English
Polski
Česky
Deutsch
Irish
Magyar
Português
Română
Slovenský
Library archives.
The information contained herein may be outdated.
Digifort software developed for managing and integrating IP cameras, as well as for recording the video data, is offered in four versions: Explorer, Standard, Professional, Enterprise. They differ in the maximum number of cameras and the set of available functions. Each version can be expanded by buying additional licenses. The differences between the versions are tabulated in the following sections:
Digifort ver. 6.4 (February 2011)
| Feature | Explorer | Standard | Professional | Enterprise |
| Architecture and Main Features | ||||
| System architecture | Client / Server | Client / Server | Client / Server | Client / Server |
| Number of cameras | 4 to 16 (by packs) | 4 to 32 (by packs) | 8 to 64 (by packs) | 8 to unlimited (by packs) |
| Expansion of camera number by packs (Licenses) | Yes (up to 16) | Yes (up to 32) | Yes (up to 64) | Yes (unlimited) |
| Speed of recording and live monitoring | Up to 30FPS per camera | Up to 30FPS per camera | Up to 30FPS per camera | Up to 30 fps per camera |
| Support for IP cameras and video servers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support for alarm boards | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of alarm boards | 0 | 1 | 1 to 6 (by licenses) | 1 to unlimited (by licenses) |
| Multitasking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote access to servers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video compression formats | MPEG-4 / MJPEG / Wavelet / H.263 / H.264 | MPEG-4 / MJPEG / Wavelet / H.263 / H.264 | MPEG-4 / MJPEG / Wavelet / H.263 / H.264 | MPEG-4 / MJPEG / Wavelet / H.263 / H.264 |
| Support for multi-processor platforms | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IP filters | No | No | No | Yes |
| Server activity log | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Event log | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support for DNS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7 |
| Sophisticated user rights system | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extensive array of features for users | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Limit of connections to the server | No | No | No | No |
| Supported image resolutions | Any resolution (depends on the camera) | Any resolution (depends on the camera) | Any resolution (depends on the camera) | Any resolution (depends on the camera) |
| Privacy masking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Searching recorded video by time bar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video control and processing | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| User profiles for live monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support for multiple users | Yes (up to 4 different users) | Yes (up to 8 different users) | Yes (up to 16 different users) | Yes (unlimited number of users) |
| Integration with Digifort Evidence | No | No | Yes | Yes |
System architecture defines the system operating mode. Local system architectures don't allow remote connection for video monitoring and management, that is, all of the system's operations are limited to only one computer that must work in stand-alone mode. Client/Server system architectures allow clients to connect to servers by some physical means, using TCP/IP communication (Internet, local networks, metropolitan networks), therefore, these architectures are much more flexible and offer the best functionality.
Number of cameras. This item defines the maximum number of cameras which can be supported by the system.
- Digifort Explorer has native support for 4 cameras and allows to expand the number to up to 16 by pack-type licenses. These software versions are recommended for small, low-cost installations.
- Digifort Standard has native support for 4 cameras and allows to expand the number to up to 32 by pack-type licenses. These software versions are recommended for small and medium-sized installations which need basic features.
- Digifort Professional has native support for 8 cameras and allows to expand the number to up to 64 by pack-type licenses. These software versions are recommended for any installation from medium to large-sized, which needs a full-featured video surveillance system offering multiple security options and tools for live monitoring, archiving, and playing back archives.
- Digifort Enterprise has native support for 8 cameras and can be expanded to any number of them by pack licenses. It's important to point out that this software version doesn't limit the maximum number of cameras, which depends only on the processing power of the computer running the software. During tests carried out in our laboratories we were able to integrate 150 cameras, using a computer equipped with 2 x 3GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon Processor, 512 MB RAM memory and high-performance SCSI HDD. These software versions are recommended for any type of installation, from medium to large-sized, which needs a complete camera management system with powerful tools for administration, monitoring, archiving, video reproduction, access control.
