Hanwha Techwin, the specialist developer of video surveillance products and solutions, has launched Wisenet Viewer 1.0, a new NVR/DVR viewer that makes it simple to view and manage different video sources through one interface.
Wisenet Viewer 1.0 is designed to make video management an easier proposition and works with all Wisenet recorders. It removes the need for a dedicated server to manage all video sources, leading to cost reductions for the end user and assisting when it comes to the preservation of existing investments without new licences or replacing all recorders.
Through Wisenet Viewer 1.0, operators can view multiple applications on multiple monitors including web pages and images, monitor live video, search and play recorded video and set event rules for alarms, video and audio analytics, face detection, tampering and object detection. The software supports Windows and macOS operating systems.
Easily adapted
Operators can easily adapt Wisenet Viewer 1.0 to suit their needs with custom layouts that can include multiple tabs and windows. Video files can be easily organised and re-sized. User permissions can also be set and removed through the software.
Uri Guterman, head of product and marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe, stated: “Our aim is to continuously raise the bar for video surveillance and help our customers innovate with video technology. The Wisenet Viewer 1.0 will support these goals, making it easier for organisations to manage different video streams and triggered events. Overall, they can gain greater intelligence of events happening on the ground.”
Wisenet Viewer 1.0 is easy to set up and saves time and maintenance overheads. It’s free when organisations buy a Wisenet recorder.
Hanwha Techwin has announced the launch of three NDAA-compliant, explosion-proof camera models – designated the TNU-6322E, the TNU-6322ER and the TNO-6322ER – designed to operate safely even in industrial locations with highly volatile atmospheres.
The intrinsically safe cameras are contained within IECEx and ATEX certified stainless steel housings, which have the ability to prevent any sparks generated by the camera escaping the device and igniting gases or other ignition sources in the environment.
TNU-6322E/6322ER models feature 360˚ endless panning and 180˚ tilting. Combined with powerful 32x (4.44 ~ 142.6 mm) optical zoom lenses, these cameras will reach into every corner of a large industrial site.
2 MP high-quality resolution guarantees sharp and clear image capture, while Hanwha Techwin’s Wide Dynamic Range technology improves the accuracy of images in scenes containing a challenging mix of dark and bright areas by compensating differences in brightness.
External installations
For external installations, an on-board defog function ensures clear images can be achieved in all weathers, while the long-range IR illuminator built into the TNO-6322ER and the TNU-6322ER models allows night-time surveillance at a distance of up to 200 metres.
There’s also a gyro sensor, which drastically reduces motion blur caused by vibration and, therefore, ensures stable images even in the most challenging of environments.
Embedded WiseStream II compression technology effectively reduces data size, while still maintaining optimum image quality, thereby minimising bandwidth requirements. In addition, the cameras are IP67 certified water and dust resistant and IK10 certified vandal-proof.
“The new launch completes our explosion-proof camera line-up,” stated Uri Guterman, head of product and marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe. “It ensures the robust surveillance of all hazardous environments that could be susceptible to explosions triggered by electrical interference.”
*For further information visit the Hanwha Techwin Europe website
The management team at the Glasgow Science Centre has invested in a new video surveillance system from Hanwha Techwin to help create a safe environment for visitors who wish to enjoy the site’s extensive facilities which include over 400 interactive exhibits, a planetarium and a space zone.
As one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, the Glasgow Science Centre – which is located at Pacific Quay on the south bank of the River Clyde that runs through the city centre – is an educational charity that seeks to inspire and motivate people to engage with the subject of science. Its work is supported by a not-for-profit visitor experience in addition to other revenue streams, with all the income it generates being reinvested to support its charitable purpose.
The contract to install the new video surveillance system, which features cameras sourced from Hanwha Techwin, was awarded to the Scottish Communications Group, itself one of the UK’s leading independent communication and electronic security system integrators. In fact, the company installed the original analogue CCTV system when the site first opened in 2001.
