Peter Knight has the “Big Bertha” and likes it. In fact, he’s thinking of getting another 29-megapixel security camera. Eugene Spadafore is equally pleased with his 2.1-megapixel camera.
For reasons ranging from higher quality images, additional coverage to “Big Data’s” analytics allure and more, it’s mega-time for megapixel cameras.
Knight, CEO of Millennium Aviation, a full-service fixed base operation based in Reading, Pa., houses aircraft sales, charter services and aircraft management. “Each aircraft that comes to Millennium Aviation receives the red carpet treatment. We value our visitors, pride ourselves in excellence and welcome clients to our family,” says Knight.
Which is why the CEO sees megapixel cameras as a multipurpose tool. “It’s integral. Recorded images can help us detect any damage as well as deter problems. It can also enhance training, too,” he says. There are cameras outdoors and in the facility lobby, hallways and inside hangers. “We are getting quality video feeds at night time without special lighting.”
For Spadafore, senior network administrator at Ellwood Group, Inc. (EGI), the specialty steel manufacturer, megapixel technology not only provides a level of security but also strives to monitor and improve manufacturing processes.
Part of the Process
“We have moved from a test environment over five years ago to now having megapixel cameras deployed at about 20 different locations in our various plants,” says Spadafore. “We started out asking, ‘How can we improve quality for process X?’ Rather quickly we saw the value of closely monitoring manufacturing with the cameras, and now it’s a standard in our environment; we use the cameras at every facility.”
Spadafore’s division has developed a de facto standard, scope of work and set of specifications for how to successfully deploy the megapixel cameras in each new location. “All the cameras are riding on our network, so in order to maintain consistency and best practices, we elected to be the overall project manager for camera deployment. As one location or division discovered the benefits of this kind of manufacturing process monitoring – both live and post-event – they, too, would request cameras. We wanted to be able to control the roll-out in an organized, efficient way.”
He adds, “When making a single product that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, it is critical that we have the capability to record the manufacturing process and, if we experience an issue downstream, we’re able to go back and find the root cause. If we can quickly solve manufacturing problems, the system pays for itself in short order.”
Overall, “I estimate we use our cameras 75 percent for process monitoring and 25 percent for general security,” observes Spadafore.
EGI stores video at each location anywhere from three days to three months, depending on the manufacturing process being recorded. “Our growth is typically through acquisition,” Spadafore continues, “Once a new company is acquired, the next question is, ‘When can we get cameras installed?’ As a result of using megapixel technology for process control, we have seen improvements in efficiency and productivity and that translates into real money.”
As it turns out, the best application of megapixel cameras is whatever is best for the enterprise.
Focus on the Enterprise
Now that HD megapixel IP camera technology has gone mainstream, people in diverse fields find that the high quality images that multi-megapixel cameras provide can be used for an amazing range of applications for security and beyond.
Here are some thumbnail examples:
Poland’s Silesian University has deployed megapixel cameras to support critical global climate research. Silesian Earth Science faculty have conducted research for over 25 years on changes at the Spitsbergen glacier, monitoring the Hansbreen tongue and its ice calving. Using various instruments, devices and techniques to monitor changes of the glacier, the scientists gather important information about global climate changes and trends. A few years ago, research staff decided to take advantage of the capabilities of megapixel IP cameras to record changes to the Hansbreen tongue.
“At the beginning of the research we tried to use analog cameras but the severe climate badly affected the mechanical elements,” says Leszek Kolondra, Sc.D, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Silesian University. The failure of analog security video cameras sent the research team in search of high-performance cameras that were also robust and stable. Silesian University decided to deploy megapixel cameras designed to meet the project’s demands and to work 24/7 with on-board solid-state recording.
The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., streams live footage from their eagle webcams. The National Eagle Center is an organization that began, and continues today, as a grassroots effort among like-minded people who realize that the nation’s symbol and its habitat deserve and need vigilant stewardship. The Center has grown to be America’s acknowledged authority on eagles and boasts a distinctive, 15,000-square-foot interpretive center on the banks of the Mississippi River.
“The Eagle Cam project is a vital way for the Eagle Center to expand making its resources available to everyone with the intention to include even those unable to travel to Wabasha to visit our facilities,” says Jeff Worrell, the center’s executive director.
