Sony delivers an IP based monitoring solution for a modern age

Sony announced its unique Distributed Enhanced Processing Architecture (DEPA) technology platform, which enables companies to deploy high performance IP monitoring networks without overloading existing IT infrastructure.

With security threats still high on the European agenda, organisations need solutions that employ more streamlined and robust workflows to mitigate risks and enhance public safety. Analogue CCTV systems provide control rooms with additional ‘eyes’, but they do not proactively alert staff to potential threats. As a leader in video over the network, Sony has leveraged its unparalleled expertise to build new surveillance technologies that are underpinned by a revolutionary workflow that helps address the serious security challenges facing organisations today. Initially, this led to the creation of a new generation of intelligent security cameras that can detect potential threats.

Today, the intelligent camera concept has been extended within a new architecture that supports a more logical and robust workflow – the Distributed Enhanced Processing Architecture (DEPA) technology platform. DEPA supports Sony’s intelligent cameras and also encapsulates Sony’s award-winning IP monitoring and management software, RealShot Manager. The latest version of this application is also DEPA enabled and when used in conjunction with DEPA enabled intelligent cameras can deliver a precise, real-time and co-ordinate based view of a potential threat in the camera’s field of view.

“The DEPA platform is the next leap forward in the evolution of IP-based monitoring systems. First, Sony delivered intelligent cameras, now we’re completing our offer with the delivery of a comprehensive technical platform that underpins a rapid and proactive end-to-end security solution. Rather than just passively observing potential threats, DEPA enables monitoring systems to take action independent of people,” explained Simon Nash, European Product Manager of Sony Network Video Monitoring.

The DEPA platform offers many significant benefits. Most of the pre-processing of data takes place in camera, which reduces network communications and bandwidth requirements. By focusing on in camera processing, the DEPA platform also minimises storage requirements for IT managers. Whereas competitor products process video on central servers, Sony cameras do much of the image processing work within the device. This ensures only real events are recorded and significantly reduces storage requirements.

Finally, because bandwidth requirements are lower for a DEPA-enabled surveillance system and storage requirements are consequently small, which leads to faster searches of video material and ensures optimal picture quality.

With its added image processing capabilities, false alarms caused by environmental noise (such as trees rustling) can be minimised and abandoned objects can be identified based on metadata generated by the camera – these two features are known as Intelligent Motion Detection and Intelligent Object Detection.