Megapixel Cameras are network cameras that have at least one million pixels on the image sensor. The resolution of a camera is the sum of all the pixels on an image sensor so a one-megapixel camera would have one million pixels, a two-megapixel camera would be two million pixels and so on. In most circumstances, having more pixels focused on the target area increases the effectiveness to detect, recognize and identify people and objects.
Megapixel only refers to image resolution and is not the same as HDTV, or high-definition video cameras. HDTV cameras conform to a specific international video standard that not only dictates resolution (such as 720p, 1080p and 4K) but also includes a broader color palette, 30 images-per-second framerate and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Middleware is computer software that provides services to software applications beyond those available from the operating system. It can be described as “software glue.” The application that pulls information from multiple systems in a PSIM (see below) is an example of middleware.
Network refers to the telecommunications web that allows computers to exchange data. In computer networks, networked computing devices exchange data with each other using a data link. At the most basic level, networks are the physical connections between computing devices and are either wired or wireless.
NVR (Network Video Recorder) is a software program that records video in a digital format so it can be housed on a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other mass storage device. Typically deployed in an IP video surveillance system, an NVR itself contains no dedicated video capture hardware. However, the software is typically run on a dedicated device, usually with an embedded operating system. The alternative to an NVR is the VMS, which generally offers more functionality and serviceability. Most VMS developers sell their solution already installed on a server platform that is properly configured for the number of cameras it will support. This makes the total solution an NVR.
Platform-based technology refers to a product’s ability to provide a structure or platform on which others develop addon solutions. This is almost always software based but there are some instances of hardware platforms on which others can develop add-on components.
Apple IOS and Google Android are both platforms that other people or companies develop software applications and ancillary devices for. An example in the network camera world would be Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP), which is an open application platform that enables members of the Axis Application Development Partner (ADP) Program to develop applications that can be downloaded and installed on Axis network cameras and video encoders.
Plug and play is a specification that facilitates automatic recognition of a hardware component when it’s added to a system without the need for physical device configuration or user intervention in resolving resource conflicts. In most cases when people refer to plug and play, they are referring to Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), which is a set of networking protocols that permits networked devices, such as personal computers, printers, Internet gateways, Wi-Fi access points and mobile devices to seamlessly discover each other’s presence on the network and establish network services for data sharing, communications and entertainment. Most network cameras conform to this standard.
PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) is a category of software that provides a platform and applications created by middleware developers. PSIM is designed to integrate multiple unconnected security applications and devices and control them through one comprehensive user interface. PSIM collects and correlates events from existing disparate security devices and information systems such as video, access control, sensors, analytics, networks and building environmental control systems to empower personnel to identify and proactively resolve situations.
It’s easier to describe PSIM by stating what it is not. A VMS records video but is not PSIM, nor is an access control solution that provides entry and exit data. A perimeter intrusion system will notify you if someone crosses your fence line and a social media monitoring application will alert you to Tweets about a protest on campus, but neither system is PSIM. It is the middleware that presents data from all these systems into one view.