Fighting Vandalism
Another example: a Massachusetts anti-dumping program deploys megapixel technology. When Tim Dame, investigator for the MassDEP Environmental Strike Force, was in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood investigating an incident, a neighbor approached and asked what could be done about the large, ugly pile of construction debris and appliances dumped right next to her yard. For Dame, a light bulb went off: just like broken windows that stay broken only invite more vandalism; piles of illegally dumped materials represent a flashing “Dump Here” sign.
Dame and colleagues initiated a program to identify, prosecute and ultimately deter perpetrators from dumping solid waste on city streets, vacant lots and public land. To date, Dame and MassDEP have developed a number of successful set-ups using megapixel cameras on solar or marine battery power with day/night capabilities, so the camera can effectively record the dumping but also capture the license plate information to send out fines and/or aid in further prosecution. The emerging “model” for successful covert surveillance involves megapixel cameras; power from flexible solar panels, and cameras housed in generic, gray electrical boxes mounted high up on poles to protect the cameras and provide a good field of view.
In the United Kingdom, Warsash Maritime Academy provides first class education and training to the international shipping and off-shore oil industries. The academy is part of Southampton Solent University, and pioneered the use of bridge and engine room simulators for advanced level training.
Delivering Value
The academy’s ship engine room simulator previously was monitored by an old analog system that in low-light levels produced video images of unacceptable quality for simulation training purposes. Six megapixel cameras were installed to provide superior video monitoring of all activity in the engine room simulator. IP-based megapixel cameras delivered immediate value by facilitating remote access to cameras views. Also, the IP cameras can be easily, quickly moved to different locations within the simulator room to provide instructors with different view configurations.
Closer to home, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey is expanding its video surveillance network at its County Courthouse and Jail in an effort to enhance the efficiency and recording capabilities across its infrastructure. The addition of over 400 high-resolution, intelligent video cameras combined with VMS and converged shared storage and virtual server appliances deliver an additional layer of surveillance coverage.
The system, which marks the third phase of the installation, extends the surveillance network to the Bergen County prosecutor’s office to enable rapid sharing of video evidence as needed. Overall, the technology initiative has been proven to provide an additional layer of security to the county’s facilities and deliver significant cost savings of over 20 percent due to the streamlining of processes between departments. Furthermore, multiple agencies across the county are merging practices to be more effective and simplify operations, developing further cost efficiencies across county infrastructure.
But, if you think megapixel cameras can do everything, think again.
According to industry experts, first define what is really needed. Are you looking for detection, recognition or identification? The bottom line, they contend, is the number of pixels on target. And that number is different among the needed uses. In addition, higher frame rates mean better situational awareness.
Also making a difference for enterprises is business analytics tied to use of cameras.
No doubt, however, megapixel cameras can in certain application cover more. The technology is providing expanded coverage area for a 150-acre produce facility, Brisbane Markets Ltd., which serves a vital role in Australia’s national food chain and provides a clearinghouse for produce from about 7,000 growers.
Going Beyond Analog
The enterprise uses video for general surveillance, loss prevention, traffic, access control and incident investigation. The market’s previous 15-year-old analog system had been upgraded to digital recording, but never gave security enterprise leaders the value they required.
Currently there are approximately 100 video cameras covering the site, and plans are in place to install another 40. Security video used at Brisbane Markets Ltd. includes 1.3 megapixel and 3 megapixel cameras that capture larger scenes with precise detail to enable forensic investigations.
Then there is the challenge of migrating from analog to IP and its megapixel world.
One solution: A network video recorder with built-in PoE and Digital Deterrent. It provides HD 1080p resolution and recording with a dual network interface that isolates IP camera traffic from network traffic to alleviate possible bandwidth challenges. Digital Deterrent can trigger an audio message via motion detector or
So-called fisheye views have also gone megapixel.
For instance, some companies’ network cameras feature a single 3-megapixel sensor that captures full HD images in 1080p resolution with multiple viewing and monitor modes so they can be configured to meet your specific surveillance requirements. Plus they’re in indoor, outdoor and vandal resistant models.Peter Knight has the “Big Bertha” and likes it. In fact, he’s thinking of getting another 29-megapixel security camera. Eugene Spadafore is equally pleased with his 2.1-megapixel camera.
