Common Questions and Myths about IP Video

Discrete Electronics, Inc. takes a slightly different approach to IP Video Solutions. As you will see this has been a result of years of research and experience as equipment users and providers. We understand how difficult it can be to obtain funds for equipment and how frustrating it can be to get equipment that is difficult to learn, install and maintain. By selecting the right equipment you can get multiple applications from the same equipment so the system is in use more often therefore giving a better return on the investment.

Discrete Electronics predominately uses "IP Video Servers" (also called "encoders") rather than "IP Cameras". IP Cameras are cameras that are addressable but it is simply a camera or camera and lens and that is it's limitation. Very few IP Cameras offer the same quality and meet the demanding specifications required for "video surveillance" since most of these were designed for "video security" or teleconferencing. By using a Video Server (encoder) ANY composite video source can be used and therefore becomes addressable. That means all of the color, black/white, day/night, night-vision, thermal cameras in your inventory are now addressable. This also means you can continue to use small, large and zoom lenses as well as recorders as the video source for your application. You can connect a video server to an existing video security system and make it addressable by adding the server and a modem connection. Video servers are easy to program and can be integrated with everything including your expensive microwave video platforms and surveillance vehicles.

Common applications for using the Discrete Video Servers include (but definitely not limited to) pole-cameras, drop vehicles, set up as IP repeater for body-worn microwave, store-fronts, construction site cameras, surveillance vehicle remote control, office security and rapid deployment applications such as the Discrete Digital Groundhog System.

Common Questions:

Q:  "Do you have to use IP Cameras to use video on the Internet?"

A:  No. Video Servers make ANY video addressable. Most IP cameras are color, require good lighting, most cannot be recorded and offer no other controls such as lens or pan/tilt controls.

Q:  "Do all IP systems require special software?"

A:  No. There are some IP systems that simply work from Internet Explorer. However, very few IE based systems allow recording, multiple connection viewing, archiving of recorded video and other features required for Law Enforcement applications.

Q:  "What software is used for Discrete Electronics IP Video Servers?"

A:  Discrete Electronics provides a dual software package with all servers. This includes a Management program and a Search program.

Q:  "What is the Management program from Discrete?"

A:  The Management program is a powerful software platform that allows connections to multiple IP Video sites simultaneously (up to 36) and includes recording of video and audio for each connection. Each connection is archived by camera, date and time. The Management also includes PTZ control of many systems common on the market such as Pelco, Kalatel, Honeywell and has special protocols for Discrete Electronics manufactured equipment. The Management program allows information to be entered for connection data one time and then is a simple click to connect.

Q:  "Can the Management program only be used with Discrete Electronics video systems?"

A:  No. Discrete has developed a number of accessories that allow control of any DTMF based system (the single most commonly used control for microwave systems), RS232, RS485 and TTL controlled equipment including any Pelco protocol or Sony VISCA based equipment.

Q:  "What is the Search Program?"

A:  The Search program allows searching, viewing, screen capture and AVI conversion of archived video that has been recorded through the Discrete Management software. Open each camera file and view a calendar showing dates with recorded video. Search by date and/or time of day. Use Smart Search to add motion detection searching to recorded video. Perform digital zoom on video and image captures, print captures with added text, time/date and watermark. Convert complete recorded files or portions of files by using the built-in AVI conversion software.

Q:  "How much does the Discrete Management and Search software cost?"

A:  $00.00. That's right, the software is free with all equipment.

Q:  "How many computers can I load with the software?"

A:  How many do you have? Really. There is no limit.

Q:  "What about software/firmware updates?"

A:  The Management software is constantly being updated to add new features and capabilities. The software is also updated to keep up with Microsoft changes. We do not charge for the original software so why should we charge you for the updates. All updates for software and firmware are always available on CD or from our website. This allows you to always have exactly the same thing we are selling, regardless of the age of the video server.

Q: "How many ways can the Video Encoder be used/viewed?"

A: The Discrete Video Encoder can be used in a static assigned address mode or DHCP mode. This means the system is easily configured to be connected directly to a PC, connected to a network switch or router and used on a Local Area Network (LAN), connected to WiFi client equipment and used in Ad-Hoc or Client mode, connected to any router and then connected to any MODEM including Cable, DSL and EVDO (data cards) or connected directly to a Cable or DSL MODEM. Basically, any way to connect to any network, including the Internet, is relatively easy to achieve.

Q: "The best way to connect to IP Video is through a data card or Raven?"

A: While the Raven, data cards and similar products have made unbelievable strides in flexibility of IP addressable video this statement is NOT true. The best way is direct PC or LAN connection because of speed and security. The second best would be WiFi, again because of speed and security. The next best choices include Cable and Broadband Radio because of speed. Broadband offers fantastic security and real-time 30 fps video and most cable companies now offer sufficient upload bandwidth to allow 30 fps video. Data cards and Raven type equipment are very flexible in application and deployment. However, they are all very limited in bandwidth. The single most controlling element of streaming video is the UPLOAD bandwidth that the Internet Service Provider allows you to have. These are very restricted in data cards and most have a maximum of 400 kbps upload speed. This is not sufficient for 30 fps video. To support 30 fps video requires approximately 1 Mbps minimum upload.

Q: "My cell phone gets good service here so my air card should work too."

A: Your cell phone on the same carrier is a good indicator of having NO service but does not always guarantee decent data service. Your cell phone uses an extremely small amount of bandwidth to operate while a data card is bandwidth hungry. There is an absolute correlation between signal strength and available bandwidth.

Q: "What is the most common user problem with IP Video?"

A: Probably the lack of experience and familiarity with computer networking. IP Video is basically networking using the exact same requirements and limitations for cables, connectors, network hardware, security and most importantly ADDRESSING. That is why the equipment is referred to as "IP Addressable". You must either have some experience with computer addressing or, we know it is an absolute SIN, but if you are provided with good instructions and will take the time to read them you should have no problem. Don't be afraid to use IP equipment. Once you understand the basics after using the instructions you can be quite creative in your security, connections and applications.

Q: "Is Discrete Electronics IP Video 'plug and play'?"

A: There is very little IP Video equipment from ANY vendor that is truly "plug and play". While Discrete Electronics will do everything possible to program your equipment prior to shipping, talk you through connections of your equipment and even remotely connect to your computer and help program your system there are times you will have to get involved in configurations. Video encoders out of the box are ALWAYS preset to a specific address. This is from the manufacturer so that you can connect a PC to the equipment and program it. The only way it would work out of the box connected to your network is that you get lucky and the address, subnet mask and default gateway happen to match your system exactly. If you purchase two or more pieces from the same manufacturer they will all be set at exactly the same address so there is absolutely no way it will all work as "plug and play".