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Showing posts from April, 2014

The Electronics Engineering Law of 2004, RA9292

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  The Republic Act 9292, known as the “Electronics Engineering Law of 2004” recognizes the importance of electronics engineering profession in nation-building and development. Its goal is to develop and nurture outstanding, high-caliber, and internationally competitive electronics engineering professionals that meet the global standards of practice and service. As stated in the Section 34, Article V of this act, electronics engineering professionals shall hold government positions that require the services of Professional Electronics Engineers, Electronics Engineers, and Electronics Technicians with scope of practice as specified in Section 5, Article I. Official Gazette of the Philippines, 2004 This provision is further reinforced by DILG Memorandum Circular 2013-01 which prompts Local Government Units to ensure that electronics engineering professionals hold positions or assignments that supervise, manage, and administer electronics services and regulate electronics ...

CCTV | Compliance on Law and Data Privacy

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  Is it legal to install CCTV on a do it yourself setting in the Philippines? PD 1096, the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) 3. LEGAL COMPLIANCE 3.1 Section 301 of the NBCP provides that “NO PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION, INCLUDING ANY AGENCY, OR INSTRUMENTALITY, OF THE GOVERNMENT SHALL ERECT, CONSTRUCT, ALTER, REPAIR, MOVE, CONVERT OR DEMOLISH ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE OR CAUSE THE SAME TO BE DONE WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT THEREFORE FROM THE BUILDING OFFICIAL ASSIGNED IN THE PLACE WHERE THE SUBJECT BUILDING IS LOCATED OR THE BUILDING WORK IS TO BE DONE.”  The NBCP also specifies the documentary requirements to be submitted as well as the general processes that local governments have to follow in approving the building permit application.  3.2 Section 309 of the NBCP provides that “NO BUILDING OR STRUCTURE SHALL BE USED OR OCCUPIED AND NO CHANGE IN THE EXISTING USE OR OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION OF A BUILDING OR STRUCTURE OR PORTION THEREOF SHALL...

How does Artificial Intelligence Affects Surveillance?

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  The good part of AI is that it can be trained to identify and learn patterns and parameters, similar to the human brain. Machine learning and deep learning are both types of AI. With machine learning, systems embedded with AI can automatically adapt and learn from events without being explicitly programmed. However, a machine can also be trained through program settings to follow a set of rules, i.e. algorithms, to give  advanced features when it comes to security. Using behavioral analytics, a self-learning, A.I. takes the data from video cameras and continuously classifies objects and events that it sees. Take for example, a person crossing a street is one classification. A group of people is another classification. AI algorithms can effectively detect anomalies, such as unattended bags or suspicious activities, and raise alerts in real-time, significantly reducing response times. Using rule-based intelligence, AI and video analysis tools enable security teams to detect po...

CCTV | Different Types of Cameras

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Photo Credits | ArthurHidden on Freepik Dome Camera The dome camera is one most commonly used for indoor and outdoor security and surveillance. The shape of the camera makes it difficult for onlookers to tell which way the camera is facing, which is a strong piece of design, deterring criminals by creating an air of uncertainty. Benefits ♦ Easy to install ♦ Indoor and outdoor settings ♦ 360 degree angle view ♦ Vandal proof ♦ IF night vision This is the best choice of camera for shops, restaurants, casinos, hotels and other hospitality businesses because the design allows you to monitor a wider angle at your premises.  Many also consider this type to be the best indoor camera as it can be placed on a strategic point of the ceiling to cover all angles of the room without being intrusive in design. Bullet Camera They are cylindrical in shape and are capable of observing long distances. Bullet cameras are most commonly placed outdoors so their casings are made resistant to water, dust ...

CCTV | Good Features of a Surveillance System

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  Perfect vision in low light. The most important feature of a CCTV camera should have is a high definition and wide-angle video. The main purpose of a CCTV camera is to capture images for future reference. If the video quality is not good, the whole purpose of a CCTV camera would be lost. A high-definition camera would provide high picture quality, and one with a wide-angle lens would enable it to cover a much wider area as well. Things to consider when choosing a surveillance system: Resolution Higher resolution cameras produce clearer images with more detail. 720p is suitable for general monitoring, 1080p is suitable for most applications, and 4K is ideal for critical surveillance.  Light sensitivity Some cameras are better in low-light conditions, while others require more light to work well.  Functionality Consider whether you need the camera to record footage overnight or in low light.  Features Some useful features include: ♦ Two-way audio   A speaker and...

