Monthly Archives: April 2011

VMS – what does it mean and what is it all about!?

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VMS

Video Management Software

Video Management System or Systems

Video Management Solutions

Call it what you will, but basically, VMS is now becoming a generic term for centralised and advanced IP control software.

VMS software is now available in many guises, from software only, to client/server, to hardware and software solutions.

let’s take a look here at some of today’s leading VMS solutions and check what they offer to the installer and end user

  • March Networks
    Launching their new COMMAND VMS platform, March have adopted a multi-platform software solution
    The back engine consists of the current VMS platform, offering large scale IP camera deployment (SD and HD technology) along with server based storage – both locally and over the network.
    Alarm handling can be implemented both locally and remotely and March have an innovative scheme called ‘Shadow Archiving’ to allow gaps in recording to be synchronised across the network in the event of network outage. 

    March are also pioneering the ability to bridge different operating systems, offering compatibility with both Windows and Mac based OS devices.

  • Milestone offer a similar scenario VMS, but this is based solely on deployable software. Without doubt one of the original IP VMS pioneers, Milestone has grown to be the ‘standard’ for other VMS solutions to follow. Milestone have built an amazing back catalogue collection of compatibility, preferring to show their strength in 3rd party compatibility and their own software, rather than influencing customers down a particular IP Hardware route – this means maximum flexibility for both installer and end user as systems with existing equipment, analogue or IP, can be re-utilised with little difficulty.Starting with the excellent Milestone XProtect Essential, offering IP management of up to 26 cameras, Milestone prides itself in offering scalable VMS upgrade paths for ever growing systems
  • OnSSI is based on the Milestone platform and offers not only IP VMS, but also hardware solutions also. OnSSI strength and depth extends to the edge devices such as IP cameras and encoders, with the ability to offer a complete end to end solutionWhilst offering their own range of hardware, OnSSI still builds on the ethos of maximum compatibility with 3rd party devices – offering upgrade paths to legacy systems.
  • CNL Software, one of only a few UK based VMS manufacturers, takes the VMS platform a stage further – preferring to ‘partner’ with 3rd part technology from all sorts of security disciplines – Fire, Intruder, Access Control, CCTV etcHistorically this would be known as BMS or Building Management Systems, but with the advent of IP and streaming video, CNL have developed probably and arguably the most complete product solution, to cover all security needs
  • IndigoVision again, like CNL, have taken their original Video Management Solution and integrated Access Control and other security device drivers……..once known for their IP Streaming technology, IndigoVision have grown to one of the world’s leading VMS providers…..with both Hardware and Software solutions to offer.With HD being the main product offering from IndigoVision, then quality of image and accessibility is high on their list of priorities.
  • VideoIQ are probably the slightly different VMS providers here in this list, in that they are hardware pioneers of extremely high quality HD IP cameras, with a developed and powerful VMS Platform to complement their hardware – not the other way round.What’s great about VideoIQ is that the user can use just their hardware on other VMS, or have the full end to end solution

Over the coming months, we will be taking a closer look at each of the above VMS providers, as well as some of the emerging contenders.

There is absolutely no doubt that the CCTV world is changing and changing fast – VMS is providing the driver for this implementation and general acceptance………make sure YOU keep up and in touch !

 

IP camera UK

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IP cameras are now an acceptable part of any security system. IP cameras are flexible, cheap to install and get rid of the need for fused spurs by replacing them with POE switches instead. CCTV Installing companies under increasing pressure to ensure they certify electrical work on fused spurs are seeing huge advantages of this fact. IP cameras may be a little more expensive to buy but the total cost of ownership (TCO) is greatly reduced because of the time that can be saved installing them. Anyone looking to capture events that require facial recognition or clearer evidence of any incident should consider HD or megapixel cameras together with advanced VMS software that will allow incidents to be enlarged without the drawback of pixelation interfering with the image.

ip cameras

When considering a CCTV system you may be better off instead with a video surveillance system instead, this is effectivley cameras on a network, lots to consider but in the long run a future proof option that gives greater flexibilty. Check out some of our articles about IP cameras and video management systems before investing in an analogue CCTV system that may be cheaper, however in the end why settle for second best?

CCTV Customer Service – or lack of it?

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OK, i admit to being an Apple fan boy……..anything white or silver with the apple logo is going to get bought.

Honeywell HRDP iPhone

Recently, my expectations of their service hit an all time high……… my iPhone 4 developed a weird fault where I could hear the caller, but i sounded like a dalek to the caller!

Armed with the box the phone came in, i returned to a local Apple store and had an ‘appointment’ with one of their Genius staff at the Genius Bar (how cool is that!)

