External CCTV security systems.

Protecting goods you have to store outside is becoming an extremely important issue now. Anyone who has left items unattended for a period of time will know that before long someone will either steal or vandalize them.

CCTV cameras

External security systems have been around for a while, a combination of sensors, cameras and audible alarms do help to deter many intruders but what is the best combination and who is likely to need it.

Well anyone who is in the following industries could benefit.

Wholesalers

Builders merchants

Skip hire

Hospitals

Garden centres

Marinas

Hauliers

Schools

Plant hire

Car dealers

Farmers

Coach operators

Van hire and car hire

Caravan sales

Construction sites

Mines

Scrap metal dealers

Aggregates

And so the list goes on.

IP camera.

With the new IP camera technology that is now available many of the above industries will need to consider how they approach security and what will be the next move to ensure that they will always have security cover. We recommend that anyone who is considering a new install or an upgrade looks very hard at at new dome cameras that incorporate IR technology for night vision and IP codecs built into the head to enable them to be integrated into an NVR.

Fixed beams.

Fixed beams offer an excellent perimeter security protection solution especially if they can be deployed into a sterile area and have good line of site, in addition external PIR sensors give coverage in areas that fixed beams cannot be used.

Gates and barriers.

Gates and barriers also help reduce unauthorized movement on a site and this combined with ANPR (number plate recognition) give good control over who comes and goes.

Integrated CCTV.

Here at integrated CCTV we have plenty of information on many leading products that will offer an external security solution to many businesses out there. We can also offer online advice to anyone who is thinking of using new IP camera technology. We look forward to hearing from you.

200 series IP cameras.

This great little camera is ideal for small business who only need a one or two camera solution and don’t want to have to pay out for an NVR or DVR recorder. What is more, all you require is an IP point POE switch and a screw driver and this IP camera can be simply removed from the box fixed to the wall and plugged in. That’s all there is to it.

ONVIF compatible.

Ideal for reception areas or small shops the IP camera 200 series comes in two forms.The 255 and 225 versions. This gives you the choice of a fixed or a varifocal lens. The IP camera produces crisp clear images and is ONVIF compatible.

CCTV software.

As well as on-board recording the camera can be integrated to a Bosch surveillance software for ease of viewing recorded images. The camera has built in motion detection so recording space can be saved on the on board SD memory card. Using the very latest H.264 compression standard the camera seems to fit into many applications.

Backlight compensation needed?

Having been demonstrated the camera I have to say I agree with all the above but the images could have been better when looking towards doors and windows especially because it seems to fit so well into the area of viewing doorways in reception areas.

Decisions , decisions

If you are the  MD of a company who is about to upgrade or install a new CCTV surveillance system, you are probably going to be faced with some pretty tricky decisions on how you are going to approach the subject. The three main questions you will need to ask yourself are:

1)      Will I just upgrade my analogue cameras for new analogue cameras?

2)      Will I use a mixture of my existing equipment with new IP camera technology .i.e. a hybrid CCTV system?

3)      Will I go for the latest IP Megapixel camera solutions with a VMS recording platform?

CCTV solution? Too many choices?

The problem is there is no clear answer on this. Option 1 will almost certainly work out the cheapest at the point of installation and the results you will be able to achieve will mirror those of any previous analogue system you have used. The cameras and DVR may well have more features but overall system performance is going to be the same.

Hybrid CCTV.

Option 2 will give you a half way house solution. Hybrid systems combine analogue and IP cameras with the potential to record on either a DVR or an NVR but you will have to convert the cameras to either analogue or IP at the point of recording. Having said that some companies advocate the use of a Hybrid DVR that can handle both, but long term support for these products is distinctly questionable. However for the time being they provide a convenient bridge between the two technologies.

IP CCTV.

Finally option 3. This will mean a commitment to the future, but one that is still evolving. With megapixel cameras you really need to consider your companies network capabilities to ensure the frame rate and picture quality are maximised. It is inevitable that IP products will be the dominant force in the CCTV market place over the next 5 years. Analogue solutions have reached their ultimate performance levels and have become as cheap as they ever will do. The price of analogue will rise in time, which is why option 1 may not be the cheapest route in the long run. Conversely IP products will fall in price sharply and the options and ranges of the camera and recording products will be wide ranging.

Buy IP CCTV solution.

So as an MD the decision is defiantly not easy, proper advice should be sort to ensure that a supplier with an installation preference does not force you down the wrong route. So thought and consideration is now crucial as to the decision……… “Buy IP Camera solution”? probably …yes!

Answering the age old problem of how to illuminate PTZ dome pictures at night time, 360 Vision have announced the availability of their Black Hawk IR Dome range

Drawing on over 20 years of CCTV Manufacturing,  the 360 Vision Technology Black Hawk IR Dome with twin LED IR illuminators is available in a choice of either Cool Grey, White or Black.

Options include:-

  • Dual 830nM wide angle IR Lamps providing 100m of illumination
  • Sony Ex-View WDR Camera options in 18x, 26x and 36x zoom
  • Multi Protocol Integration
  • OSD
  • Motor Motion Design
  • High Quality Components
  • Intelligent Alarms
  • Creative Privacy Zones
  • True Day/Night performance
  • Picture Freeze and Fast Shutter

we certainly think this is a great addition to their range – domes have always suffered from a lack of travelling illumination as found on the older overt PTZ units.

we think that the Black Hawk is a great ‘in between’ product, sitting perfectly between their VisionDome and Predator range !

we hope to bring a review shortly of the claimed 100m IR range……

Today, we take a look at Mesh Wireless Networks

Potential Benefits:
Video surveillance is often wanted in areas that are remote from buildings, such as in parking lots and along fencelines. Running network cabling can be cost prohibitive and requiring expensive and/or disruptive trenching.

Ip wireless systems offer a wire free alternative to transmit video in those areas. Mesh wireless systems (a specialized form of IP wireless) allow video to be transmitted across longer distances and around areas of interference (like hills or trees etc)

Costs: Compared to long distance cable runs, mesh wireless is generally significantly less expensive. Even at about £1500 per wireless node, wireless is far less expensive than almost any form of trenching across roads or pavement.

  • End User Risks:
    Because of the bandwidth demanded, deploying wireless systems for video surveillance require specialized expertise. If end users do not choose experienced installers, significant delays may occur. Additionally, risks exist in the long term performance of the system (as environmental or local changes can degrade performance). It is imperative that customers budget for long term maintenance of the system or major issues could occur.
  • Installer Risks:
    Deploying wireless video surveillance networks may be the single most difficult technical task in all of video surveillance (even harder than video analytics). Wireless demands technical expertise in both IP networks and wireless systems. Futhermore, wireless systems can be impacted by external factors such as the weather and nearby wireless users (because most systems are licence free). Two specific risks are : (1) systems that do not deliver as much bandwidth as the installer plans and requires and (2) ongoing stability problems with the system that demand expensive service calls.

 

Taken from the ‘Emerging Video Surveillance Guide 2010’ from http://ipvideomarket.info/

Have you any opinions on this? leave a comment for us!