VCA taps DaVinci tech for video analytics solution

VCA Technology has developed the first version of its video analytics software suite, VCAsys, specifically for digital media processors based on DaVinci technology from Texas Instruments Inc. One reason for this is that the digital media processors based on DaVinci technology have emerged as technology of choice for video analytics, in which video images are evaluated in real time for events of interest. Thanks to the DaVinci digital media processors, affordable analytics can run on a board half the size of a business card, yet ample resources are available for other system operations and applications.

According to VCA, VCAsys software running on a DaVinci processor turns a video camera into an intelligent, information-gathering device. Cameras equipped in this way can perform intelligent analysis of motion with application areas including intrusion detection, vehicle monitoring, abandoned-object detection, people counting, and loitering detection, as well as camera tampering and failure detection.

Unique feature
At the heart of VCAsys is a unique tracking engine which eliminates the complicated setup associated with other video-analytics software, which can have as many as 100 algorithm setup parameters for aspects such as digital filters or adjusting for various lighting conditions. In contrast, VCAsys has no algorithm parameters; instead, it automatically adjusts to the conditions it encounters. This not only eases the job of integrating the software into IP cameras, it is now possible for untrained personnel or even someone at home to easily set up a surveillance system.

In configuring the first hardware platform for the software, VCA wanted a single-chip solution to keep size and costs down. Thus, VCA selected TI's TMS320DM6446 digital media processor, which is for IP cameras in several ways. First, with its DSP, this SoC chip supplies the computational resources needed to execute high-level algorithms such as H.264 video compression plus video analytics. Second, its ARM processor supports Linux, which runs a web server for remote camera operation. Customers can also create their own Linux applications for product differentiation and added value.

Moreover, like many of the digital media processors based on DaVinci technology, the DM6446 supplies a wide range of I/O peripherals such as Ethernet, USB, SD and serial ports, so it becomes easy to add features.