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SISTORE CX is an intelligent video codec that functions as a video decoder and encoder at the same time. The device can transmit, record, evaluate and store high quality video data at the same time. SISTORE CX devices use IP networks for real time video transmission and have a web based status of monitoring and operating. The SISTORE CX models are produced and sold by Siemens Building Technologies Ltd.
The SISTORE CX codec can be the central component of a network video system, also known as Closed Circuit Television. These systems are used for video surveillance in public and private places. SISTORE CX systems are said to be easy to set up, configure and monitor. The SISTORE CX devices can be integrated into existing communication infrastructure and are compatible with other digital or analog components (Siemens, 2005b, slide 6).
The SISTORE CX codec is implemented in a system cameras and remote user interfaces, also called clients. The number of network components and SISTORE CX devices varies according to the size of the venue where CCTV system are installed. The number of SISTORE CX devices in a network of systems is limited to a number of twenty five. The number of SISTORE CX Clients in a network of systems, however, is unlimited. There can be up to five SISTORE CX Clients logged on simultaneously to the same SISTORE CX device. The highest possible number of live image playbacks at highest quality per device is eighteen (Siemens, 2005a, p. 26).
The SISTORE CX codec “enables video signals to be recorded on an internal hard drive and/or sent to other SISTORE CX devices via a network�? (Siemens, 2005a, p. 4). Network protocols used with this systems include TCP, IP, HTTP, IGMP, ICMP, ARP, DHCP, SNMP, SSH, FTP, SCP, UPnP, and CAP (ibid., p. 31). Recording can be event-triggered.
The centralized installation and configuration of the SISTORE CX system software follows a ‘plug ’n’ play’ model. It is accessible through the SISTORE CX homepage and can be installed on a computer with Windows as the operating system (Siemens 2005a, p. 35). The SISTORE CX software allows the user to create a list of SISTORE CX devices implemented in the system and set the operating mode for individual SISTORE CX devices (ibid., p. 43+54). Each SISTORE CX device can be identified through its particular IP address. The software also allows the user to change and adjust network settings and activate or deactivate individual SISTORE CX devices anytime. The user, however, has to have the permission to configure settings.
The chosen SISTORE CX devices are displayed in a tree view on the remote user interface. There are symbols used to indicate whether or not a device is online and whether or not users are logged on. The symbols also indicate the status of users, whether they have a configuration permission or not (Siemens, 2005a, p. 46).
Each SISTORE CX device has four video inputs and two video outputs. These are displayed in the tree view also. By using the SISTORE CX software, the authorized user can determine a cameras detection area (specific area in a video image) and the detection parameters or motion detection (sensitivity, object size and activation time) (Siemens, 2005a, p. 89). Since SISTORE CX devices are event-controlled recording systems, a ‘record on motion’ or ‘alarm’ can be configured also (ibid, p. 93). This includes movements within the set parameter either caused by distant objects or the camera itself. “[T]o determine whether a camera was moved or covered�? (ibid., p. 95), the authorized user can activate what is called tamper detection.
SISTORE CX systems have a web based operating status of monitoring (Siemens, 2005b, slide 13). Authorized users of the systems can log on to the multilingual SISTORE CX homepage and monitor the operation of individual systems from either local or global remote user interfaces.
Since SISTORE CX devices and the systems they are implemented in serve security at the places where they are installed, they have to be secure themselves. Security of the data is ensured by preventing unauthorized access to the systems (Flew, 2005, p. 201). For this purpose, the following security measures are put in place for SISTORE CX systems.
The SISTORE CX software runs with embedded systems. Additionally, there are firewalls and port IDs set up so that only predetermined data can enter the system. Tamper detection, video signal disruption alarm and temperature monitoring are further security measures. The access to SISTORE CX software can be password protected and individual user permission, either local or global, can be configured (Siemens, 2005a, p. 66f.). Also, there are hardware and software watchdogs set up that record any disruption in the proper operation of the SISTORE CX system. They restart the system automatically when needed. This way, gaps of data transmission of only about five minutes occur whereas without the watchdogs, the system would have to be reset manually and more data would be lost (Interview with Thomas Jende, August 18 2005).
According to the policies of individual SISTORE CX customers concerning the period of data storage, the time of how long data will be stored can vary from one day up to two years (Jende, 2005). For a more detailed discussion on privacy and social issues, see the current issues section of the Closed Circuit Television entry.
References
Jende, T. (2005, August 18) Employee of Siemens Building Technologies Ltd. [Interview]
Flew, T. (2005) New Media: An Introduction, 2nd ed., South Melbourne: Oxford University Press, ISBN: 0 19555041-2.
Siemens Building Technologies AG. 2005a. Sistore SX, Sistore CX, Configuration Manual, retrieved on August 5, 2005 from http://www.sibt.com/fs/content/20_20_50_20/downloads/Update_Intranet_CX_V1_5/SISTORE%20CX_SX/Configuration%20Manual/en/SISTORE_SXCX_Configuration_Manual_EN.pdf
Siemens Building Technologies AG. 2005b. Sistore CX ™. Intelligent digital video codec. Products for digital video solutions, retrieved on August 5, 2005 from www.sibt.com/fs/content/20_20_50_20/downloads/Update_Intranet_CX_V1_5/PPT/SISTORE_CX4_V1_5_en.zip
Internal Link
Closed Circuit Television
External Links
Digitalization
Siemens Products SISTORE CX
Contributor: Caroline Jende 22:14, 1 Sep 2005 (EST)
