This article concerns the technology needed to support a network of video surveillance cameras. Most switched digital networks are based on time division multiplexing. For integrated transmission of video, audio and data signals, Ethernet is the best option. It is highly scaleable with wide coverage, offers redundancy using the spanning tree protocol, is well defined and standardised and offers the lowest price per bandwidth. Digitised video signals consume a great deal of bandwidth and require compression. Coding algorithms available include H.261, MPEG-1, -2, and -4, Motion-JPEG and Wavelet. MPEG-2 is seen as the best option for high performance video surveillance purposes. An integrated video network comprises the network function itself, the access equipment, control software and network management. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118381.
Abstract