Top 10 IP Technology Trends for 2014 (and Beyond)
CCTV is predicted to reach a tipping point in 2014, according to IMS Research (now part of IHS).
In a new report called “The World Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment” the consultancy forecasts that network video revenues will overtake those generated by analog equipment for the first time ever this year.
Here are the top 10 key trends for the global IP surveillance (network video) market I expect to see in 2014 — and how they will shake things up for the better.
No. 1. Nobody really wants a video camera…
…what they really want is an effective and efficient solution to a problem.
The ongoing switch from analogue to IP surveillance enables the incorporation of more functionality in the video camera and security solutions — for instance, “at-the-edge” recording, analytics, and even smarter access control.
Subsequently, it encourages the move to more intelligent and proactive video surveillance systems that not only improve safety and security, but also bring real commercial benefits to all types of organizations.
No. 2. Smarter solutions for a brighter future
Axis invented the first centralized IP camera in 1996. The technology has since come a long way, from a passive form of surveillance that quietly monitors for potential threats, to a real business tool and an enabler for many proactive add-on solutions.
Cameras already have myriad features ranging from motion and audio detection to more advanced capabilities like spotting camera tampering, people counting, virtual fences, and vehicle number plate recognition.
Intelligent video systems that extract video and data from surveillance video streams and integrate that information with other applications, such as retail management systems or access control systems, will increasingly become the norm.
No. 3. Business intelligence generates fresh possibilities
Similarly, integrating IP cameras with business intelligence will continue to benefit bottom lines. For example, the Axis-sponsored CCTV in Retail 2013 survey, carried out by the Centre for Retail Research, revealed that 58% of UK retailers are planning to migrate from analogue cameras, with IP video’s integration with business intelligence applications cited as a primary driver.
Retailers — and, indeed, any other sector — can now deploy IP cameras that integrate seamlessly with existing business-intelligence applications through the use of open-platform infrastructure and application-programme interfaces (APIs). The use of open-platform infrastructure and APIs will also encourage the design and development of ever-smarter solutions.
No. 4. Small-systems solutions
Mirroring trends in the IT and consumer video industries, IP surveillance cameras are no longer only the preserve of large organizations and big-budget installations.
Whether it’s a cloud-based video solution (such as the Axis Video Hosting System, AVHS) or IP camera solutions supporting on-board storage via a high capacity SD card and free to download software — such as Axis Camera Companion — users can leverage existing technology investments such as smartphones and tablets, along with wireless and broadband infrastructure, to view live video and manage recordings, thereby reducing the requirement for additional hardware.
The result is an easy-to-use and convenient camera system with simple installation and minimal maintenance.
Hosted video solutions, rising SD card capacity, and falling costs are making IP cameras an increasingly attractive proposition for installers of small systems, consisting of, say, 16 cameras or fewer — a trend we expect to accelerate.
No. 5. IP surveillance opens new doors
The global physical access control market was valued at about $3 billion in 2012, according to IHS research, and is projected to grow to $4.2 billion by 2017 — an annual growth rate of 7%.
For many businesses, particularly those occupying new, intelligent buildings, the migration of access-control systems to a digital environment is sure to bring many benefits, such as lower installation costs and easier configuration and management, while simultaneously enhancing system versatility and accommodating integration with other security products.
The transition to IP-based solutions will make implementation far more attractive and resolve many limitations of existing traditional systems, offering additional functionalities that go far beyond conventional door control.
Reflecting growing customer demand for solutions that offer such seamless integration, Axis is launching its physical access control system in the UK market in the second half of this year.
No. 6. HDTV
The adoption of HDTV has been phenomenal in recent years, mainly driven by a consumer electronics market shifting from CRT-based televisions to LCD, plasma, and LED-based TV screens.
HDTV will also become the standard for IP surveillance cameras. I predict high-definition resolutions of 720p (1280×720 pixels) will grow to full high definition of 1080p resolutions (1920×1080 pixels) this year.
Can achieve a good balance between resolution and sensitivity, creating a more secure surveillance system, one detailed enough even for identification purposes.
No. 7. 4K
4K resolution is a generic term for display devices or content with a horizontal resolution in the order of 4,000 pixels. This is a natural progression from HDTV and improves image quality even further.
Known as ultra-high-definition television — or UHDTV — it boasts twice the resolution of full high definition (1080p) and, at 3840×2160 pixels, nearly four times as many pixels. 4K will be invaluable in scenarios where image quality and detail are paramount, especially in low-light situations.
No. 8. Image usability
Simply talking about megapixels and high-definition resolution will not be enough in 2014. Increasingly sophisticated end-users understand that it’s image usability that matters — and not just megapixel numbers.
Colour-at-night and high-contrast sensitive cameras will become significantly more important and almost mandatory over the next few years due to growing demand from end users and the capabilities of technology. The surveillance of more extreme and hostile environments will also require this sort of technology.
Featured in some Axis IP cameras wide dynamic range (WDR) handles a broad range of lighting conditions within a scene. This is likely to become more crucial as surveillance cameras are used in high-contrast areas or extreme-backlight situations.
WDR avoids bleached-out bright areas and over-black dark areas by applying different exposures to different objects.
“Lightfinder” technology harnesses specialist image processing, in-house system-on-chip development, and the best optical components. Axis Lightfinder cameras have extreme light sensitivity and can deliver colour images in as little light as 0.18 lux or even less.
No. 9. Mobility solution
Mobile solutions make it possible to view surveillance video anywhere, at any time, with image sizes and file bandwidth flexible enough to accommodate varying usage.
Users can view a live stream of surveillance camera footage from any location and on most internet-enabled devices, such as tablet computers and smartphones. We’re now used to viewing live or recorded images on our personal smartphones and tablets; it will increasingly become the expectation in a professional context as well.
No. 10. Thermal imaging
A recent report by research firm Markets and Market predicts that the thermal imaging market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.9% from $3.4 billion in 2013 to $5.84 billion in 2018, with the surveillance segment representing the largest contributing growth.
Excellent for detecting people, objects, and incidents in complete darkness and other challenging conditions, thermal cameras do not, nevertheless, deliver images that allow reliable identification — which is why I believe thermal cameras and conventional cameras will continue to complement and support each other with thermal cameras acting as the “detector” and an integral part of any IP surveillance installation.
We don’t have a crystal ball, but we can be sure that innovation will continue to drive the emergence of sophisticated features and applications and boost IP technology’s role in enabling better business. These trends for smarter solutions are essential for the surveillance community to create a brighter future together.