High definition video surveillance technology may be the next big thing to come to the security industry. By utilizing the same coaxial cable used by legacy analog, but by delivering IP video quality video resolution, HDcctv provides a unique solution for security professionals and their customers who desire enhanced performance but who are not IP inclined.

To find out more information on this new technology, Locksmith Ledger interviewed video veteran and SG Digital founder/President Randy Jones. Following are the Ledger’s questions, and Jones’ answers.

What is your background in the video surveillance industry?

I started in the CCTV industry in 1984 as a field technician and later moved to VCR, monitor and camera repairs. In 1991, I founded and installation company on the West Coast which by 1999 had grown to a 35-employee. $15 million per year operation.

In 1999 we began exploring new technologies and eventually put together a national sales rep company. In 2003, I started SG Digital as its own brand name, with the idea of bringing the latest technology to qualified dealers and offering superb support. In 2008, we deployed the world’s first HD CCTV DVR / camera solution in the United States.

What is HDcctv? 

HDcctv is a term used to define a new class of CCTV equipment which is based on the SMPTE292M HDSDI (high definition serial digital interface) signal transport made popular by the broadcast industry. Basically put, the link between the camera and the DVR is now a broadcast quality digital pipeline which allows the full quality of the camera to be delivered to the DVR.

We consider HDcctv the next generation of CCTV which will eventually replace analog, just as HD has in consumer electronics. HD cameras are everywhere today. Even your cell phone most likely has 2-megapixel or better camera built in. You can buy a full HD camcorder at your local electronics store for under $100.

The only reason we have not been able to take advantage of this low cost HD quality in CCTV is because of the available signal transport. NTSC analog only allows 430 TV lines to be delivered, and IP camera systems are still too complicated for many of us to deploy. HDcctv fills this void.

What are the benefits of HDcctv?

There are many benefits of HDcctv, from ease of installation to unmatched performance. HDSDI shares some of the physical characteristics of Analog CCTV in that the signal relies on Coax cable; cameras are installed just as an analog type and there is not programming required by the camera installer. However, by replacing the Analog video transport by HDSDI, the same coax cable can deliver a full 720P or 1080P High Definition 30 frame per second video stream to the DVR. Live video with HDcctv is realtime all the time at full resolution and with almost no latency.

How can HDcctv can give readers of the magazine a competitive advantage?

We believe that HDcctv is the future of the CCTV industry. Anyone who wishes to offer the best solutions to their customer base needs to learn about the technology and who is delivering the best solutions to the market.

How does HDcctv allow analog installers to be competitive against installers who use IP cameras?

An analog installer can continue to perform the exact same installations with all of the same procedures. But with HDcctv in his arsenal, his installatio out-performs IP systems in both picture quality and is already less expensive than comparable IP cameras.

With all of the marketing jargon being used to promote video surveillance products, how does a dealer identify that a product is actually this (HDcctv) technology, and not a copycat?

The product will either have the HD alliance logo, or will state "HD-SDI SMPTE292M." If it is HD-SDI SMPTE292M, then it is compatible with the 10-year-old standard which the HD alliance adopted.

Can HDcctv be integrated with IP-based hardware and applications?

There are not many solutions available today for this integration, but HDcctv will soon be integrated with IP much like analog is today, mostly by delivering Hybrid DVR's which can record and display analog, IP or HDcctv. A few companies are developing HDcctv to IP streamers which may find an application in larger systems, allowing HDcctv feeds to be captured by NVRs. We have been offering a PC-based solution with HDcctv and analog in the same system for a while now

HDcctv Specification

The HDcctv Specification comprises a suite of standards documents developed by the HDcctv Alliance Technical Committee. These documents specify operational requirements and compliance levels for HDcctv systems from "glass-to-glass" (camera to display).

The purpose of any standardization and compliance process is to ensure "interoperability" of products, components and systems designed and tested in compliance with the standard. Equipment displaying the HDcctv logo - developed by HDcctv adoptor companies - is assurance of a compliant product or system that will provide a "plug-and-play" digital high-definition CCTV experience for system installers and security professionals alike.

Planned versions of the HDcctv Standard offer successively greater cost effectiveness for surveillance, by adding capabilities such as 2-way communications and up-the-cable power and by increasing performance such as 300m transmission over low-grade RG59 coaxial cable and pixel arrays up to 20 million pixels per frame.

For more information, visit http://www.highdefcctv.org/

Hdcctv Products

The SG Digital SGHDSDIBC5 is a true HD camera, supplying 1280x720 progressive scan images rivaling much higher priced professional grade cameras. These cameras are the first of the next generation HDCCTV cameras based on High Definition Serial Digital Interface and SMPTE292 and are for use with all HDCCTV security products.

The installation of these cameras is exactly the same as a traditional analog camera. All SG High Def cameras have a composite video test monitor output for easy setup. The SGHDSDIBC5 accepts CS or C mount lenses with manual or DC auto iris.

SGD47S series HD DVR is an embedded HD DVR offering H.264 Dual stream compression format for efficient disk storage and network bandwidth conservation. The SGD47S series also supports GUI menu, Dual streaming for live mobile monitoring, express configurations, etc. HD channels record in 720p via the broadcast format of SMPT292.