For reasons ranging from higher quality images, additional coverage to “Big Data’s” analytics allure and more, it’s mega-time for megapixel cameras.
Knight, CEO of Millennium Aviation, a full-service fixed base operation based in Reading, Pa., houses aircraft sales, charter services and aircraft management. “Each aircraft that comes to Millennium Aviation receives the red carpet treatment. We value our visitors, pride ourselves in excellence and welcome clients to our family,” says Knight.
Which is why the CEO sees megapixel cameras as a multipurpose tool. “It’s integral. Recorded images can help us detect any damage as well as deter problems. It can also enhance training, too,” he says. There are cameras outdoors and in the facility lobby, hallways and inside hangers. “We are getting quality video feeds at night time without special lighting.”
For Spadafore, senior network administrator at Ellwood Group, Inc. (EGI), the specialty steel manufacturer, megapixel technology not only provides a level of security but also strives to monitor and improve manufacturing processes.
“We have moved from a test environment over five years ago to now having megapixel cameras deployed at about 20 different locations in our various plants,” says Spadafore. “We started out asking, ‘How can we improve quality for process X?’ Rather quickly we saw the value of closely monitoring manufacturing with the cameras, and now it’s a standard in our environment; we use the cameras at every facility.”
Spadafore’s division has developed a de facto standard, scope of work and set of specifications for how to successfully deploy the megapixel cameras in each new location. “All the cameras are riding on our network, so in order to maintain consistency and best practices, we elected to be the overall project manager for camera deployment. As one location or division discovered the benefits of this kind of manufacturing process monitoring – both live and post-event – they, too, would request cameras. We wanted to be able to control the roll-out in an organized, efficient way.”
He adds, “When making a single product that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, it is critical that we have the capability to record the manufacturing process and, if we experience an issue downstream, we’re able to go back and find the root cause. If we can quickly solve manufacturing problems, the system pays for itself in short order.”
Overall, “I estimate we use our cameras 75 percent for process monitoring and 25 percent for general security,” observes Spadafore.
EGI stores video at each location anywhere from three days to three months, depending on the manufacturing process being recorded. “Our growth is typically through acquisition,” Spadafore continues, “Once a new company is acquired, the next question is, ‘When can we get cameras installed?’ As a result of using megapixel technology for process control, we have seen improvements in efficiency and productivity and that translates into real money.”
As it turns out, the best application of megapixel cameras is whatever is best for the enterprise.
Focus on the Enterprise
Now that HD megapixel IP camera technology has gone mainstream, people in diverse fields find that the high quality images that multi-megapixel cameras provide can be used for an amazing range of applications for security and beyond.
Here are some thumbnail examples:
Poland’s Silesian University has deployed megapixel cameras to support critical global climate research. Silesian Earth Science faculty have conducted research for over 25 years on changes at the Spitsbergen glacier, monitoring the Hansbreen tongue and its ice calving. Using various instruments, devices and techniques to monitor changes of the glacier, the scientists gather important information about global climate changes and trends. A few years ago, research staff decided to take advantage of the capabilities of megapixel IP cameras to record changes to the Hansbreen tongue.
“At the beginning of the research we tried to use analog cameras but the severe climate badly affected the mechanical elements,” says Leszek Kolondra, Sc.D, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Silesian University. The failure of analog security video cameras sent the research team in search of high-performance cameras that were also robust and stable. Silesian University decided to deploy megapixel cameras designed to meet the project’s demands and to work 24/7 with on-board solid-state recording.
The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., streams live footage from their eagle webcams. The National Eagle Center is an organization that began, and continues today, as a grassroots effort among like-minded people who realize that the nation’s symbol and its habitat deserve and need vigilant stewardship. The Center has grown to be America’s acknowledged authority on eagles and boasts a distinctive, 15,000-square-foot interpretive center on the banks of the Mississippi River.
“The Eagle Cam project is a vital way for the Eagle Center to expand making its resources available to everyone with the intention to include even those unable to travel to Wabasha to visit our facilities,” says Jeff Worrell, the center’s executive director.