Glasgow Science Centre
“We have had a close, long-term business relationship with the Glasgow Science Centre and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to build on this partnership by being entrusted to design, install, commission and maintain the new system,” commented Stuart Leslie, sales director for the Scottish Communications Group.
“The old analogue system had done an excellent job over the years,” added Leslie, “in helping to keep visitors safe by ensuring staff and contractors comply with Health and Safety procedures. However, in terms of features and functionality, as well as the image resolutions of the cameras, the system wasn’t able to deliver the benefits offered by the latest generation of cameras.”
Camera installation
A total of 68 new Wisenet cameras have now been installed at the Glasgow Science Centre by the Scottish Communications Group, 48 of which have been deployed as replacements for what was the old existing analogue cameras, while 20 additional cameras are installed in new locations to negate any blind spots and afford the Control Room operators greater situational awareness.
Leslie and his colleagues took advantage of the advice available from Hanwha Techwin Europe’s pre-sales team to ensure that the most suitable Wisenet internal and external cameras were specified for each of the 68 camera locations. As a result, 40 cameras were selected from the Wisenet Q IP network Series which. The models feature built-in IR illumination and are able to capture clear, sharp 2 MP and 4 MP images, regardless of lighting conditions.
These bullet and mini-dome cameras also feature Wide Dynamic Range, which performs at up to 120 dB to produce clear images from areas that present a challenging mix of bright and dark areas. For example, the Glasgow Science Centre’s reception area can receive strong sunlight at times.
The remaining 28 bullet, PTZ and mini-dome cameras have been selected from the Wisenet HD+ Series of analogue models and are able to deliver “superb quality” 2 MP HD images over coaxial cables. Wisenet HD+ cameras minimise the cost and disruption of installing new data cabling as they can support the transmission of HD images using standard coax cabling – without any latency or image loss – at distances of up to 500 metres.
Further, without the need to incur the cost and time of installing encoders, converters or switches, yet more savings can be achieved.
Images from the cameras are recorded on either a Pentabrid ‘hybrid’ recorder or a Wisenet NVR, with each of the five devices offering up to 12 TB of storage.
Foremost priority
“The safety and security of our visitors is always our top priority,” affirmed Robbie Galbraith, facilities manager at the Glasgow Science Centre. “We have therefore invested in the very latest technology in order to significantly upgrade the capabilities of our video surveillance infrastructure and, in doing so, provide our security colleagues with a powerful tool which will allow them to respond quickly and effectively to any incidents that may occur.”
Galbraith concluded: “We’re very happy with the performance of the new system and pleased that we could take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of the Wisenet HD+ cameras without compromising on quality or functionality. We firmly believe that we now have a video surveillance system which will be fit for purpose for many years to come.”
Hanwha Techwin has strengthened its ‘affordable’ Wisenet QVGA resolution thermal camera range with the introduction of two medium distance models designed to help provide perimeter protection of large open sites.
The TNO-3050T with a fixed 35 mm lens is able to detect vehicles at a distance of up to 4,472 metres and people at 1,750 metres, while the Wisenet TNO-3040T has a fixed 19 mm lens and detects vehicles at up to 2,428 metres and people at 950 metres.
The two new IK10/IP66-rated, vandal-resistant and weatherproof thermal cameras, which complement existing thermal models within the Wisenet T series, capture images at up to 320 x 240 resolution.
A temperature detection feature triggers an alert if there’s a rapid, significant change in temperature, with operators able to define up to three ‘regions of interest’ within a camera’s field of view.
The cameras are also equipped with a suite of video analytics which includes enter/exit, appear/disappear, direction, virtual line, loitering, shock and tamper detection.
When operating in complete darkness, the effectiveness of the cameras is further enhanced by audio analysis functionality, which recognises critical sounds such as gunshots, explosions, screams and broken glass.
The open platform cameras are also able to support third party video analytics applications, such as the edge-based intruder detection application developed by Hanwha Techwin’s technology partner A.I Tech.
Key features
*Operating temperature of -40°C to +60°C.
