Audio adds value to video surveillance systems
Using the audio capabilities of a video surveillance system provides invaluable possibilities for detecting and interpreting events and emergencies. When combined with video surveillance, audio adds another dimension of information for decision-making and has the potential to reinforce most existing video surveillance use cases. For example, security operators can get significantly better overviews of scene events when their video stream is complemented with audio event notifications.
Combine the system with network speakers, and you can easily communicate with visitors or issue warnings to intruders.
Audio input use cases
Audio capturing capability, either integrated and ready to use in a video camera or provided by an external microphone, enables various important use cases. With responsible and professional use of audio input, these use cases can provide critical value and several benefits.
Detect events
Provides valuable context and additional information to video footage. Using audio analytics on captured (but normally not recorded) audio data allows security personnel to get notified about audio events, such as screams, glass breakage, or alarms that may not be visible on the video feed.
Listen and assess
Makes it possible for security camera operators to listen to live audio feeds to identify unusual or suspicious sounds, which can prompt them to take immediate action if necessary.
Forensic audio capture
Where appropriate, capture and record audio for forensic use and answer questions such as “who said what” or “how many gunshots were fired”. Audio can serve as crucial evidence in investigations. It can capture conversations, threats, or other important information that may be relevant to solving crimes or identifying suspects.
Localize incidents
Determine where sound is coming from and automatically redirect a camera towards the source.
Smart cities sensor
Promote health and safety by monitoring sound pollution and tracking ominous activities such as aggressive behavior and distress calls.
Devices and technology for audio input connectivity
There are several ways to implement audio capture capabilities in a camera.
Integrated microphones
Cameras with integrated microphones enable audio capture without the need for any additional accessories.
Standalone microphones
Products with mic-in/line-in/digital-in allow for external microphones to be connected for optimal placement and tailored performance.
Connectivity hub
This device adds audio-in functionality to your system, including two-way communication capabilities and broad microphone compatibility. The connectivity hub has its own IP address and features several I/Os and ports to integrate various non-visual sensors.
Audio and I/O interface with portcast
Portcast technology is a unique Axis concept where an audio and I/O interface device is physically connected directly to the camera using a network cable. It can add two-way audio functionality to cameras that do not have audio support on their own. The portcast device uses the camera’s IP address and is controlled from the camera. This allows the camera to provide seemingly camera-integrated audio connectivity with audio and video in one stream over the network. Some portcast devices come with integrated microphones.
Edge-to-edge technology
Microphone pairing, using edge-to-edge technology, is possible if both devices are on the same network and have edge-to-edge support in their software. After pairing, the microphone’s audio settings can be controlled from the camera’s user interface, even if the camera did not originally support audio.
Laws and regulations
You can make a choice between capturing sounds and recording them. For many types of use cases, there’s no need to record audio to achieve the goal. Depending on local laws and regulations, there may be legal differences if audio is recorded or just captured. It’s the user of the products (typically the end customer) who is responsible for making sure that any surveillance is conducted in a compliant manner. Axis does not provide any legal advice here.
Audio in surveillance blog post
Read the latest audio in blog posts on Secure insights, highlighting the latest trends and thoughts from our experts. Listening in – why audio capture is the secret ingredient to effective surveillance.
Technical guide to network video
The Technical guide to network video provides a complete overview of network video surveillance. It explores recent development in areas such as thermal cameras, access control, network audio systems and analytic software.
White paper for a deeper understanding
Read the whitepaper and learn more about audio capturing capability, and how it can enable various important use cases.
Detect shouting with audio analytics
Use AXIS Audio Analytics and transform your audio input into actionable insight.