About HD CCTV

HD CCTV also known as high definition closed circuit television has evolved from broadcast technology developed to bring HD to our TV sets. The main difference between HD CCTV cameras and IP HD is that the Video is transmitted across existing or new coax in an uncompressed format this means that there it is a much purer video signal and one that does not need to be compressed just to send across TCP/IP network. The main benefits of HD CCTV and they way we are able to configure this type of system is that an HD CCTV camera can be plugged into an HD SDI DVR and video can be displayed without latency and and simple set up with no need for any IT training or software. HD CCTV brings all of the benefits of megapixel IP cameras but without the need to complicate and re-cable existing CCTV systems.

The beauty of  HD CCTV is it does not require any additional infrastructure just use the existing analogue CCTV coaxial cable that is already present. This makes it a highly attractive options for any company looking to maintain their investment but still enjoy the added benefits HD CCTV images can bring. HD CCTV is the perfect replacement for existing analogue CCTV and is both forward- and backward- compatible so there is no drawbacks to any company who wishes to enter the HD CCTV market place at their earliest opportunity.
So how much better is HD CCTV than analogue? Well HDcctv cameras deployed at 720P will provide almost three times the video resolution of analog CCTV, and once you use a 1080P camera you can produce six times the image quality. Add to this the fact that all HD CCTV systems are progressive, then we  eliminate any blurring that has in the past been a feature of conventional analogue CCTV systems.

So what are the major benefits of  HD CCTV compared to both analogue and IP CCTV

HD CCTV offers several advantages for the end user, compared to alternative ways of achieving high resolution.

Simple configuration with no training required
Video no longer needs to be compressed and reconstituted at the recording end.
HD CCTV is essentially plug and play and easily fits into existing infrastructure
reliable and robust
Clarity that allows more information to be recorded with less cameras
HD CCTV means no latency
Real-Time Speed Dome Control:
Simple cost effective a true upgrade from analogue without the fuss.

Here at HD CCTV solutions we believe that HD CCTV means upgrades and enhancement for existing analogue CCTV and this fantastic new technology is here to stay is here to stay.

 

Calsys one of the leading lights of HD SDI technology are currently promoting their latest advanced video platform Zion-HD. The CLS4000-hd series DVR is an excellent example of how HD SDi is starting to take a grip in the CCTV market place. The CLS4008-HD  has the capacity to process 4/8-CH720P+4/8-CH CIF channel encoding and 1-CH HD channel decoding at 30 FPS simultaneously.

The proprietary technology in use here is VClear giving the Calsys CLS4000-HD SDI DVR range one of the lowest encode -decode latency performance in its class. Pre and post alarm recording together with water marked images makes the Calsys HD SDi DVR  a desirable unit for High quality data collection for evidential purposes.

Calsys have put plenty of thought into this HD SDI DVR and its one to consider if HD SDI is your preferred choice of protocol for your HD CCTV installation

One of the interesting finds of IFSEC 2012 was WCCTV

Standing for Wireless CCTV, this UK based company has established a major foothold into the Rapid Deployable CCTV Sector with its range of superb Wireless solutions.

Offering different solutions for differing applications, WCCTV have brought together leading technology from partner manufacturers to provide very unique and individual solutions

One of the VERY neat solutions was the METHANOL powered ‘Tower’ Systems – a liquid fuel powered self contained CCTV Tower, with audio and intruder detection, that can run on silent fuel for upto 6 weeks !!

Utilising the ever popular 360 Vision Predator and transmission from the Xtralis ‘Heitel’ unit, details as follows

WCCTV Standard Tower

Standard Tower

The WCCTV Tower is a complete all in one surveillance solution. The system contains 3G mobile phone technology to allow the transmission of video alarms. It also includes a heavy duty infrared 360 degree pan tilt and 36x zoom camera to allow a remote operator to capture images of any potential intruder and audio speakers to enable a remote challenge to occur. The Tower also comes with a fall back battery in case the power supply is interrupted. Within the system there is a removable hard disc drive which provides evidential quality images for up to 60 days at 25 frames per second. The Tower can also be used in conjunction with external motion and heat detectors. And can easily be linked, if required, to other legacy on site alarming systems

Methods of Power

WCCTV Towers can be powered via mains or generator. Alternatively fuel cell technology can be used, which can power the systems autonomously for up to 8 weeks. When this supply is near depletion, an alarm is triggered to notify the user that there is a requirement to replace the fuel cell cartridge. WCCTV also provides towers which can be totally relliant on wind and solar energy.

Additional Benefits

In addition to providing site security the WCCTV Tower can also be used as a project management and Health and Safety tool. It is possible for office based personnel to access the cameras during working hours and review the recorded images to solve on site problems and/or check regulations are being followed by personnel and sub contractors.

Secure Networks

WCCTV work in partnership with the mobile phone operators provides its own bespoke privately secure networks. These relationships ensure continuity of supply and also provide cell site upgrade and fault information. Working closely with the mobile phone operators enables WCCTV to ensure its equipment is future proofed.