*IP66, IK10 and NEMA4X rated for protection against water, dust and mechanical impact
*Digital Image Stabilisation with built-in Gyro sensors which comes into effect when a camera is disturbed by wind or vibrations (this delivers more stable images, while also compensating for roller shutter effects)
*A Hallway view feature enables end users to monitor tall and narrow spaces more effectively in 3:4 or 9:16 aspect ratios
*Support for H.265, H.264 and MJPEG compression formats, as well as WiseStream II (a complementary compression technology which improves bandwidth efficiency by up to 75% compared to current H.264 technology, when combined with H.265 compression)
*Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC slot which allows up to 256 GB of video or data to be stored at the edge should there be disruption to the network
*PoE which negates the need to install a power supply and reduces cabling requirements
Unlike traditional cameras which rely on light to see images, thermal cameras pick up heat signatures of objects and are unaffected by extreme conditions, such as complete darkness, harsh weather, bright lights, fog and smoke. They also offer an effective solution for applications where there are concerns about light pollution.
Motor Fuel Group (MFG), the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator, has entrusted Wisenet cameras manufactured by Hanwha Techwin to help protect its major investment in electric vehicle charging hubs.
With the sales of electric vehicles growing, MFG is accelerating its plans to offer ultra-rapid, electric vehicle charging bays with up to 12 charging bays at each location across its 900-plus station network. Dedicated Wisenet video surveillance systems are being installed to detect and deter vandals, as well as maximise the customer experience by helping MFG personnel to quickly identify if any charging equipment has been damaged.
Andrew Edwards, group infrastructure director at MFG, explained: “Reflecting the wish of many drivers to own eco-friendly vehicles, we expect the sales of electric vehicles to continue to rapidly increase year-on-year, which is why we’ve made a commitment to lead the market with the provision of fast, clean and 100% renewable energy.”
The contract to install the Wisenet systems was awarded to AGE CCTV, a division of AGE Electrical Services Ltd. “We’ve been installing new video surveillance solutions and upgrading existing systems at MFG forecourts for over 15 years,” explained Jason Gargiulo, managing director of AGE CCTV. “In all cases, we’ve used Wisenet cameras in line with MFG’s decision to single-source cameras and recording devices from Hanwha Techwin.”
Gargiulo added: “It was just a simple matter of working with Hanwha Techwin’s pre-sales and technical teams in order to specify which Wisenet camera from the company’s extensive range would best assist MFG’s personnel to observe close up detail of any activity occurring at the charging hubs.”
Bullet cameras
Depending on the number of charging bays at each location, AGE CCTV has installed one or more 5 MP Wisenet QNO-8080R bullet cameras.
The QNO-8080R is a true day/night camera equipped with built-in IR illuminators which enables it to capture superb quality images regardless of the lighting conditions. It also benefits from enhanced Wide Dynamic Range functionality which performs at up to 120 dB to produce clear images from scenes containing a challenging mix of bright and dark areas (which normally results in overexposed or underexposed images).
With many MFG electric vehicle charging sites being unmanned, authorised MFG personnel are able at any time to remotely access the live images captured by the H.265 Wisenet QNO-8080R cameras or retrieve the recorded video of any incidents. They can do so from a desktop PC or laptop by using Hanwha Techwin’s management software or conveniently via their smart phones or tablets by making use of the Wisenet mobile app.
The images are transmitted over 4G technology and, in this respect, the WiseStream II complementary compression technology built into the QNO-8080R models is proving to be a significant benefit. Bandwidth efficiency is enhanced by up to 75% compared to current H.264 technology when Wisestream II is combined with H.265 compression.
MFG has never hesitated to invest in the latest technology to ensure that its people, property and assets are kept safe and that the highest quality of service is provided for its customers.
Andrew Edwards concluded: “We’re delighted with how AGE CCTV and Hanwha Techwin are continuing to work in partnership to help us achieve our key objectives as a business.”
Zicam Integrated Security Ltd – one of the UK’s fastest-growing installers of electronic security systems – has selected Hanwha Techwin as its preferred single source provider of IP network video surveillance solutions.
