Best Security Camera Systems for Large Facilities – 2020 Review

Do you remember the time when video cameras were actually pretty rare? Like your dad would rent one for the weekend from the local Radio Shack and film everything you did for 3 days? Gotta get your money’s worth after all. Now we are at the point where we are basically carrying around video cameras that also make phone calls.

The popularity and affordability of video cameras today means that video surveillance is now much more practical. Both at home and in the workplace. While certain home products like Google Nest might work for some small businesses, there are companies with massive buildings that likely require large scale video surveillance systems.

Purchasing a surveillance system for your company is a sizable investment. After all, we’re talking about multiple cameras, monitors, and recorders like NVR’s. You want to choose a company that has good quality products, good customer service and support, and a good reputation.

With that in mind, here are 3 of our top recommendations for large facility video camera systems.

Genetec was founded in Montreal, Canada in 1997. While they were a small entrepreneurial enterprise at the time, they’ve since grown into a large company with offices in Mexico City, Sao Paolo, Dusseldorf, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo, and Singapore. They’ve been named one of Montreal’s top employers 13 times, and have over 13,000 loyal customers in 149 countries.

What are some of the perks of working with Genetec?

Genetec Professional Services

When you purchase with Genetec, you aren’t just buying their product, but also the expertise of their trained security professionals.

Genetec’s expert project managers, engineers, solution architects and dedicated support staff work for you. Their support team helps to ensure that projects that are on time and on budget. For an additional cost, Genetec Advantage grants you even more additional resources and support.

The Omnicast System

Omnicast is Genetec’s versatile, all-in-one security system. Its power and adaptability make it a great option for a large facility video surveillance system. What are some of its biggest features?

Easy integration

Omnicast makes it easy to combine video with other core security systems. Things like access control, automatic license plate recognition, intrusion monitoring, and communications. Monitor and manage all these security technologies in one place.

Automated surveillance

Using insights and smart data gathered by the system, you can respond to what matters and automate everything else. Genetec’s unified video analytics helps you understand the situation as it happens, so you can react quicker and improve your security effectiveness.

Protects your data

Ensure full protection of your video, data, and communications with advanced encryption technology.

Adapts to your needs

Omnicast adapts easily to changing demands and changing technology. Their latest video engine uses intelligent streaming and bandwidth management to prevent network overload. Easily add new hardware to the system.

Pairs with any hardware

Omnicast VMS lets you customize your surveillance system with the latest technologies. Choose the devices that make the most sense to your company and add them to Omnicast. The system supports thousands of cameras, encoders, storage equipment, and other devices from many manufacturers.

Avigilon was founded in 2004 by Alexander Fernandes in Vancouver, British Columbia, where it is still headquartered today. In 2018, they were acquired by Motorola Solutions, further expanding their reach. Avigilon’s products, including their cameras and surveillance hardware, are manufactured in Richmond, BC and Plano, TX.

From security cameras to video analytics, access control solutions and cloud services, Avigilon solutions have been installed at thousands of customer sites in over 120 countries around the world.

Avigilon boasts a powerful camera platform with a number of unique features.

First-ever 7K Security Camera

The Avigilon 7K H4 Pro camera is the security industry’s first single-sensor 30-megapixel security camera. To give you the idea of the resolution power of this camera, get this: It has a coverage area greater than 99 traditional VGA cameras.

With resolution this high, you won’t need as many cameras to cover certain spaces. For instance, a large parking lot can be easily monitored, while being able to view license plates of cars. Or, a 7K camera could watch over an airport tarmac, while viewing the numbers of various airplanes.

Best of all, with Avigilon’s video storage and compression technology, you won’t have to worry about streaming lag or buffering.

High Definition Stream Management

HDSM works to decrease the amount of storage and bandwidth needed for your security video. That means with even a tiny amount of bandwidth, you’ll still get high-quality video and resolution. With HDSM, you can search through vast amounts of HD footage in just seconds.

Because video storage is being managed so well, you can easily add on more cameras to your network, without latency issues. This is true whether you’re adding 1MP cameras or Avigilon’s top-notch 30MP cameras. Best of all, HDSM works for any one of Avigilon’s cameras.

HDSM SmartCodec Technology

HDSM goes to another level with Avigilon’s proprietary SmartCodec technology. This unique video format allows the video to be optimized and compressed in just the right areas. In other words, what matters most in the video will be crystal clear, while the background and unnecessary portions of the frame will be blurred. You can see an example of this in the image on the right.

