Nx Witness

Nx Witness v5.1

Nx Witness VMS is a lightning fast, easy to use, cross-platform IP video management system/video surveillance software designed to discover, view, record, manage IP video cameras so you can monitor analyse & react to critical events in real time.

The Nx Server application is a lightweight, powerful media server responsible for discovering, connecting to, and managing system devices and data.


Advanced Object Analytics

Nx Witness offers a variety of video analytics capabilities that can be used to detect and track objects of interest over time, and that indicate the presence of events or suspect behavior involving these objects. These capabilities include:

  • Advanced Object Search: This feature, available in Nx Witness VMS v5, provides a standardised, fast, and easy-to-use method of searching video for objects of interest. It allows users to search for objects based on a variety of criteria, including object type (i.e. person, animal or vehicle), colour, size, and direction of movement. This feature can be used to quickly locate specific objects within a large video archive, making it easier to investigate events or incidents involving those objects.
  • In-Camera Analytics: Nx Witness supports a variety of in-camera analytics features, from manufacturers including AXIS and Hanwha, that integrate seamlessly with the system. These features include people counting, tampering detection, fog detection, defocus detection, and queue management. In-camera analytics can be used to detect and track objects in real-time, providing instant alerts when certain events or behaviors are detected.
  • Third-Party Video Analytics: Nx Witness can also integrate with third-party video analytics solutions, such as Ultinous and Graymatics, to provide additional video analytics capabilities. These solutions use AI-powered video analytics to detect and track objects, and can be used to identify specific events or behaviors involving those objects.
  • Object Detection & Tracking: Nx Witness provides tools for implementing object detection and tracking within the system. This feature allows users to detect and track objects within the video stream, and can be used to trigger events or alerts based on the presence or movement of those objects.

Overall, the video analytics capabilities of Nx Witness provide a powerful way to detect and track objects of interest over time, and to identify events or suspect behavior involving those objects. By leveraging these capabilities, end-users and customers can create a more powerful and customized video surveillance solution that meets their specific needs.


Advanced Object Search

The Advanced Object Search feature of the Nx Witness VMS is a powerful tool that revolutionizes how end-users, particularly those managing 10 to 100 IP video surveillance cameras, interact with their video archives. The feature, part of the Nx Witness VMS suite, allows users to conduct detailed searches using object metadata from a pop-out window. This innovative design means operators can maintain a live video view while simultaneously conducting in-depth searches, significantly enhancing efficiency.

Integrated into the feature is a unique object database where detected objects from any object-based video analytic are imported and indexed. This facilitates rapid retrieval of associated footage, further streamlining the search process. Additionally, Nx Witness VMS offers native support for in-camera analytics from industry-leading manufacturers such as AXIS, Bosch (Flexidome & Flexidome Panoramic), Hanwha, and Vivotek.

The Advanced Object Search is a pop-out window, allowing simultaneous live video viewing and searches. It integrates a unique object database for rapid retrieval of associated footage. Nx Witness VMS offers native support for in-camera analytics from leading manufacturers.

In essence, the Advanced Object Search provides a standardized method for searching videos across all object-based analytics integrated with Powered by Nx products. It simplifies and accelerates the process of creating system automations and searching video archives using object metadata, making it an indispensable tool for end-users managing multiple IP video surveillance cameras.


AXIS ACAP + VAPIX In-Camera Analytics

Nx Witness supports analytics built with the AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) via the AXIS VAPIX API including:

  • AXIS People Counter
  • AXIS P8815-2 3D People Counter
  • AXIS Queue Monitor
  • AXIS Perimeter Defender
  • AXIS Loitering Guard
  • AXIS Object Analytics
  • AXIS Fence Guard

And dozens of additional AXIS ACAP Applications.

NX Witness logo

Hanwha Wisenet In-Camera Analytics

Hanwha Wisenet cameras include a suite of powerful, easy-to-use video analytics features that integrate seamlessy with Nx Witness, including:

  • Appear/Disappear
  • Loitering
  • Enter/Exit
  • Intrusion
  • Face Detection
  • Audio Classification

Nx Witness Open API

The Nx Witness Open API provides developers with a framework to create applications for video surveillance management. Here’s how it works:

  • API Access: Developers can access Nx Witness’s video surveillance data, including live video streams, recorded footage, and system metadata, through the Open API.
  • Integration: The API allows developers to integrate video surveillance functionality into their own applications or systems. This can include customizing user interfaces, automating tasks, or creating entirely new features.
  • Control: Developers can control and manage cameras, recording, and playback functions programmatically. This enables the creation of applications that can interact with cameras, trigger recordings, or retrieve specific video segments.
  • Event Handling: The API provides access to real-time event data, such as motion detection or alarms. Developers can use this information to build applications that respond to specific events, like sending notifications or initiating predefined actions.
  • Scalability: Nx Witness is designed to support large-scale deployments, and the Open API allows developers to create solutions that can scale accordingly. This is crucial for managing extensive video surveillance systems.
  • Security: Security is a paramount concern in video surveillance. Developers can use the API to implement their own security measures or integrate with existing security systems to ensure data protection.
  • Customisation: With the Open API, developers have the flexibility to tailor video surveillance solutions to specific use cases. This can range from building mobile apps for remote monitoring to creating specialized analytics tools.

