Tag Archives: DVR

Backbone integrated security solutions.

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Backbone CCTV

Backbone security solutions provided by Backbone computer technology in Beijing China have their foundations in the research of video compression techniques, first developed as long ago as 1999.

Success.

Encouraged by their success, a year later they produced their first DVR range.This of course incorporated their their newly produced compression format and the collection of DVRs were called IDRS-2000 series. To compliment the DVRs and boost further sales they then designed and manufactured the SANNO camera range.

A brief history of their past leads us to their latest product. The IDRS 6000HC is now using H.264 and NVMS CCTV software. Complimented by many features it has plenty to offer.

The IDRS and Bernee brands form the basis of the Backbone product range which is supplied now worldwide and Backbone claim to produce very high quality products at a very competitive price. The collection of IP cameras and DVRs on offer certainly warrant a visit to their website.

Integrated security systems from Xtralis. V3100

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Integrated security systems from Xtralis.

Xtralis have recently produced a complete portfolio of their latest product information in preparation for the release of their new network video recorder/transmitter,  the Xtralis V3100.

Intelligent video solution.

The V3100 is an intelligent video solution incorporating some superb features and aimed at end users where secure transmission and recoding solutions are extremely important.The unit is capable of fast post-motion searching and can fully integrate to the Xtralis Access control package, the S3000. The V3100 is a hybrid unit and can be designed to suit the installation, to order. The unit can currently accept Axis IP cameras although other manufacturers IP cameras will soon be part of the overall suite.

The new era.

The V3100 is part of Xtralis’s march back into the market place after a little time in the wilderness. Historically we have seen them mainly as CCTV transmission specialists only they now have a DVR recording solution that can compete competitively with some of the more recognised leaders in high end spec DVRs. The portfolio consists of other products that compliment the new DVR. The first is V3001 IP digital matrix that enables images to be distributed from several sources to display screens, in addition we have the V3500 that enables unlimited storage, both on or off site. The management platform (CCTV software) is the M3000 command and control software and operates an open database for import and export purposes. It integrates fully to all the other products in the Xrtalis range.

Built to order.

Xtralis build these units to order in the heart of Europe, in spite of this  delivery times into the UK are exceptionally good. Another important development is that central stations are currently accepting the new units happily as one of the key benefits we see is that reliability and flexibility are at the heart of this product. With Xtralis however, this is something we have come to expect .

A complete security solution.

So as we have now seen, Xtralis have now built a portfolio of integrated security solutions that concentrate on proactive rather than reactive detection. The goal is to protect people and property by enabling remote sources to instigate a response to prevent damage before, rather than after a security breach, but now we have the recording solution and CCTV software packages to back this up.

Monitored CCTV. Stop security breaches.

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Need external security?

Your business is one that predominantly has to store your stock outside and you are starting to suffer some big losses. What can you do to ensure your property is protected and safe from the criminal fraternity who seem to have no fear about stealing from your yard? There are many businesses that will  fall into this category . Hauliers, garden centres , car sales, scrap dealers to name a few.

CCTV.

Your first thoughts may be to turn to CCTV, a good start but some view CCTV as a reactive solution , one that is good for deterring daytime losses but one that can leave the customer frustrated when they are only able to view the images the next day of stock disappearing from their premises. Guarding is also a good solution but one that could find you reaching deep into your pockets,  50k a year is not an unrealistic figure for a manned guard on your site. Fencing is the best physical deterrent but many companies return to work after a weekend to find a gaping hole in it and no stock. Nothing seems to keep people out it seems. The one thing a burglar does not like though is having attention drawn to themselves while perpetrating a crime. It seems from feedback we get that verbal deterrent can keep people out. Monitored CCTV is a way of using this facility.

What is monitored CCTV?

A number of cameras and external sensors are placed strategically around the site. When the sensor picks up movement a DVR will transmit the pictures to a central station. Here an operator is able to view the images and take action while the crime is in progress and will be able to stop or limit losses. He is able to do this by talking back to the site giving a verbal warning or using his discretion call the authorities and key-holders to get a presence onto the site as quickly as possible. This is not new technology and has been around for some time but what is happening is that with broadband and IP communicators, picture quality at the central station is so much better and the update of the images is almost real time meaning no lag for the operator to deal with. This means he can do his job far better.

Be realistic.

Remember though the operator is there to handle alarms, he not able to always take control of the camera and zoom in on the events although this service is now becoming more widespread as central stations look to offer more and more benefits to the end user.

DVR transmitters.

DVR’s are the most popular way of transmitting these images, remote connectability is a function that most manufacturer’s will  look to include into their products. 360 Vision Technology and Dedicated Micros are at the forefront of integrating their products into central station software. A key factor because the central stations will only except certain products to be integrated into their front end CCTV software, so advice on which central station can handle which product should be sort before you buy a remotely monitored system.

For more information on protecting your property.

For more information  or advice contact us and we can help you make the right choices.

Buying a cheap DVR?….then prepare to buy twice

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What DVR to buy?

What do customers want and expect from a CCTV solution when they are originally sold the the concept?

Clear crisp images.

Well most customers will expect crisp, clear live images to watch during the day and to be fair pretty much all camera systems are capable of producing this. A pre-installation demonstration can illustrate this well and most customers are happy to buy on what they have seen.

The pitfalls.

However what most end users fail to realize is that the live images are just a small part of the overall solution. So many times after an incident has occurred that they find out too late that they have purchased a system that is quite frankly totally unacceptable.

Why?

How can this be? Well often they discover to their cost that the DVR has let them down , no matter how good the pictures look “live” it is the play back and the information that can be gained at this crucial point that makes the difference between a good CCTV system and what can only be described as quite simply a white elephant..

What goes wrong?

Several things can go wrong when the customer comes to review an incident. One of the most common we have come across is that the hard-drive has failed. Cheap DVRs have no internal monitoring of the hard-drive health and no visible or audible indication that it is failing or worse, has failed. The consequences are obvious ..no pictures to review.

Other problems.

Other problems are that the DVR images are are a pale replica of what the customer has been used to watching live. This is because the picture quality that has been laid down onto the disc has been reduced to save hard-drive space. Either the pictures are jerky or pixelated and any attempt to zoom in on the incident is met with a mass of pixelated squares. Worse still the installer may have made the picture quality too good, so we have great images but find that we have recorded over the incident we are looking for. It may turn out you will have only one or two days recording.

Unhappy customers.

All this leads to customer dissatisfaction and in many cases the customer will find he spent a lot of money and achieved nothing. Correct advice is essential to ensure that the correct DVR is purchased in the first place . This may of course cost quite a bit more money at the time of the original purchase , however it seems  pointless to buy a DVR that is effectively useless!

Buy cheap, buy twice!

So think hard when deciding what you want to achieve from your CCTV system , Some applications may only need the very limited recordings that cheaper DVR’s will give you , but if you need a CCTV solution that you can rely on to give you the highest quality and lengthy service, its worth shopping around for the DVR that will actually give you EVERYTHING that you want.

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.