This document summarizes information on integrating video and alarm systems. Video verification overcomes weaknesses of individual systems by allowing operators to remotely verify alarms in real time via video. Integration brings cost savings through reduced need for human verification of alarms and more accurate detection of true threats. Challenges include keeping up with technology changes and ensuring interoperability between different solution providers.

1. Product Exploration
Video Verification
Cuts Cost and Time
As integration bring video and alarms together, video verification overcomes
the weaknesses of each system alone. When properly done, it relieves human
operators from physically verifying whether every alarm was a real intrusion. BY LING-MEI WONG
I
ntegration has become an unstop- security solution. fastest growing market in remote
pable force in security, affecting Video monitoring uses alarms to monitoring, which revenue expected
video to alarm systems. Video detect events, with most solutions to grow nearly 20 percent annually
and intrusion detection alone have alerting cameras to switch on only over the next five years in Europe
their faults, with video requiring when an event is occurring. This and North America, according to
storage and detectors being prone allows operators to verify in real IMS Research.
to high false alarm rates. However, time whether the event requires “Integrators in the United
combining the further attention, such as a human Kingdom and Benelux have warmly
two provides intruder, and saves operators a trip to embraced remote video monitoring,”
a winning the alarm's site. As the video checks said IMS Research Analyst Niall
if the alarm is legitimate, video Jenkins in a prepared statement.
monitoring is also referred to as
video verification.
An efficient solution such as
video verification makes it the
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2. “In mainland Europe, integrators in of our opportunities is the copper TrenDs
France and Germany are expected theft,” said Jeanne-Marie Ferre, Alarms and video add to security
to follow suit as their rigorous video Marketing Manager for RSI Video and peace of mind. “These days,
surveillance regulations are relaxed, Technologies. “Skyrocketing prices alarm owners are looking to upgrade
to combat the modern threats to for metals, especially copper, have t h e i r p ro p e r t y, a s c r i m e r i s e s
public and private properties.” made what was once a minor dramatically,” said Eli Keren, Export
More services for remote video nuisance into a major problem Manager, Av-Gad Systems. “As soon
make its outlook a positive costing more than US$1 billion as owners see the benefits, they are
one. “Intrusion-activated video per year, according to the U.S. willing to invest more in protection.”
monitoring remains popular,” the Department of Energy.” More accurate alarms are part
IMS Research report said. “However, Copper thieves target out-of- of a growing trend. “In outdoor
there is increasing use of services t h e - w a y o r d i ff i c u l t t o s e c u re sensors, we see a trend away from
such as remote guard tours; where locations, such as construction sites, active-beam sensors and toward
the video monitor operates at set communication towers and electrical high-performance PIR sensors,” said
times of the day. Remote monitoring substations, Ferre said. “In addition, Eric Micko, Director of R&D, Suren
for staff protection and bodyguard the collateral damage done ripping Systems.
systems are also showing signs of pipes and wires out of walls far Along with better detection,
acceptance in the European market.” exceeds the actual cost of the copper more networking is a trend. “The
stolen.” current trend is
DemanD full integration
Video monitoring solutions are o f v i d e o
most in demand for remote sites, components into
which are difficult to access. “One alarm systems,
as well as using
more and more
network and
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3. Product Exploration
Internet solutions for sending video
and alarm information,” said Uri
Engelsman, VP Sales and Marketing,
Pima Electronic Systems.
Networked solutions are leading to
more management of alarms. “Users
are asking for an integrated alarm
monitoring and video recording
system that lets them view live
images from cameras associated with
alarm events, control PTZ functions,
and view live video,” said Gary
D'Aries, Ingersoll Rand Security
Technologies, Vice President, Schlage
Software and Controllers. “They
want to search stored video clips
by time and date with established
parameters for pre- and post- alarm
event recording.”
Video analytics are also expected to
aid alarms more and more, as more
efficient video compression make
them a reality. “H.264 is expected
to be the video standard of choice
in the coming years,” said Gerard
Otterspeer, Product Marketing
Manager for EMEA, Bosch Security
Systems. “Furthermore, the ongoing ▲ Video monitoring solutions are most in demand for remote sites, which are difficult to access.
development of video content
analysis will significantly improve automatically or manually,” Keren situation and a false one by sending
the effectiveness of video surveil- said. “The user or central station a real-time video clip of the event
lance systems.” can remotely activate the video via MMS messages to a FTP server
verification by simple command and then onward to a CMS or user's
Technology from mobile or office phone. The mobile phone.”
