Page 24 - Security Today, April 2018

Benefits and Challenges Today’s megapixel cameras bring a host of benefits to the table
By Jeff Whitney
Analog image (left) and medium resolution mega pixel image (right) comparison. Far superior resolution and wider coverage.
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sets. Yet as these issues were worked out, megapixel cameras became the accepted norm, largely pushing aside new development in older analog technology.
Testing vs. Specification Sheets
Image quality varies from vendor to vendor, and sometimes from within a single vendor’s own camera lines. While different vendors may tout similar capabilities such as MP ratings, bandwidth con- sumption, low light and WDR technology, only an actual side-by- side comparison will demonstrate significant differences. Such a test in an actual or closely simulated environment will help ensure that the selected camera meets the project objectives.
he first IP network-based megapixel (MP) cameras were a disruptive technology. They were often more expensive on a unit basis than their familiar analog counterparts. Early adopters dealt with higher cost, integration limits, reliability issues, and basic feature
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Comparison of camera resolution for single sensor, from CIF to 10MP.
For example, which camera picks up a person’s face or a vehicle’s license plate the best? Which one delivers the color that most closely matches that actual object or scene? Which one works best in varying lighting conditions during the day or night?
Single Sensor, PTZ, or Multi-Sensor
Megapixel cameras are offered in many configurations, including single-sensor fixed view, PTZs or multi-sensors.
A single sensor megapixel camera delivers superior image qual- ity with more detail over a larger area than does a typical analog or standard IP camera (see resolution chart). This means that fewer cameras can be used to cover a similar area for a new project. When replacing existing cameras, new coverage zones should be calculated
PTZ can cover a wide area and zoom in as needed, but only cover that specific area at any one time. The rest is left unmonitored.
MEGAPIXEL CAMERAS