Self-learning video analytics

Avigilon’s impressive software goes beyond video compression and storage. The company has integrated artificial intelligence capability into their products.

For instance, all of their H4 cameras are embedded with Unusual Motion Detection, or UMD. Essentially, the camera system is able to understand when there is motion in a place where there shouldn’t be. By analyzing frames over time, the system learns what parts of the shot usually have motion. When there’s motion in an unusual area, it’s flagged for your viewing. You can then easily watch these flagged moments in seconds, rather than pouring over hours of footage.

In addition, advanced pattern-based and teach-by-example technology increases the effectiveness of both the system and your own security personnel. When movement alarms are triggered, the user provides feedback, letting the system know whether an alarm was false or positive. The system then learns over time the difference between vehicle and person movement, and false alarms. This also optimizes the time your security team spends monitoring footage.

Avigilon Control Center 7

Avigilon Control Center (ACC) 7 is the latest edition of their video monitoring software. ACC allows you to monitor all of your security systems in one place, and automated technology makes it easier for you to do it.

ACC uses AI to increase the capability of your cameras and security systems. Facial recognition software alerts you to persons of interest. Or, when connected with access control systems, door events will automatically show on your screen, increasing response times. All of the features mentioned above, in one easy-to-manage program.

While Avigilon typically does business by means of resellers and distributors, with over 1,500 in their partner program, it’s easy for you to purchase Avigilon security products.

Check here for current pricing and availability.

Sweden has given birth to more than just ABBA, meatballs, and particle board furniture. It’s also home to one of the largest security companies in the world. Axis Communications was founded there in 1984, and since then has become an international brand, employing over 3,000 people in over 50 countries.

Axis develops technologies such as video surveillance, audio communication, and access control solutions. For the sake of our subject, we’ll focus on discussing their large-scale video surveillance platform.

Axis Camera Station

Axis Camera Station is the heart of your video surveillance platform. This video management program is designed for the everyday user. It is ready to go right out of the box, with easy plug-and-play setup. On top of that, it’s simple and easy to use, no matter how many devices are integrated.

More than just a glorified monitor, this program pairs with other systems to offer a full security hub. Axis Cameras with their full suite of applications are at your fingertips. You can remotely control doors as well, when it’s paired with the Axis network door stations.

Some additional features include privacy masking, and easy video redacting, making it easy for you to comply with any privacy laws in your country or state. But that’s just scratching the surface.

Zipstream Dynamic Frame Rate

Zipstream is the AXIS video compression technology. It’s specially designed to keep the quality and crispness of your video, while reducing the file size to around 50%. Dynamic Frame Rate goes a step further.

With this feature enabled, the cameras automatically lower and speed up their frame rate. When motion is detected, the frame rate dramatically increases, capturing the clearest video. When motion ceases, the recording speed slows down once more, dramatically reducing the storage needs.

Axis Camera Application Platform

Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP) is an open platform supported by most Axis cameras. The platform allows you to add analytics and other applications to meet specific security and business requirements. These can essentially be added at any time, as the needs of your company or campus change.

They have a whole suite of apps in their Application Gallery. Think of it as the Apple Store for Axis security cameras. Glancing through some of their offerings, it’s pretty impressive.

Perimeter Defender

large video surveillance application

Axis Perimeter Defender, working together with Axis network cameras, provides a highly effective system that automatically detects and responds to intruders. This is true for both persons and vehicles.

When an intruder is detected, say along a fence line, an alert will be sent to the central monitoring center, and can even be sent to mobile devices. This speeds up response time for security personnel. Other modes include multi-zone tracking. For example, if the object passes from one zone to another in a pre-determined order, an alarm will be triggered.

When integrated with access control systems, it automatically reinforces physical access controls. And when paired with their own Radar devices, they’re even more accurate.

Forensic Wide Dynamic Range

A big obstacle to proper surveillance is the drastic changes between shaded spots and brightly lit areas. It can mean the difference between seeing a blurry blob washed out by white, or getting a crisp, clear shot when it matters. Forensic WDR makes these adjustments automatically, meaning no matter where your cameras are located, they’ll be able to see clearly and protect your facilities.

Check here for current pricing and availability.

Protect your facilities with large-scale surveillance systems

BeSafe Technologies is proud to work with Genetec, Avigilon, and Axis to bring cutting-edge security technologies to your school or business. No matter how big or small, and no matter your budget, let us help you find the right security solution to make your space one of the safest places it can be.

BeSafe Technologies Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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