Video Surveillance Software: How to Choose the Optimal Solution

In the modern world, video surveillance has become an integral part of our lives. Surveillance cameras can be found almost everywhere: in offices and shopping centers, on streets and in residential buildings. They help ensure security, control work processes, prevent offenses, monitor pets, and solve many other tasks.

However, cameras themselves are just the "eyes" of the video surveillance system. To effectively collect, process, and analyze video data, another key component is needed — software. It is the video surveillance software that determines the system's functionality and how useful it will be for solving specific tasks.

Without quality software, even the most modern and expensive cameras will only passively record what is happening without the ability to promptly notify about abnormal situations, conveniently search and analyze recordings, or intelligently process the video stream. Therefore, choosing software for video surveillance is one of the key stages when designing a video control system.

In this article, we will explain in detail what video surveillance software is, what functions it performs, and what types of video surveillance software exist. You will learn what to pay attention to when choosing software and how to select the optimal solution for your needs.

Contents

• What is video surveillance software
• Types of video surveillance software
• Main functions of video surveillance software
• Why analytical capabilities are important for effective video surveillance
• How to choose video surveillance software: a step-by-step guide
• Advantages of Flussonic Watcher as video surveillance software
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is video surveillance software

Video surveillance software is specialized software designed to manage a system of video monitoring cameras and process the data received from them. It is a key component of a modern video surveillance system, largely determining its functionality and ease of use.

The main task of video surveillance software is to ensure the effective operation of all elements of the video control system and provide the user with tools to solve the tasks set for it, whether it's ensuring facility security, controlling work processes, or analyzing customer behavior in a store.

Depending on the architecture, video surveillance software can be divided into two types:

1. Hardware-dependent solutions - software integrated into a specialized device (video recorder, server). Such software is maximally optimized for the hardware and works stably, but has limited possibilities for scaling and customization.
2. Software solutions — systems not tied to specific hardware, installed on PCs with general-purpose operating systems. They offer flexibility, extensive functionality, and expansion possibilities, but require certain qualifications for setup and support.

The choice between hardware and software approaches is largely determined by the scale of the video surveillance system and the specifics of the tasks to be solved. For small home video monitoring, a simple but reliable recorder with pre-installed software will be suitable. For large businesses or cities, it is more advantageous to use a professional software platform that allows integration with other information systems and constant expansion of functionality.

In addition to architectural differences, video surveillance software can be classified according to a number of criteria: licensing method, purpose, data storage location. We will examine these in detail in the next section dedicated to software types. Next, we will move on to the functionalities that should be considered when choosing software to manage a video monitoring system.

Types of video surveillance software

The diversity of video surveillance software on the modern market is quite large. To better navigate this variety, it makes sense to consider the main types of software in terms of the most important criteria for users.

Local software and cloud services

By the method of organizing video surveillance and data storage, software solutions can be divided into two large classes:

• Local video surveillance software, installed on the user's computer or server. All information is stored and processed at the customer's site. This ensures maximum control over data and confidentiality, but requires costs for equipment purchase and maintenance.
• Cloud video surveillance services, where the video stream from cameras is transmitted to the provider's remote servers, where it is processed and stored. This model eliminates the need to deploy your own IT infrastructure, provides access to video from anywhere in the world, but has certain risks regarding data security.

Commercial and free software

Another important criterion is the software licensing method:

• Commercial software – programs for which you need to pay the developer. This can be purchasing a perpetual license or a monthly subscription. Clear technical support, quality guarantee, and rich functionality are the main advantages of paid solutions.
• Free software for camera control, distributed under a free license. Typically, these are fairly simple programs with limited capabilities. But they may be quite sufficient for basic tasks of a low-budget video surveillance system.
• Conditionally free products combining the advantages of the first two categories. At the core is a full-featured program, available for free with some limitations on the number of cameras, archive depth, etc.