Expansion of camera number by packs (Licenses). Each version (Base License) supports a certain number of cameras. The systems based on the versions can be expanded by next cameras by means of license packs that must be acquired separately.
- Digifort Explorer has native support for 4 cameras and optional expansion packs allowing to reach up to 16 cameras.
- Digifort Standard has native support for 4 cameras and optional expansion packs allowing to reach up to 32 cameras.
- Digifort Professional has native support for 8 cameras and optional expansion packs allowing to reach up to 64 cameras.
- Digifort Enterprise has native support for 8 cameras and optional expansion packs allowing to reach any number of cameras. It's important to point out that this software version doesn't limit the maximum number of cameras, which depends only on the processing power of the computer running the software. During tests carried out in our laboratories we were able to integrate 150 cameras, using a computer equipped with 2 x 3GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon Processor, 512 MB RAM memory and high-performance SCSI HDD.
Speed of recording and live monitoring. All of the systems support identical speeds of recording and live monitoring, being able to ensure smooth video at up to 30 frames per second in any image quality. However, the actual frame rate in any channel depends on the system components, such as the type of the camera, video server, computing power, transmission parameters (local network, Internet...).
Support for IP cameras and video servers. Digifort meets the needs of the growing IP CCTV market. As such, it works with IP cameras (digital cameras - with built-in web servers) and video servers cooperating with analog cameras.
Support for alarm boards. To meet the growing demands for complete security solutions, Digifort has implemented support for alarm devices.An alarm device is basically an alarm board connected via the network (using RJ-45 port and communicating through TCP/IP), equipped with alarm inputs and outputs that can be read and activated by the Digifort system.An intelligent security system relies on various alarm devices and cameras responding to events, all of which are centrally controlled by the Digifort System.
- The Digifort Explorer and Digifort Standard versions don't offer support for alarm systems, however the latter version can cooperate with one alarm device.
- The Digifort Professional software offers support for up to 6 alarm boards that can have any number of inputs/outputs (per board).
- The Digifort Enterprise software offers support for an unlimited number of alarm boards that can have any number of inputs/outputs.
Number of alarm boards. Digifort Explorer does not offer support for alarm devices.
Digifort Standard can support one alarm device.
The Digifort Professional software offers support for up to 6 alarm boards that can have any number of inputs/outputs (per board).
The Digifort Enterprise software offers support for an unlimited number of alarm boards that can have any number of inputs/outputs.
Similarly to expanding the number of cameras, in the case of Digifort Professional and Digifort Enterprise versions the user can increase the number of alarm boards (from the one basic) by acquiring pack licenses.
Digifort Standard can support one alarm device.
The Digifort Professional software offers support for up to 6 alarm boards that can have any number of inputs/outputs (per board).
The Digifort Enterprise software offers support for an unlimited number of alarm boards that can have any number of inputs/outputs.
Similarly to expanding the number of cameras, in the case of Digifort Professional and Digifort Enterprise versions the user can increase the number of alarm boards (from the one basic) by acquiring pack licenses.
Multitasking. All of the systems were carefully developed thinking of multitasking, that is, the ability to execute various tasks at the same time, such as: video playback, patrolling, checking for events, system configuration and real-time video monitoring. Digifort was designed to have a solid structure that supports multitasking with a maximum performance.
Remote access to servers. This feature is available only for systems with Client/Server architecture. With this feature, users will be able to connect to the server of the system from any computer in the network or via the Internet. The Professional and Enterprise versions have no limits on the number of users logged into the system.
Video compression formats. The Digifort software is compatible with cameras that provide digital video streams in MJPEG and WAVELET compression. The recording of such video data streams is performed in their native formats. The software also supports more effective MPEG-4, H.263 and H.264 compression protocols.
