Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) Systems otherwise known as Video Surveillance Systems can save a government organization or private enterprise countless dollars in protecting against both theft and litigation due to injuries. Our systems can capture images for both live view and playback and display this content on any video wall, command and control environment, mobile command environment, computer, tablet or smartphone. These systems play a critical part of any safety and security system by providing visual awareness along with alerts through video analytics for the detection and evaluation of incidents enhancing the effectiveness of any situational awareness platform.

IntraWorks designs, installs, and services Video Surveillance Systems for a wide variety of clients to include: government organizations, hospitals, higher education, K1 – K12, casinos, areas of assembly, public spaces, cities, prisons, amusement parks, and much more.

Basic Function

Video Surveillance Systems consist of two basic components: Video Cameras and a Video Management System (VMS). These two components work together to form a surveillance system. Cameras capture images in different resolutions and angles depending on quality and application. Some cameras can pan, tilt, and zoom to view a larger area or assist an operator in seeing something of interest in live view. Cameras can function and be connected to the VMS via an IT infrastructure (IP addressable) or analog infrastructure (conventional). Both types of cameras (IP addressable and Conventional) can offer different resolutions and each have their advantages and disadvantages. The VMS manages the video signals for the video display enviornment allowing the operator to see images on a computer screen, large monitor, or video wall in different configurations. The VMS also records the images so that users can playback video content for the investigation of an incident. Lastly, the VMS manages integration protocols and structure to other building management systems such as fire, access control, intrusion, intercom and much more.

New Trends

Video Analytics – Some VMSs or even cameras themselves can analyze the images or video content being captured by the cameras to detect motion, color, shape and even faces. When the VMS finds a predetermined content, it alarms on the event and sends a signal to other devices

Examples might include:

  • Counting how many persons move through a doorway or portal during a certain period of time.
  • Detecting a person in an area or during a time when people are not allowed.
  • Determining if a person has passed into a restricted area like a backyard (virtual fence)
  • Detecting if a car is parked too long in a loading zone
  • Determining if an object moving past a perimeter is a person or an animal
  • Determining if a person is moving the wrong direction in an exit only location
  • Detecting crowd disturbances
  • Detecting articles left behind in a crowded place
  • Detecting if something is missing (painting on wall, machine, etc.)
  • Detecting specific persons (face recognition)

The possibilities are endless, however, some of these systems work better than others and none are completely accurate. It is important to have a human verify the detected event. Over time, video analytics will prevail as a very useful tool.

Mobile Devices

Many VMSs are now accessible by mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Many VMSs have their own applications running on the mobile devices, which make recording and playback of video images easy and fast.

Omnidirectional Cameras

These cameras see in all directions at all times and send the images to a VMS for recording. The VMS resolves or flattens the image anytime a user wants to view images on replay. The advantage is that, unlike a pan, tilt, and zoom camera, all views are captured all the time. Additionally, these cameras do not have moving parts, which make them more reliable.

Higher resolution

New analog and IP addressable cameras capture high definition images which can be zoomed in on to see more detail than ever before.

Character recognition

Cameras and VMSs are being used to recognize, list, and search on license plates and register transactions to assist in crime prevention.

Intelligent Cameras

These IP addressable cameras have video content analysis built into them. This allows for faster response and simplifies the camera to have a dedicated function.

ONVIF

ONVIF is a new industry wide protocol which allows almost any brand of camera to work with almost any brand of VMS. This new protocol allows the end user to select the VMS and cameras that are best for the application rather than being subject to brand restrictions.

Integration

Surveillance Systems are typically integrated with Intrusion and Fire Alarm systems to assist in recording, evaluating, and investigating alarm or intrusion events. Intelligent building systems sold by IntraWorks can integrate to any brand of Surveillance system. This integration can be comprehensive or limited depending on the brand of VMS or Cameras. When the VMS is utilized for video analytics to create alarms, it can provide alarmed events into other building systems allowing them to unlock or lock access controlled doors and gates, switch surveillance channels, text, email, or announce to people about the event.

Brands

IntraWorks is one of the most experienced Surveillance Installation companies in the region. Depending on the geographic area and application, we are proud to represent surveillance systems by Bosch, Lenel, Pelco, American Dynamics, Open Eye, Avigilon, Verint, Flir thermal imaging, and Samsung.

Testing & Maintenance

IntraWorks can test and maintain any brand of surveillance equipment. Our technicians can clean lenses, housings and motors, test voltages, test triggers, perform software updates, backup systems, test integrations to other systems and more.