In summary, the Nx Witness Open API empowers developers to build customized video surveillance management applications by providing access to video data, control over surveillance components, event handling capabilities, scalability, security options, and the ability to customize solutions to meet specific needs.


Camera Replacement

The NX Witness camera replacement function allows users to easily swap out an existing camera with a new one without having to reconfigure all the settings. When a camera needs replacement—due to malfunction, upgrades, or other reasons—the system can transfer the configurations of the old camera to the new one, minimizing downtime and manual effort. This feature essentially streamlines the management of IP video surveillance, making it far easier to maintain camera networks by copying settings like recording schedules, motion detection zones, and user permissions.

For an end-user managing a moderate-sized network of 10 to 100 IP video surveillance cameras, this function can create significant efficiencies. Imagine having to manually reconfigure each new camera—each task could take a substantial amount of time and opens the door for potential errors. The replacement function reduces this labor and risk, allowing for quicker updates and scaling of the camera network. This saves both time and financial resources, as fewer man-hours are needed for system maintenance and more consistent settings across cameras can improve the overall reliability and functionality of the surveillance system.


Cross-System Layouts

NX Witness is a video management system designed to streamline the handling of IP video surveillance cameras. Cross-system layouts in NX Witness enable users to create custom views that can pull in live or recorded video feeds from multiple cameras, even if those cameras are part of different systems or locations. This centralization is particularly efficient for end-users who have 10 to 100 IP video surveillance cameras, as they don’t have to switch between different systems or interfaces to monitor all cameras. Everything can be viewed and controlled from a single dashboard, which reduces the time and effort needed to manage surveillance footage and allows for more effective real-time monitoring and faster decision-making.

The efficiencies are multi-fold. First, it cuts down on training time and costs since staff need to become proficient with only one system. Second, it aids in rapid response to security incidents by providing a unified view of all camera feeds. In scenarios that require immediate attention, having a streamlined, integrated interface can be crucial. For instance, in case of a security breach at one location, users can quickly assess the situation and simultaneously keep an eye on other sites to ensure there are no coordinated incidents. By reducing the complexity of handling multiple systems and interfaces, NX Witness’s cross-system layouts make it easier and more efficient for end-users to manage medium to large surveillance setups.


Cross Platform Support

Nx Witness supports all major operating systems – including Windows, Ubuntu Linux, Mac, and more.

  • Run Desktop & Server on all 64-bit Windows versions released in the last 10 years
  • Manage your system from Apple computers using Nx Witness Desktop for Mac OS
  • Utilise Nx Witness in virtualized environments with VMWare ESXi, Virtual Box, and more
  • Manage your system on-the-go with Nx Mobile for Android phones and tablets
  • Operate Nx Witness Desktop & Server on all 64-bit versions of Ubuntu OS from 16.04 LTS onward
  • Customize Nx Witness to run on embedded ARM devices like Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson
  • Deploy Nx Witness using its Docker container image for development and orchestration
  • Access & manage your system anywhere, anytime with Nx Mobile for iPhone & iPad

FAQs

How does the Smart Motion technology in Nx Witness enhance the efficiency of video search?

Smart Motion technology in Nx Witness significantly enhances the efficiency of video search by intelligently analyzing and categorizing motion events. Traditional video searches may require users to sift through hours of footage manually, but Smart Motion allows for quick and precise retrieval of relevant video clips. By focusing only on frames where motion occurs, the technology reduces the volume of data to be reviewed. This is particularly useful in scenarios where you’re looking for specific motion-based events, like someone entering a restricted area or a vehicle pulling into a parking lot.

Moreover, some implementations of Smart Motion technology offer the ability to fine-tune search parameters. This could include specifying the type of motion (e.g., human, vehicle), the area within the frame where motion occurred, and the time period for the search. These features make it possible to find the exact footage needed for incident verification or investigation in just a matter of seconds, thereby saving time and effort for security professionals.

