Samsung DVR SRD series.

Posted on by

Samsung SRD series.

Samsung has recently brought out their new SRD series of H.264 DVRs. Branded as the Techwin DVR, many of the new models have an HDMI output to upscale images to 1080p together with virtual progressive scan. These new features help with the problems with blurred edges and the development of this technology has ensured that the user will see crisp clear still frames when reviewing images.

Wide range of DVRs.

The SRD range has been developed to give installers a wide range of products to suit all budgets and offer many different variables of solutions. Existing static cameras can be easily upgraded to a PTZ dome camera as RS485 control can be sent over the existing coaxial cable and eliminates the need to run an additional twisted pair to effect camera control. A built in web server, dual codec operation and removable hard drives all gives the installer plenty of options when specifying for a multitude of scenarios.

CCTV software.

All the new series will interface with Samsung’s centralized management software SVM-S1 with a GUI menu structure that makes operation for the end user very simplistic. Samsung DVRs have earned an excellent reputation for reliability and flexibility and the SRD series is no exception to this. Supplied with a a full three year warranty and free technical support the SRD range is expected to sell very well over the next couple of years.

CCTV sales squeezed by government cuts.

Posted on by

CCTV Sales take a hit.

Government spending across all areas of its budgets are soon to be cut. This will be like no other cuts we have ever seen before. Some say it is an inevitable consequence of over spending by the previous regime, some say it is not necessary. Whatever you think it is going to happen and this will filter through to effect new CCTV sales.

State spending cuts.

Speaking to many in the industry, one of the biggest concerns is the cut in spending on state funded new builds, especially schools and government buildings. The previous government had many spending plans and this was seen by many in the security industry as the catalyst that was going to kick start the IP camera revolution. New builds are of course the IP CCTV natural market place. Although more expensive than analogue, the big selling point has always been that they are cheaper to install so cost savings would have meant more sales amounting to millions of pounds. This now has all gone, at least in the foreseeable future. So is the new network IP camera revolution about to grind to a rather painful halt?

Hope.

Well looking at the facts it would seem that way but there is some hope on the horizon. Megapixel and HD cameras have undoubtedly brought better quality images to the market and this on its own will encourage people to buy. Remember however always to demonstrate this quality to the end user, talking alone can never sell anything. In addition to this is a rather contentious subject. Historically in times of recession crime rises. It is inevitable, so more crime will be seen across the country industry will have to invest in security. Will it be IP CCTV though?

CCTV, Making do? A bad decision!.

The last two years have been a barren period for new sales of both IP and analogue security equipment especially in the UK. Customers are quite simply just making do, or worse they are letting their systems deteriorate as they either wont or cant afford to keep the systems properly maintained. We know however that once the criminal fraternity are aware that there is limited or faulty security equipment on a site ,that site will get hit time and time again. This leaves the customer with little choice but to take action and often the best action is to spend money on new security.

Olympics 2012.

So what positives can take out of this? Well IP CCTV will become cheaper  and this will help sales. The Olympics is round the corner and this will be a big boost to our industry, and finally and most importantly this recession cannot go on forever, can it??

CCTV.What do end users want?

Posted on by

What do end users want/ expect from CCTV ?

Good live images.

Reliable DVRs.

Excellent service.

Robust products.

Future proofed solutions.

A quality installation.

Internet access to recordings.

Integration to access control /intruder alarms.

Megapixel and HD cameras.

Good compression over the network.

Recorded images that retain maximum quality.

Recorded images that can be zoomed into.

CCTV software thats easy to use.

Remote IT support.

Fast response to faults.

CCTV analytics

Remote CCTV monitoring.

Here at integrated CCTV we know this and we are able to give advice and help on how this can be achieved. With up to date news and reviews on all the latest IP PIXCs, HD solutions , Analytics and how to get the best out of your existing CCTV systems. If you have any questions on CCTV, Access control or security integration it is well worth viewing the site or asking us questions online. We will always be able to find you the answer you need.

CCTV analytics perimeter security solution. It WORKS!

Posted on by

CCTV video analytics.

Video analytics has been a technology that has been talked about for a long time but at last it has  now finally arrived in a format that works reliably and achieves the results that will make customers keen to upgrade their legacy CCTV systems.

CCTV Alarms.

