HDcctv Alliance approves Compliance Certification Process to enable video surveillance products to display HDcctv logo

HDcctv-compliant CCTVs, DVRs, IP streamers, monitors, etc are added to the HDcctv Compliant Products List

The HDcctv Alliance™, the global security industry consortium established to manage and promulgate technical standards for HDcctv equipment interoperability, announced that it has ratified the HDcctv compliance certification programme. The certification programme consists of a suite of standards documents that describe the requirements, methodology, compliance test process and test specifications that HDcctv product manufacturers must follow to apply for a certificate of compliance. Obtaining a certificate of compliance qualifies an HDcctv product to bear the unique HDcctv logo indicating interoperability per version 1.0 of the HDcctv standard. Compliant products are included in the Compliant Products List maintained by the Alliance on its website. HDcctv-compliant cameras, DVRs, IP streamers, monitors, and other products are expected to be added to the Compliant Products List in Q4 2010.

"The delivery of the HDcctv Alliance Compliance Test programme is a major milestone for the industry. In little over a year, the HDcctv Alliance has developed a comprehensive standard that provides an easy-to-use and install, all-digital, high-resolution, high-definition video interface to the CCTV industry. The addition of a practical method to prove compliance to this standard ensures that any interconnected HDcctv-compliant products are guaranteed to interoperate," explained John Hudson, HDcctv Alliance Technical committee Chair.

"HDcctv cameras replace analogue cameras as easy resolution upgrades for CCTV systems. Meanwhile HDcctv cameras, coupled with single-channel IP encoders, are an alternative to megapixel IP cameras: the HDcctv solution allows nearly any CCTV camera location to be converted easily to provide a megapixel IP video feed," added Todd Rockoff, HDcctv Alliance Executive Director. "With HDcctv, there is no need to extend the LAN all the way out to the camera mounting location: Simply replace the camera, connect the encoder near the DVR, and megapixel IP video is streaming on the LAN," Dr. Rockoff elaborated.

The unique HDcctv logo indicates interoperability per version 1.0 of the HDcctv standard

"As a result of these expected advantages of HDcctv cameras, anticipation has been building in the end market for HDcctv-compliant products: People want to know when they can get them. With the finalisation of the compliance certification process and the establishment of the first of many planned independent HDcctv Compliance Test facilities, there is now a practical way for Alliance members to certify their products and display the HDcctv logo as a guarantee of interoperability," concluded Dr. Rockoff.

The version 1.1 HDcctv compliance certification standard specifies procedures, tools and criteria for testing the compliance of devices to the physical and electrical requirements of the version 1.0 HDcctv specification. Each individual test is designed to guarantee compliance with one or more of the v1.0 requirements; taken together, the tests ensure that the candidate product complies with the v1.0 HDcctv standard and ensures interoperability with other HDcctv-compliant products.

The compliance certification standard is an integral part of the HDcctv trademarks licensing programme. The programme is designed to ensure a specific level of interoperability such that end customers' interoperability expectations are met by all equipment bearing the unique HDcctv logo. All HDcctv products bearing this logo have demonstrated compliance to the v1.0 HDcctv specification, which assures that the end buyer can successfully mix-and-match HDcctv products from diverse manufacturers.

By delivering all-digital high-resolution video, HDcctv cameras are an alternative to CCTV cameras, whose resolution is limited, and to megapixel IP video cameras, whose adoption has been impeded by issues of cost, complexity, and image degradation due to compression prior to transmission over IP networks. The HDcctv standard enables HDcctv cameras to seamlessly interoperate with HDcctv DVRs, HDcctv IP streamers, HDcctv monitors, and other types of HDcctv products. The HDcctv interface delivers the highest possible signal integrity, without any perceivable latency or image artifacts from transmission-related compression or transmission packet loss.

The HDcctv Alliance has partnered with SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) to leverage the HD-SDI (High Definition Serial Digital Interface) broadcast television standard as the basis for the HDcctv Specification. The HDcctv standard is planned to include a variety of enhancements to HD-SDI that are vital to surveillance, including bi-directional audio and data, up-the-cable power, and Long Reach Mode for 300m transmission over conventional RG-59 cable.

The Alliance is growing rapidly, drawing its international membership from diverse sectors of the security industry, from component, OEM and branded equipment manufacturers, to security sales, support and system installers. Alliance members benefit from access to the complete specification, participation in the standard creation process, and certification of compliant products. Marketing benefits include access to the HDcctv logo as a product brand signifying interoperability, as well as promotions to increase members' international visibility.