Megapixel IP cameras

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Megapixel IP cameras seem to defy the way we would all tend to think of what a CCTV camera should look like. It can come in the shape of what most would regard as a security type form, it can be a dome .It can be a nanodome.It can be a box or it can look like a flattened pancake!
So why the difference? Well it seems to depend whether the manufacturer comes from an IT background or from the CCTV security industry.Remember we are experiencing a meeting of two huge industries competing for the same market place now we have what most are calling IP CCTV.
The box type solution is definitely associated with the likes of Cisco, an IT giant and one that is now clearly grabbing the opportunity to impact on a multimillion pound market place that sees the megapixel IP camera as the future of CCTV. As an example big manufacturers like Avigilon are producing traditionally shaped IP cameras that are more pleasing on the eye and somewhat more reassuring for the end user that they are getting a real megapixel camera. In the case of Avigilon an incredible 16 megapixels of pure quality IP video.
So when it comes purchasing a Megapixel IP solution there is plenty of choice but i know which one i would choose!

Radar – ultra intelligent CCTV control from Navtech

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Navtech Radar and integrated CCTV

Along with Thermal, there are other technologies that exist to enhance and empower CCTV systems

Radar is one – and, a very innovative UK company, Navtech Radar, have a number of excellent products designed to give CCTV, particularly PTZ CCTV, additional power and efficiency.

With detection of up to 800m and the ability to mount at ground level or several metres in the air, Radar offers the ability to ‘map’ movement of objects and plot the movement on OS map overlays……..at the same time, powerful software allows the tracking co-ordinates to be interpreted by leading PTZ cameras such as Bosch MIC, Ganz AllView and the Predator from 360 Vision.

So why Radar? Well, with perimeter protection of airports and ports/borders so very difficult to implement, Radar can be centrally mounted and offer 360° 800m protection……with multiple ‘nodes’ of Radar being deployed then triangulation of movement, as well as hand over to other cameras is highly possible.

Couple this with long distance Thermal technology, again from the likes of Bosch and 360 Vision, then zero light object movement is not only possible but also highly efficient.

Take a look today at Navtech’s website and maybe check out their cool technology!

 

CCTV Analytics? check the label !

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CCTV analytics………..Ooops, looks like one of the most successful analytic software companies is on the litigation campaign!

Object Video, behind many if not most of the World’s analytic technology, and seen by many as the pioneers of true intelligent Video Analytics, has decided enough is enough and has started proceedings against quite a few Security big boys – namely Bosch, Sony, Samsung and others.

Over recent years, Object Video have appeared to step out of the limelight, but recently, in 2011, it appeared again with a reported $27m investment, surprising as it seemed that OV were on the slide backwards……….then, mysteriously, a new page appeared on their website that listed a new VP of Litigation…..sending rumours around that perhaps the funding was the method to go for some pretty major litigation

What does this mean? well, if it is Patent infringement, then basically OV will go for damages, but this could mean that the big boys are forced to stop selling their analytics until the case is settled……either way…..

Notable exclusions include Axis, Pelco and Cisco – looks like they are either protected by licenced patents or OEM/reseller agreements……..

So, take a look at how important your current analytic solution is and make sure you have a 2nd choice……..just in case!

 

We would like to thank IP video market for much of the content we were able to use for this article

VMS – what does it mean and what is it all about!?

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VMS

Video Management Software

Video Management System or Systems

Video Management Solutions

Call it what you will, but basically, VMS is now becoming a generic term for centralised and advanced IP control software.

VMS software is now available in many guises, from software only, to client/server, to hardware and software solutions.

let’s take a look here at some of today’s leading VMS solutions and check what they offer to the installer and end user

  • March Networks
    Launching their new COMMAND VMS platform, March have adopted a multi-platform software solution
    The back engine consists of the current VMS platform, offering large scale IP camera deployment (SD and HD technology) along with server based storage – both locally and over the network.
    Alarm handling can be implemented both locally and remotely and March have an innovative scheme called ‘Shadow Archiving’ to allow gaps in recording to be synchronised across the network in the event of network outage. 

    March are also pioneering the ability to bridge different operating systems, offering compatibility with both Windows and Mac based OS devices.

  • Milestone offer a similar scenario VMS, but this is based solely on deployable software. Without doubt one of the original IP VMS pioneers, Milestone has grown to be the ‘standard’ for other VMS solutions to follow. Milestone have built an amazing back catalogue collection of compatibility, preferring to show their strength in 3rd party compatibility and their own software, rather than influencing customers down a particular IP Hardware route – this means maximum flexibility for both installer and end user as systems with existing equipment, analogue or IP, can be re-utilised with little difficulty.Starting with the excellent Milestone XProtect Essential, offering IP management of up to 26 cameras, Milestone prides itself in offering scalable VMS upgrade paths for ever growing systems
  • OnSSI is based on the Milestone platform and offers not only IP VMS, but also hardware solutions also. OnSSI strength and depth extends to the edge devices such as IP cameras and encoders, with the ability to offer a complete end to end solutionWhilst offering their own range of hardware, OnSSI still builds on the ethos of maximum compatibility with 3rd party devices – offering upgrade paths to legacy systems.
  • CNL Software, one of only a few UK based VMS manufacturers, takes the VMS platform a stage further – preferring to ‘partner’ with 3rd part technology from all sorts of security disciplines – Fire, Intruder, Access Control, CCTV etcHistorically this would be known as BMS or Building Management Systems, but with the advent of IP and streaming video, CNL have developed probably and arguably the most complete product solution, to cover all security needs
  • IndigoVision again, like CNL, have taken their original Video Management Solution and integrated Access Control and other security device drivers……..once known for their IP Streaming technology, IndigoVision have grown to one of the world’s leading VMS providers…..with both Hardware and Software solutions to offer.With HD being the main product offering from IndigoVision, then quality of image and accessibility is high on their list of priorities.
  • VideoIQ are probably the slightly different VMS providers here in this list, in that they are hardware pioneers of extremely high quality HD IP cameras, with a developed and powerful VMS Platform to complement their hardware – not the other way round.What’s great about VideoIQ is that the user can use just their hardware on other VMS, or have the full end to end solution

Over the coming months, we will be taking a closer look at each of the above VMS providers, as well as some of the emerging contenders.

There is absolutely no doubt that the CCTV world is changing and changing fast – VMS is providing the driver for this implementation and general acceptance………make sure YOU keep up and in touch !

 

IP camera UK

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IP cameras are now an acceptable part of any security system. IP cameras are flexible, cheap to install and get rid of the need for fused spurs by replacing them with POE switches instead. CCTV Installing companies under increasing pressure to ensure they certify electrical work on fused spurs are seeing huge advantages of this fact. IP cameras may be a little more expensive to buy but the total cost of ownership (TCO) is greatly reduced because of the time that can be saved installing them. Anyone looking to capture events that require facial recognition or clearer evidence of any incident should consider HD or megapixel cameras together with advanced VMS software that will allow incidents to be enlarged without the drawback of pixelation interfering with the image.

ip cameras

When considering a CCTV system you may be better off instead with a video surveillance system instead, this is effectivley cameras on a network, lots to consider but in the long run a future proof option that gives greater flexibilty. Check out some of our articles about IP cameras and video management systems before investing in an analogue CCTV system that may be cheaper, however in the end why settle for second best?