Integrated CCTV

Using either an IR illuminator or a white light illuminator is always the best way to get the ultimate performance from your CCTV system. Easily installed the illuminators can work off a 12v power supply or even your local POE switch. In order to gain optimum performance try to install an IR illuminator adjacent to your CCTV camera looking into your field of view. Activate your IR and the scene is transformed from a dark grainy picture into to a crisp clear image.

As HD cameras start to become more and more popular the IR illuminator is becoming almost mandatory. Remember HD cameras need more light to perform in darkness than their analogue predecessors . White light illuminators are also an important tool if you need to retain colour images at night something you should discuss with your customers in detail. This brilliant form of led lighting is also sometimes known as network illuminators as well, the fact that you can just connect it into your local network switch means that white lighting will also be used in other situations other than CCTV. Domestic white light illuminators can be used as security lighting or even general lighting around the home the end user can be happy knowing that maintenance is low and that both current draw and on-going cost is negligible .

So how do they work? Firstly we need to look at how light behaves. Energy in a light wave is directly related to its wavelength. The shorter the wave length the more energy that will be emitted. Looking at the spectrum below we can see that violet has the most energy, and red has the least where we compare visible light. Adjacent to the visible light spectrum is the infrared spectrum.

light spectrum

We can’t see infrared light, however CCTV cameras that are either mono or true dual chip can. This means that our IR illuminator is able to shed invisible light onto a scene and see what we can’t see with the human eye. So night time surveillance using our IR Illuminator now becomes possible. This allows images to be captured and viewed covertly, meaning you can be watched without your knowledge. The distance that an IR illuminator can achieve will vary significantly depending on the camera and lens combination. Using a modern IR illuminator angles of light spread can be adjusted to suit the needs of the system.

So an IR illuminator has many benefits, however it can’t give you colour images at night. If there is a requirement for colour together with overt lighting then you will be better off installing a white light illuminator. Spectacular advances in white light led technology means that for prices that would once have been impossible we are getting incredible performance from 12v and POE powered lighting.

This spills into areas way beyond CCTV we see street light illuminators now that cost a fraction of the price of sodium or halogen lighting to run. Add to this domestic applications and white light illuminators will be common place within the next 10 years.

We need to add one note of caution. There are now many options available out there. Many claims are made as to the output/lumens of both white light and ir illuminators, all correct of course but this does not tell the whole storey. It is the distance this lighting can achieve plus the spread of light that dictates the real performance of the light. This will be reflected in the cost of the unit and its important that you investigate fully what you will get when you buy your lighting.

We suggest that any ir illuminator costing below the £100 mark at today’s prices (2012) will probably not suit most peoples needs. We firmly believe if you buy cheap you will buy twice. Paying over the £100 mark may seem expensive for what is essentially just a light fitting but when you buy quality illuminators you really do get what you pay for. Reliability, brilliant accurate light spread , low cost to run, low maintenance and control of light pollution. The carbon trust expect both IR and white light illuminators to repay the purchaser many times over before he ever has to consider a replacement.

Your old halogen lighting that is both expensive to run and difficult to maintain are quite simply a thing of the past. So in summary for IR illuminators and white light illuminators using an external 12v PSU or over POE check out the information we provide and increase performance of your on site lighting and CCTV systems and reduce your costs over night.

One thing is for sure. HDcctv is certainly able to pick up a face in the crowd and use this image as undeniable proof it’s you in the picture. Some view this a threat, some view this as some kind of infringement on their human rights. One thing it does prove though now a big fuss is being made over the use of HDcctv is that previously the public perception of CCTV was one of complete disinterest. Perhaps a reflection on the fact that the images of the past are so poor and unusable. To be honest it makes a mockery of CCTV technology in the first place.

So what now? The images produced by HDcctv cameras are crisp, clear, easily stored and easily sent over the Internet. Lets be honest you could be a wanted man on the other side of the world and your image could be captured and sent to those looking for you in a matter of seconds. It is scary in some respects but surely most logical law abiding citizens will just shrug their shoulders and say” if I do nothing wrong, I have nothing to fear” and of course they are 100% right. Even those who may think of committing a crime will now be discouraged by the realization that they can no longer deny their presence in an image when it is shown to them as evidence.

So back to the question. Is it a breach of human rights? Well to be fair if used recklessly by those who have control of the stored data then yes. Strict guidelines already exist under the data protection act. Flouting of the law and misuse of images and data can lead to heavy fines and we all have the absolute right to see images that we feel have been captured that may be inappropriate. We may have to pay £15 for the privilege but this discourages time wasters and those with a genuine reason have cheap access to their stored data.

