Standards have played virtually no role in IP video security until very recently, but that is quickly changing. At widely varying paces, enterprises are shifting from proprietary, analog video systems to open, IP solutions -- and with that market shift, they are creating an intensified drive for standards.

This shift to IP coupled with the introduction of video content analysis or video analytics promises to extend the reach of video beyond security and into the enterprise to provide a rich source of data for business optimization.

Standards promote interoperability and reduce integration cost. Unfortunately, the video surveillance industry has been slow to adopt standards. With the introduction of feature-rich IP cameras and encoders, which offer higher resolutions and embedded analytic capabilities, customers have benefited from an increased choice of devices and capabilities. A lack of standards, however, has kept some of these devices out of reach. In addition to limiting customer choice, this standards deficiency increases integration costs for solution providers and manufacturers.

More importantly, it results in opportunity costs that lead to reduced innovation as Video Management System (VMS) vendors waste research and development dollars on integration activity instead of focusing efforts on new functionality.

The good news is that the video security industry is finally responding and a few attempts at standardization are underway. One such effort is the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA), a group of leading physical security industry and IT manufacturers, system integrators and distributors that has come together to promote the interoperability of IP-enabled security devices, and is currently focused on several initiatives. This article will focus on the standards requirements for adding, configuring and managing IP cameras and encoders, hereafter referred to simply as an IP media device or IP camera.

Next: The move to IP video