Tag Archives: CCTV systems

CCTV.What do end users want?

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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!

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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

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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 !!

CCTV security systems. Great expectations?

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Expectations from CCTV systems.

CCTV installers can experience a number of problems after an installation has been finished and the first and most important of these is customers expectations. If the customer has not had a demonstration, then how are they to know what the picture quality will be when the engineer first switches the system on? The multitude of reactions we have experienced range from,…. .”wow that is fantastic” …to “but I cant even see their face”…or “thought the picture would be clearer than that”!  Bear in mind that to the supplier all those reactions are to a CCTV system that is exactly the same specification as they always install and the systems are the same and are of equal quality. The thing that must be established with the customer from the start is, what do they expect from the system?

Sales staff.

Many sales staff desperate for a sale will over sell. Then to maximise profits as they have been forced to discount and sell well below list price, they will then be forced to install the very cheapest kit to maximise profits. The reason for this ? Many sales have frustratingly been lost on price alone. The problem is end users tend to buy from” people who give them the right price that they want to hear, rather than pay a little more for the right product”. Instead they should take considered advice that ultimately could save them both disappointment and money.

Megapixel IP solutions.

So what about new IP and Megapixel solutions.? Well it is even more important to ensure that the product is exactly right for the application. Do megapixel cameras see well in the dark? Well some do but most don’t. When looking from inside out towards sunlight can a megapixel camera cope under those conditions? Again some better than others. A customer could spend thousands of pounds only to be disappointed in the end.

The future.

However Megapixel cameras are the future and end users should be keen to migrate existing analogue CCTV and embrace IP CCTV solutions whenever they decide to upgrade. Remember however don’t always opt for the cheapest option after all doesn’t the saying go ” buy cheap, buy twice”.

Hybrid CCTV camera solutions. The way forward!

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CCTV what’s next?

In today’s market it cannot be denied that the whole ethos of security and ideas of how customers protect their premises is changing. Many companies are looking to recycle existing security equipment or at the very least their current wiring  infrastructure. New equipment sales and complete upgrades are becoming more difficult to sell as budgets are tightened across all areas of business. Some security companies view this as a depressing fact and have resigned themselves to less sales cutting their staff accordingly. This may however be a little premature.

CCTV servicing.

Service opportunities are rising as existing kit slowly begins to fail and begs to be replaced but a whole new system is often a luxury that many companies just will not stomach. So it is now the time to think smart. Networks and IT technology is a an unstoppable fact of life and upgrades in this area are inevitable so camera solutions have to fit into this ever expanding frame work . The whole situation lends itself perfectly to a hybrid solution.

What is a hybrid solution?

Well a hybrid DVR is simply one that can handle both old analogue technology and the new IP cameras that are seen as the future of CCTV and security. Phasing IP in is less costly but still allows an end user to embrace the new products that can bring extensive benefits. The only proviso being, that the IP cameras  must be specified correctly. The right camera for the right application.

Hybrid CCTV systems.

Forward thinking Installing Companies prepared to use old analogue cameras together with a hybrid DVR will find the first step to new on going sales has been reached. As Hd and Megapixel cameras become more and more prevalent they can be integrated into a hybrid system over a period of time. This is more in the thinking of company accountants looking to find a solution, but one that suits his needs and budgets.

Be flexible, service all the  security solutions on a site!

To grow sales be flexible. Take on one or more of the security disciplines on site. Then, a customer will be more reliant on their installer and again this will give an opportunity for more sales and even integration between the CCTV, access control and intruder panels.

Sales to increase?

So lets not be gloomy about how we can grow sales of megapixel, HD, IP cameras and DVRs. This particular period  of difficult market conditions should really be re-thought as a chance for innovative and forward thinking installers to grow and enjoy the bright future that new IP camera solutions will soon bring.