“As a systems integrator always looking to innovate and provide end user clients with added value from their video surveillance systems, we’ve decided to work ever-more closely with Hanwha Techwin,” stated David Salisbury, managing director of West Midlands-based Zicam Integrated Security, which has specialised in state-of-the-art surveillance and detection security systems for over 25 years now.
Salisbury went on to state: “While we always offer objective advice to end user clients in respect of the best cameras, recording devices and VMS available to meet their specific requirements, we’ve found for most projects we’ve been involved in over recent years that, via authorised distributors, we’ve been able to source everything needed from the Hanwha Techwin Wisenet product range.”
Remote monitoring
Although Zicam Integrated Security is able to take advantage of the full Wisenet range when recommending the most suitable products for specific applications, the business has recently been specifying Wisenet P Series AI cameras for almost all projects where the video surveillance systems are being remotely monitored.
“In addition to the superb quality of the 4K images captured by these cameras,” continued Salisbury, “they’re also equipped with deep learning AI video analytics which deliver a high level of detection accuracy while minimising false alarms. This is proving to be extremely valuable to our clients, such as DHL, in terms of them efficiently and cost-effectively protecting their assets, people and property.”
STEP Partner
As a Gold level Hanwha Techwin STEP Partner, Zicam Integrated Security is able to benefit from the support offered by the partnership programme, including an enhanced five-year warranty, access to a wide range of technical support resources, lead sharing and co-marketing activities.
Ben Speakman, UK country manager for Hanwha Techwin Europe, observed: “We’re naturally delighted that a knowledgeable and highly professional systems integrator such as Zicam Integrated Security has committed to recommending Wisenet-branded products to its clients wherever possible. We’re very much looking forward to helping the Zicam team capitalise on the new business opportunities being created by our next generation products, many of which are equipped with deep learning AI video analytics.”
The dual-purpose Wisenet TNM-3620TDY camera from Hanwha Techwin is equipped with QVGA thermal imaging and HD capabilities designed to help businesses operate safely during the COVID-19 era.
The TNM-3620TDY is a bi-spectrum, multi-channel device which incorporates a QVGA-class thermal imaging camera and a 2 MP video surveillance camera. As such, it can detect heat and measure temperature with a very high degree of accuracy, while providing visual verification of people within its field of view.
In body temperature mode, the QVGA-class thermal imaging camera is able to estimate a person’s temperature within a range of 30⁰-45°C, with +/-0.5⁰C accuracy. When supported by black body technology, the accuracy increases to +/-0.3⁰C, allowing the TNM-3620TDY to provide a strong indication that a person may have a fever.
Offering support for deep learning AI-based face detection functionality, the TNM-3620TDY can measure the temperatures of up to ten individuals in real-time at a distance of up to 3 metres, with operators able to choose to view either the captured thermal images or standard HD video images.
IEC 60601 certification
The TNM-3620TDY is compliant with a series of device technical standards for the safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
In addition, Hanwha Techwin has completed the FDA facility registration process and device registration for the TNM-3620TDY in respect of FDA 510(k) clearance which is in progress.
In normal radiometric mode and with a high degree of accuracy, the thermal imaging camera detects and measures changes in temperature within the -20⁰C to 130°C range. End users are able to set up detection zones to cover specific areas of interest within the camera’s field of view. This provides a powerful tool which generates alerts when there’s a threat of fire in recycling, waste management and landfill-type facilities where spontaneous combustion may occur. A detected change in temperature may also be a warning that machinery in factories, processing plants, cold stores or utilities is faulty.
In addition, a spot detection feature enables operators, via a web viewer, to click on any pixel within an image and obtain a measurement of the temperature of the area covered by that pixel.
WiseStream II technology
The TNM-3620TDY supports H.265, H.264 and MJPEG compression formats, as well as WiseStream II, a complementary compression technology which dynamically controls encoding, balancing quality and compression according to movement in the image.
Bandwidth efficiency is improved by up to 75% when compared to current H.264 technology when WiseStream, which is unique to Wisenet cameras, is combined with H.265 compression.
