will need to purchase a camera. The device is selected depending on the conditions of the situation and the equipment of the room. It can be a model that works with a Wi-Fi signal, a GSM module, a webcam or an analog device. Some devices work from a wireless network, others require a cable connection. You must also have a router.
To work with analog cameras, PCs are equipped with capture cards. This device allows you to work with alarming inputs and outputs and combine several devices into the system. Along with the board, a program for controlling cameras is supplied. To support the functioning of the system during the period when the computer is turned off, a DVR is used. Now it’s easy to choose a model that can work in parallel with cameras of different types. Modern recorders are equipped with a LAN connection interface, which facilitates the installation of the system with recording to a PC.
Conflicts may arise between different devices. Therefore, it is advisable to draft a system in advance. When selecting components, the compatibility of various devices is taken into account.
Features and functions of video surveillance software
Video surveillance applications can be professional and intended for domestic use. Some programs have a free version, including basic functionality, and a paid one, which is suitable for use in the organization.
The software allows you to manage cameras, make changes to their settings, create record archives, interact with the server. More sophisticated utilities are equipped with advanced analytic functionality. Such software, in particular, is used when constant monitoring is organized in the zone. Sometimes programs are developed to order with sharpening to the requirements of the company in which it is planned to operate the software. They perform a security function and collect statistics. Developers are always looking for ways to create and enable features that can minimize the need for human intervention.
The main criteria for choosing software:
- the possibility of conflict-free use with a modem or local network;
- the cost of the software product and its updates;
- remote adjustment of camera image indicators;
- simultaneous use of various types of interfaces;
- parallelization of the processes of viewing the archive and continuing tracking;
- the ability to connect two or more cameras.
The software allows you to view the captured image from any device with access to the Internet. To do this, you need to install a software video server on your PC that transfers the video stream from the cameras to the client software or to the creator's website. The client software is installed on the gadget from which the user wants to view the situation at the object. It takes an image from camcorders. Viewing can be done directly from the cloud site. The user logs in from the device with the login assigned to him and gets to the page with the list of cameras.
Connecting some video surveillance programs provides the ability to notify the user when a motion sensor is triggered or when an audio signal appears in the protected area. It can be implemented in the form of an SMS message to a specified number or e-mail letters. There are utilities in which only professional versions are provided with such a function. The captured video is available in local storage. Often it is also duplicated to the cloud or to the ftp server.
Popular programs and their features
Programs for viewing CCTV cameras are able to work with WiFi, web and IP devices. They differ in a set of additional functions, the availability of certain operations in paid versions, and some other features like their own video recording format.
For CCTV cameras
Utility iSpy with client-server architecture is used for home and office surveillance. It allows you to work with a large number of cameras. Switching from one device to another is realized through the interface or remotely. The program has some limitations: it is suitable only for PCs and laptops running Windows. The interface is English-language, so users with poor language skills can be difficult. You can configure sections of the frame, to change situations in which you need to react especially sensitively, as well as audio and motion sensors.
Although monitoring is only possible on Windows devices, there is the option of sending a notification to a mobile phone or email when an attacker is suspected of being active. But this feature is only available in the licensed version. The message is accompanied by a photograph of the incident. The archive is stored both on a computer and in a cloud service.
Utility Contacam able to work with different types and number of cameras, as well as perform tasks of a digital video recorder with round-the-clock shooting. You can initiate a recording using the manual method or configure its binding to a motion sensor or a specific schedule. Filmed videos are saved in the extension flash or avi.
Program Xeoma It is able to work with all major OS for PC and gadgets (including Linux) and with different types of cameras - Wi-Fi, web, IP. It does not require special installation.The device can be used for office, car security in the yard, supervision of maintenance staff in the house.
The trial version has limitations: it allows the use of up to 8 cameras and knocks down the settings once every 4 hours. The first of them applies to a full-fledged free option. Recording when the sensor is triggered can be configured anywhere in the monitored area or in certain areas. If a movement has appeared, the user will be notified of this by email with a snapshot of the event.
The simple Line app is great for home installation. It supports working with the cloud and mobile clients, allows you to connect multiple cameras at the same time. Setting up the Reactions module will help automate surveillance.
For IP cameras
One of the easiest programs for IP cameras is IP Camera Viewer. It supports more than a thousand devices and can serve as a replacement for the utilities that come bundled on the disk. You can connect up to 4 cameras at a time. The software allows you to flexibly adjust the image quality and shooting parameters for each device. Password protection blocks access to unauthorized persons. However, the free version only allows online tracking. To record and store videos, you will need to purchase a paid option.
Utility Gotcha! Multicam Suitable for video surveillance with IP PRO cameras and small web devices. It can be integrated with a capture card. A distinctive feature is the mv2 recording format (available for viewing in the program itself). You can translate the captured video into the familiar avi.
Sometimes camcorder companies design software capable of serving models from other manufacturers. One such product is D-View 6.0. The basic version (for a thousand IP host components) is intended for offices and small companies, the professional version - for large enterprises. The product is available on the D-Link website.
CMS software for wireless systems
Such software is specially sharpened for cameras that are not equipped with a wired connection. The emphasis is on the convenience of remotely watching videos and controlling the shooting device. The software product identifies the movement and starts recording video after that. One example is cloud storage software. iVideon. To work with it, you need to download two utilities - client and server. The first is placed on the PC to which the cameras are connected. The second is available for various operating systems, including Linux and options for smartphones, and is designed to remotely monitor a protected object.
PSS programs
Professional video surveillance utilities work with devices that are part of the security system. Most often, they are developed by camcorder companies and are compatible only with manufacturer's products. One example of the creators of such programs is a firm Dahua. Its utility is designed for a system containing up to a thousand devices. The software has rich and flexible settings, transmits several types of alarms - lens closure, motion sensor, disconnection, and others. PSS-software can send them to peripheral systems so that employees can respond as soon as possible and start working with the incident.
Some types of camcorder software are designed exclusively for installation on a desktop computer. Some of them work only with Windows OS (for example, iSpy), others are capable of supporting Linux as well. They also try to release software for organizing wireless connections (for example, wi-fi cameras) in versions for common mobile OS.
Connection via telephone
There are several ways to organize monitoring via a smartphone. If there is only one camera, the gadget can be connected directly to the system. To work with multiple devices, they use a connection using P2P technologies or cloud storage. The second option is now the most popular.
On the phone you need to install the client application. To watch video from the gadget and configure the camera, you need to get a static IP address (this is done in the regional company responsible for Internet services). It should be borne in mind that the necessary bandwidth should be provided (at least 128 kbit / s for each video camera). By entering the address in the browser bar, the user will be able to view the broadcast shooting. If there are several cameras, you will need to install a routing device. In addition to the IP number, a port code is required for viewing.
When choosing a software for video surveillance, you need to consider the characteristics of the cameras and compatibility with the equipment used. Additional functionality is also important, for example, notifying the user about the appearance of movement in the controlled area.