InTegraTIon command is done by DTMF dial Also on the product level are PIR
Combining several systems suits with password protection, a unique cameras, combining a PIR detector
remote monitoring needs, such as feature that does not exist in other with a camera. “The portable battery-
power line transmission sending panels.” powered P-cam (PIR motion sensor
alarm and video over the same Alarm support can be seen in video with integrated camera and illumi-
cables. Some alarm cables now servers as well, demonstrating that nators) can be installed anywhere,
support video, saving cabling costs integration is alive and well. “The often mounted on portable stands
significantly. VVR (Video Alarm Verification that can be picked up and moved
Other solutions have video built Reporter) is an IP video server around as the situation demands —
right into some alarm systems. “In specially designed for the security no trenching, no wires,” Ferre said.
Av-Gad alarm panels, a dedicated market to be integrated with “The integrated PIR motion sensor
output is activating the video intruder control panels,” Engelsman detects intruders in storms and
camera, so the user or installer can said. “The VVR helps verify and blizzards, ignoring the rain or snow.”
program this feature to activate distinguish between a real alarm Other vendors integrate video
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4. and alarms at the management This text information on alarm keep false alarms down. As it can be
software level. “Visonic offers a location gives users a better idea costly to respond to every triggered
fully integrated broadband based of how serious the alarm is, such alarm, smarter detection is a boon for
surveillance and control solution,” as one at a highly restricted area. integrated video and alarm solutions.
said Oren Kotlicki, Head of Product “They don't need to waste time by Integration with mobile devices
Management, Visonic. “The solution first checking the video system for can determine whether an event is an
is targeted at mass market service such details,” D'Aries said. “Without actual or false alarm. “The VVR helps
providers wishing to offer video having to physically verify what reduce false alarms by capturing
alarm verification solution with is happening on their surveillance real-time alarm situations and
the ability to grow to a full-grade system, they can immediately transmitting them directly to the end
Web-based remote control, surveil- respond to the alarm and take user's mobile phone in a video clip
lance and messaging service offered action.” MMS format,” Engelsman said. “This
to end users.” Law enforcement can use real-time allows the end user to view the alarm
images to respond appropriately. scene immediately and evaluate the
VIDeo VerIfIcaTIon “Police treat video verified alarms situation — whether it is a real alarm
Integration is intended to give as a 'crime in progress' and respond situation or a false one created by
human operators a better idea of faster than for a routine alarm,” an animal passing by or a window
what's going on, with video verifi- Ferre said. “Video verification makes broken from a windy weather.”
cation presenting information in a law enforcement more efficient and Remotely verifying alarms by
timely fashion. Thus, real-time alerts provides greater security to the video will provide operators with
for operators are vital. property owner.” more information and may not
Systems can be configured for The networked response has necessarily reduce false alarms.
cameras to start rolling when alarms advantages over analog video, which “Video verification does not reduce
or other devices are triggered. “If the is more for forensic purposes rather false alarms but provides the central
access system or alarm sensor detects than real-time alerts. “In contrast, station with the ability to recognize
unwanted activity, the video recorder property owners use traditional that the alarm is false,” Kotlicki said.
can be programmed to increase CCTV systems and DVRs to review “The combination of PIR detectors
the recorded pictures per second,” what happened after an incident with a camera compared to a video
D'Aries said. “In addition, security occurs and identify the intruder,” motion detection (VMD) based
guards, managers, administrators, Ferre said. “More often than not, camera as a stand-alone solution
business owners and even law identification is impossible because provides dramatic reduction in false
enforcement can be notified upon of poor lighting and intruders alarms as alarms are triggered by PIR
an alarm. They immediately know wearing masks or hoods.” detectors.”
the location and nature of the alarm A P-cam can be an affordable way
so they can remedy the problem reDucIng false alarms to reduce false alarms. “The PIR
immediately.” Several solutions are deployed to detector and camera solution is in
▲ Jeanne-Marie Ferre, Marketing ▲ Eli Keren, Export Manager, Av-Gad ▲ Uri Engelsman, VP Sales and ▲ Gary D’Aries, Ingersoll Rand ▲ Gerard Otterspeer, Produc t
Manager for RSI Video Technologies Systems Marketing, Pima Electronic Systems Security Technologies, Vice Marketing Manager for EMEA,
President, Schlage Software and Bosch Security Systems
Controllers
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5. Product Exploration
many times more cost-effective, as wireless solutions also will help to automation devices to switch them
high-end VMD cameras are quite reduce installation costs.” off when left on, such as lights or air
expensive, while low-end VMD Networked solutions also incur conditioners.
