When it comes to HD surveillance, people have been trying to classify what High Definition is and what Standard Definition is. There is actually no meaning as to this kind of controversies, after all numbers is only a standard to measure videos. If I tell you mine is HD, you will agree with me as long as the video is clear when no any comparison. So HD surveillance relies not only on numbers but also practicality. The current author wants to clarify this point because it is prevalent that the numbers of definition of the products in market places is not real.

HD lens=HD video? The current author has been in the place of being misled by this formula. Of curse we should understand the principle that a good house matches good saddle, but we cannot neglect the true essence of a perfect match. If we only value the image function, then the theories of surveillance camera and DSLR are the same. They all have CCD/CMOS sensor, zoom lens and image processor but differ only in that the imaging of surveillance camera is slightly lower.

It is said that whether the imaging is good or not depends more on the core technique of the body of the product itself and that the lens is only part of the reason. Set IP surveillance camera for an example, different kinds of capability of different factories in DSP processing technique can also make a difference in graphic effects. The definition of video surveillance is determined by the distinguish ability of the surveillance camera, and it is also the case that minimal illumination, SNR and even widely dynamic condition will have an impact on the imaging.

But then again, a mega-pixels HD surveillance camera should not match a low-end lens. It seems perfect only when a mega-pixels lens matches a mega-pixels HD camera. There is nothing we can do if you are determined to go against the trend. Will you go you own way even after seeing the picture below? The key point of standard configuration is important!  

Which determines the imaging of DVR?
After talking about the misunderstanding of front-end HD image we now talks something about the back-end. Who should be blame for the case that the front-end HD surveillance image accompanies the back-end SD? Perhaps a lot of people have this kind of doubts that the front-end surveillance is indeed a mega-pixels HD surveillance camera but why the back-end presents only D1 effects? Do you know that it is because of your DVR?

Take DVR for an example, many people care only about the channel of DVR, whether it’s of H.264 codec format and whether the video is fluent, but do you know that in fact video has image contrast? Different kinds of DVR have different capability in processing images. The effect of D1 is the mainstream imaging of DVR in the current market. As to pixel ratio, the image resolution of D1 is 720x576 which has conformed to the standard requirements.

Two details that cannot be ignored: transducer and its “accessories”.
What is the same with the ways lens matches camera is that if only the front-end camera can transcend, then the definition can reach your standards. As for NVR, it is not suitable for small-scale security surveillance engineering according to the current author’s knowledge of the present products and their performance. What’s more, the complex combination of IPC+NVR+Switch must cost a large amount of money beyond man’s expection.

At present, it has been clarified as to what can be related to HD monitoring imaging. Just as people in the industry said no matter it is common network camera or camera products of millions of pixels, the most fundamental and important thigh is to have technological breakthrough in transducer and technological creativities in codec. Image effect and optical adaptation are the permanent themes and they are also important to auxiliary technologies. 

ISP as an auxiliary technique of HD camera has gradually evolved into the key core technology. More than that, in order to satisfy the needs of alternative HD monitoring, some manufactures have replaced CCD transducer with CMOS which includes the technologies of gain control, white balance, noise control, exposure control and so on. As a non-moving video equipment, it is possible for transducer to have a image signal processor built in. It is possible to improve the quality of imaging and to have perfect performances in exposure, automatic white balance and color saturation through the integration of module.

The DNR function of 3D can make CMOS HD camera under low illumination environment have even better images than CCD camera of the same size. What’s more, CMOS with a relatively high dynamic range the images will be more distinct and the color reduction degree will be higher.

The current author has helped to analyze the four common misunderstandings of HD imaging. It is obvious that whether it is CCTV lens, surveillance camera, DVR, transducer or ISP, HD image can not be accomplished overnight nor it can be realized by only one aspect, but rather, to generate a HD image needs concerted efforts of more components, which is also the most amazing part of surveillance cameras.