Fighting Vandalism
Another example: a Massachusetts anti-dumping program deploys megapixel technology. When Tim Dame, investigator for the MassDEP Environmental Strike Force, was in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood investigating an incident, a neighbor approached and asked what could be done about the large, ugly pile of construction debris and appliances dumped right next to her yard. For Dame, a light bulb went off: just like broken windows that stay broken only invite more vandalism; piles of illegally dumped materials represent a flashing “Dump Here” sign.
Dame and colleagues initiated a program to identify, prosecute and ultimately deter perpetrators from dumping solid waste on city streets, vacant lots and public land. To date, Dame and MassDEP have developed a number of successful set-ups using megapixel cameras on solar or marine battery power with day/night capabilities, so the camera can effectively record the dumping but also capture the license plate information to send out fines and/or aid in further prosecution. The emerging “model” for successful covert surveillance involves megapixel cameras; power from flexible solar panels, and cameras housed in generic, gray electrical boxes mounted high up on poles to protect the cameras and provide a good field of view.
In the United Kingdom, Warsash Maritime Academy provides first class education and training to the international shipping and off-shore oil industries. The academy is part of Southampton Solent University, and pioneered the use of bridge and engine room simulators for advanced level training.
Delivering Value
The academy’s ship engine room simulator previously was monitored by an old analog system that in low-light levels produced video images of unacceptable quality for simulation training purposes. Six megapixel cameras were installed to provide superior video monitoring of all activity in the engine room simulator. IP-based megapixel cameras delivered immediate value by facilitating remote access to cameras views. Also, the IP cameras can be easily, quickly moved to different locations within the simulator room to provide instructors with different view configurations.
Closer to home, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey is expanding its video surveillance network at its County Courthouse and Jail in an effort to enhance the efficiency and recording capabilities across its infrastructure. The addition of over 400 high-resolution, intelligent video cameras combined with VMS and converged shared storage and virtual server appliances deliver an additional layer of surveillance coverage.
The system, which marks the third phase of the installation, extends the surveillance network to the Bergen County prosecutor’s office to enable rapid sharing of video evidence as needed. Overall, the technology initiative has been proven to provide an additional layer of security to the county’s facilities and deliver significant cost savings of over 20 percent due to the streamlining of processes between departments. Furthermore, multiple agencies across the county are merging practices to be more effective and simplify operations, developing further cost efficiencies across county infrastructure.
But, if you think megapixel cameras can do everything, think again.
According to industry experts, first define what is really needed. Are you looking for detection, recognition or identification? The bottom line, they contend, is the number of pixels on target. And that number is different among the needed uses. In addition, higher frame rates mean better situational awareness.
Also making a difference for enterprises is business analytics tied to use of cameras.
No doubt, however, megapixel cameras can in certain application cover more. The technology is providing expanded coverage area for a 150-acre produce facility, Brisbane Markets Ltd., which serves a vital role in Australia’s national food chain and provides a clearinghouse for produce from about 7,000 growers.
Going Beyond Analog
The enterprise uses video for general surveillance, loss prevention, traffic, access control and incident investigation. The market’s previous 15-year-old analog system had been upgraded to digital recording, but never gave security enterprise leaders the value they required.
Currently there are approximately 100 video cameras covering the site, and plans are in place to install another 40. Security video used at Brisbane Markets Ltd. includes 1.3 megapixel and 3 megapixel cameras that capture larger scenes with precise detail to enable forensic investigations.
Then there is the challenge of migrating from analog to IP and its megapixel world.
One solution: A network video recorder with built-in PoE and Digital Deterrent. It provides HD 1080p resolution and recording with a dual network interface that isolates IP camera traffic from network traffic to alleviate possible bandwidth challenges. Digital Deterrent can trigger an audio message via motion detector or sensor.
So-called fisheye views have also gone megapixel.
For instance, some companies’ network cameras feature a single 3-megapixel sensor that captures full HD images in 1080p resolution with multiple viewing and monitor modes so they can be configured to meet your specific surveillance requirements. Plus they’re in indoor, outdoor and vandal resistant models.