He checked the serial number, saw it was in warranty, and duly replaced the phone with a BRAND NEW UNIT…….no questions, nothing, just a new phone which he even activated so that it would work right away…….i hadn’t even bought the unit from Apple direct, but from a mobile phone provider (but we know how useless they are for repairs/returns)……..the Apple database (presumably through my iTunes account) knew who i was and how long the phone had been mine

Coupled with the excellent way iTunes backs up the phone, i plugged into my MacBook, ran the restore option and in under 30 mins, my life was restored to the shiny new iPhone 4 – complete with all texts etc

When we consider how much we rely on phones and how we are lost if they break, this got me thinking about our industry and how we serve our customers.

Say a PTZ dome breaks……..whats the routine to fix?

WV-NW960 panasonic IP dome camera

Some suppliers will want the unit back for repair – similar to the Currys or Dixons method of ‘we’ll fix it but YOU need to arrange to bring it back’

Some suppliers will send an advanced replacement to swap over, and then the option to send the faulty unit back for repair.

Some suppliers even know when there is a likely fault due, and they inform customers not only of the fault, but even sometimes when the product was bought, what invoice number and also their original PO number!!! (that’s showing off, but it is a practice by some!)

In a world where we need to not only minimise downtime, but also minimise restore time………saving the end user downtime that can leave them vulnerable

Facing facts, anything that has moving parts WILL break at some point – even a Ferrari will break and fail if not serviced, maintained and looked after……

So, take a look today at your CCTV Supplier – sure, they may be £’s or % cheaper than their competition, but take a look at their support service AFTER they have taken your money…….will you be looked after or left out in the cold when a problem occurs……….

Arecont cameras and CCTV news

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Arecont are exhibiting at the following events in the up and coming months 

Expo Seguridad México 2011, April 12-14, Mexico City, Mexico, Booth #31 

Security Canada East 2011, Laval, Quebec, April 20

MIPS “Protection, Security and Fire Safety,” Moscow, Russia, April 26-29

ADI Canada Appreciation Expo, Edmonton, AB, May 12

IFSEC UK, May 16-19, Hall 5, E70

 

Don’t miss your chance to see all the latest Arecont camera equipment listed below.

 

“Arecont Vision, the industry leader in IP-based megapixel camera technology, announces its participation in the upcoming ISC West show in Las Vegas, NV. The company will be featuring its latest product introductions, including the new low-cost H.264 Compact Series, H.264 Panoramic Series with Day/Night capabilities and All-In-One H.264 MegaView™ megapixel IP cameras.


April 6-8, Booth 10041
 

New Compact H.264 Camera Series 

Arecont Vision has expanded its low-cost compact line to now include H .264 compact megapixel cameras that are half the size and a third of the weight of previous models. The new AV3115, AV5115 and AV10015 3, 5 and 10 megapixel cameras are the latest additions joining the Arecont Vision AV1315 (1.3 megapixel) and AV2815 (1080p HD) cameras. The AV3115 provides 2048 x 1536-pixel (3 megapixel) images at 20fps, the AV5115 provides 2,592 x 1,944-pixel (5 megapixel) images at 14 fps and the AV10015 provides 3,648 x 2,752-pixel (10 megapixel) images at 7 fps and 1,920 x 1,080-pixel (1080p) at 30fps. All Arecont Vision compact megapixel cameras are easy to install and fit into smaller housings and domes atan attractive price point.
New MegaView™ All-In-One H.264 Day/Night Camera Series with IR

Focusing exclusively on megapixel IP camera technology, Arecont Vision strives to deliver the best in high resolution surveillance to industry professionals. The new MegaView™ All-In-One H.264 Camera Series of all-in-one Day/Night H.264 megapixel cameras now includes new 3 and 5 megapixel MegaView™ cameras enclosed in IP66 (environmentally rated) and vandal-resistant cylindrical housings with versions available incorporating built-in IR illuminators and IR-corrected lenses. The new 3 megapixel MegaVideo® all-in-one cameras include the AV3125DN H.264 day/night MegaView™ IP camera and the AV3125IR with IR illumination ring. New 5 megapixel MegaView™ all-in-one cameras include the AV5125DN H.264 day/night MegaView™ IP camera, and the AV5125IR includes an IR LED option. They join the MegaVideo® 1.3 megapixel AV1325DN H.264 day/night MegaView™ IP camera and AV1325IR version with IR illumination ring option, and the MegaView™ 1080p HD AV2825DN H.264 day/night IP camera, and the AV2825IR with IR illumination. These all-in-one cameras are simple to install using an easily adjustable 3-axis bracket, and external lens adjustment of zoom, focus and iris. The new additions join Arecont Vision’s 1.3 megapixel and 1080p resolution MegaView™ cameras. In addition to their performance and versatility, new Arecont Vision MegaView™ cameras provide added functionality. The privacy mask enables video to be blocked in multiple regions in any arbitrary shape. Extended motion detection provides a higher-granularity grid of 1,024 distinct motion detection zones. Flexible cropping provides even more adjustability in image sizes. The new MegaView™ models are immediately compatible with VMS platforms integrated with the compact H.264 series of cameras.

