Milestone Systems, the open platform company in networked video management software (VMS), has released Device Pack 8.2 for partners and customers using Milestone XProtect monitoring solutions.
A highlight of this release is support for perspective correction of video from 180, 270 or 360 degree panoramic cameras from Pelco by Schneider Electric. The support is achieved by a plugin to the Milestone XProtect Smart Client. Global unit shipments of 180/360 degree panoramic network camera is forecast to increase by more than 60 percent year-on-year according to research analysts IHS. Panoramic cameras are predicted to gain market share in verticals such as retail, airports, and casinos, where monitoring wide indoor areas is a key requirement of the video security solution. In these scenarios, the cameras can reduce capital expenditure as fewer cameras are required to cover the same area compared to fixed or PTZ cameras.
The challenge using fisheye panoramic cameras is that the picture from the camera needs perspective correction, which can be adjusted in the camera or in the software. This process called dewarping has several benefits when done in the software as it allows retrospective viewing. This gives the user the ability to go back in time to view the total scene in its original form and then pan, tilt, and/or zoom with corrected perspective within the 360-degree image.
In addition to the support for Pelco panoramic cameras, nearly 200 devices have been added to Milestone Device Pack 8.2. This list of new model support includes cameras from Axis Communications, Bosch and Samsung Techwin. The number of ONVIF-supported devices has increased by 64 now totalling 1271 devices.
ONVIF testing ensures quality
The XProtect Device Packs include tested drivers that are optimised to enable the capabilities of a camera or other hardware device to be managed by XProtect software. Testing the drivers ensures the highest functionality for a video surveillance solution, which is important for total system operability, efficiency and stability. Milestone works closely with the device manufacturers in the Camera Partner Program (CaPP) to achieve the optimal interaction between their devices and the XProtect VMS.
Milestone has always promoted driver standards like ONVIF and remains dedicated to supporting the broadest range of cameras and devices on the market. In the case of ONVIF supported devices, it is often assumed that a device that has passed the ONVIF test tool will work fully in a given infrastructure. This is not always the case as there are marked idiosyncrasies that need to be taken into account to insure proper interoperability and to leverage full feature use of a device with a VMS. Before ONVIF supported devices are listed on the Milestone supported hardware list on milestonesys.com, they have been tested to ensure that the functionality with XProtect is compliant with the ONVIF specifications.
In the Milestone CaPP, this ONVIF functionality test can be done by Milestone or the vendors can do the testing in their facility after they have completed a 4-day Milestone training class. The ability to do the complete Milestone certification test can save time and costs for camera manufacturers in their go-to-market strategy.
“We are constantly working with our camera partners to provide the highest quality solutions for the benefit of our partners and mutual customers,” says Henrik Sydbo Hansen, Head of the Camera Partner Program at Milestone Systems. “This ensures the highest possible quality for a video surveillance solution.”