Support for multi-processor platforms. The Digifort software has been developed to use the advantage of multi-threading environments that balance the load of the processors, so it is capable of handling multiple simultaneous tasks such as recording of images from all cameras, playing back archive video, patrolling an assigned area or route, managing connections of users. Multi-threading environments make use of the processing power of multi-core processors, dividing the tasks among the cores and optimizing the performance of the system.
IP filters. The IP filter feature allows the administrator to define lists of IP addresses that are authorized or unauthorized to access the Digifort server. It is possible to block any external access to the server, limiting it only to the local network, or even to allow access only for selected stations (clients) in the local network.
Server activity log. This log allows the server to register all activities occurring in the system, such as every attempt to access the server, activities of users, sent e-mails or system errors. This feature is essential for auditing, as it provides a record of all actions of system users, even registering which camera was monitored, along with date, time, and IP address.
Event log. This log allows the system to register all events occurring in the system, as well as actions executed by the server in response to a given event. The registered events can be of the following types: Communication Failure, Recording Failure, Manual Event, Movement Detection, Timer Event, Alarm Input.
Support for DNS. Digifort clients have the ability to connect to the servers using names instead of IP addresses. Both the administrator and client can connect to the server using its network name.
Platform. All versions of the software have been developed for the Microsoft Windows platform. Digifort works with Microsoft Windows XP/2003/Vista/7.
Sophisticated user rights system. The Digifort software provides a flexible system of access rights for all users, which allows the system administrator to define the rights individually for each user, independently to the server and cameras. The Digifort software goes beyond the system of rights adopted by other surveillance suits that implement hierarchical concepts. The software allows individual rights that depend only on the administrator.
Extensive array of features for users. Digifort systems have a rich set of features for users, which allows each system administrator to define a subset of monitoring features for the user at a monitoring station. The administrator can block the client workstation, disable Windows' shortcut keys (CTRL + ESC, CTRL + ALT + DEL, ALT + TAB, etc.), making it impossible for the user to leave the monitoring client.
Limit of connections to the server. A limit of connections to the server specifies the number of simultaneous connections manageable by the server. To make this clear, when a user accesses the server via administration client, it means 1 connection with the server. If a user connects to the server as monitoring client, it means he uses more connections with the server, for the client administration and for the reproduction of video via the client; additionally each camera that is being monitored via the monitoring client uses 1 connection. For example, when a user connects via monitoring client and is simultaneously displaying video from 4 cameras, he uses 5 connections with the server.
All Digifort versions have the ability to manage any number of connections. During laboratory tests we were able to reach 2000 connections, using Pentium IV 3.06 GHz with HT (load of 50%).
All Digifort versions have the ability to manage any number of connections. During laboratory tests we were able to reach 2000 connections, using Pentium IV 3.06 GHz with HT (load of 50%).
Supported image resolutions. Digifort is capable of recording and showing images in any resolution, that is, it depends on the model of camera or video server used.
Privacy masking. Privacy masking feature allows to hide certain areas of the image behind a "black box" so that the operator cannot view them (it usually is implemented with fixed cameras).
Searching recorded video by time bar. The Digifort player uses a time bar, which allows the user to look through entire video recordings. With the right button of the mouse the user can select any part of the recording for export.
Video control and processing. The higher versions of Digifort software offer a wide range of video adjustments and image processing, such as contrast, brightness, color saturation, RGB correction, image flip, video inversion, etc.
User profiles for live monitoring. Digifort supports user profiles for live monitoring, where each user can have a distinct configuration of the monitoring environment. Each user can position the cameras on the screen and save a number of such layouts, which can be restored after another logging-in to the system. This concept is especially useful for larger systems with many cameras. The cameras can be grouped according to the tasks or preferences of each user.
Support for multiple users. Client / Server systems allow for registering a definite (Explorer, Standard, Professional versions) or unlimited (Enterprise version) number of users who will carry out their tasks. These users can have individual rights defining their levels of access to the server and cameras. The users can be connected locally or remotely via the Internet.
Integration with Digifort Evidence. Digifort Evidence allows for archiving events with associated videos and images.