The 2 MP video surveillance camera features a set of Intelligent Video Analytics which include directional detection, motion detection, enter/exit, virtual line, audio detection and camera tampering detection.
The TNM-3620TDY has a Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC slot which allows up to 256 GB of video or data to be stored at the edge should there be any disruption to the network. Video evidence, which potentially might have been lost, can therefore be retrieved when the network connection has been restored.
Capability to deliver
“Regretfully, some so-called ‘fever screening’ solutions devised by other manufacturers have attracted negative publicity,” said Uri Guterman, head of product and marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe. “In my view, this is because they’ve been oversold in terms of what they’re capable of delivering.”
He continued: “Although we’ve often been the first to market with new product developments and technologies, in this instance we’ve taken the time to develop the TNM-3620TDY and ensure that it’s fit for purpose. We highly value the trust our customers and business partners have in our ability to provide solutions which do not compromise on performance and quality. In this respect, they can be confident that this camera will meet, if not exceed, their expectations.”
In conclusion, Guterman stated: “The TNM-3620TDY is a great addition to our suite of COVID-related solutions, which includes face mask detection, occupancy monitoring and AI deep learning-based social distance measuring applications.”
Security & Safety Things is “set to reshape innovation in video analytics and computer vision” with the commercial availability of a number of new IP security cameras from a variety of vendors that leverage the Security & Safety Things open and secure Internet of Things platform. This new generation of security cameras will employ the free Security & Safety Things camera operating system, which enables the cameras to run multiple Artificial Intelligence-enabled applications in parallel.
The apps automate the analysis of video data to produce valuable operational intelligence for business optimisation as well as provide easy-to-deploy tools that can aid in re-opening measures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Organisations of all sizes around the world need flexible and easy-to-deploy solutions that enable compliance with constantly changing pandemic-centric Health and Safety mandates and provide future value to ramp up and optimise their ongoing business operations,” stated Hartmut Schaper, CEO of Security & Safety Things.
He continued: “Companies can now deploy cameras running the Security & Safety Things operating system and use a selection of apps from our Application Store to detect the absence of facial coverings in a retail environment. The next day, that same camera can help the same retailer optimise merchandise placement based on store footfall, in one store or throughout the enterprise, along with further optimisations.”
First camera manufacturer
This month, Qisda/Topview will be the first camera manufacturer to launch a camera running the Security & Safety Things operating system, followed in quick succession by AndroVideo, who will also start shipping its own Security & Safety Things-enabled cameras in Q2.
Bosch is making its INTEOX camera line available as of July followed by Vivotek and BSTsecurity, who plan to ship a bit later in Q3. The first devices from Hanwha Techwin that run the Security & Safety Things operating system are expected to be commercially available in Q4. Security & Safety Things, Hanwha Techwin, Vivotek, Bosch, Qisda/Topview and AndroVideo are all members of the Open Security and Safety Alliance.
The free Security & Safety Things operating system is built on the Android Open Source Project. It leverages the expanding processing and analytic power of modern IP cameras to exponentially increase the amount of operational intelligence that can be mined from traditional IP-based surveillance footage.
The applications that can be installed on these cameras, both in an on-premise as well as a remote setting, are created by highly specialised third party developers and available through the platform’s open Application Store. This already features more than 50 applications from more than 35 developer partners, with more than 30 additional apps expected to be available the store very soon.
Typical use cases
In addition to pandemic applications, use cases include the detection of weapons, behavioural analysis, payment systems for garages, drone threat detection and even identifying objects presented for purchase in a cash register transaction for cashier-free retail environments.
Together with some of its camera and system integration partners, Security & Safety Things is already running projects in a live setting. These projects use, for example, heat mapping and queue analysis in retail stores and automated payment processing and license plate recognition for barrier-free traffic.
These types of applications are running in pilots with the parking management solutions provider Peter Park as well as with the leading mobility provider SIXT.
