IP speed dome cameras

	Acumen's SD85 camera is designed to work in temperatures above 400 degrees Celsius.

Product offerings are broadening as analog surveillance systems encounter greater competition from IP-based systems.

The surveillance and monitoring industry in Taiwan has undergone considerable technological enhancements over the past years, driven by advancements in digital technology and telecom infrastructures. With IP technology gradually eclipsing analog technology, products equipped with intelligent features, network capability and more advanced video compression top many suppliers’ R&D agenda.

Analog CCTV systems still dominate the video surveillance industry but looking forward to 2009, IP systems are poised to catch up. The worldwide market value for IP systems is predicted to post a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41 percent from 2006 to 2010, according to the Taiwan-based Topology Research Institute. IP cameras, in particular, are predicted to achieve a 62 percent CAGR during the five-year period, outpacing CCTV cameras’ predicted CAGR of 10 to 13 percent.

More than ever, makers of analog-based surveillance and monitoring devices are facing a turning point: to learn to coexist with makers of IP devices or shift manufacturing to IP-based models. To remain competitive in the evolving market, many Taiwan CCTV camera makers will continue to develop niche products, such as vandal-resistant and speed dome cameras, while expanding their product lines to include IP-based products, DVRs and hybrid solutions.

Most CCTV cameras use IR technology. Embedded with LEDs, IR cameras are mostly used in dark conditions such as during nighttime. Mainstream IR cameras feature an effective distance of 15m to 30m. Some Taiwan makers offer high-end IR cameras with an effective distance of more than 150m. Speed dome CCTV cameras, which generally feature PTZ functions, are usually adopted for road-based traffic surveillance.

A number of makers have released CCTV cameras equipped with intelligent functions. In the coming months, more suppliers are expected to launch their own models embedded with intelligent chipsets. By analyzing videos in the camera end, cameras with intelligent chipsets can lighten the burden of backend servers and use the limited bandwidth more efficiently. PTZ cameras with auto face tracking functions are especially ideal for use in large spaces such as warehouses. The camera detects moving object, identifies human faces, tracks with auto zooming and sends an alarm signal to the control center.

Speed dome, IR, vandal-resistant and outdoor models will continue to dominate new releases of CCTV cameras in the next 12 months. Aside from intelligent functions, suppliers will also focus on faster shutter speed, better illumination and improved cosmetic design. For IR cameras, makers are looking to develop models with longer effective distance and higher resolution. Adding network capability is also an important direction in product development as suppliers aim to make their CCTV cameras compatible with IP surveillance systems.

Fierce price competition will be felt in the low-end segment. In effect, many Taiwan suppliers will opt to manufacture more high-end or niche products to evade competition.

	Huper has an all-in-one PC-based DVR DSS server board that is IP-ready and features hybrid system compatibility.

Megapixel IP cameras have become the hottest trend in the past year. To compete with CCTV cameras, the resolution and compression codec used have emerged as the key considerations in IP camera R&D. H.264 is the most advanced video compression technology at present. However, only a few makers are able to use the format as the technology for the chipset solution is not yet mature. For now, MPEG-4 and M-JPEG are the mainstream codecs in IP cameras while the 3GPP standard is expected to be more widespread in mobile surveillance.

Network bandwidth is also a major consideration. Telecom infrastructure varies in different countries. Thus, suppliers should be able to provide products that can adopt different codecs, depending on the local implementations of a certain area. For instance, some regions with an FTTx network accommodate powerful devices that run on larger bandwidths.

The huge market potential in IP surveillance is expected to attract more makers to enter the line. Many Taiwan companies will venture in this segment but will maintain production on the island to ensure quality control. A significant number of makers are also expected to start developing own-brand products in a bid to gain a larger market share.

Currently, companies such as Axis, Panasonic, Sony, and Mobotix are the leading players in the global IP camera market. D-Link is the most notable Taiwan-based IP camera maker, claiming a 6.7 percent market share worldwide.

Most IP camera suppliers in Taiwan are small-scale and midsize companies that offer OEM/ODM service to large, international companies. There are some local manufacturers, such as Vivotek, that are trying to gain a foothold in the OBM business.

Storage devices are an important part of surveillance systems. Digital storage solutions are available as DVR cards, software DVR, standalone DVR, hybrid DVR, network DVR and NVR. In Taiwan, there are about 50 makers of digital storage solutions.

The world DVR market is dominated by well-known companies such Bosch, GE, Honeywell and Siemens. In Taiwan, most companies are providers of OEM/ODM and integrated solution services to these leading companies. Some of the biggest suppliers are AV Tech, Topco Scientific, Yoko Tech, Ever Focus and GeoVision. An increasing number of small-scale and midsize Taiwan companies have been striving to apply their engineering creativity and system integration capability to capture some share of the growing DVR market.

Currently, standalone DVRs and network/hybrid DVRs are the popular products. DVRs with network capability are treated as transitional products for future IP surveillance systems. Multifunction models with integrated LCD monitors, DVD drives and SD card slots will gain wider popularity. The embedded system DVR server board, used in large-scale applications, is a promising product. MPEG-4 and M-JPEG are the mainstream formats in DVR storage. Flexible backup, D1 resolution, multifunctionality and intelligence detection are essential product trends.