Used to alert the end user of an unusual event or an intrusion into a protected area it helps to give security managers a better insight to events and alarms occurring on their site. There are many types of events that can be raised to his attention and these include.

People counting

Speed monitoring

Facial detection

Loitering

Perimeter protection

Fall detection

Queue length monitoring

Panic alarm

Object abandonment.

And more to boot.

Advanced CCTV software.

Video analytics works by using advanced software to detect in real time changes within the view of the camera, far more advanced than motion detection, all analogue cameras currently in use in the UK can be converted to use this technology. It’s a simple process just install a unit called a codec. The codec is attached to the camera and behind the scenes converts all the video into a format that analyses events and through a set of clean contacts an alarm can be raised in a variety of different ways.

IP CCTV codec.

The codec is an IP device and is programmed through a laptop or if connected to a network it can be remotely administered. Xtralis, Bosch and March Networks all produce units that excel in video analytics.

CCTV Airport!

Examples of where analytics can be used to great effect include ports and airports combating threats of terrorism especially identifying abandoned objects, Protecting classic art using analytics means museums can also benefit from this feature.

CCTV perimeter protection.

Perimeter protection is another area that has seen far better security thanks to trip wire features and the ability to detect movement in a certain direction. Integrating analytics with FLIR thermal imaging cameras is an excellent example of how a sensitive area during hours of total darkness can suddenly be secured where before this would have been impossible.

Codecs.

Setting up the codec’s is a relatively simple task. Perspective is important to ensure only the objects or human movements are detected and things such as wildlife are totally ignored. A great advance for the industry analytics are now being incorporated directly into the heads of cameras and the Predator camera from 360 vision is the first 360 dome camera that can deal with analytics while on a tour something of a dream for security guards who are tasked with monitoring large establishments or estates.

CCTV investment.

As the investment goes heavily into this technology from the big manufactures we see the number of applications increasing and soon analytics will be commonplace in many businesses across the UK

IPCCTV over WIFI

Posted on by

The scenario.

Picture the scene (pardon the CCTV pun!)

Building A is 500 metres from building B

There are 4 cameras on building A, one on each corner (don’t you just love perfect worlds!) and they need to be viewed, recorded and controlled (did I mention they were PTZ?) all from building B

THE PROBLEM

The two buildings are separated by a river – a very nice river, big boats coming up and down, delivering stuff to dockside delivery points.

No chance of cabling then….. Until recently, the answer was to use free range wireless transmission solutions, such as RF, Microwave, Laser etc……… but, history shows that each has it’s positives and negatives but they all share one common negative….. expense.

ANOTHER WAY?

With the upsurge in IP, there is another way………..Wifi…………ok, professional wireless is what all the proper ‘wifi’ consultants will call it, but wifi nonetheless.

You see, Wifi does not have to be a one to one transmission solution…………. with typical bandwidth of 54Mbps, even if we halve it (because clever network guys will tell you that there is always a drop over distance etc), we can expect a 27Mbps bandwidth allowance……

So, take our building A and B scenario…. cable all the 4 cameras to a central point (it is a perfect world after all !) and either convert to IP from analogue using encoders (or, if we are to get this industry into the 21st century let’s push the boat out and go true IP cameras!) and connect to a regular 4 port network switch…

Take the output of that switch and insert into something like the Silvernet product range….. 1Km line of sight, pre-configured to create a point to point connection…..go to building B, position the receiving unit line of sight to building A and either decode back to analogue or bring one, neat, simple CAT5/6 cable out and introduce to the network for full control and view of the system ! simples !

THE THEORY AND THE PRACTICE

Ok, we don’t always have a perfect world, clearly, however, using the above solution, we have sent 4 cameras over the one link….saving a LOT of money:-

RF/Microwave/Laser = at least £2000+ for EACH camera

WIFI = under £1000 for a 1Km link with the ability to run a good few cameras – typically a PTZ IP camera would be around 5Mbs and a static at around 2Mbs

But, just like RF/Microwave/Laser, if the Wifi states ‘Line of Sight’ or LoS, then it REALLY means that…..so much as a leaf on a overhanging tree, or, in the case of our River separating the two buildings, boats that might momentarily ‘interrupt’ the signal, it is imperative to ensure that the TX and RX units are positioned so as to enjoy clear and uninterrupted transmission!

The cost savings are impressive and just might give this industry the excuse to use IP !!