Be wise about megapixels

Bigger isn’t always better when selecting camera resolution. Most situations simply do not require massive resolution. Installing HDTV-standard cameras—which follow the same international broadcast TV standards governing the entertainment industry for colour reproduction, resolution, widescreen aspect ratio, and frame rate—is a wise choice. An HDTV 720p camera is roughly equal to 1 megapixel (MP), while 1080p produces 2 MP. The distance between the camera and the object you’re trying to see determines how many pixels are required for a usable image. The smaller that distance, the less resolution you’ll need to create a great picture. A general rule for identification is 80 pixels ear-to-ear on a person. So avoid the lure of six or 10 megapixel cameras—buying them is simply overkill for almost all retail situations. In fact, if certain factors line up, sometimes even VGA resolution (640×480) delivers enough pixels on target for your application. So if you want high-definition video, look for the HDTV designation, but consider working with a security integrator to determine the resolution that works best for your specific installation.

Plan for the future

Networked IP camera systems are especially valuable because they can easily grow and adapt to changing business conditions. An IP camera can be added to a store more easily and quickly than was true in the old analog days. And since IP is a standard and common format running on a software backbone, upgrades and future analytic installations require a mere system update, not a rip and replace. Since these cameras are really computers that can ‘see,’ the functionality they offer is expandable and customizable as new software comes on the market.

Jewellery retailers face unique challenges. Among the most significant is the fact the items they sell are small and highly valuable, making it even more critical to have a high-quality and comprehensive security camera solution in place. Coupled with video monitoring and analytics software, modern IP cameras installed in sufficient numbers and positioned for optimal coverage can help law enforcement officials make an arrest after a robbery. They can also proactively alert store owners to avoid theft in the first place.

Spike Anderson is national sales manager for Canada at Axis Communications, a provider of IP video, and has more than 20 years’ experience in the Canadian security and IT industries. Anderson is a knowledgeable and engaging speaker and is a frequent guest expert for Canadian Security Association (CANASA) events. He can be reached via e-mail at spike.anderson@axis.com.