It’s an elegant architecture that uniquely positions Dallmeier to take advantage of the new HD standards it seems will dominate the future. And of course, it’s a core architecture that puts Dallmeier in an excellent position. Instead of having to create technology to manage networked HD video, Dallmeier is already there.

For a start let’s take a look at the DDZ4010 HD high speed dome camera. The camera released at Security 2009 in Sydney was 720p (1080 is coming) and used a CMOS sensor deploying Cam_inPIX technology. Cam_inPIX is Dallmeier’s proprietary development of Pixim technology. The heart of Cam_inPIX is the ability to allow every pixel to function as a camera.

The result is monster dynamic range, clearer pictures and more detail in shaded and bright areas of a scene. As well as wide dynamic range, Cam_inPIX captures and processes the image data for each individual pixel at the point of capture to provide clear, high-contrast pictures without blooming or smearing.

Other core functions of the 4010HD include 10x optical zoom, 12x digital zoom, day/night operation, H.264 and MJPEG compression as well as simultaneous multi-streaming with selectable resolution, frame and bit rates. The camera can deliver usable images 2 lux in colour mode and 0.2 lux in black and white mode in the presence of 30IRE.

Connectivity is extensive. An RJ-45 port handles Ethernet and Fast Ethernet, the latter with PoE. Network protocols supported include Unicast, IPv4, TCP, HTTP, IGMP, DHCP, ARP, NTP, UDP and multicast UDP, RTP and RTCP. Onboard SD and USB ports provide local storage. You can view images use ftp or via email alerts.

The 4010HD has simultaneous tri-streaming: H.264 HD, H.264 SD, MJPEG HD and MJPEG SD. The unit’s frame rate is an awesome 50ips and a typical HD stream will use up about 6Mb/sec. Meanwhile, the HD fixed dome DDF4010HDV is PoE ready but it can be operated with both 12V DC and 24V AC power supply.

The camera has a tri-axial gimbal adjustment which allows for an easy and precise alignment of the camera. The image quality can be enhanced by means of numerous control functions such as AWB, AGC, BLC and slow shutter.

According to Dallmeier Electronic’s Frank Oetjen, HD is an important development and one that the company has been waiting for.

“A number of different resolution megapixel cameras have been around a while now but at Dallmeier we have been waiting for a reliable industry standard for high definition video – we think HD is the way forward,” he explains.

“Megapixel is a still photograph technology – we think HD is a superior solution for CCTV applications. With megapixel there is a lot of data created and you don’t really get 25 frames per second on typical network.”

According to Oetjen, HD H.264 is much more network-friendly than megapixel and that makes it a better option for real time video streams.

“At Dallmeier we are typically dealing with real time solutions – in such applications I think HD will be a real benefit and I think in the future it may be the only camera technology.”

Not surprisingly, it isn’t long before Oetjen starts talking about Dallmeier HD which is the platform on which the new 4010HD will form an integral part. It’s an important focus, especially for Dallmeier’s customers. If you really want to go HD, Dallmeier is offering an end-to-end solution that can actually handle the job.

“With HD you need a camera part, a recording part and a management part – three things – that’s where Dallmeier is coming from,” says Oetjen. “You need to approach HD from a system point of view. At Dallmeier we have avoided making compromises in frame rate and quality in order to go IP – we’ve stuck with a standard of 25 frames per second, full resolution.

“HD fits in perfectly with this philosophy,” he explains. “In our major systems these new HD cameras will simply link to the NSUs in the same way as our current IP range while Dallmeier’s SeMSy management system is fully upgradable to handle HD.”

There are plenty of people in the CCTV industry willing to make extravagant claims about the capability of HD and megapixel surveillance solutions that don’t translate onto networks in the real world. Dallmeier is different and does network video properly by using networks designed for video and manufacturing IP video gear designed for networks.

It would be possible to fob off observations like this were it not for the fact Dallmeier is kicking mighty goals in the benchmark IP video casino market. And because casino installs represent a huge investment Dallmeier has thought of its installed customer base, too.

“We have Casino applications which were hybrid analogue and then went full IP and with our new camera range will now go HD,” says Oetjen. “The Dallmeier system offers an easy migration path. You just take out the cameras, put in the HD cameras and that’s it.

“What this new HD PTZ means for Dallmeier’s customers is that we now have the first integrated HD video system offering cameras, recording and management.”

“With HD you need a camera part, a recording part and a management part – three things – that’s where Dallmeier is coming from”