Overview
A branch of the Navy was facing a significant challenge: how to modernise the video surveillance system onboard one of its warships without incurring the massive costs and downtime associated with replacing its entire analogue camera infrastructure. The existing system, while robust, was outdated and incompatible with the Navy’s evolving need for IP-based video streaming and centralised monitoring.
The Challenge
The warship was equipped with a comprehensive network of analogue CCTV cameras used for internal security, operations monitoring, and safety. However, the Navy needed a solution that allowed these cameras to be streamed over an IP network for integration with newer monitoring and control systems both on the ship and remotely.
The cost and complexity of replacing all the analogue cameras with new IP models, especially in a military-grade environment, was deemed impractical. It would have required extensive rewiring, system redesign, and physical disruption to sensitive areas of the ship, such as drilling holes in the hull for access to cabling.
The Solution
Instead of stripping out the analogue infrastructure, the Navy implemented a modernisation solution using the ANT-36100 Video Encoder and ANT-35100 Video Decoder. These devices acted as a bridge between the analogue cameras and the digital IP network, converting video feeds into a streamable format compatible with modern video management systems (VMS).
Each analogue camera was connected to an encoder, which converted the analogue signal into an H.264/H.265 stream. On the receiving end, the ANT-35100 decoder allowed the Navy to display these IP streams on standard monitors or route them through their VMS.
Integrating Legacy PTZ Controls with ONVIF-to-Pelco D Conversion
A key advantage of the ANT-35100 Decoder in this naval deployment was its ability to convert ONVIF PTZ commands to Pelco D via RS485. Many of the ship’s legacy pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras used the Pelco D protocol, which is not natively compatible with modern IP-based systems.
By using the ANT-35100’s built-in ONVIF-to-Pelco D functionality, the Navy was able to:
Retain full PTZ control of their existing analogue cameras
Send control commands over IP from their Video Management System (VMS)
Avoid the need for separate protocol converters or manual control stations
This allowed seamless remote camera manipulation using modern software, with no sacrifice in functionality or responsiveness.
Key Benefits
- Massive Cost Savings: By retaining the analogue cameras and only upgrading the signal processing, the Navy avoided a full hardware overhaul—saving both time and money.
- Minimal Disruption: There was no need to strip out old systems or rewire the ship, which was critical in a secure and operational environment.
- Future-Proofing: The use of IP streaming via Antrica devices brought the old system in line with modern video standards, allowing for future integrations and expansions.
- Reliability: Antrica products are known for their robustness and reliability, both of which are vital in mission-critical environments like naval operations.
Results
The Navy successfully transitioned its surveillance operations to an IP-based infrastructure without compromising the integrity or functionality of its existing camera network. Our solution allowed the warship to benefit from modern video management capabilities while making full use of its legacy hardware.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates how Antrica’s high-performance video encoders and decoders, the ANT-36100 and ANT-35100 can offer military-grade solutions that blend innovation with cost-effectiveness. In an era of rapid technological change, Antrica provided a practical path to modernisation, without massive disruption or starting from scratch.
