Commitment to IP Video

In 2001 Brussels International Airport was a pioneer of IP Video when it installed what was then the largest networked video CCTV system in Europe. Based on IndigoVisions IP Video technology the 700+ camera system was installed using their existing LAN and interfaced to the Airport Management System. One of the main reasons for choosing an IP Video solution from IndigoVision was its flexibility and scalability which would accommodate the Airports growth plans and allow a smooth migration path to newer technology in the future.

Six years on Brussels Airport is benefiting from their early decision to deploy IP Video by upgrading their current IndigoVision 6000 series technology with the latest series 8000 MPEG-4 product. As well as providing DVD quality video the 8000 series will give Brussels Airport access to real time analytics.

The CCTV system operates over the whole 3,706 acre site of the airport and provides surveillance footage for many departments, including police, fire service, customs, baggage handling and airport operations, via PC workstations or one of 150 video monitors located around the airport. When it was first installed the existing investment in analogue technology was not discarded, with many of the cameras and much of the control room equipment being re-used.

One of the major benefits of the upgrade will be the ability to deploy real time analytics. Real time analytics are run at the edge of the network, i.e. at the camera within the 8000 transmitter/receiver units, making the solution totally scalable. CCTV operators around the airport will be able to detect events as they happen such as congestion, stolen objects, cars parked too long outside a building or people moving the wrong way through security checkpoints. Pre-determined events are identified as they happen, at any camera, and can drive the virtual matrix, e.g. display a salvo on a bank of monitors.