Alnet Systems
AbOUT the Company
The company started the business in 1989 as Alnet Enterprise and it dealt with installations of different safety systems and industrial automation. Since 1999 as Alnet Systems Inc. it deals with development of digital recording systems and identification of video picture. Thanks to qualified group of specialists from range of video processing we are able to offer to our clients products of the highest technical level.
Our main product is the digital video recorder VDRS and is available in many versions which allows to cover all practical demands of costumers worldwide. Besides digital video recording systems we offer the PRS system – identification and plate recognition system. Together with VDRS recorder it makes an unusually effective tool for recording and controlling vehicles on parking lots, border passages, petrol stations and many other places, where monitoring of vehicle movement is needed. Still today the VDRS system is mounted in nearly 35 000 installations which confirms their reliability and functionality.
Netstation
NetStation is advanced net system for video and sound recording cooperating both with IP and analog cameras. System in majority is based on reliable VDR-S application used in PC Based DVR system by Alnet Systems Company. Thanks to this, it achieved guaranteed stability and functionality. VDR-S system has been working reliably for nearly 5 years on more than 35 000 installations all over the world, which proves its highest quality.
NetStation is a hybrid system which means that from 64 cameras, 32 can be analog cameras and remaining 32 IP cameras. Nothing stands in the way for connecting all 64 cameras in IP technology of course. Hybrid solution, analog/IP is extremely useful in situations when there is a need for developing and adding IP cameras to an existing analog CCTV installation. In this case the user is able to use the existing installation which highly reduces the costs of development. Signals from analog cameras are processed by PCI frame grabber cards, which is installed in the NetStation server chassis.
NetStation is an open platform “hybrid” system, which means that it is compatible with most of the IP cameras and IP servers made by leading producers.Fluent scaling of the software allows for free adjusting of the installation size for the users current needs. New application updates guarantee the user that he will always have access to the newest solutions that follows current trends in CCTV sector.
NetStation perfectly suits small installations, as well as in wide and advanced CCTV systems working in complicated structures. The user interface is based on our constant co-operation with users which allowed for creating unusually clear and functional solutions. NetStation software is fully compatible with the newest IP cameras solutions working in HDTV standards. Mega-pixel IP Camera which gives video with resolution several times higher than PAL/NTSC will be common in the near future and will set the new picture quality standards in CCTV systems.
Archive menu in NetStation system is unusually advanced and simultaneously simple instrument for managing video archive files. Recordings from every camera have their own path on such called time line, which in clear way shows all events evoked by detection of movement in chosen time partition. So in fast and easy way allows for localization and define intensivity of event. In same way sound recording is shown. Moving the mouse cursor on time line, it shows the time and date on special bar and we can see the picture in the specifide place in a small widnow. Speed of playback in the preview window is addicted to how fast is the mouse scrolled. Control panel provides reversed and forward playback with normal speed and additionally two speeded up. Fast browsing of movement detection in marked area on camera picture improves recording analyzing. Concrete events can be marked with bookmarks, which in fast and easy way can be found. Marks can be placed also by operator or can be automatically generated by for e.g. signal from digital input which can be useful in integrating with access control.
Camera configuration menu allows precise parameters settings for each of the cameras so the delivered image is in highest quality. Multilevel manu allows simple and clear control of the each parameter available for each camera. Multilevel detection mask editor along with a set of tools for tuning the sensitivity make effective designing of the motion detection areas for each camera easier.
A special hand album with photos facilitates management and printing photos from concrete events. Simple and clear Back-Up option allows for fast and trouble-free way for saving chosen piece of archive for any kind of device for e.g. DVD. There also exists possibility to export the piece of archive to some popular format for e.g. AVI, this way it can be played on any computer without additional software.
Configuration and steering the digital input / output set is easy thanks to clear menu. Digital input signals can generate a number of events which can be programmed in easy way. There is no problem in, upon the input signal, enabling one of the PTZ camera presets or switching on recording for a particular period of time. Outputs control can be realised manually or automatically on the basis of each event.
NetStation allows connection up to 64 PTZ cameras. Steering can be done manually by keyboard, Joystick or mouse, or the use of a special control panel. Wide set of supported domes made by different manufacturers gives the user a free choice. Preset control and possibility to automate the work of the camera in patrol mode allows full exploitation of camera capabilities.
Developed sound channel control is a strong feature of the NetStation system. It is possible to record 64 audio channels. Recorded sound can be easily browsed in the archives along with video recordings. Recording based upon sound detection is extremely useful because it allows to record whole event even when motion was not detected at the beginning. Tools for sound detection settings allow precise tunning for all of the parameters.
For correct functionality of all CCTV systems precise determination of task is essential for every element in time partition. In such types of tasks Sheduler is unusually useful. He enables the precise determination of task for cameras, microphones, digital inputs or system alerts. Clearly schedule, on special graphic diagram which includes whole week, allows for fast design time partition without fear that something will be covered. Enabling the proper schedule can proceed on base of assigned time or signal from discreet input. Sheduler can evoke range of actions such as start of video and sound recording, enclosing of output, sending e-mail with attached picture from chosen camera or automatically connect with VDR-C client application through the internet, LAN or dial-up.
VDR Client
Remote access to the server is based on VDR-C client application which works under Microsoft Windows XP/Vista operating system. It's functionality is very expanded and in many aspects it is equal to NetStation software. In it we have at our disposal, among other features, advanced archives with all the functions for managing archive recording. An interesting option is a possibility to record the image on the VDR-C client side. It is very useful function because it allows safe storing of the archive recordings in different places.
VDR Client Mobile
As an addition there is a set of client applications, which can be installed on mobile devices, such as PDA or mobile phone, equipped with Windows Mobile 2003/5.0/6.0 or Symbian OS.
Fully functional archive and control of the PTZ domes and output switches make VDR-C mobile extremely useful tool even for most demanding user. Both NetStation and VDR-C are adapted for co-operation with two or four monitors at the same time. The solution makes it more user friendly and allows reduction of useless computer equipment. All client applications are provided for free.
References and notes
- www.alnetsystems.com
- Rafal Bebenek "Technical Engineer - Alnet US Division"
- Tomasz Kaliński "Net Station - Professional system for surveillance and recording of image for IP systems" in "Fortress" 6(41)/2006 page 22
- www.alnet.pl retrieved on 03.09.2007
- www.securitypark.co.uk/security_article259921.html retrieved on 31.09.2007
- www.siaonline.org/news/showPR.cfm?ID=1745 retrieved on 31.09.2007
- www.securitypark.co.uk/security_article259880.html retrieved on 31.09.2007