Vue d'ensemble

Smartphone used as a video channel

Traditionally, the surveillance system consists of the VMS and the cameras that are mounted onto some surfaces, such as bullets, domes, PTZ, etc. However, ACTi's NVR 3 and CMS 2 also support Smartphones as being the video inputs for the VMS, just like the conventional surveillance cameras. The camera of the Smartphone captures the video which is transmitted to the VMS realtime. The video stream will be part of the VMS layouts and will be recorded just like any other video channel.

Two roles of the Smartphone

While having the ACTi mobile client app installed for either Android or iOS, the smartphone can be used either as the surveillance camera or as the remote on-the-go VMS client, monitoring the situation conveniently.

How does it work?

You can use the regular video channel license of the NVR 3 to reserve the channel for the Smartphone as a camera. When setting up the channel, the VMS will know the type of input is the smartphone. When the smartphone comes online and starts streaming, the NVR will be ready to receive the stream and record it.

Applications

Smartphones can be used as channels when the security solution also includes the security personnel with the duties of going around the premises, either for the regular patrol or for responding to the incidents. The security officers would carry the Smartphone containing ACTi Mobile Client app. That app can be used for remote monitoring, but can also be used as the video channel. When the officer is seeing something that has to be recorded immediately, such as the ongoing incident, then the smartphone in the hands of the officers will become a surveillance camera. As the video is streamed to the VMS, all the other officers will also see the live footage of the incident at the same time.

Solutions

The "Smartphones as Channels" solution works with all ACTi's Windows-based NVR servers, including software NVR (NVR 3 Corporate), and the standalone NVR servers, such as INR-series or GNR-series.

The app ACTi Mobile Client can be downloaded from the app stores for Android or iOS for free.