Hybrid Systems Are a Safe Bet for Casinos
An IP camera with a built-in encoder outputs an Ethernet signal that can only be run 100 meters, or about 340 feet. Distances greater than this require a network switch or other means of regenerating the signal, or a fiber-optic connection. Coupled with the higher cost of IP cameras (they cost more because of the built-in encoder), you are starting out with a tremendous cost disadvantage. There must be closets or junction points throughout a facility, and there is a lot more equipment to break, degrade the signal, or add noise or latency between the camera and the control room.
An analog camera is less expensive, smaller and available in a wider variety of configurations. You can mix and match brands without worrying about software problems, and you can still use inexpensive and ubiquitous Cat-5e cable to connect the camera to the control room. With analog cameras and unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) adaptors, you can run the signal as far as 6,000 feet, or roughly 20 times the distance of an IP camera, without passing it through any additional boxes.
Once the camera reaches its destination, it is fed to both an encoder and an analog matrix switch. While the signal may go to one system and loop out to the second system, an appealing design option, for reasons described a little later, is to split it using a video distribution amplifier. This distribution amplifier can be either a standalone unit or a part of the UTP hub that converts the signal back from twisted pair to coaxial cable.
Each camera now feeds two systems, one for high performance viewing and the other that provides recording and lower performance viewing, due to the latency described earlier. Since the high performance viewing is only required on a small number of monitors, it is relatively inexpensive. Those familiar with analog matrix switches know that inputs are relatively inexpensive, while outputs are costly in terms of price and physical rack space.
A large casino with a half-dozen operators
can often get by with a 16-output matrix switch, while the largest casinos may only require 32 outputs – more if some of the fail-safe redundancies that are described in the next section are required. Either way, this less expensive matrix is not significant in overall system cost, and the savings promised by a virtual matrix simply aren’t there unless you are talking about eliminating a giant matrix switch used to control banks of monitors in a video wall.
What about those banks of monitors? We’ve all seen casino control rooms and we know that keeping an eye on a number of areas is critical. Here’s where the system truly becomes a hybrid.
That digital virtual matrix system we just finished tearing apart is perfect for video walls, offices and other areas that do not perform critical, time-intensive camera control or switching. Workstations or decoders can be used to drive projection screens, LCD displays or other video walls, and can do so far more cost effectively than a matrix switch. This design is appropriate for projects other than casinos.
Hybrid Systems Provide Inherent Fail-Safe Redundancies
The two separate systems also provide several fail-safe redundancies that can make the difference between closing a casino during an equipment failure and keeping the money flowing. First and foremost, they can back each other up. If the analog matrix fails, the virtual matrix will be good enough to get by until things can be repaired.
Likewise, a failure of the digital system, resulting in even downtime for maintenance, will not affect live viewing of images. In fact, one system design incorporates additional matrix outputs that can shunt video signals to a backup encoder/server/storage combination automatically in the event of a server failure. Monitor outputs can also be recorded, ensuring that anything important enough to be viewed live is recorded in two separate places.
While these are two separate and distinct systems, they don’t have to act that way. Manufacturers such as Honeywell and Pelco offer systems that incorporate keyboards capable of seamlessly controlling both systems, making the analog/digital divide seamless. Other manufacturers offer this functionality as well, and the combination of both technologies is truly greater than the sum of their parts.
A Balanced System Is the Best Alternative
When looking at all of the advantages of hybrid systems for gaming specific applications, it is difficult to envision why a casino would opt to select a pure IP-based solution. While that technology is perfect for some applications, gaming surveillance has unique performance requirements.
Manufacturers or integrators that push or recommend inappropriate technologies for the gaming market do so at their own peril. And casinos that fall victim to these sales pitches can easily pay a lot more for lower performance. This is a case where the right system design costs less and works better than the alternative – a “win-win” situation on or off the gaming floor.
5 Myths of VHS Debunked
Here are the top five reasons an end user may want to keep VHS, and the responses you will need to explode these myths.
There are too many incompatible digital standards.VHS is universal.
DVD is the universal digital standard. Get an inexpensive DVD burner or authoring software and burn your video clips to the consumer DVD playback format. They’ll look great and will play back on a DVD player that can now be purchased at your local supermarket for under $30.
Digital costs too much.True, the digital return on investment (ROI) is tough to justify. Timesavings can be a factor and searches that take days on VHS can take seconds on digital. Tape changes are a thing of the past. There are no recurring tape costs – you did replenish your VHS tape stock periodically, didn’t you? In addition, there are features available on digital systems (random access, integration with other systems and ease of copying) that simply are not available on VHS. If you’re looking strictly at acquisition cost, tape may be cheaper, but sooner or later you’ll be forced to go digital. VHS is going away.
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