Smart Motion technology not only enhances operational efficiency but also improves the speed and accuracy of security responses. By quickly isolating relevant events, security personnel can make more informed decisions in real-time scenarios.

What are the potential limitations or challenges of utilizing Smart Motion technology in Nx Witness?

Utilizing Smart Motion technology in Nx Witness comes with its own set of potential limitations or challenges that should be considered. One common limitation could be the system’s dependency on camera quality and positioning. If the cameras deployed are not of high resolution or are improperly positioned, the Smart Motion detection may produce false positives or miss relevant events altogether.

Another challenge could be computational load. Smart Motion technology, by its nature, requires more processing power to analyze and categorize motion in real-time. If your existing hardware isn’t robust enough, this could lead to system lag or reduced overall performance.

Also, while Smart Motion technology is designed to reduce the volume of data to be reviewed, it might not be as effective in highly dynamic environments with continuous motion. In such settings, the technology could still capture a large volume of data, requiring manual review to isolate specific incidents.

The fine-tuning of search parameters, although beneficial, can be a double-edged sword. Overly specific parameters might lead to missing crucial footage, whereas too broad parameters may result in an overwhelming amount of data to review.

Finally, as with any technology that involves analytical interpretation, there is always a margin for error. False positives or negatives may occur, and these can be critical depending on the security context in which the system is being used.

How does NX Witness integrate with other security systems?

Integration with other third-party systems including alarm & access control systems:

  • API: Using the Server API, developers have the ability to access nearly every feature available in the system’s thick client, including but not limited to:

    • query/manage system resources (servers, cameras, users)
    • manage users and permissions
    • pull live or recorded video out of the system
    • generate events
    • create rules
    • control PTZ cameras, and more

  • Metadata SDK: The Metadata SDK enables the integration of 3rd party video analytics systems and devices such as people and object recognition by supporting the exchange of metadata and events. Metadata SDK enables developers to create applications/plugins that take advantage of custom rules and events to fulfill a video analytics function. For a step-to-step guide on integrating a video analytics plugin, click on the link: https://support.networkoptix.com/hc/en-us/sections/360004090353-Integrating-Video-Analytics-Overview
  • Video Source SDK: The Video Source Integration SDK enables easy integration of any video source (live or archived) into the system. With the SDK, it’s possible to create a method for discovering, displaying, analyzing, and recording video from virtually any live or recorded video source – IP Cameras, encoders, NVR’s, DVR’s, and more. It also allows for the integration of device I/O’s (inputs & outputs) and motion detection metadata.
  • Storage SDK: The Storage SDK enables easy integration of any potential storage. Using the Storage SDK developers can read from or write to any storage location – locally available, remote storage, and even cloud servers. Creating a storage plugin requires implementing standard functions such as I/O stream, if files exist, delete files, list of files in the folder, etc. The Storage SDK also contains an example of using an FTP server as a storage location.
  • Input/Output Controls: NX Witness often has built-in I/O (Input/Output) ports that can be programmed to send signals to or receive signals from other devices. For instance, an access control system could send a signal to NX Witness to start recording when a door is opened.
  • Third-Party Plugins: Some third-party companies develop plugins that can be installed into NX Witness to provide out-of-the-box integration options. These plugins can extend the VMS capabilities to interact seamlessly with alarms, door controls, and other security systems.
  • Direct Integration: Some alarm and access control systems come with native support for NX Witness and can be directly configured within the NX Witness interface.
  • MQTT Protocol: MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is another communication protocol that is often supported by security systems. NX Witness can use MQTT to subscribe to messages from other systems, enabling a robust, real-time integration.

What are the security implications of running Nx Witness in a virtualized environment?

Running Nx Witness in a virtualized environment has both advantages and considerations when it comes to security. On the positive side, virtualization allows for quicker deployment of security updates and patches, centralized management, and easier backup and recovery processes. It can also make it easier to isolate different applications, potentially reducing the impact of a security breach on any single application.

However, there are also concerns. Virtualized environments are susceptible to their own set of vulnerabilities, such as hypervisor attacks. If the virtualization layer is compromised, all virtual machines (VMs) running on that host could be at risk. Additionally, running a security-critical application like a VMS in a shared environment with other applications could introduce potential attack vectors. Overprovisioning resources could also negatively impact the performance of the VMS, potentially leading to lapses in video recording or real-time monitoring.

To mitigate these risks, it’s important to harden the virtual environment against potential attacks, regularly update and patch both the host and guest systems, and carefully manage resources to ensure the VMS performs optimally.


Call us on 1300 556 334 or email sales@jdsecurity.com.au to learn more.

Customers in New Zealand call 0800 345 677 or email sales@jdsecurity.co.nz.

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