HDcctv will have a big future in the UK

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HDcctv . Why it will sell more cameras than IP CCTV in the UK.

How many miles of coaxial cable currently service CCTV camera systems here in the UK? No-one is sure and I would suggest that this has never been documented. But let’s consider some facts. CCTV has been actively sold into UK business’s on a large commercial scale since the early 1970′s and there is hundreds of thousands of miles of coax still servicing perfectly good CCTV systems right now.

Is HDcctv better than IP CCTV?

IP CCTV must not be discounted, in fact in most other countries across the world IP CCTV is selling well and we embrace this technology completely. But in the UK we have a slightly different scenario right now. We need HD solutions but not always delivered by IP. That’s why HDcctv could be the main technology installed in the UK over the next 10 years with the right investment and marketing.

HDcctv installers in the UK.

So what’s unique about the UK CCTV market place and why will HDcctv be so popular? Well, we have already mentioned the vast amount of legacy coax that is waiting to be used. In addition, as salesmen we hear the same story time and time again. Customers want quality images, customers want to be able to zoom in on an image, either in live mode or in recorded mode and see a face or see a number plate, they all hate poor images and no definition as it effectively renders current analogue CCTV systems useless. It is the biggest downfall of analogue CCTV. What’s more,  everyone in the UK knows it.

Cheap HDcctv?

So why don’t all these disgruntled customers go over to IP CCTV and megapixel cameras, surely that’s the way forward? Well again as we mentioned earlier there are a couple of factors here in the UK that are ideal for HDcctv that will enable this unique technology to find its footing.

There are very poor margins in analogue CCTV right now however….

HDcctv can give quality images but maintain current infrastructure, so costs can be kept right down in an upgrade situation. Secondly UK installers are struggling with IP installations. IP CCTV takes much more resource than many would care to admit. The plug and play concept of IP is not quite as its made out to be and most installers are finding it very difficult to get the co-operation of IT departments in order to get network points adjacent to cameras or use existing switches and networks. So much so, its now almost the norm with IP CCTV to run your own local network for the camera system and supply your own POE switch, this completely defeats the point of IP CCTV in many cases and makes the whole job far less profitable.

Servicing IP CCTV

Further problems still exist with servicing, If you have a national contract every engineer you have needs a laptop, IT training, remote access and current software and so the list goes on. Software conflicts are a complete nightmare and a CCTV installer without its own IT support will not be able to overcome many of the problems that are facing them. That’s why IP CCTV still has not taken off in the UK.

HDcctv sales

So how does HDcctv find its way into the mainstream security market place? Well here in the UK we have sales guys. Sales guys love to sell the sizzle! HD is a buzz word that consumers know and have seen at home on their own TV sets. All who have experienced this technology will agree that its quite brilliant in the quality of images that are provided. So straight away HDcctv is something the end user will feel comfortable with.

Price of HDcctv

Price of an HDcctv system is important. Again we all know we have to pay more for HD, this is already accepted by the end user, but if we are able to keep this cost reasonable by using an existing coax infrastructure then we have a sale. Add to this the fact that CCTV engineers don’t need re-training and will feel entirely at home with the installation then again we have a winner. No software, no laptops, no IT department to deal with. Just on and off site with maximum profit and no costly revisits to upgrade software or program an IP address. This means on going service will be easy and profitable… even more reason for the CCTV industry to embrace HDcctv.

HDCCTV alliance

HD SDI CCTV the future of surveillance in the UK

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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?

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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

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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.

Samsung HD SDI CCTV

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Samsung have started to advertise and promote their new product line that moves them into the new HD SDI CCTV market place. Previously Samsung have been advocating IP and the benefits that this can deliver in the form of HD. By actively promoting HD SDI technology  built into Samsung’s new HD-SDI cameras and DVR, we can see just how much this is now in the minds of all CCTV professionals.The Samsung HD SDI CCTV solution allows the transmission of uncompressed and non-packetized Full HD (1080P) video over analogue cabling and as a result suits deployment here in the UK because so much coax currently exists here.

Samsung HD SDI CCTV

The main benefits of HD-SDI technology is that there is zero loss of image data and zero latency when viewing images. Samsung have released two new HD SDI cameras into the market place. These are the SCB-6000 fixed camera and  SCD-6080 internal dome. HD as we know ideally suits many applications especially where HDcctv images are required. Many businesses including airports, ports, banks and casinos will gain a great deal more detail from using HD. This is especially true in situations where it is not always simple or cost effective, to send HD images over an IP network.

So now Samsung has the cameras to produce HD images over coax they have also introduced a four-channel HD SDI DVR. The new SRD-480D DVR offers real-time 1080p across selected channels. When using the DVR on the 720P resolution, real time can be achieved across all channels. Both the new cameras and the Samsung  HD SDI DVR is fully compatible with Samsung’s licence-free Net-i Viewer software. This allows users to view analogue, IP and HD-SDI technologies on one common platform. Installers can now offer their customer base all the benefits of HD megapixel cameras without having to have any specialist knowledge of IP based systems.

The SCB-6000 fixed camera and SCD-6080 internal dome have included as standard Super Noise Reduction (SSNRIII) technology. In addition both are true day/night HD SDI cameras transmitting full HD images up to 100 meters over coax in real-time. With images recorded at 25 frames per second the end user experience is one of seamless movement and high quality HD. Both models are now delivering over five times the image resolution that standard definition analogue cameras are able to achieve.

The maximum transmission distance between the SCB-6000 or the SCD-6080 and the HD SDI DVR is 100 metres, however this can be increased to 200 metres when low-loss L-6CHD coaxial cable is installed. To increase transmission distances even further Samsung intend to  introduce the SPH-120R Repeater very shortly.