Watching the future

However, one of the issues created by higher resolution in cameras is that there is more data that needs to be transmitted along a network, and this also corresponds to increased storage requirements and bandwidth.

As a result, new technologies have been developed to help reduce the load on a network without compromising on image quality.

H.264 is a compression technique that is now being introduced to the market. "H.264 allows higher resolution to provide higher image quality, but with less bandwidth, and the need for less storage. The trend is not just to add more resolution, it's also to make sure that the installation, the storage, and the bandwidth can follow," says Ortega. Experts estimate that it can offer bandwidth and storage savings of 30-50%.

Although many video surveillance product suppliers are now offering H.264 cameras, some suppliers question the need for the technology. "We are developing H.264 systems. We've sold a decent amount but we haven't really seen the demand," says Miller.

"Everyone offers H.264 but if you go to other vendors you'll hear the same thing. It's a buzzword at the moment."

Video compression in general is something of a controversial trend within the industry. The processing power required for encoding and decoding is substantial, and there is also a certain degree of variability in results between manufacturers.

"A number of vendors have even been moved to question how feasible some of the claims are surrounding what is currently possible," says Hayfield.

Nevertheless, the potential savings offered by H.264 compression could help boost other parts of the video surveillance industry. "H.264 has been used in megapixel cameras which is a significant development, as it makes megapixel cameras a more compelling product," says Hayfield.

Clever cameras

Adding to the interest in HD cameras is the ability to include intelligent video, or video content analysis (VCA). Intelligent video takes advantage of the additional resolution offered by HD and computer processing power and is tipped to be the next major innovation.

"Video content analysis is perhaps the most compelling trend in video surveillance," says Hayfield, estimating that VCA is likely to increase its market penetration from 2% in 2007 to as much as 40% by 2012.

VCA can add features to cameras such as motion tracking, people counting, and sounding alarms when certain areas are entered. Automating parts of the video surveillance system so that users aren't required to watch over cameras might seem counter-intuitive but it actually enables people, who can be the weakest link in a system, to remain constantly effective.

"We are intending to remove the need for people to monitor 16, 32 or 1000 cameras, because we all know that after one hour, someone monitoring 16 cameras will lose up to 90% of what's happening," says Ortega.

Having cameras that only activate when movement is detected can save on recording space but also helps reduce the dulling effect caused by staring at several screens for long periods of time.

Automatic people counting is another feature that can provide additional security and indentify possible threats. "It's useful in places like warehouses," says Ortega.

"You can use the system to count the number of people entering in the morning, and then check to see if the same amount exits in the evening." Doing so can help alert security staff that there are still people in the warehouse, who could potentially be planning criminal activity.

Standard practice

The boom in technology is also leading to an increase in standardisation. 2008 saw the establishment of the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) and the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA).

Both organisations are seeking to create a set of standards which will mean that all IP security devices will be interoperable. At this stage it is unclear as to which (if any) set of standards will become the market leader, with both ONVIF and PSIA having a range of large names supporting them.

However, the eventual effect of the creation of industry standards should create even more growth and development within the video surveillance market. "By having a single set of standards, manufacturers can spend more on innovation," says Hayfield.

With the Middle East probably the best place in the world for growth in the video surveillance market for the next five years or so, it's certain that the future of the market is going to be here in the region.

The future is here already - and the rest of the world will be coming to the Gulf to see how it's done.

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