Monthly Archives: November 2012

HD SDI CCTV the future of surveillance in the UK

Posted on by | Leave a reply

HD SDI CCTV has become more than just the third way to upgrade to HDcctv images. In many cases it is now considered the only way. If you have a CCTV system that is currently analogue then you can upgrade to HD by re-using existing coax and adding HD SDI cameras and an HD SDI DVR. This is a far more efficient solution than running new cat 5 cable and then upgrading all your analogue cameras to IP.

The images you can view using HD SDI cameras are up to 6 times better than you will have been used to with your analogue CCTV system and customers are being impressed by the improvement they can make to their security systems as a result.There are many reasons that you may wish to chose an HD SDI DVR  over a VMS platform . The overriding reasons though are simplicity and price. With more and more manufacturers latching on to the benefits of HD SDI CCTV the choice of products now being produced is now one that is being exploited by installers.

HD SDI CCTV is ideally suited to 4 ,8 and 16 way installations this is because the maximum cable run without HD SDI extenders is 90 meters. To be fair this is no different to the distance an IP camera can be specified from a switch but the benefit of HD SDI hardware is that is simply plug and play and this is being exploited by CCTV installers especially in the UK. With the ability of remote connection via iPhone and iPads and other smart devices end users can monitor their premises 24 hours a day if they wish. The overriding benefit though is pure HD images. This is the future of CCTV systems and HD SDI DVR’s and cameras is making this transition very easy indeed

Is the CCTV industry recession proof? If not can HD make the difference?

Posted on by

Over the years we have been through a number of downturns in the UK economy and one industry that has ridden this better than most is the electronic security market place. It has long been the belief that as money gets tight and unemployment rises this can be a catalyst for crime to increase and for manned guarding to be cut back in preference to electronic security, mainly CCTV. This recession though has had a slightly different tilt on it. The influx of cheaper electronic security from the far east has badly hit the traditional suppliers and installers especially here in the UK. We have seen the demise and re-birth of Norbain, big players such as Pelco and March networks disappear almost without trace and analogue CCTV that had in reality reached the end of its natural reign suddenly have a renaissance in terms of sales.

HD CCTV UK
CCTV cameras

This though has come at a price to many involved in the business of CCTV. Margins are now small to non existent standards are dropping and quality is suffering. IP CCTV that many thought would be the making of the industry has really struggled to secure a foothold even with the added benefits of HD.

Is this a local problem though by which we mean one that is mainly UK based? It does seem to be. This does make sense though . The UK was a saturated market long before the rest of the world started to catch up. The hope was IP and HD CCTV solutions would drive the market forward. Consumers however are just making do. Service contracts are as hotly contested as ever but there are plenty of  opportunity for service based companies to make hay while upgrades are on hold.

There is some good news though. Security systems have a life on them and many old analogue DVRs out there are getting tired….very tired. Sooner now rather than later many companies are going to have to make a choice. To upgrade or to abandon their CCTV systems. Although a few may decide they can do without CCTV for the foreseeable future most will be thinking they have to start spending on infrastructure at some point and this decision cant be too far away.

So do they go IP or analogue or do they opt for HDcctv? This has been the perennial question now for sometime. The thinking has to be that some form of HD solution is the way forward. With some of the big IP CCTV players seemingly abandoning the UK market place in favour of big projects abroad perhaps an HDcctv upgrade using existing coax would be something that installer would be trying to pitch to end users. To do this however they need choice of both HDcctv cameras and DVRs and HDcctv equipment that is certified alliance kit seems to be reasonably hard to come by here in the UK.

HD SDI over coax

So the jury is out but HD cameras in one form or another will prove the way forward for the industry. All we need though is for someone to be able to tell us when ? Any thoughts?

Raytec IR illuminator for CCTV professionals

Posted on by | Leave a reply

The Raytec ir illuminator.

The RM300 is the new ir illuminator from Raytec. It is part of the RAYMAX series and is generally recommended where CCTV professionals have specified PTZ dome cameras on an installation. As with all Raytec ir illuminators the design of the product is based around the ethos of zero maintenance and longevity of life. The weak point of PTZ domes is their inability to deliver night time pictures in areas of absolute darkness and the raytec RM300 solves this issue delivering a performance that is second to none. What is more, reliability is totally assured.

Raytec IR illuminator

Using a clever design the raytec series of ir illuminators provide total flexibility to alter the angle of illumination. This is particularly important on sites where light levels need to be controlled. The Raytec ir illuminators have an adjustable power output, a photocell and the Raymax series also boast telemetry control. RAYMAX ir illuminators are also purpose designed to provide even output illumination. Each IR illuminator is fitted as standard  with Active LED Life Control. This will carefully control LED output, delivering consistent illumination. As a result of this the Raytec ir illuminator will have a projected working life of 10 years. All the ir illuminators in the range are supplied with bracket and power supply.

The RAYMAX 300 in particular is generally specified for low light installations that require illumination up to 370 metres (1,214ft) away.

Raytec have built a reputation as the World leader in ir illuminator production. The led lighting technology has been deployed for security and safety around the world. The main aim of Raytec is to improve the safety of any area at night and to improve the performance on any CCTV system under darkness. Lower power requirements are also a major benefit when it comes to reducing light pollution and environmental considerations.

So if you need quality and reliability to ensure you CCTV cameras get the correct level of lighting then the Raytec ir illuminator range is a good starting point.

ir illuminator night time time image

Raytec’s mission statement is as follows

“We are committed to technology. Raytec products combine cutting edge technologies with the highest levels of quality to deliver outstanding performance and reliability. Our philosophy is innovation+illumination and we will always look to lead lighting trends in the market

We are passionate about the environment and have a true Green Philosophy. Both Raytec products and functions within the products are designed to save energy, save electrical consumption and reduce Co2 usage.

We are experts. Raytec and all our people are 100% focused on lighting. Everything from product design, to manufacture, to sales and after sales service is under one roof at our HQ, near Newcastle, UK.

We love to talk lighting. We are opinion leaders offering technical guides, white-papers and set-up advice to our customers around the World. Our new Lighting Design Service helps you to specify the correct lighting levels and locations to a level unmatched in the industry. We can even provide you with recommended set-up advice for your camera – to help get the best results with our lighting.

Raytec’s Technology Alliance Partner Programme (TAPP) is designed to help security professionals achieve the best possible performance at night using Raytec illuminators”.

 

  • “Achieve Best Practise in CCTV illumination
  • Assist Security Professionals design better Night-Time Surveillance Systems
  • More effective integration between Raytec and partner technologies
  • Provide a library of support tools, images, videos and usage advice
  • Demonstrate Raytec lighting with partner technologies”

For more information head to the main website. Raytec ir illuminators can be purchased through Norbain distribution here in the UK and tec support is available through the distributor. For general  comments and some excellent comparisons between Raytec ir illuminators and cheap IR illuminators follow this link.