HDCCTV – the transition to the HD standard without the use of IP technologies – has recently been the subject of close attention from the press.
However, it remains unclear to what extent this standard represents a real alternative to systems based on megapixel IP cameras and hybrid digital video recorders.
Specification
Currently, specification 0.9 has been presented (highdefcctv.org/specification) and a list of the founding companies of the alliance has been published (highdefcctv.org/members).
The appearance of cameras based on the final version 1.0 is expected in September 2009, and complex systems – at the beginning of 2010
The new standard defines a matching protocol for transmitting video resolution and frame rate information over an HD-SDI connection. Future plans by the alliance include adding support for bidirectional audio and power over HD-SDI cables.
Technical Details
An HDCCTV solution includes the following elements:
- A camera – requires the use of an HD transmitter (cost: $5-$10). Unlike an IP camera, there is no need for an encoder;
- cable network – the HDcctv solution requires 170 meters of RG-59 coaxial cable to transmit video with a resolution of 720p. (For comparison: the maximum transmission range of analog video is 300 meters);
- video recorders – HDcctv cameras do not support SD video capture cards for analog signal. Installation of new special video recorders will be required (replacing video capture cards in video recorders installed at sites is an expensive and complex process, not all manufacturers can do it);
- hybrid recording – HDcctv cameras and analog SD cameras will require separate codec cards. So, to use 4 HDcctv cameras and 16 analog cameras, 2 cards are required.
- live monitoring – thanks to the HDMI output on the video card, it is possible to conduct live monitoring in very good quality.
- matrix switches – existing matrix switches cannot support HDcctv video streams. No manufacturer announced the release of such switches in 2009.
The release of cameras, video capture cards and recorders is planned for the III and IV cards of 2009.
Prices: forecast
Prices for HDcctv products have not yet been officially published. John Honovich (http://ipvideomarket.info) offers his forecast regarding the cost of an HDcctv solution.
In his opinion, for an infrastructure consisting of less than 32 cameras, the savings for each HDcctv camera are from 200 to 300 dollars.
In this case, the cost of the HDcctv solution is 20% lower than a similar IP-based one.
With a larger number of cameras, the savings decrease, since a system based on HD video recorders is more expensive than a solution based on IP cameras connected via an IP network to servers that control hundreds of cameras.
- Cameras: An HDcctv camera will cost more than analog SD cameras, but significantly less than IP cameras with a resolution of 720 pixels. An HDcctv camera requires a matrix of higher resolution, as well as an HD transmitter (unlike an SD camera). For comparison: the cost of an analog SD camera for the end customer is $ 250, an HDcctv camera — $ 330, an IP camera with a resolution of 720 pixels — about $ 500.
- Cable system: Since 95% of cameras installed today are analog, coaxial cable is the most widely used. Considering that cable can be reused in most cases, savings on cable can range from $100 to $400. Savings on cable are not possible if its length exceeds 150 meters (according to the specification for HDcctv solutions, the cable length should not exceed 150-300 meters).
- Video recorders: the cost of the video recording system for HDcctv solutions exceeds the cost of these systems in SD and IP solutions. The factors that increase the cost are: support for a smaller number of cameras by one recorder and the presence of an additional HD receiver. The cost of an HDcctv recorder for the end user increases compared to similar products by $125-150. Thus, the savings on cameras are actually offset by the increase in cost on the recording system side. The greatest savings are observed in relation to the cable system.
Restraining factors
John Honovich notes two main factors that may restrain the spread of HDcctv solutions (especially compared to hybrid DVR solutions).
- HDcctv requires new DVRs. Thus, the transition to hybrid or IP solutions is a more advanced approach. If the user could use HDcctv cameras with video recorders installed on the site, then HDcctv solutions would undoubtedly have an undeniable advantage. Moreover, the cost of hybrid DVRs is lower than the cost of HDcctv recorders. The former can support a large number of IP cameras (since the signal is digitized inside the camera), as well as cameras from different manufacturers.
- HDcctv requires separate video capture cards for SD and HDcctv cameras. There will be a need to offer a recorder for 4 HDcctv cameras and 16 analog or 8 HDcctv and 8 analog. Integrators will need to purchase recorders of all possible configurations and explain the resulting nuances to customers. However, migration cannot be considered complete without replacing the DVR. If the customer installs 2 HDcctv cameras and buys a recorder for 4 HDcctv cameras and 16 analog for this, then he cannot connect more than 4 HDcctv cameras without replacing the DVR. With a hybrid solution, the customer is not limited in the number of IP cameras that can be connected to the DVR without replacing the recording system to connect a different number of IP cameras. The main competition for HDcctv solutions will unfold on the side of solutions based on hybrid DVRs. The simultaneous use of existing analog cameras and high-resolution cameras within one hybrid system allows solving many customer problems. At the same time, the use of IP equipment cannot compete with HDcctv in terms of simplicity and cost of cameras.
Based on materials from IP Video Market