Software for home camera control and for business

By scale and specificity of tasks, video surveillance software is divided into solutions for private and commercial use:

• Software for home and small office. Usually designed to connect several cameras, has a simple and intuitive interface. The priority here is basic functions for ensuring the safety of people and property.
• Corporate video monitoring systems. These are already high-load solutions for distributed objects with dozens and hundreds of cameras. They have extensive integration capabilities with Access Control Systems, cash desks, business applications. Analytical modules provide automatic control of business processes. Understanding these fundamental differences in types of camera control programs will help you narrow down the search for an appropriate solution.

Main functions of video surveillance software

Modern video surveillance management programs offer users an extensive set of functions. Let's consider the most important ones that will be useful in most application scenarios.

Real-time video viewing

A basic function of any video surveillance software is displaying live video from cameras on the operator's screen. Quality software should provide:

• Multi-stream viewing in various layouts (2x2, 3x3, 4x4, etc.)
• Quick switching between layouts and channels (without video stream decompression)
• Smooth digital zoom up to 10-16x without quality loss
• Real-time control of PTZ cameras (pan, tilt, zoom)
• Adjustment of image parameters in wide ranges (BLC, HLC, WDR, 3D DNR) Performance optimization is achieved through the use of efficient codecs (H.264, H.265), hardware decoding, and direct work with video buffers at the OS and driver level.

Recording and storing video archives

Video surveillance software should provide the ability to record video from cameras according to various scenarios:

• Continuous 24/7 recording
• Scheduled recording during specified time intervals
• Adaptive recording with motion detection (motion detection) and adjustable sensitivity
• Recording on a signal from external systems (POS terminals, sensors, access control systems) - video verification of events Efficient use of disk space is achieved through:
• Selection of optimal encoding parameters (bitrate, resolution, framerate)
• Support for modern compression algorithms (H.265, Zipstream)
• Combining different streams for recording and viewing (dual streaming)
• Automatic archive cleanup according to specified policies (quotas, days, GB)

The software should maintain a detailed event log with filtering and export capabilities. Archive search is necessary both by timestamps and smart-search by various attributes (event type, camera number, metadata content).

Remote access from mobile devices

In the era of total mobility, the ability to remotely connect to the video surveillance system from a smartphone or tablet is extremely popular in video surveillance programs. Good camera control software should:

• Have native clients for iOS and Android with support for current APIs and UI guidelines
• Use codecs and protocols optimal for cellular communication channels (H.264, SVC, WebRTC)
• Ensure minimal delays and fast playback start (low latency, fast startup)
• Support touch-oriented PTZ control and selection of the desired frame fragment (TouchZoom)
• Inform the user timely through push notifications synchronized with the back-end software

Video surveillance programs ensure the security of remote access through media stream encryption via SSL/TLS, the use of secure VPN tunnels (IPSec, OpenVPN). Authentication should support the most hack-resistant methods - SHA2/SHA3 hashes, two-factor authentication (2FA), biometrics.

Video analytics and automation

The most advanced capabilities of modern video surveillance systems are related to video analytics functions and automation. This is no longer just recording and viewing video, but intelligent processing of the video stream using computer vision and machine learning algorithms.

Today, video surveillance software plays a key role in implementing such capabilities. It allows integrating video analysis functions, including motion detection, abandoned object detection, as well as face recognition and license plate recognition.

Basic video analysis functions, such as motion detection and abandoned object detection, allow filtering important events in the video stream and instantly responding to potential threats. More advanced modules, implemented through specialized video surveillance software, can detect dangerous objects and analyze behavior.

The implementation of these technologies provides a completely new level of capabilities for security and business analytics. More on this further.

Why analytical capabilities are important for effective video surveillance

Earlier, we already mentioned video analytics functions as one of the key trends in the development of modern video surveillance systems. Today, video surveillance software allows not only improving the quality of monitoring but also effectively automating routine tasks.

