Monthly Archives: October 2010

A tale of POE woe….

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POE…..that magical ability to send power to a POE compatible device…

Pro’s? Saves cost on cable and requirement for local power……

Con’s? 90m maximum distance before repeaters required

But…there is a new Con…… ensure the POE Switch is acceptable for the POE devices you are installing

We hear of an installation where there are well known, reputable IP Megapixel cameras (fully POE compatible) all of which at under 90m cable distance……

Set up beforehand in their offices, this trusted and experienced installer are a rare breed that actually test the entire system before shipping to site…..a dry run of the installation if you like….

Take it to site and install and they find that when connecting more than 4 cameras on the POE Network Switch, only the first 4 appear……disconnecting the first 4 results in the next block of 4 appearing…..certainly proving that cables and cameras are fine, but the ‘juice’ from the POE Switch is just not delivering…

But the Switch is a 24 port HP Switch, offering 15w per output…the cameras are only 4w maximum…..

A quick email to the manufacturer (not in the UK !) results in an admission that the Switch in question, HP, has been known to throw this ‘oddity’ up before….apparently, the issue has been rectified in a newer Hardware version of the…..wait for it….IP Megapixel camera !!!! (hhhmm, where is the fault??)

These cameras are fresh out of a recently delivered order….therefore, the (supposedly) very latest batch or ‘hardware’…….

The installer had to urgently (and frantically!) organise another expensive Switch to be delivered directly to site in order to rescue this installation….and their image!

So why do these IP manufacturers not take care of valuable information such as incompatibility and be up front ??? This is not a negative, it is called looking after the customer!!

Come on Manufacturers, remember the rule, a bad installation might result in your kit not being used again…..

***Update*** replaced the £700 HP switch with a £400 Netgear version and it now works !!

What do you think?

Service agreements for CCTV systems.

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Buy a CCTV service agreement.

Most customers out there realize that when it comes to a good reliable CCTV system it is also crucial to ensure a service agreement to ensure reliability and continuity. End users thoughts though as to how they buy their service agreement is changing . In a climate of cost cutting and austerity, everyone is looking to save money where ever possible. In what is starting to become a “make do” approach to maintenance many customers are now looking away from their existing installer in search of a good deal. But at what cost in reality? A CCTV system is  at the heart of many businesses operations , one camera down at the wrong time can lead to missed evidence that could prove costly.

ADT and Chubb

The likes of ADT and Chubb for instance have tied their customers in over the years either with a 5 year contract or by installing a closed protocol arrangement , this keeps others out  and for years has ensured on going maintenance whatever the level of service they have actually offered . Increasingly though there is  an underlying  rebellion going on against this type of entrapment and end users are increasingly looking for smaller more reliable companies to take over the service mantle.

A better deal.

We have found that  increasing numbers of people have enquired as to where they can find a reliable company to service their kit at a reasonable price. So below we list some of the things that you should be looking for before placing an order for maintenance of your CCTV security system.

CCTV servicing the golden rules.

1)  Ensure the company you choose is credit worthy , nothing is worse than paying up only to find that the company you have chosen has gone to the wall.

2)  Never go  fall into the trap of buying a closed protocol system whatever the initial install price may be . If you are already saddled with one , look to get the system upgraded this will reduce your future servicing costs.

3) Try to get an all inclusive call out and labour contract . Not many companies will offer you replacement costs included on other peoples kit , but fixing your labour costs means that no matter how unreliable your system may be you wont keep getting on going bills.

4) Before you place an order with a new supplier , insist they carry out a full survey FOC and produce a full working drawing so if you get disillusioned with the service they offer after the first year you have good information to pass out to others when you look to get a re-quote.

5) Insist on full documentation after each call, detailing what has been done and why. This will help you to query any invoices that don’t sit right with you following a visit.

6)  When a part is replaced  the installer will get a manufacturers guarantee , insist this is passed onto you  as part of the agreement.

7) Insist the company is in a position to offer you “hot swaps”  by this we mean that while your camera or DVR is away for repair , you are not left with a blank slot on your  DVR for what is sometimes many weeks.

8)  Always realize when you flogging a dead horse.! All CCTV equipment has a life span , throwing good money after bad trying to keep repairing kit when it has clearly reached the end of its active life will just cost you in the long run.

9) Finally measure response times and insist on good communication , this is crucial for both the installer and yourself and will mean a harmonious relationship between installer and customer , always important to ensure both good service and a reliable CCTV system.

Conclusion.

Well hopefully the above information will help you ensure that next time you are out shopping for a CCTV service agreement you make the right choice and not one that may leave you full of regret and an expensive hole in your pocket.

Honeywell camera HD73X. Reflection and snowy picture

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The Honeywell HD73x is static dome camera with integrated IR LED technology. It is designed to give better pictures in areas of poor lighting or complete darkness.