Should we be worried about the advance in the field of HDcctv? HD has been a dream of the industry for many years and tired old analogue CCTV cameras litter both public and business premises across the country. These cameras need replacing with modern HDcctv cameras that will ensure crimes are solved and thieves, murderers and vandals are caught. We all have the right to protect our property and we all have the right to feel safe. A right that we at HDcctv solutions would suggest is far more important than the right not to be recorded in Public areas. Some of the well intentioned but misinformed campaigners should think twice ensure we get the right control of data in place and back a technology that clearly has more benefits than downfalls.

So HDcctv has suddenly hit the headlines. It all started when Andrew Rennison the surveillance camera commissioner questioned the way CCTV has suddenly become a much more powerful tool. With HDcctv images giving us hugely detailed definition, together with facial recognition technology now available that can track and monitor targeted individuals, the question asked by Mr Rennison was how effectively the industry as a whole was able to control the data? Of particular worry to Mr Rennison and anti CCTV campaigners was to what use were the much improved images being put? Are they being used to track and target innocent individuals? Are innocent people suddenly coming under unnecessary scrutiny by the authorities? Is big brother really watching us all now? Well some may be paranoid enough to think so . The majority of UK citizens though will just be happy that images are clearer , more detailed and a whole lot more effective. As a result bringing criminals to justice and acting as a much more effective deterrent.

The British Security Industry Association has also had their say and spoke of their disappointment over the remarks made by Mr Rennison. The BSIA are clearly worried about the detrimental effect these remarks might have in terms of sales of CCTV for their membership. Andrew Rennison also questioned the effectiveness of CCTV overall casting doubt that was perhaps quite unnecessary.

In a letter to the editor responding to a front page article in last weeks Independent newspaper warning that HD CCTV in public spaces puts human rights at risk, the BSIA said:

“It was disappointing to read Mr. Rennison’s statements questioning the effectiveness of CCTV cameras in detecting crime, an assertion which is countered by the fact that over 3,000 arrests were made as a direct result of CCTV technology following last year’s August riots, in addition to the pivotal role it also played in the investigation of the 7/7 bombings. Examples such as these demonstrate that, in public areas, CCTV does play a positive role in providing public safety and supporting our hard-working police in their endeavours to detect and solve crime.”

The BSIA also went on to say that controls are already in place to ensure Data is handled correctly and this is governed by strict laws included in the data protection act.

It is our belief that both of the above parties have justified concerns. Data in our opinion is not always controlled correctly and the ability to remotely access images and drag these across the Internet or load them onto a memory stick mean there are all sorts of images that have slipped through the net and are now “uncontrolled”. This should rightly be of concern to the industry, but at the same time it is easy to build in safe guards to allow proper auditing and indeed prosecutions if data is not controlled by those in positions of responsibility.

Equipment must be built to log all data movements and the clever manufacturers out there will build in these features in to their HDcctv products. This will also be of relevance in private industry and any regulation that is correctly enforced will mean those providing cheap equipment without the ability to restrict and record the data will fall by the wayside. Another reason to have compliant standardized HDcctv equipment.

In summary HDcctv is a fantastic concept and once you have seen a properly installed HDcctv system you will not go back to analogue. The technology has started to take a hold especially in the UK and the trend is now irreversible. So whether it be for public places or private industry Mr Rennison should be ensuring that the images we do record are fit for purpose, properly controlled and used to prevent crime wherever we can. This means good installers and properly regulated and certified equipment should be used at all times. This in turn will ensure public confidence, increased sales but most importantly, huge deterrent value and reduced crime. Something all those involved must agree is going to be a very good thing indeed.

The bi-annual Essen Security exhibition has now closed for another 2 years.

Boasting a huge array of Halls and technology to visit, surely Essen has now rightfully claimed its title as THE Security Exhibition to visit ahead of rivals such as IFSEC?

Essen security show

Spread over 11, yes that’s 11 Halls, Essen needed a transport system of its own inside just to get us from hall to hall !

Talking of transportation, the travel system, namely the hugely efficient DB Train system, delivered us on time every day – if the platform board showed 1 minute until the next train, 1 minute it was!

Anyway, back to the show.

Notable massive stands (or booths as our European friends referred to ) were Bosch, Honeywell, Siemans.

Bosch had their representation of an aircraft, complete with actual airline seats to sit and listen to the presentations! Rumour has it (and only rumour because we weren’t invited!) that all visitors to their stand (oops, booth) were taken out to the back of the Bosch area and treated to a full 3 course cooked lunch!!! Now that is customer care!

security shows

Interesting that their flagship new MIC 550 was represented by one, solitary lonely looking model on top of one of their product podiums…….

