Category Archives: IP CCTV

Cisco wireless-g PTZ internet video camera

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Remote connection from anywhere in the world.

The Cisco WVC210 PTZ camera is capable of  being connected to from anywhere through an Internet browser. It is a Wireless Internet Video  IP Camera and has 2-way Audio. Through the Internet browser you are able to control the pan ,tilt and zoom functions.

Codecs.

The camera has two codecs (MPEG-4 and MJPEG) that it can support, they are able to be used at the same time. MPEG-4 would generally be used when viewing live video it has a good compression rate and is ideal where bandwidth may be an issue. MJPEG however gives better video quality so is the better option when storage of the video data is required.

Two way audio.

The Cisco WVC210’s has an integrated microphone for two way audio functionality so you can communicate to any location using this feature. The camera supports real time streaming of video and this means it is ideal for connection from mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile phones. It can also be viewed by up to 10 people at any one time so an ideal management tool.

Software

The Cisco internet video camera includes on board software to allow viewing of recordings from remote locations and has advanced search facilities for ease of use by the operator. The camera is also capable of generating an e-mail to up to 3 different users informing them of an event linked to a video motion action and attach an streamed video of the alarm so enabling a remote response should a security violation occur.

Flexibility

The camera is extremely flexible and offers numerous benefits and features that will be of great interest when an integrated CCTV solution is required.

Will IP solutions mean security equipment distributors have to move online?

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Moving to on-line sales.

The introduction of IP equipment into the Integrated CCTV and access control arena is being hailed as the next step forward in the security industry. This does however pose some serious questions about how this new equipment is brought to the market. So far there is a set pattern. A manufacturer approaches a distributor and gives him the exclusive right to sell his product. The distributor in turn will fix a price and only allow this product to be sold to security installers. The public have no access via the distributor. If they wish to have the product installed they must go to an installing company. So far quite simple.

Who are the main players?

The main players in the distribution market (UK) are Norbain , ADI and  Gardners Security however there are probably over 100 in the UK and they control who they will deal with, what price the equipment will be sold at and so on. Over the last 20 years or so all these companies have expanded enormously and each year gather at IFSEC to demonstrate what is new on the market.

So what will change?

The main thing that the big distributors need to consider is ,who will actually be installing the new products?  As we have said, up to now it has been installing companies. Most of the big installers are giants who will struggle to adapt to the new market place quickly. So if they are not installing large volumes of IP security products who will?

IP integrators.

Well the school of thought says that at the moment the balance could tip towards IP integrators. Most companies of any reasonable size have their own IT department or outsource to a local IT company. These people in reality will be very well placed to start installing IP security solutions for their employers and very much cheaper than a security installer.

So where does the smart manufacturer sell his products?

Well it does not take much to imagine where an IT integrator is going to look for his security solution. On line of course and at the moment he can buy some fairly good stuff that will satisfy a need. But that is about it! some of the products have questionable quality and origins. IT integrators will however demand quality and back up . So could it happen that the smart manufacturer actually begins to bypass the big CCTV distribution companies and sell through an on line company?

Cut out the middle man?

Not inconceivable when you think about it. By putting a search on google for “IP cameras”  Norbain is nowhere to be seen nor are any of the big distributors or manufacturers. They should all be worried about this

The future.

So how will this be addressed?  Well they are going to have to think who will be doing the installation of the security systems, be it CCTV or even access control. There are still things that need to be fixed to walls and doors but the technical aspect of the way it is going may mean that your friendly CCTV installation engineer is going to struggle with the technology . If this proves to be true and installers fail to move fast enough with training and recruitment, the security industry could be a very different place in just a few short years.

IP CCTV

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IP CCTV.

It’s the buzz word currently in the CCTV industry. Everyone is talking about it but why?

It’s getting cheaper.

Yes the main thing is it is becoming affordable now and can certainly be considered for most applications involving integrated security.

Integrated CCTV.

Again a new buzz word. This is because most systems installed within the next 2-5 years will effectively be a mixture of analogue and IP cameras the reason behind this is because most customers out there will want to upgrade to IP but still have to include their legacy equipment wherever practical to give them a cost effective security solution.

What is better IP or analogue?

That actually does not matter . The move is slowly but surely moving to IP camera solutions because everything else out their is using IP and needs Internet connectivity to function in today’s market place.

Conclusion.

So we wont stop the march towards IP cameras and integrated CCTV systems very soon all security including access control and intruder alarms will cease to function using the old traditional ways. The future is here today!

Home Watch

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Domestic IP cameras.

Being able to watch over your home using CCTV has long been a priority for most of us, but the high cost of a security system has always meant that financially it is beyond most of us.

Watch your house from work.

Times however are changing with advent of  integrated CCTV into our own home network, we will soon be able to view our property via the Internet. This has of course been possible for many years now but at a premium price. IP CCTV cameras mean that we do not have the intense labour and cabling needed to install such a system. In addition the IP cameras are becoming cheaper by the day, soon they will be affordable to many rather than the few.

How does it work?

IP cameras are essentially an extension to your normal network. They just plug into a network point and can even be powered from this network point using power over Ethernet so there is no need to supply a mains socket adjacent to the camera position.

Remote viewing.

Once the cameras are set up and correctly positioned they can be recorded through an FTP server and accessed remotely via the Internet using a simple web browser. So at any point in time you will be able to view your home from anywhere in the world.

Does it work?

There have been several recorded cases where people have viewed  intruders breaking into their houses and been able to call the authorities to get them arrested. But more importantly you are able to give a deterrent factor to the property so making an intrusion less likely and more importantly it will give the home owner peace of mind.

Who will install it?

Lots of debate about this point. Many think that current CCTV installers will step up to the mark and modify their current working practices to move them into the IP market place. Some think IP integrators will take over this sort of business , however who is to say that CCTV could actually become quite a large DIY market in the future as people with an understanding of networks and computers decide to start protecting there own homes.

Would you do it?

Given the above information we would be very interested to know here at integrated cctv.co.uk if anyone out there feels that they would attempt to have a go at installing there own domestic IP camera system?


Pet Watch

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HOW TO WATCH OVER YOUR PETS USING DOMESTIC IP CAMERAS

Domestic IP cameras.

CCTV cameras for your home have for a long time been a little too expensive for most domestic users. However within the next two years this will all be changing.

IP CCTV

So why now and not before? It is simple really, the general public have now got unprecedented access to domestic IP networks, wireless routers and most important,THE INTERNET. This means that expensive analogue camera systems, installed by professional companies, will become a thing of the past.

Why you ask? Well we have all set up a router, plugged our laptops into network point and think nothing of it. Imagine a camera so simple that this is all you do to set it up , simply plug it in! It can even be powered over the network!

Pet watch

So lots of us have to go to work and leave our precious pets at home unattended, even the most hardened individuals worry if they are away for a long period of time and the poor animals are left alone. Imagine if we could simply sign onto the Internet and view our pets to ensure they are comfortable and happy.

You can hear them.

Better still you can listen to your pet on line because voice/howls over IP is very easy to achieve these days.  If you thought your dog /cat whatever else you may keep at home is uncomfortable, all you would have to do is call a neighbour to to go and attend to them without the inconvenience of a long trip home .

Over the coming years this technology will mean that to be thought of as a considerate pet owner having IP CCTV cameras will be the only acceptable solution to leaving pets home alone.