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Home > The Advantages of IP Based Data Storage
The Advantages of IP Based Data Storage
By : Mike Ward
The digital age has revolutionized how security system footage is collected and utilized. Security cameras have traditionally relied on VHS tapes to store surveillance data. Even with drastic price reductions for surveillance equipment in recent years some systems still rely on old technology, which requires one to continually switch out old tapes for fresh ones. Labeling and storing tapes can become a full time job. Businesses with many security cameras may need to store hundreds or even thousands tapes at a time. Surveillance tapes are one of the first places officials go when investigating crimes and the speed of accessing them can make or break a case. With stacks of VHS tapes to go through police might spend weeks sorting through tapes as leads grow cold.
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A better method of data storage utilizes digital video conversion. With this method data is converted to a digital format, such as Mpeg-4, and stored on an in house digital video recorder, or DVR. High tech networks are able to combine bullet cams, dome cams, and wireless surveillance cameras to cover all their surveillance needs. Digital camera networks can be easily expanded to implement more cameras. Wireless cameras can be placed in distant locations where it may be difficult or undesirable to run wires. One drawback with wireless is data transfer speeds may be lower, which can reduce playback quality.
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Another solution is an IP based approach. Here the data is stored online and a backup DVD copy is also created and stored onsite. The advantage here is that security can be monitored from any location. Authorities can be granted permission to access data remotely to assist with an investigation. By speeding up the process for investigators there is a much higher chance of apprehending suspects. With quality footage suspects are sometimes apprehended in a few hours.
There are other advantages as well. Video data can be recorded at higher resolutions than a VHS, and the audio quality is much clearer as well. Once the equipment is setup you can drastically reduce the time spent managing data. No more having to switch out old tapes for blank tapes or having to house large archives of VHS tapes. It is much easier and quicker to search through digital data for evidence than having to fast forward and rewind a VHS tape. Data can be searched by date and time. Additional video analytics can be implemented to highlight key details in a data set. An example of this would be eliminating background noise to hear what someone is saying or enhancing part of the video footage to pickup small details.
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