The British contingent were represented in the BSIA section by the likes of GJD with their HD CCTV lighting solutions, Elmdene and NVT. Also present for the first time at ESSEN was 360 Vision Technology, brave guys taking their range of Predators into the back garden of Bosch MICS!!!!

Talking of 360 Vision, they certainly flooded their stand with multiple-coloured Predators! Gold, orange, green and JCB Yellow ensured that sun glasses were needed for this UK manufacturer!

Into Hall 2 and the mighty Geutebrueck had an amazing stand – packed with staff and visitors it seemed for the full 4 days!

Some great video Analytics were observed over at the UDP Technology stand – fully expecting these guys to be taking the UK by storm real soon with their very clever technology!

MP was represented amply by the usual guys – Arecont and Avigilon had excellent displays.

We spotted Todd Rockoff at the show as well spreading the word about HDcctv . Keep watching this space for more news from Todd soon.

Visitors attending the show were from far flung regions – talking with some of the exhibitors, they had seen good quality leads from US, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and of course the main Euro regions – affirming Security Essen’s status as a truly International show.

It therefore must beg the question, with such a high quality show held only every 2 years, is there now room for a smaller, certainly less well presented IFSEC anymore in the UK? We paid fairly low airline fares to Dusseldorf, stayed in a clean, functional but inexpensive hotel (compared to London or Birmingham hotels) and travelled effortlessly, cheaply and efficiently on excellent transport to and from the halls.

Our opinion? Security Essen is the show that is worth visiting……and waiting for!

Avigilon first came to the attention of UK installers around 3 years ago when the quality of their products were displayed at IFSEC. It was then that the JPEG 2000 format and their 16 megapixel camera was able to demonstrate what HD could really do for the end user. Since then Avigilon have introduced a number of H.264 cameras and at the same time they have been building a network of quality installers that can both sell and do justice to their products. All of this now means that Avigilon UK are now taking a large market share of the HD upgrades here in this country.

The main selling point for Avigilon HD here in the UK is not just the HD cameras that are on offer but the ability to upgrade analogue CCTV systems and bring legacy cameras into their recording platform using very competitively priced 4 way encoders. Avigilon’s video encoder converts a standard analogue video signal into an IP stream, this means you can send the captured digital images over an IP network making best use of existing CCTV systems. This then allows you to view live images from your existing cameras on your IP network. Once the conversion from analogue to IP is made you will then view your cameras using video management software.

Avigilon Control Center is the video management software at the heart of an Avigilon CCTV system and once the analogue conversion is made it is then possible to add IP-based cameras as budget allows. The Avigilon video encoder is the most cost-effective way to migrate your current legacy system to a network-based IP-system. Immediately you will get the significant benefits of a digital CCTV system re-using the investment already made in your current analogue CCTV system. This impressive software allows you to migrate to a fully digital system when you’re ready and includes advanced features making it the most powerful, open HD surveillance platform we have seen. The Avigilon control centre supports an unlimited number of cameras and servers making it ideal for large-scale needs.

Avigilon ACC-4.6 Range

Control centre 5 as it is called has deployed some very impressive features. You will be able to zoom in on objects to get unparalleled images and it is the detail and clarity that sets Avigilon apart from the rest. Read number plates and get quality facial recognition something that would have proved impossible before using your analogue CCTV. Advanced search features within the software save hours of time trawling through video and once you have experienced Avigilon Control Center using HDSM technology you will be very reluctant to return to analogue CCTV and your old DVR.

Price is of importance of course and because Avigilon use a scaled approach to upgrades it puts the power back into the hands of the end user exactly how much he wishes to invest at any one time into his security system. However most peoples current conception of HD is that it is expensive. Avigilon are able to quash this by deploying a highly competitive pricing structure.

If remote viewing is important to you then you can now see everything from everywhere. ACC Mobile lets you monitor your system remotely over any wireless IP network using any Apple or Android device. View live and recorded video from any location with a wireless connection reducing response times.

Avigilon iPhone app

So Avigilon have made huge strides in the UK CCTV market place, perhaps the only thing currently lacking is a full time UK base to reduce delivery times and eliminate import duties. This however in the scheme of things is a small price to pay for what could arguably be said is the best IP HD CCTV system available at present.

Integrated CCTV

News, reviews and noise on security related issues.

IR illuminator

HDcctv is it really a threat to your human rights?

HDcctv regulation.Can the industry control the data?

Essen 2012

What sets Avigilon apart from other HD IP CCTV systems.

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