 

New Panoramic H.264 Series with Day/Night Capabilities
EXTRA! Industry’s First 20 Megapixel Cameras will be at ISC West

Arecont Vision is proud to introduce our new AV8185DN (180° field of view) and AV8365DN (360° field of view) H.264 Day/Night panoramic megapixel IP cameras. In addition to Day/Night capabilities, the new panoramic cameras simultaneously support both H.264 and MJPEG compression standards to accommodate a broad range of applications. Each model uses four 2MP sensors, providing the total resolution of 6400×1200 pixels, and incorporates surface and in-ceiling mounting options along with an IP66-rated environment chassis, eliminating the need for an external housing.

Arecont Vision is also proud to debut the world’s first 20 megapixel day/night panoramic cameras to the market. The new SurroundVideo®  20 megapixel H.264 cameras provide higher-resolution 180-degree or 360-degree panoramic views and can replace up to 65 conventional cameras. The new all-in-one models are cost-effective solutions for applications where mechanical pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) devices might otherwise be used or where multiple cameras would be needed to view expansive coverage areas. The first 20-megapixel panoramic cameras on the market provide a 180-degree or a 360-degree panoramic view using four high-sensitivity 5-megapixel sensors, each offering a 2592×1944-pixel view at 11.5fps, for a total image area of 10,368×1944 pixels at 2.8fps. The cameras use dual H.264 and MJPEG encoders. These panoramic cameras also can be binned to 1.25 megapixels per sensor, increasing light sensitivity.

 

Arecont Vision Adds New D4S and D4F Series of 4-Inch All-in-One Indoor MegaVideo® Domes

Arecont Vision is proud to introduce our new D4S and D4F Series of 4-inch indoor megapixeldome cameras at ISC West. The all-in-one indoor solutions include Arecont Vision 1.3 megapixel 1080p, 3 megapixel or 5 megapixel compact cameras in surface-mount or in-ceiling-mount dome housings with 3.3-12mm varifocal IR-corrected lenses. Available in color or day/night versions, each 4-inch dome also includes all the features of Arecont Vision’s compact megapixel box camera line. The new D4 indoor dome cameras further expand the industry’s largest line of megapixel camera solutions available from Arecont Vision. The D4S is the new surface-mount 4-inch dome solution, and the D4F is the same camera in an in-ceiling mount configuration. Each D4S and D4F indoor camera is easy to install and features an adjustable 2-axis gimbal to provide 360-degree pan and 70-degree tilt adjustment.

The 1.3-megapixel models in the D4 line provide 1,280 x 1,204-pixel images at 32 fps, while the 1080p models provide 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution at 30 fps. The 3-megapixel model 4-inch domes provide 2,048 x 1,536-pixel images at 20 fps, and the 5-megapixel models provide 2,592 x 1,944-pixel images at 14 fps. The new Arecont Vision 4-inch dome camera solutions also provide added functionality. The privacy mask enables video to be blocked in multiple regions in any arbitrary shape. Extended motion detection provides a higher-granularity grid of 1,024 distinct motion detection zones. Flexible cropping provides even more adjustability in image sizes. Forensic zooming allows close-up views of any region of interest, even on archived video. The day/night version includes a motorized infrared (IR) cut filter. All D4-Series camera solutions can be powered with either PoE or 12-48V DC/AC power supplies.”
 

for more detail make sure you contact 

www.arecontvision.com

 

 

Orange and T-mobile merger is a fail!!!

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Firstly i apologise this post is not about CCTV. This is a bit of a rant about the new merger between Orange and T-Mobile. Now i have used Orange for as long as I can remember and i have to say i have always been impressed with the coverage they have on their network. Apart from the odd spot (and you learn where these are over time)  the coverage was always good. This is very important when you do a lot of travelling and need to talk while on the move. I remember that i used to be able to talk to fellow orange users for ages as i drove along without the service dropping out. This meant business was easy to organise and no shouting “are you still there ? can you here me? you’re breaking up !!!!!!!!!!!!! it just did not seem to happen.

mobile phone service
Are we going backwards??

Now however something has changed, trying to make a call on the move is near impossible if you are lucky enough to connect then the service drops out within seconds, it is hopeless. Now I don’t know for sure whether this is because Orange have merged with T-mobile or what …but i never asked for this and i want my “service” back. This maybe a blip, it may be me getting paranoid! Not sure, but something has changed..hey if anyone else out there is experiencing the same thing let us know, we do understand CCTV here but we cant understand this sudden change in our Mobile phone service!!!