Surveillance industry’s higher-megapixel migration impacts processing power, bandwidth consumption and storage

From a network performance perspective, adding higher megapixel cameras affects bandwidth utilisation

The quest for higher megapixel, high-definition and high-resolution video imaging continues, only now, it has become a marathon of sorts. That’s because the migration will progress decidedly – extending into the foreseeable future and beyond – as technology advances and becomes increasingly affordable.

Ultra-high-resolution video is finding its niche, even among a competitive and growing global camera manufacturing marketplace. Today, it’s becoming more commonplace to find greater specification and acceptance of 4K resolution, which is nine times the pixel density of standard HD as well as twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of 1080p HDTV. With 4K, camera surveillance is also able to achieve a resolution of at least 3840 x 2160, or 8.3 megapixels, frame rate up to 120 frames per second (fps), aspect ratio 16:9; and colour fidelity coupled with a much larger colour palette than HDTV.

Demand for higher resolution images growing significantly

The marathon to higher megapixels of course mirrors the march to greater bandwidth consumption. For users, it isn’t enough to simply have a viewable picture – it needs to provide potential identification in the lowest light levels and challenging conditions while discerning even the tiniest details in order to satisfy the security industry’s voracious and ever-growing appetite for crystal-clear video surveillance images.

And that appetite for high-resolution video seems insatiable. According to research firm Memoori’s 2015 annual report on physical security, world sales of video surveillance were more than half (54 percent) of total physical security sales, accounting for close to $15 billion. The research further indicates that the industry has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.82 percent since 2010. In addition, according to Allied Market Research “IP Video Surveillance and VSSAS Market, Opportunities and Forecasts, 2012 to 2020,” by 2020 the projected size of the global IP surveillance market will hit some $57.3 billion.

High pixel count, low network performance

With billions of dollars being spent on IP video surveillance, the growth of higher megapixel imaging is a given, and with the move to higher resolution comes a bigger impact on processing power, bandwidth consumption and storage requirements.

From a network performance perspective, adding higher megapixel cameras does have an effect on bandwidth utilisation and in theory 4K requires more recording space versus 720p resolution. As a general rule, 1MP requires an average of 1mpbs and an 8 megapixel camera would require at least 8mbps. For video recorded at 30fps second, this could increase to 1.5 to 2mpbs, and with 4K this potentially increases to 12 to 16mbps for each camera.

The drive toward higher resolution cameras requires that manufacturers focus on innovations that work to lessen bandwidth consumption, apply compression algorithms without sacrificing quality and in general encourage and educate the market on more effective and efficient use in applying high resolution video specifications to security and safety systems.

Targeted surveillance applications

While greater bandwidth may be necessary for higher resolution video, the highest megapixel cameras are not necessary in every part of the security specification but rather in targeted areas. While delivering crisp images, 4K cameras, for example, provide comprehensive, wide coverage from a single camera, also reducing overall system cost by reducing the total number of necessary surveillance units for the installation. For the integrator, that translates to fewer cameras to install, service and maintain, lowering labour costs. Reducing the total number of cameras required for selected applications also effectively lowers the lifetime cost of the system solution. Fewer cameras covering the same or perhaps more area means less capital outlay for video and more efficient security surveillance by control centre personnel.

For specifications such as a large stadium or arena, fewer deployed cameras actually enhance operational efficiency. For example, users can achieve a 9X efficiency in viewing, recording and storage using a four-channel video management system versus 36 channels and the need to toggle among the channels to find the right video. In addition, pan-tilt-zoom is more effective with 4K, requiring less operator control and fostering live monitoring. With 4K cameras viewers get higher resolution and won’t lose any of that image during PTZ operator control.

4K cameras provide comprehensive, wide coverage from a single camera, reducing the number of cameras to install, service and maintain

On-board storage is another method to assist with better overall bandwidth management. Recording at the edge frees up network bandwidth and PC processing power, allowing users to view and manage video feeds and store applicable images for later use or transfer to the network when necessary. End users who want to migrate to high-resolution video may make use of edge-based storage when they need high-resolution images at the protected premises, yet don’t have the network bandwidth to fully incorporate a complete IP infrastructure, as a potential cost savings strategy.

Emerging technologies save bandwidth

New techniques related to compression and more efficient use of imaging are also emerging to help offset some of the challenges of moving to higher bandwidth consumption video surveillance. A new technology called Smart Coding, released late last year by Panasonic, significantly lowers the bandwidth and bit rates with no signal degradation while providing up to a 75 percent improvement in bandwidth reduction, depending on the scene and the amount of movement.

Smart Coding enhances the encoding algorithm in standard H.264 video streams and allows the technology to gather more intelligence within each frame of video to make bandwidth use more efficient. The technology uses a variety of advanced noise reduction processing and algorithm enhancements, including Frequency Divided Filter (FDR); 3-D Multi-Process Noise Reduction (3D-MNR); and Group of Picture Control to achieve a lower bit rate for images without degrading the captured and transmitted video stream.

FDR removes fine noise generated under low illumination (darker images have more noise) to achieve a low bitrate and 3D-MNR removes grain noise generated under low illumination which also results in a lower bit rate. GOP Control removes unnecessary information from the frame to achieve more efficient coding. Together, this new technology helps end users better manage network bandwidth resources, reduce storage requirements and lower the overall total cost of ownership of the system, while still providing crisp, high resolution images.

There are many considerations in deploying high-resolution, megapixel surveillance technology. New methods, techniques and processes will continue to evolve and emerge. Even now, H.264 isn’t the only compression technology. H.265, also known as High Efficiency Video Coding, is the intended successor to H.264. Approved in 2013, the next standard for the codec is designed to further improve video quality, doubling the compression ratio of H.264. However, as with all new technologies there may be issues to address.  For example, while H.265 enables more data to be compressed, that process requires greater power from the PC or microprocessor. In addition, video management software must also have the capabilities to retrieve and view the resulting images, so it’s not quite ready for prime time yet.

What will megapixel video look like in the years to come? It’s not known yet, but it’s certain the market will see increasingly higher resolution cameras and emerging technologies designed to make the best possible use of available bandwidth.