It Has come to our attention there is a potential issue with the camera. During the night the IR leds can reflect back off the dome acrylic back into the front of the camera lens.

We have had reports that this can effect the picture by causing white fuzzy dots to appear making the image patchy at best.

Honeywell have said that the problem is caused by the camera angle, but we have found that this does not seem to make a lot of  difference. The camera should be able to be mounted at any angle required.

Below we list some of the issues.
1) reflection and interference on nightime pictures.
2) Open spaces increase the problem, this has led us to believe the IR is travelling inside the plastic screen.
3) Adjusting the angle of the camera or the position of the camera seems to make no change to the problem.
4) The picture quality improves and interference is reduced/ when the camera has an object in the foreground.
5) Zooming the camera in seems to give far better picture quality.
In general The Camera needs to be mounted with in 20 meters of the Target Object.

It must be noted that the day time picture is not in question and that the above scenario does not occur in every case. Honeywell to their credit are making a small modification to the internal bracket that helps fix the acrylic to the main body of the camera and we have been assured this should stop this problem by preventing IR leaking inside the unit.

If you have experienced this issue out in the field please contact us and let us know if and how you have resolved the problem.

CCTV blogs and security news

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Blogs for all you need to know about CCTV

Below are some popular CCTV blogs from integrated CCTV, we cover all aspects of security from IPCCTV and video surveillance systems search the site for more but if you are interested in VCL dome repairs of the latest analytic technology its all here.

Arecont or Avigilon? CCTV engineer? We pose many questions so if you want to find out more check out the site or contact us for more information.

TCO of an IP surveillance system the burning question

Car dealer is spending 70k on security guards

Is the CCTV industry lazy!

CCTV to go iPhone crazy

Metal Mickey v Predator

Seagate or Western Digital

Sure you will agree plenty to discuss please contact us for more information should you have any questions you wish to pose


CCTV NEWS, MEL release their Thermal CCTV camera Unit!

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MEL Secure Systems have launched an innovative new PTZ Thermal Rapid Deployment unit called the ThunderHawk Thermal…..

Incorporating the previously blogged 360 Vision Predator Thermal IR PTZ camera unit, MEL have added their incredible RF and battery capabilities to launch the World’s first, dual camera, IR and Thermal Rapid Deployable.

Inside is the tried and tested FLIR technology, offering lens choices to 35mm, which in turn delivers up to 750m of movement detection in zero light!

According to their MD, Peter  Druzyc, Domehawk IR Thermal employs a continuous rotation, ruggedised PTZ security camera in combination with a thermal imaging module from FLIR and IR and Sony WDR Day/Night camera modules. It offers exceptional quality and reliability and it has virtually silent operation. Equipped with a Sony WDR 36:1 optical zoom and a 35mm Germanium lens for the thermal, Domehawk can deliver high quality thermal pictures with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels alongside high performance IR LEDs which give night vision to the Sony module at ranges of up to 90 metres.

Peter Druzyc, Managing Director of MEL Secure Systems: “Domehawk IR Thermal is a powerful camera system that integrates all the technologies needed to deliver total protection around the clock in a wide range of high security applications.”

The optically flat glass windows of the Domehawk are distortion free, which give brighter and clearer images at higher zoom ranges, detecting human movement at over 750m when in thermal mode, and allowing greater installation flexibility. The camera also has  fitted wiper and washer options, to clear any atmospheric dirt and water enabling effective operation in even the most adverse weather conditions.

Mel Secure Systems’ new camera has very low power consumption and can even operate from a 12 volt battery giving an operational life in excess of 200 hours before needing to replace or recharge the battery. It can be operated from within a control room environment, separate control case or even a hand held unit allowing for easy on-site setup and operation. With full multi-protocol integration, it is compatible with most leading DVR’s, Matrices and IP Systems. Transmission is via a MEL COFDM Video and UHF Telemetry system, enabling high quality, interference-free images to be received at distances of up to 4km without the need for line of sight. This also ensures low end-to-end latency making it faster than IP-based systems and easier for operators to follow specific events with a PTZ joystick.

The use of ultra-narrowband also provides exceptional range and video quality in high multipath environments regardless of line of sight as well as enabling users to co-locate more channels in the increasingly crowded RF spectrum. The MEL Dual Thermal Domehawk camera is currently available in a wide range of frequencies including 1.0 MHz ultra-narrowband, 1.3, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz as well as 300-400 MHz UHF. It can also be used with IP based networks and has a 3G/GPRS HSDPA/HSUPA option enabling the camera to be monitored or images downloaded from any computer with Internet access or mobile phone.

Domehawk IR Thermal is IP67 compliant with a housing cast from hard anodised aluminium and epoxy powder coated to provide protection from damage such as scratching, oxidation or attack from solvents making it vandal resistant and suitable for use in most environments.

Looks like an extremely interesting take on an established quality product from 360 Vision, well done MEL……. We like to see clever companies join forces and produce exciting and unique products!