Nextiva Edge Device Parameters Configuring Video Encoders, Decoders, and Cameras for Optimal Video System Performance VERINT SYSTEMS INC.
Table of Contents Preface ....................................................................................................... 1 Video Encoder Settings.................................................................................. 3 Target Bit Rate ................................................................................................................... 3 Target Frame Rate ..............................................................................................................
Saturation ........................................................................................................................10 Hue .................................................................................................................................10 Video Sensor Settings ................................................................................. 11 Sensor Type: Interlaced and Progressive Scan .......................................................................11 Sensor Preset..
Preface This document provides information you can use to get optimal performance from Nextiva video encoders, decoders, and cameras. While many of the default parameters for Nextiva edge devices are suitable for most applications, knowing how to fine-tune these settings can help make deployment and operation of video surveillance solutions faster, easier, and more effective. For your reference, a table on the next page briefly describes each offering in the Nextiva edge device portfolio.
Nextiva Intelligent Edge Devices SINGLE-PORT ENCODERS AND DECODERS S1900e Compact, high-resolution encoder with on-board analytics capability S1950e Compact, high-resolution encoder for affordable CCTV migration to enterprise IP networks S1970e DVD-quality encoder for optimal image quality, with optional Power over Ethernet S1970e-R Compact decoder for delivering DVD-quality video to analog monitors, with single, quad, or guard tour display MULTI-PORT ENCODERS S1704e 4-port encoder with 4CIF/30fps
Video Encoder Settings Target Bit Rate The Target Bit Rate is the maximum number of bits per second generated by the device. It is calculated over an average of 5 seconds, so it is possible to see some peaks if you look at the target over a period of 1 second or less. You should set the Target Bit Rate to fit your storage requirements and network settings. If the amount of motion is low, the encoder could generate fewer bits than the target, which could lead to long-term storage under the target.
4CIF is the highest resolution, providing the maximum level of detail and resulting in the crispest, clearest images. For NTSC and PAL images that come from an interlaced source, the QCIF, CIF, and 2CIF resolutions will use only one of the two fields from a typical video signal, avoiding potential artifacts that result from interlacing. See the table below for the number of columns and lines for each resolution.
Compression Mode This setting controls the algorithm that is used to compress the video before sending it over the network. You can choose among the following compression modes: • SM4: This is a proprietary compression standard developed by Verint and based on MPEG-4. It is as good as MPEG-4 in terms of quality and efficiency, and it is a bit more computing efficient, so use it if you cannot sustain 30 fps with MPEG-4.
Rate Control Mode The Rate Control Mode helps determine the video quality produced by the encoder. The Verint Rate Control Mode, along with the Target Bit Rate, Target Frame Rate, and Minimum and Maximum Quantizers provide maximum flexibility in configuring Nextiva encoders. • The default value, which is most frequently used, is CBR. In this mode, the encoder will do everything to keep the bit rate equal or under the target.
Intra Interval This is the interval, in frames, at which the encoder will send an I-Frame (Key Frame). I-Frames require significantly more memory than their counterparts — P-Frames — so lowering this value can increase the bit rate or lower the video quality. On the other hand, I-Frames are necessary to resynchronize the output video when searching for a specific video event. Generally, a value between 30 and 120 should be appropriate.
Initial Streaming and Current Streaming States These two parameters control the static (non-volatile) streaming state of the encoder, both actual and after boot-up. • The Current Streaming State controls whether the encoder is actually encoding and sending video over the network. The stream controlled by this parameter is always non-volatile. (Volatile streams cannot be seen or controlled in the CLI.
Video Input Settings Video Standard This is the video standard of the input video, which can be either NTSC or PAL. Generally, the NTSC standard is used in North America, and the PAL standard is used in Europe and Asia. This setting will affect both the video resolution and the frame rate. Modifying the video standard requires a reboot of the encoder to take effect. Horizontal Position Use this setting to apply a horizontal translation to the video.
Brightness For a brighter (whiter) signal, increase the Brightness. Decreasing it can help reduce storage requirements. Contrast This setting allows you to increase or decrease image contrast. Increasing it makes whites whiter and blacks blacker. Decreasing it can help reduce storage requirements. Saturation Use this setting to increase or decrease the color intensity of images. Increase it for a wider range of colors in the image. Decreasing it can help reduce storage requirements.
Video Sensor Settings Sensor Type: Interlaced and Progressive Scan There are two ways to read image information from a camera sensor: interlaced scanning and progressive scanning. Which to select depends on the purpose of the video system and whether the video will be played back on analog monitors or on computer monitors. • Use Interlaced Scan if the video is compressed at 30 fps and will be displayed on an analog monitor. This will result in fluid video at 60 fields per second.
set the Lens Type to Auto-Iris (DC). (See Lens Type below.) NOTE: This setting will result in a low level of dynamic range. White Balance Bias White Balance allows for the adjustment of the relative amounts of red, green, and blue in an image, such that neutral colors are reproduced more accurately. White Balance changes the overall mixture of colors to render colors and whites as true as possible.
Metering Zone The Metering Zone adjustment forces the IP camera to use the brightness level in a specific area of an image to determine the appropriate exposure. Exposure, defined as the amount of light the sensor gets, will determine the brightness of captured video. If images are too dark, try adjusting the Metering Zone, which has two settings: Normal, for most lighting conditions, and Backlight, for when objects are illuminated from the back.
Gamma Adjustment (Gamma Mode and Gamma Manual Value) Gamma Adjustment is used to code and decode luminosity information in video and controls the overall brightness and color component ratio of an image. It compensates for the nonlinear tonal reproduction of intensity and colors of output devices such as monitors. To adjust overall brightness, you can also introduce a signal gain using the Gamma Mode. The available modes: • Auto: The camera automatically chooses the best gamma setting.
important to note that a longer exposure time will introduce visual artifacts to images of moving objects: Movement may not be captured as clearly, and colors might appear washed out. Day/Night Settings Day/Night Settings are only available on the S2610e and S2610e-AS. The Day/Night function switches the camera between day and night modes according to the brightness level in a scene.
Video Decoder and Display Settings This section outlines settings available on the video receiving side, including decoding, postprocessing, and rendering (display). The settings for streaming states are the same as they are for the encoder. (See Initial Streaming and Current Streaming States on page 8.) Deblocking Filter The deblocking filter attempts to reduce the blocky artifacts present at the edge of blocks (8 x 8 pixels) and created by the DCT/Quantization compression process in the encoder.
