The Evolving Landscape Of Video Surveillance: NVRs, DVRs, And The Search For Innovation

By Jay Jason Bartlett, CEO of Cozaint Corp

In contemporary security systems, network video recorders (NVRs) and digital video recorders (DVRs) are commonplace. They capture and store useful material for a variety of uses, from company operations to crime prevention. Although camera technology has advanced significantly, there hasn’t been as much innovation in the computers and storage that make up these systems’ underlying infrastructure.

Hard disk drives (HDDs) have historically been a major component of NVR/DVR systems’ storage. Despite advancements, HDD technology still has drawbacks. The frequent writing and rewriting of video data can affect system dependability and raise the total cost of ownership by causing premature drive failure. Furthermore, the enormous amount of data produced by high-resolution cameras makes expansions and drive replacements necessary on a regular basis, which causes downtime and logistical issues.

Another serious issue with these devices is their energy usage. Power consumption can be significant in large-scale deployments with lots of high-resolution cameras and large storage arrays. This leads to a greater environmental impact in addition to raising operating expenses.

NVR/DVR system expansion and scaling can be challenging. The need for storage and processing power rises in tandem with the number of cameras. This frequently calls for expensive improvements to the network infrastructure, hardware, and sometimes even the system architecture as a whole. Furthermore, it gets harder and harder to maintain data security and integrity over an expanding network.

The underlying technology of many NVR/DVR systems is still largely unchanged, despite certain improvements, such as the use of more energy-efficient processors and better video compression algorithms (such H.265). The sector has a big opportunity because of this lack of innovation.

Storage is one area that is ready for disruption. Although conventional HDD-based systems are still widely used, new alternatives are appearing. Despite their increased durability and much faster read/write speeds, solid-state drives (SSDs) can be too expensive for widespread use.

Two tier disk and LTO (Linear Tape Open) storage solutions, provides scalable and cost-effective storage for larger video retention needs. By leveraging LTO storage, businesses can offload their surveillance footage to managed offline storage, reducing the need for such large disk-only storage infrastructure and associated costs. This approach also offers enhanced scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to easily adapt to changing storage needs.

Moreover, developments in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to completely transform video surveillance. NVR/DVR systems can incorporate AI-powered analytics to detect and mark questionable behavior, such loitering, illegal entry, or item tampering. By doing this, security staff can work much more efficiently and spend less time going over a lot of material.

While cloud-based video surveillance offers numerous advantages, it also presents unique challenges and considerations. Data latency can be an issue, especially for real-time applications requiring low latency. Network reliability is crucial for uninterrupted video streaming and retrieval. Cost considerations include data transfer (upload) costs, storage fees, and potential egress charges.

While NVR/DVR technology has made significant strides, the industry is ripe for innovation. Addressing the limitations of traditional HDD-based storage, optimizing energy consumption, and embracing emerging technologies like LTO storage, edge computing, and AI/ML are crucial for the future of video surveillance. By embracing these advancements, the industry can create more efficient, reliable, and intelligent security solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses and organizations worldwide.

Source: snnonline.com
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