Another of their great offerings is their ‘Site Dome’ based again on the 360 Vision Black Hawk range

WCCTV 3G Site Dome

Site dome

The new WCCTV 3G Site Dome is an all-in-one mobile site solution containing a camera, 3G & Wifi transmission, detection, a tannoy system and evidential video recording. It is a unique product which, coupled with alarm based monitoring and response, ensures that your site is protected. The portable site dome can be moved around your site to meet your changing needs. It is rapidly deployable and has a universal bracket to allow swift installation to any pole, column or building. The Site Dome can be powered using 110-240 volts AC from the mains supply or 12 volts DC with a 2 hour internal battery pack.

Methods of Transmission

Every WCCTV product contains 3G HSUPA mobile technology , plus an additional transmission medium to maximise flexibility and portability. This unique approach provides the ability to transmit fluid, high-resolution images wirelessly without geographical restrictions, making it truly redeployable.

Each WCCTV system has an IP address allowing it to utilise broadband technology, which offers high-speed, fixed-cost transmission networks for live 24/7 monitoring. Broadband technology is ideal for remote surveillance operations where there is access to a telephone line with broadband connection.

The WCCTV 3G Site Dome can alternatively also be operated on private networks as a LAN-only option.

The Wireless Dome system has Wi-Fi technology built in as standard, which enables cost-free, high speed downloads up to 100m away from a Wi-Fi enabled laptop. As an optional extra it is possible to request long range Wi- Fi, which enables cost-free live monitoring up to 2km (line-of-sight) away from a broadband access point.

Features & Benefits

  • Primarly designed for use in protecting and monitoring construction sites
  • Equipped with a radio receiver enabling up to 8 wireless detectors to be connected to provide an invisible perimeter
  • Backup battery system is charging whilst the site dome is powered and is activated if power is disconnected
  • Alarm is raised on power disconnectionRemote access to live and recorded digital footage
  • 3G HSUPA, WiFi and IP connectivity
  • Unlicensed software, unlimited users at no additional cost

Its worth taking a look over at their Website as we believe Rapid Deployment, particularly in temporary applications such as construction, festivals, demonstrations and also street concerns as seen last year in the riots, will involve more and more of this type of innovative tech !

take a look !!

Went to a promising appointment today. It was a school in the Midlands who were suffering problems with vandalism and they wanted to stop it. Their first thoughts turned to cameras and that if they could identify the hoodlums then they could bring them to the attention of the authorities and put a stop to it once and for. The damage caused to date was around £8500 and it was inevitable that there would be a repeat performance sooner rather than later.

We looked at the place where the problems were occurring , this was in a poorly lit section of the school and it was apparent that the area would need a couple of white light illuminators. In addition we wanted to supply an HD CCTV solution rather than analogue. After all they wanted to ID these crooks  not just capture blurred images of an event that would provide no detail post vandalism.

We made the customer aware of his options, 4 analogue cameras or a 2 mega-pixel IP camera plus some LED lighting. The mega-pixel solution meant that they could expand at a later date into other areas of the school but the recording solution was more expensive than a 4 way analogue DVR to start with.

Confronted with costs the customer immediately decided that he wanted analogue, but he did not want 4 cameras just 2 after all surely if they knew the people causing the issues (they assumed it was their own pupils) then the video evidence would be ok. Again we tried to explain why in our opinion this was a short sighted non solution to his issues. Even with a Dem of HD which he was most impressed with did he insist he still knew better and wanted to keep with his idea of an analogue solution convinced it would work.

We would rather walk away, so another wasted day, another customer about to be disappointed with his cameras , another customer who will try to blame his supplier that the cameras are very poor and don’t do the job, another customer who will always rue his purchase and tell all his colleagues how useless CCTV is when they really need it…..oh and another customer who refused to listen and made price a more important point than the CCTV solution itself…………the list goes on………..

last year at IFSEC 2011  HD CCTV was very much a minority side show that attracted little or no attention from the vast majority of visitors who spent their time browsing the aisles for something new and exciting to sell. Apart from the Everfocus EPHD 08 NH HD cctv dvr there was nothing to speak of, although to be fair the Everfocus HD CCTV concept did attract a minority of people but we are not too sure they were taken seriously as a product/concept that would take off.

Move forward 12 months and it seems Everfocus were forward thinking prophets of the future. HD SDI CCTV was everywhere at IFSEC 2012. There were over a hundred different exhibitors showing their HD SDI range of CCTV products and this included big players such as Samsung and Grundig. Entrants of this caliber into the HD SDI market mean the technology has to be taken seriously now.

It was interesting talking to the guys who were showing their products. Many were members of the HDcctv alliance, a group who are trying to standardize HD SDI so each manufacturers products will work seamlessly with one another, something seen as crucial in order to promote HD SDI and compete against analogue .It was even more interesting that many exhibitors were not trying to compete with IP. Its seems there is now an acceptance that HDcctv is going to compete and replace analogue in the 4 to 16 camera market place. It seems interest in larger systems is going to be limited, leaving this totally different scene to the IP boys.

HD CCTV uses existing coax, and HD over coax is a tempting way to upgrade legacy systems. Its cheap, easy, produces great results with no latency and no need for compression. Any CCTV engineer can fit it without the need for IP skills and remote support. It’s simple and the pictures are stunning.

So if you are a customer who is thinking of upgrading to HD CCTV then you need look no further than HD SDI technology, it may yet  prove the best CCTV option for you and your company.