Market research firm, ABI Research estimates that the video surveillance market will grow to be about $46 billion by 2013 following a phase of explosive growth. Meanwhile, the homeland security industry in the US is likely to be spending about $170 billion annually by 2015, predicts Homeland Security Research.  Apparently, the homeland security department in the US has paid close to $130 billion to private contractors to boost domestic security systems.

Technology in the security and surveillance industry is developing exceptionally fast. One of the companies engaged in this industry, Video Stream offers products that unify video surveillance analog and internet protocol (IP) worlds. This enables higher resolutions, convergence onto existing IP cabling infrastructure, easier routing over long distances especially on multi-building sites, reduces space requirements, enables progressive scanning rendering clearer images, supports different streaming media and compression formats to relieve transmission bandwidth and data storage requirements (MJPEG, MPEG4, H.264) and provides a thin transport layer for remote storage.

.... yes, you read that right, though it would be safe to assume that would be the last thing on any one's mind if you consider that we hear about surveillance cameras all around us. 

Well, it's not exactly that security cameras will become irrelevant, but their importance will certainly change. So says Steve Hunt of SecurityDreamer.com. The reason for this is also fairly obvious, come to think of it. Less than the cameras themselves, it is the software and all the accompanying hardware that add all the value in video surveillance purposes. As Steve says, "camera itself is now mere a data collection tool which feeds information into other systems."

Here's what he predicts on video surveillance. "video surveillance will draw lessening value from cameras themselves, and more from software and hardware complementing cameras. Technical issues such as increased bandwidth availability, innovative storage solutions and manufacturing breakthroughs that reduce implementation costs will outdistance new hardware technology in their impact on video surveillance markets. Developments in software control, intelligence at points of observation and improvements in backend operations of recording, storage and retrieval of video data, will also play key roles."

You can get the full piece here.

In the backthe furore  in the UK over "Big Brother" watching over every walk of life due to CCTV surveillance, here is an interesting development that promises to alter the face of public surveillance and how security will be ensured. Of course... most of us involved with writing and reading this blog may not be around to see this materialize, for the development is indeed futuristic.

Here's the bit: move over surveillance cameras and police; "crime fighting robots could be patrolling UK streets by 2084", says a new report prepared by Professor Noel Sharkey of the University of Sheffield. Reading what could happen in the next 75 years pretty much seems like science fiction, but given how quickly technology is impacting daily life, fiction may well turn into reality much sooner than expected.

Whether the future appeals you or you love a dash of science fiction, take a look here. Surveillance product manufacturers should also consider the implications!

For security managers interested in video surveillance, a 130-page, free online book titled “Security Manager’s Guide to Video Surveillance” is available, featuring tutorials, research and in-depth analysis. The book is written by John Honovich.

The features of the book are: extensive tutorials that clarify technical concepts quite easily; detailed analysis of key product and technology trends in the industry and a review of how the new technologies can be assessed and vendors can be made to deliver on their promises.

The free-to-download and use for non-commercial purposes book covers topics such as IP cameras, megapixel cameras, NVRs, DVRs, video analytics, storage, wireless, PSIM, and IT convergence. A number of video surveillance companies such as 3VR, ArecontVision, Avigilon, Axis Communications, Cieffe, Cisco, Dedicated Micros, DvTel, Exacq, Gentec, IQinVision, Firetide, FluidMesh, IBM, Immervision, Intellivid, Intransa, IoImage, Milestone Systems, Mobotix, ObjectVideo, Pelco, Pivot3 and Vidsys are covered in the book. Visit this website to download the book.

CCTV cameras are getting "more intelligent"  with scientists at the University of Portsmouth working on cameras that will use artificial intelligence software to detect sounds such as that of car window smashing, reports the BBC. The detection of sounds will enable cameras to capture crimes faster and thus improve response times.

This is part of a three-year surveillance study funded by the ESPRC.

Current artificial intelligence software is reportedly already powerful enough to not only detect minor visual indicators but also other complex activity. The endeavour of the artificial intelligence software will be to develop "shapes of sound", which will then be used to enhance algorithms to be used inside CCTV systems.

More details about this latest development in CCTVs can be found here.