Reducing staff workload and automating response

The traditional approach to video surveillance assumes that the operator constantly monitors video streams from multiple cameras, trying not to miss a potentially dangerous situation. With a large number of objects and control zones, this leads to huge workloads on staff and inevitable errors due to the human factor.

Modern video surveillance software can automatically detect suspicious situations — a person appearing in a restricted area, an abandoned object, an atypical gathering of people, and much more. Such a solution generates alerts and attracts the operator's attention only in case of real necessity. This allows one employee to effectively control a much larger number of cameras without losing vigilance and concentration.

Moreover, the system can respond completely autonomously to typical events — turn on lighting and sirens, block doors, send messages to security services, etc. Integration with access control systems and security alarms allows automatically preventing potential incidents without human intervention.

Business analytics and process efficiency improvement

The areas of application for intelligent video have long gone beyond traditional security tasks. Computer vision algorithms, implemented through video surveillance software, can extract valuable information from the video stream to optimize business processes.

Here are just a few examples:

• In retail, visitor counting systems and customer behavior analysis allow evaluating the effectiveness of promotions, optimizing product assortment and display.
• In transportation, video analytics is used to track passenger flows, identify queues during peak hours, control mask-wearing regimes.
• In industry, algorithms are used for automatic detection of product defects, quality control of assembly, monitoring employees' compliance with safety techniques.
• In healthcare, intelligent modules help control medication intake by patients, detect falls, and provide timely assistance.

This is just a small part of possible usage scenarios for computer vision systems. With the development of artificial intelligence technologies and edge computing, the range of tasks solved by intelligent cameras will only expand.

Proactive approach to security

Traditional video surveillance mostly plays a passive role — video recordings are used post factum to investigate incidents that have already occurred. However, modern video surveillance software (with video analytics) allows implementing a proactive approach, preventing security threats even before they arise.

A good example is people recognition systems. Computer vision algorithms can identify people in real-time against databases using ordinary surveillance cameras. This allows automatically identifying unwanted visitors (for example, those previously caught stealing) at the entrance to a store and taking preventive measures.

The video verification function for alarms allows filtering out up to 90% of false alarms in security systems. Video from cameras installed at alarm points is transmitted to the security console, and the operator can visually assess the situation before sending a response team. This saves a lot of time and resources for security services.

License plate recognition and integration with wanted databases on a city scale allows police to automatically identify stolen cars and promptly respond to incidents. And early fire detection systems via video successfully complement traditional fire alarms and reduce damage from fires.

It can be said with confidence that video analytics radically expands the usual framework of video surveillance as a security tool. It transforms it into an indispensable business assistant, advisor, and analyst, capable of anticipating events and making optimal decisions without human intervention. And in tandem with big data technologies and machine learning, video becomes an almost inexhaustible source of valuable insights for business development.

How to choose video surveillance software: a step-by-step guide

So, we have understood what functions modern video surveillance software offers and how useful video analytics is. But how, among the many offerings on the market, to choose the one that perfectly suits your tasks? We offer a simple step-by-step algorithm.

Step 1. Define your goals and objectives

Before diving into studying specifications and capabilities of various software products, clearly formulate why you need a video surveillance system. What tasks should it solve first and foremost? For example:

• Ensuring security of a residential house or cottage
• Controlling cash operations and preventing theft in a store
• Registering entering/exiting vehicles in a parking lot
• Remote monitoring of the production process
• Recognition of visitors' faces and identification of unwanted persons
• Evaluation of customer service quality in a sales office The set of specific functions worth paying attention to when choosing software will depend on the priority goals. Make a detailed list of desired system capabilities.