CCTV | Camera Resolution

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  Common Camera Resolutions   The resolution of an image indicates the level of detail that can be observed in it. It is a term typical of digital photography and video, but it would be the technical equivalent to the grain of analog photography. It was formerly said that the higher the number of grain an image had, the less sharp it was. CCTV resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up an image's width and height, and it determines the quality of the image. The more megapixels a CCTV camera has, the better its zooming and surveillance capabilities. Factors to consider on CCTV resolution. Frame rate The human eye can perceive about 15 frames per second (fps) as separate images, so anything higher than that is perceived as smooth motion. Focal length A longer focal length lens will give a wider viewing angle, but it may result in fewer details at longer distances. Human eye sensitivity The human eye is more sensitive to horizontal resolution than vertical resolution....

CCTV | H.265 Video Compression Advantage

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  When selecting the appropriate compression algorithm for your surveillance needs, it’s essential to consider several factors, including the camera’s resolution, storage capacity, and available bandwidth. Both H.264 and H.265 have their advantages, and the choice depends on specific requirements. H.265 video compression is changing how we decide about video surveillance and storage. The capacity to capture and store high-quality video footage effectively is a key advantage in a world where security is very important. H.265 empowers us to achieve our surveillance goals without compromising on quality or not-breaking the bank on storage costs. It's a wise decision that not only protects our priceless video data but also puts us in a position to adjust to the changing requirements of video surveillance technology. To meet the growing demand for higher resolution and better video quality while reducing the storage requirements, a new standard was created. H.265 accomplishes this by us...

CCTV | Storage Comparison of H.264, H.265, and H.265+

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What is H.264? H.264, also referred to as Advanced Video Coding (AVC), operates by using advanced algorithms, inter-prediction and spatial intra-prediction. These units, termed as macro-blocks, consist of 16x16 pixel samples which can be further subdivided into sub macro-blocks. The H.264 codec is known to achieve significantly reduced bit-rate compared to its forerunner and remains in use across various streaming sources. What is H.265? H.265 represents the advanced iteration of H.264, alternatively also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). Diverging from H.264's macro-block approach, H.265 utilizes Coding Tree Units (CTUs) for information processing. While blocks in H.264 were confined to 16x16 sizes to 4x4 sizes, H.265 can use a complete range of blocks from 64x64 pixels all the way to 4x4, resulting in notably more efficient compression. HEVC also demands higher computational power for effective data compression. The Difference between H.264 vs. H.265 Video Quality H.2...

CCTV | The Difference Between Dome and a Bullet Cameras

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  The choice between dome and bullet cameras depends on various factors, including surveillance needs, mounting preferences, and environmental considerations. While both offer unique advantages and drawbacks, understanding their differences is essential for selecting the most suitable option for your security system. Whether you prioritize discreet monitoring or long-range surveillance, assessing your requirements will guide you toward making an informed decision that enhances the safety and security of your property. A dome camera is a type of video surveillance camera that’s encased in a dome-shaped housing. The dome camera is one most commonly used for indoor and outdoor security and surveillance. The shape of the camera makes it difficult for onlookers to tell which way the camera is facing, which is a strong piece of feature, deterring criminals by creating an air of unfamiliarity. Dome and bullet cameras represent two distinct housing options for modern surveillance systems. ...

CCTV | Choosing between Wired and Wireless Cameras

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    Choosing between wired and wireless security cameras varies on factors on your specific needs, budget, and installation requirements. Wired cameras offer reliability and high-quality performance but require complex installation and have limited placement flexibility. Conversely, wireless cameras provide easy setup, flexibility in placement, and lower upfront costs but may face issues like signal interference and battery life concerns. Wired security cameras are the traditional surveillance solutions that enterprise and commercial industries have been using for decades. While their wired nature provides a reliable connection and makes them easy to power, this limits their flexibility and is more time consuming to install and deploy. WiFi and wireless security cameras offer significant benefits when it comes to deployment and overall flexibility, but these modern surveillance solutions are not without their drawbacks. Finding the right balance between performance, convenienc...

CCTV | Different File Formats for CCTV Footage

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  The CCTV footage format management is essential for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of surveillance data. It’s important to understand the storage needs, that's why it is important to choose a more tailored solution, and follow the best practices to keep your data safe and ensure that the CCTV system remains a reliable and valuable tool in security strategy. Robust storage infrastructure, efficient compression techniques, and prioritization of data security is important to safeguard CCTV footage and to comply with legal requirements.  The first adopted digital video file format was Microsoft’s ‘AVI’ format, released in 1992. AVI is a versatile, AVI is a container format; meaning it has a standard file header, but the actual data can be encoded in any way desired. All it needed is a codec – a small piece of software installed. With Digital Video Recorders it was left to the manufacturer to decide how to actually encode and store the video data. With no ...