cameras are not reliable in terms fewer costs. “Pima's VVR offers
of video motion detection and can an alternative low-cost solution hIgh-enD crITerIa
provide lots of false alarms,” Kotlicki for video verification by using the Several pointers should be kept in
said. Internet instead of paying the high mind for a quality video and alarm
Other solutions focus on costs of cellular MMS charges,” integration solution. They include
fine-tuning the alarms themselves, Engelsman said. The remote video reliability, cost, compatibility and
ensuring they are not triggered solution “saves time, traveling and interoperability.
for non-events. “Suren's DFIR loss of property.” “When installers choose an alarm
(dual-frequency infrared) technology Considering the amounts of data system, the two major elements to
inherently rejects all non-moving required for video alarm verification, consider are the products reliability
temperature-changing objects and Internet transmission drives the and costs,” Engelsman said.
limited-motion objects — the biggest overall cost lower. “The solution “Professional intruder installers
sources of false alarms,” Micko said. empowers the broadband connec- are mostly looking for products
“Of course, video verification can tivity channel,” Kotlicki said. “While that are easy, fast and friendly to
help, but that requires an operator's PSTN communications and GPRS are install, and have friendly setting and
time. Suren's thinking is to avoid charged by communication or by the programming.”
alerting the operator unless there amount of data sent, which get quite Solutions should mesh seamlessly
is actually a person moving in the expensive when video has to be sent, with existing technology. “To assure
sensor's monitored area.” broadband communication has a compatibility and ease of use, the
If users already have cameras fixed price to it.” integrated systems must operate
and can support analytics, they can Too many false alarms can result in in multiple server environments,
set rules to minimize false alarms, fees. “In many countries, the police including Windows NT, 2000, 2003
such as rain or snow. “To help or the central station charges the and XP, and be OBDC and MDAC
ensure alarms are only triggered end user a fine in case that the alarm compliant,” D'Aries said. “The
for real events, features such as is a false alarm,” Kotlicki said. The controllers should provide multiple
camera calibration and perspective Visonic solution also cuts energy communications options and be able
correction greatly enhance costs, by integrating with home to make decisions at the local level in
intelligent video analysis accuracy
and reliability,” Otterspeer said.
“Also, special filters for size, speed,
direction and aspect ratio minimize
Integration is intended to give human
false alarm rates.” operators a better idea of what's going on,
cosT-saVIng feaTures
with video verification presenting information
The goal of video and alarm in a timely fashion.
integration is to save human
operating expenses, which translates
into a range of functions.
Some are designed for the alarms
themselves to be more discrimi-
nating. “Suren's solution will provide
maximum false-alarm rejection,
including animals, so as to reduce
costs of operators responding to
false alarms,” Micko said. “Suren's
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6. the event that communication with smart thing to do.” protocols, such as ZigBee, to evaluate
the host is severed.” their progress regarding interoper-
P ro d u c t s s h o u l d c o n f o r m t o challenges ability,” Micko said. “However, even
accepted standards as well. “All The integration of video and if such standard platforms achieve
industry standard technologies alarms requires the makers of video excellent 'plug-n-play' interoper-
i n a d d i t i o n t o wireless access and alarm solutions to branch out ability, some companies will still
and hardwired devices should of their respective niches. This is elect to use proprietary protocols
be supported,” D'Aries said. easier said than done, as convergence in an effort to keep customers
“Purchasers want to assure that an present a challenge. from creating multi-supplier
unlimited number of controllers Keeping up with technology systems made up of interoperable
and downstream devices may be means providers need to do their components.”
used. Add video analytics to the mix homework. “The challenge to stay on Some providers believe the time
and you've got a system with the top of market needs is to create more has arrived for truly integrated
opportunity to be high-end, if the products and solutions in the video solutions. “We're very prepared to
application warrants it.” area, and the connection of the video meet the challenges of these applica-
Standardization is sometimes to other media through network and tions,” D'Aries said. “The hardware
mandated, making it a key criterion. cellular,” Engelsman said. and software is available, the market
“The alarm industry is protected by The rise of integration means is asking for such solutions, and
strict certifications,” Kotlicki said. vendors must make their products we provide the interoperability
“When selecting an alarm system, play nicely with other solutions. “We standards.”
looking at the certifications it has is a can say that we're watching wireless
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