Step 2. Assess the existing infrastructure

The next important point is the assessment of technical parameters of your future or existing video surveillance system. The requirements for video surveillance software directly depend on this. Pay attention to such characteristics:

• Number and models of IP cameras used, presence of analog cameras
• Total resolution and bitrate of video streams
• Recording mode (continuous, scheduled, event-triggered)
• Required archive volume and storage period
• Topology and bandwidth of the data transmission network
• Performance of server equipment
• Need for integration with access control systems, POS software, business systems Good professional video surveillance software typically supports a wide range of equipment and has significant performance reserves. But it's better to make sure in advance of the compatibility and sufficiency of resources in the existing infrastructure.

Step 3. Determine the deployment model

Depending on the scale, data security requirements, and available IT expertise in the company, you can choose one of the options for deploying a video surveillance system:

1. Local installation of camera control software on the customer's own servers. This approach gives maximum control over the infrastructure but requires significant initial investments in equipment and IT personnel.
2. Cloud solution, where all system components operate in the provider's computing cloud. Allows quickly deploying video surveillance and scaling it as it grows, does not require capital expenditures. But it is necessary to carefully assess the risks to data security.
3. Hybrid option, combining local recording of "heavy" video on site and using the cloud for storing metadata, remote access, and analytics. For many, this is the optimal balance of security, scalability, and cost of ownership. The choice of video surveillance software is largely determined by the preferred infrastructure model. Check with the vendor about available deployment options and licensing schemes for each of them.

Step 4. Test the software before implementation

Even the most promising software on paper should definitely be tested on real tasks before making a decision about full-scale implementation. Unfortunately, not all developers offer the possibility of pilot deployment of the product with limited functionality or for a limited period.

Therefore, when compiling a list of potential solutions, be sure to ask the vendor if they provide test access to the camera control program and under what conditions. The availability of such an opportunity is an important indicator of the supplier's customer orientation and their confidence in the quality of their product.

Create a detailed test plan that includes working through all the significant use scenarios for you. Evaluate the stability and usability of the software, the accuracy of video analytics algorithms, the quality of visualization at client locations, the load on the network and disk subsystem.

Based on the results of pilot testing, you will be able to make an informed decision about the purchase or continue searching for a more suitable solution among vendors offering trial access to their software. In the long term, this approach will help avoid disappointments and additional costs for changing an unsuitable video surveillance platform. Of course, this algorithm is not the ultimate truth, and each specific case may have its nuances. But it sets a good general framework for choosing video surveillance software and helps minimize the risks of unsuccessful implementation.

Table: Typical configurations of video surveillance systems for different application areas. We have provided generalized configurations in the table, and in each specific case, system parameters may vary depending on the specifics of the object, customer requirements, and budget

Advantages of Flussonic Watcher as video surveillance software

The Flussonic Watcher software complex is a professional video stream management system suitable for a wide variety of usage scenarios. With it, you can build both a small home video surveillance system and a large-scale project with thousands of cameras with access to the system limited by custom configurations for each user.

We developed Flussonic Watcher with the aim of providing our clients with a powerful and flexible tool for solving any video monitoring tasks. And today we are ready to share the key features and advantages of our product that favorably distinguish it from other solutions presented on the market.

Scalability and flexibility of architecture

Flussonic Watcher is built on a modular principle and can easily adapt to the changing needs of the customer. The basic server part is responsible for receiving, recording, and broadcasting video streams, and additional components (video analytics modules, gateways for integration with access control systems, etc.) are connected as needed. This allows optimizing costs and incrementally increasing the functionality of the system.

High performance is achieved through the use of efficient media data processing algorithms and support for hardware acceleration on NVIDIA graphics processors. One Watcher server can provide reception and recording of up to 1000 Full HD video streams, up to 2000 simultaneous client connections. Server clustering allows creating geographically distributed video surveillance systems with hundreds of thousands of cameras.

Support for equipment from various manufacturers

Flussonic Watcher supports more than 6000 IP camera models from 100 leading global brands - Axis, Bosch, Hikvision, Dahua, and many others. Work with cameras is implemented not only through standard RTSP/RTP protocols but also through proprietary protocols of individual manufacturers, including HTTPS and ONVIF. This allows integrating video streams from cameras with different data transmission methods into a unified monitoring system.

