| The 4K pixel density allows two times the digital zoom of a full HD 1080p camera |
CCTV cameras with higher resolution have proven their worth in casino settings. Now, 4K security cameras are gaining ground thanks to their ability to achieve full frame rate, which is required by many gaming jurisdictions. 4K is definitely the next resolution standard for casinos in the coming years, says Ron Grinfeld, director, global vertical marketing, DVTEL.
DVTEL 4K cameras
DVTEL offers full-frame-rate 4K cameras with wide focal range suitable to monitor gaming tables, says Grinfeld. DVTEL’s 4K cameras with powerful sensor-based wide dynamic range (WDR) are well-suited on the casino floor – a challenging environment with diverse and intensive light sources.
DVTEL’s 4K cameras are being used to monitor gaming tables, with customers benefiting from superior image quality and detail. The 4K pixel density allows two times the digital zoom of a full HD 1080p camera, whereas on a 1080p monitor, digital zoom crops are made while maintaining 1080p pixel density. This is allowing casinos to reduce the number of cameras required to monitor a single table – including both the gaming surface and the players’ faces – from two or three cameras to a single camera.
4K camera with telephoto and wide-angle lens option
A telephoto lens option (9-22mm) on DVTEL’s 4K cameras provides evidentiary detail of cards and chips even in the lowest lighting conditions. A standard wide-angle lens option (3.5-8mm) allows capture of the full scene of players from chair-back to chair-back while capturing individual facial details in full HD with digital zoom presets, all without losing any card or chip details.
Quad HD resolution and wide dynamic range
For full situational awareness of the casino floor, HD cameras deliver surveillance in sophisticated lighting environments, such as dark ambient lighting combined with flashing lights from slot machines and other signs. DVTEL’s cameras support 1440p quad HD resolution, P-iris, and true wide dynamic range. DVTEL 4K solutions are available in both mini-dome and bullet form factors. A smoked bubble option conceals the direction the camera is facing.
"4K is definitely the next resolution standard for casinos in the coming years", says Ron Grinfeld, Director, Global Vertical Marketing, DVTEL |
Video surveillance solutions
DVTEL is a provider of open-standard, end-to-end video surveillance solutions. In addition to 4K cameras, DVTEL’s enterprise-grade CCTV software, Latitude NVMS, allows management and forensic capabilities, and supports key functions in the casino environment, including unified management of multiple sites, failover, redundancy, ease of integration with third-party products, and Web-based and mobile clients. Also, DVTEL’s video encoders are a necessity for casinos that rely on legacy analogue cameras and are looking to transition cost-effectively to IP.
4K adoption challenges
Laurie Smock, vice president of sales, North American Video, sees some hurdles to greater use of 4K cameras by casinos. One is not enough video storage. When storage becomes more efficient and requires a smaller footprint, the casino video surveillance market will no doubt begin to adopt ultra-high resolution 4K technology, she says. While 4K resolutions in both cameras and monitors are readily available now, most VMS manufacturers have designed their products to manipulate 1080p video as a maximum. As the technology to support 4K catches up, the VMS manufacturers will follow suit.
High-density flash storage will become increasingly popular in the near future among gaming entities, says Smock. Currently, industry standard storage solutions still utilise spinning disc technology that has been readily available for decades. Flash storage technology eliminates many of the spinning disk drawbacks including higher failure rates, heat generation and power requirements as well as a larger footprint. Several manufacturers are in the process of developing flash storage products that will be as cost-effective as spinning disc options, but without the drawbacks.