*More information about the Security & Safety Things platform and how businesses can benefit from the platform can be found at www.securityandsafetythings.com
**For an overview of the Artificial Intelligence video apps currently available for the Security & Safety Things-supported cameras, the Application Store may be viewed at https://store.securityandsafetythings.com
As a direct consequence of COVID-19, many hospitals have needed to quickly erect new portable buildings to expand the capacity of certain sensitive areas. In turn, this has created a requirement to immediately expand the scope of existing CCTV systems to ensure Control Room operators are able to monitor and react appropriately to any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the new buildings.
New Cross Hospital, which is run by the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, is just one of many throughout the UK faced with the challenge of ensuring all areas of its campus can be monitored on a 24/7 basis. Providing 700 beds and employing circa 9,500 members of staff, it’s the largest teaching hospital in the Black Country, having been originally built in 1900 as a workhouse.
The need to install a new 4K camera in a location over 300 metres from the hospital’s Control Room initially seemed daunting in terms of the cost of laying the network cabling normally needed to transmit the ultra-HD images captured by IP cameras.
“Apart from the cost of the engineering work and the disruption caused by installing the new cabling, it would also have taken several days to achieve,” said Dan Mather, director of Derby-based JKE Security who’ve enjoyed a long-term working relationship with the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust.
“We clearly needed to find a much simpler and cost-effective solution which would enable our clients to take full advantage of the superb quality images captured by 4K cameras and, if necessary, pass evidence of any wrongdoing to the police.”
Finding the solution
Mather sought advice from Smart R Distribution, the Haverhill-based specialist electronic security products distributor. The business was able to offer Mather an assurance that its own brand 602POE-2P single port PoE Ethernet Extender would be able to reliably support a new 4K Wisenet PNP-9200RH dome camera by facilitating the transmission of the IP images over the hospital’s existing coaxial cabling.
The Smart R 602POE-2P is proven to be able to robustly transmit data over any two-wire cable and, with the ability to handle bandwidth of up to 200 Mbps, is more than capable of coping with the transmission demands of the Wisenet 4K camera.
“Although we didn’t source the camera directly from Smart R, it could not have been easier to connect it to the Ethernet Extender,” said Mather. “It was truly a case of plug-and-play, with both devices installed, configured and working within half a day.”
Commenting on the successful installation of the new camera, Paul Smith (head of security and car parking for the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust) said: “During this challenging time, it’s essential that we’re able to continue to provide a secure and safe working environment for all our heroic colleagues who are so compassionately caring for people suffering from the Coronavirus. I’ve been impressed with how quickly various companies within the electronic security supply chain have been able to join forces and use their combined expertise to provide us with an efficient and cost-effective solution.”
Hanwha Techwin has introduced a business intelligence application which enables retailers to gain a greater understanding of customer behaviour and buying patterns. Wisenet Retail Insight uses people counting, heat mapping and queue management applications running on board selected Wisenet Q and Wisenet X fixed lens and fish-eye cameras to display statistical analytics on a centralised dashboard.
Accessed from anywhere on the network, Retail Insight is a web-based application which consolidates the data captured by the three analytics applications running on up to 500 Wisenet Q or X Series cameras and presents it on a customisable dashboard.
Retailers are able to take advantage of the captured data to measure the impact of advertising, online promotions and other marketing activities on the number of people who enter their stores, as well as making best use of Human Resources in order to manage the peaks and troughs of customer flow at checkouts.
“With revenues and profitability under threat at present due to the Coronavirus pandemic, retailers are understandably looking at ways in which to improve productivity going forward,” said Uri Guterman, head of product and marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe.
He continued: “In terms of the business intelligence which could be made available to operations, marketing, merchandising and store management, the metadata traditionally extracted from Electronic Point-of-Sale systems is unlikely to be sufficient for retailers to identify opportunities to increase productivity or improve the customer experience.”
Retail Insight generates reports in a variety of formats including PDF, Excel, CSV or HTML. With the help of five customisable tabbed screens, end users are able to view real-time updates on a wide range of activity, including the number of store visitors for any particular time of day or cumulatively over a specified period of time.
Security professionals can also access valuable data on queue congestion times as well as heat mapping information showing the busiest areas of a given store.
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