Category Archives: CCTV

HRDP DVR from Honeywell

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The HRDP (DVR) is the new offering from Honeywell video that  uses H.264 video compression. The unit is being marketed boasting plenty of high end features that Honeywell hope will set it apart from other DVRs currently out there and they have pitched the unit at a very economical price in order to attract as much interest as possible.

With remote viewing from the comfort of your PC it is easy to record and save video evidence as well as download video onto CD or DVD and if you require, a portable memory stick. In order to save disk space the HRDP can be configured to to record motion detection at high quality at a rate of 200 IPS.

Remote viewing is achieved either using a PC or a web browser and privileges can be set up to ensure information can only be accessed by those with the correct authority.

Honeywell are aiming the HRDP DVR at a wide variety of clients mainly small to medium sized businesses such as retail, educational facilities and warehouse applications. With management able to view the images and recording from any remote location this helps to sell the concept to hard pressed mangers and directors who need to keep a close eye on their business operations. The search feature helps track down events that need reviewing.

The HRDP DVR is available in 4,8,or 16 way and has 4 audio inputs as well. A triplex operation means that no recording is lost even when the customer is retrieving video through the built in DVD burner and 2 USB ports. Mouse operation makes it easy to navigate the menu and PTZ control over the cameras is done through a number of default protocols that are contained within the unit.

Working on an embedded linux platform ensures stability and security and with the S.M.A.R.T self diagnoses the HRDP is continuously monitoring and reporting any discrepancies or faults that may occur meaning peace of mind for the end user.

Honeywell and SureView unite

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SureView and Honeywell unite.

Honeywell are actively encouraging collaboration within the security industry as part of its drive to promote the Honeywell open technology alliance. The latest company to come on board is SureView the company behind Immix the central station management software.

The alliance suits both parties and the integration between Immix and WIN-PAK CS 4.1 means integrated access control now has an added level of security and allows other manufacturers equipment to be displayed to the operator through a single graphical interface. This means a response and full management of a an access control system is handled in just one location thus eliminating the need for an on-site guard with all the saving that this can bring.

The whole concept gives companies like SureView the opportunity  to offer their customers more choice when designing there security systems and to ensure integration between different products is made simple. In essence the software captures alerts and alarms from the on-site access control and seamlessly matches this to CCTV images from the cameras on site.

Any integration between access control and CCTV is welcomed and is certainly the way forward for the industry.

CCTV installations in Winter!

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The recent cold snap just once again highlighted how much we struggle in the UK to cope with a bit of snow! (Ok, quite a lot of snow if you are based up North!)

But how far reaching is the problem?

Well, we spoke recently to a UK CCTV manufacturer that had extended it’s usually short supply lead times….when asked why there were several reasons:-

  • orders had increased and head count needed to be added (good to hear that companies are starting to see the other side of the recession)
  • weather

weather??!!! this is not British Rail ‘leaves on the line’ is it?!

Basically, this UK CCTV manufacturer uses good quality, UK sourced components………… unfortunately, the component supplier was either struggling to get staff in to manufacture the components, or struggling to get them out of their factory and onto the courier companies ready to transport to the manufacturer due to the snow laden and impassable roads!

Coming out of a recession is hard enough, but having to delay installations is difficult – but spare a thought for the suppliers/manufacturers as they cope with an upsurge in orders but also unexpected weather hurdles!

iPhone sells CCTV

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40K CCTV system.

I Recently spoke to sales guy who had a fantastic result in selling a £40 k CCTV system to one of his existing clients based up in London. He retold me the storey of how he had managed to upgrade a customer who’s system was actually less than 3 years old! Quite an achievement in this day of austerity and generally making do when it comes to CCTV and security.

A unique selling point.

His main objective of course was to offer the customer something new, something he had not seen before and try to convince him to part with his money. He had two major aces up his sleeve. He knew his customer was a gadget man. He also knew that his customer was extremely intelligent and was nobody’s fool when he was purchasing any kind of product. He started by talking about the benefits of IR dome cameras specifically Black hawk domes. If you have ever done a dem with this unit at night you will know that the product sells itself. This is down to the picture quality and the stunning difference between a grainy integrated colour picture and the clarity of a mono picture enhanced with IR. To say he was impressed was an understatement. He wanted them and was now only interested in how much this was going to cost him. Well this is where my acquaintance found himself up against it.

Benefits.

Although the benefits were obvious , justifying ripping out cameras that were less than 3 years old was difficult. It was now he played his trump card. He offered the customer the ability to connect to these new cameras using just his iPhone and App he would let him have if he agreed to the upgrade. He knew the DVR was capable of this and the app had just become available. Well the guy could not sign up quick enough, this was the clincher, the deal sealer and my friend could not have been happier.

iPhone sells CCTV.

So what does this tell us about the iPhone  and the remote connection app. It would seem to us that if you buy a DVR you would be well advised to ensure it is iPhone compatible but more than this, it tells us that gadgets sell CCTV and we see this happening more and more. Searches on this site are often looking for CCTV iPhone apps as this form of remote connection goes from a popular feature to what some may now consider essential. We love the iPhone!

CCTV Suppliers – Are there too many?

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Pick up any trade magazine and they are awash with literally hundreds of CCTV Suppliers……..all professing to offer ex-stock supply of the latest and greatest products at the best possible priced!

But is this influx of supply simply diluting the industry and causing end user and integrator confusion?

I recall many years ago that there were 2 or 3 mainline suppliers – if you wanted CCTV you went to Norbain or CCTV Warehouse……….. and a couple of other more regional companies…………even the electrical wholesalers sold products that were sourced, in bulk, from companies such as Norbain.

Now, pick up a Farnell, or RS, or Maplin brochure and observe the availability of seemingly good quality cctv kit………visit B&Q and there, in the electrical section, you’ll find an external cctv camera complete with wireless connectivity to a regular TV!

Not to mention the huge amount of eBay stores now popping up offering Hong Kong and China’s latest number one DVR!

So, where does this leave the industry?

We think confused – how is it really possible to justify a £10k professionally installed system when the end user has ‘found’ a ‘perceivably’ equivalent system online?

We hear stories of end users buying cheap(er) kit and then ringing installers to ask for a price to install !!  As if it isn’t bad enough that the installer has to adapt to the ever changing supply of industry supplied kit!!

So, consider this – the distributors and manufacturers of our industry offer not only good quality kit, but provide a level of pre and post sales support that is simply not available from CCTV_Man from eBay, or from China’s number 1 DVR manufacturer……… we urge you to try and get one of their guys out on site on a cold December evening!!