Digital video dominates analog recording

MUMBAI: The global security industry resorts to rigorous testing procedures to ensure that no defective system enters the mainstream market, says Frost & Sullivan.

The demand for data protection is a top priority among security companies, especially digital video technology enterprises. Digital video recording's compelling benefits of excess storage, easy retrieval of footage and remote viewing have helped it outstrip analog recording in video surveillance.

The clarity of video and its superior data processing ability have further cemented its dominance over analog video. In fact, data on digital format is even admissible as evidence in courts of law.

"Security companies have been working on different aspects of security such as recording, data processing and information management systems," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Haritha Ramachandran. "In the case of recording and data processing systems there is very little margin for error since these devices contain the proof required for passing judgments."

However, digital technology is still grappling with certain technical shortcomings, one of which is that it is not completely tamper-proof. As technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are still nascent, there has been little progress made toward standardizing AI-related technologies.

To ensure that the information recorded is authentic, the industry for data processing technologies in video surveillance has to establish certification or trademark standards.

Apart from ensuring authentic data, the security industry should also try to set up standards to provide variability in surveillance systems.

"Since numerous systems comprise a single security solution, there is a constant concern about matching the different bit rates, frame rates, resolutions and the other features in a camera," notes Ramachandran. "Therefore, a certain level of standardization or adaptability should be established in all systems to enable easy usage."