The flexible licensing system allows combining various types of licenses on one server - by number of cameras, by total bitrate, unlimited licenses. This makes it possible to efficiently use the computing resources of the server and save on licenses for low-activity or low-speed cameras.

Extended video analytics capabilities

Flussonic Watcher offers a wide range of built-in intelligent video analysis functions based on neural network technologies:

• Motion detector with 3D shadow and glare exclusion function
• Abandoned/missing object detector
• Camera sabotage detector (covering, defocusing, turning away)
• Line/perimeter crossing detector
• Crowd gathering detector
• Queue detector
• People counting with creation of heat maps for movement intensity
• License plate recognition
• Face recognition with identification against a database

All these modules can work both on the central server and on remote edge devices, which allows distributing the computing load. The ability to flexibly configure reactions to video analytics events is implemented — sending notifications, launching external scripts, interacting with other systems via API.

User interface convenience

For interaction with the Watcher system, desktop and web applications with an intuitive interface are offered. All basic functions are implemented — multi-window video monitor with quick layout switching, synchronous archive viewing from several cameras, export of video fragments, flexible archive search by various criteria.

The web interface is built on the modern Angular framework, which ensures high responsiveness and smooth operation. During development, much attention is paid to usability, so mastering the system does not cause difficulties even for unprepared users.

Reliability and security

The developers have taken care to protect the Watcher server from various network threats. Stream encryption via HTTPS, SRTP, ONVIF Security, token-based authorization are supported. Protection against password brute-forcing and DDoS attacks is implemented.

Thanks to the use of end-to-end buffered stream reception, Watcher ensures stable recording even in conditions of unstable communication channels. And the automatic reconnection function to cameras guarantees quick restoration of video streams after failures.

Conclusion

Summing up our detailed excursion into the world of video surveillance software, we can confidently say that this class of systems is experiencing a real flourishing. Developers offer increasingly intelligent and multifunctional solutions capable of not just recording video from cameras, but also extracting valuable information from it, automatically responding to various events.

Trends such as the transition to cloud technologies, integration with business analytics systems and the Internet of Things, the spread of edge computing open new horizons for the video surveillance industry. Already today, intelligent video is actively used in retail, transportation, industry, medicine, agriculture, and many other sectors, bringing tangible business benefits.

Our company, developing the professional platform for video surveillance management Flussonic Watcher, strives to provide clients with precisely such a modern, powerful, and at the same time user-friendly tool. Scalable architecture, the widest integration possibilities, advanced AI-based video analytics — all this allows solving truly ambitious projects of any scale with Watcher.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What types of cameras can be connected to video surveillance software? Modern video surveillance software supports a wide range of IP cameras working on ONVIF, RTSP, HTTP protocols or manufacturers' proprietary protocols. These can be stationary or pan-tilt cameras with resolution from 1 to 8 MP and higher, with fixed or motorized lenses, bullet or dome, for indoor or outdoor installation. Some software also works with analog cameras when using special video servers (Encoders).

2. What is the difference between video surveillance software for home and professional video surveillance? Home video surveillance software is simpler to set up and focused on remote monitoring via the internet. Professional solutions offer centralized management of a large number of cameras, flexible recording and archive storage settings, video analytics functions, and integration with other security systems.

3. Can a video surveillance system be integrated with a "smart home"? Yes, IP cameras can interact with "smart home" sensors, sending them commands to turn on lights, lock doors, etc. This interaction is managed by home automation software platforms that support various integration protocols.

4. What advantages does Flussonic Watcher offer? Flussonic Watcher is a scalable and reliable software platform for video surveillance. It offers built-in video analytics functions, extensive integration possibilities through an open API, and support for geographically distributed configurations. This allows adapting Watcher to the specific requirements of each project.