Category Archives: IP CCTV

Arecont AV2805 Camera

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Arecont.
Arecont Vision manufacture and supply a range of high-performance megapixel IP cameras that have taken the industry by storm over the last 18 months in particular. Based in the USA they have seen some stunning expansion in the UK market.
Using clever features such as mega video and surround video they have made some dramatic steps away from what we are used to with analogue CCTV today. Using these technologies Arecont have brought a new way of thinking to the security industry about how to deliver HD and megapixel solutions to the end user. This brings us to their newest camera release the AV2805.
1080p full HD camera
The AV2805 is the new 1080p full HD camera that Arecont have recently released. One of the main benefits claimed by Arecont for this camera is the competitive price. This does however not detract form the performance Arecont claim.
The image quality is second to none and the camera is available in day /night as well as colour versions. Compression methods are selectable and can be either MJPEG or H.264,  this allows the camera to be used in a wide range of applications. As always the main benefits are picture quality that allows post event forensic zooming something that sets HD and Megapixel cameras apart from there analog predersessors. The unit produces HD video with 1920 x 1080 pixels for unrivaled clarity.
Conclusion.
Arecont continue to produce new products and new ideas that can only help megapixel cameras become a more accepted and well used in the IPCCTV solution  that is becoming more and more widespread by the day.

Perimeter Security CCTV Cameras

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Perimeter security camera.

Perimeter security has long been open to debate. Whats the best security solution to spend your money on? Lets face it for an intruder to get onto most sites they tend to pick the weakest  point . Often this is an area that is dark and difficult to patrol. Many methods exist to protect your boundaries . PIR sensors, often long range ones or maybe fixed beams? Vibration detectors buried under the ground have been used in the past to, also  Dome cameras driven by sensors are a popular solution. NOW however the most effective method to protect a perimeter is probably using a fixed camera complete with IR lighting and we have an additional tool to help us. This is analytics.

ZX55

The Bosch ZX 55 has been especially designed for this purpose. A well built piece of kit with a range of up to 300m. It comes together With a powerful integrated IR lighting system and is equipped with a 9-90mm lens. It certainly has all the tools requied for detection. However there is also an IP version vital to integrate into future CCTV software recording solutions. It is also the IP solution that gives the added benefit of analytics to help with the detection element that is so important  to ensure that the intruder is intecepted.

Costly?

It must be remembered that perimeter protection always comes with a price , not so much because of the equipment , but civil works, CCTV towers and the large amount of cable being required can put the price up. It is therefore crucial that the right solution is  well thought through and correctly specified because many companies rue the day when they thought that a cheap option would do!

Conclusion.

Think long and hard about external security, it can be a minefield if the design at the first stage is poorly concieved. Expert advice is very important and we have over 20 years in this particular field. So if you need feedback or advice on this subject we will be happy to help.

360 Vision Technology to release IR dome camera.

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360 Vision Technology to release IR dome camera.

360 Vision Technology are about to release their new External IR Dome. Built around the technology that has been so instrumental in the success of the Predator camera, the outer housing is of  a robust metallic design. It has the IR lamps that are such an integral part of this camera, moulded into the finished shape. It is a different animal from the current 360 vision dome currently on the market and is not designed to be serviceable on site but is stronger and virtually maintenance free.

Better night vision.

The new 360 IR dome is designed to fit into a market place that recognises that IR is now invaluable in dome design this is to ensure clear, crisp images at night. Duel chip cameras have worked well but they have always had their limitations in poor lighting conditions. Now, with IR domes we finally have a solution.

360 Vision and March Networks.

The technology partnership between 360 Vision and March Networks has paid dividends with the March codec being incorporated into the head to allow the unit to be easily converted to IP .This allows it to be integrated into CCTV software solutions that are starting to become the preferred recording option in place of the less versatile Digital video recorder. With an IR range of up to 100 metres expected and all the features that 360 have developed over the years built in as standard, it is a formidable dome camera.

So who will buy the 360 vision IR dome.

The camera is surely going to be aimed at the increasing ageing dome cameras that are out there in the field at present. There is huge potential for upgrades for ambitious installers who can grasp this opportunity. Those with foresight will also use the IP dome camera and software recording route to allow customers the option of future expansion and flexibility to their CCTV systems.

Conclusion.

Once again we find that 360 vision have been thinking to the future. The market for this camera is huge and the price offers very good value. It will be good to track the progress of this dome camera but we believe that sales will prove it to be one of the top cameras in its class.

CCTV software v DVRs

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Why use CCTV software instead of a DVR?

CCTV software has been around for a while but as a recording medium has long been easily outsold by the good old reliable DVR. The DVR has changed the face of the CCTV industry over the last 10 years and comes in many different forms. From high end spec that costs onwards and upwards of £5000, to budget units that can be bought for as little as £300. Explaining to an end user the vast difference in cost can be tricky but as we all know you will generally pay for what you get. Recently though the DVR has started to change.

How have DVRs changed?

They have evolved into hybrid units so they can incorporate the latest technology such as analytics and IP cameras. Many benefits here, but manufacturers are starting to think differently about how the market will develop in the future. Until recently IP cameras have struggled to take a hold in the security industry . The main reason has been the substantial difference in price between an IP camera and its analogue equivilent. In addition IT managers have been reluctant to stream large amounts of data across their network. The cost of an IP DVR has also meant that an upgrade is expensive and difficult to sell . So whats changing? Basically the cost of IP cameras is plummeting , they are also cheaper to install. IT managers have become far more accepting of  the technology and like the idea that they can record through CCTV software such as March network’s Videosphere VMS rather than a DVR solution. In addition manufactures are starting to put recording into the camera itself this means that critical data can boast full redundancy and no information will be lost.

More flexible.

Perhaps though the greatest benefit of IP Cameras integrated into a CCTV software solution is flexibility. No longer is the end user restricted to a 16 way box and the need to buy another costly DVR box if he needs extra cameras on his site. Another huge benefit is the introduction of codecs.This is a device that turns an analogue camera into an IP device that can easily be introduced into the CCTV software solution. So a customer can convert to CCTV software recording without the need to replace all his existing analogue cameras.

Conclusion.

Not many people in the security industry expect that analogue will be around for long. So we ask,will CCTV software do the same to digital video recorders, that DVRs did to their predecessor, the humble VCR?

Avigilon CCTV solutions

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Avigilon.

Avigilon are based in British Columbia in Canada. Avigilon have been at the forefront of IP camera technology and software solutions and were the world leaders in developing Avigilon’s Control Centre, a leading video management platform. The company prides itself on designing and manufacturing Megapixel IP cameras that deliver full situational awareness and quality picture detail.  They have recently released a 16 megapixel camera that although only able to deliver 3fps has immense picture quality. The detail achievable makes this camera well worth a second look. The panoramic picture can give the equivalent coverage as over 50 VGA cameras, an amazing feat. This sort of coverage is obviously attracting attention of some large organisations and even some large football clubs in the UK. The cameras have a feel and look of exceptional quality, heavy and built to last, something that installs confidence to buy.

Conclusion.

We will be following Avigilon over the next few weeks and months to see how they continue to bring new products to the market place. If you have their products installed or have any feedback you think we should know about also any comments on  how their products have performed in the field, please comment below.