As you are ready to invest in CCTV kind of system for 40 cameras, going for IP cameras is more cost effective and better solution. IP cameras are cost effective over CCTV for cameras more than 20 number. (I do not remember the source of this information but it was some engineering magazine)
# Advantages of IP cameras over Analog cameras and CCTV
01. DVR is propritory need to pay very high amount for the storage in future if image storage demand increases cost of DVRs is very high.
in IP cameras you may use genric opne storage available from Dell or HP
02. Need to run Coax cable for camera and power cable seperately. May use IP cameras with POE. (cost of camera would be about 20% higher than the Anaglog CCTV compatible cameras)
03. May leverage existing network infrastructure for the network cables and Ethernet Ports.
04. Video survilance softwares have Activex components or SDK to develop activex components. You may embed these Activex Components in existing HMI at various plance in Plant to have same front end for Plant control as well as Video Survilance.
For using IP cameras you may use following :
01. Some Video Surivlance software like Stanley Intivid VIP or Genetech. (
http://www.intivid.com/MainFrame.aspx)
- Must have SDK availabe for the image click or Activex components for use in custom programs.
- IP Cameras need to be configured at this Video Survialnce software.
- Images and videos can be stored at local workstation or networked workstation.
02. IP Cameras
-May use Axis as they are cheap with good image specifiacations or may use Bosch, Pelco, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba. (
http://www.axis.com/products/video/camera/index.htm)
03. PLC with OPC / DDE server and its activex or SDK
- May use any Rockwell Automation PLC, RSLinx has SDK availabe for data transfer to custom programs( say custom program is developped in VB)
04. Custom progam
- May write in VB or C++ .NET or C# .NET
This program need call Activex components of the Video Survilacne software. This activex componet need to triggerd for Image capture or Video capture start-stop as per value in PLC register read thru OPC or DDE.
Good Luck!
Thanks
- Makarand