Commercial CCTV Systems

A brief insight to CCTV security systems technology

It is our belief that Closed Circuit Television CCTV security systems have made the greatest single contribution to crime reduction in the past few years.  In this time, advances in CCTV security systems have grown in tandem with public appreciation of its benefits.

CCTV security systems are proven to be a huge deterrent for many but when an incident or crime is ‘caught on camera’ the evidential benefits are immense.

Business CCTV security systems as a supervisory aid are a vital tool in combating both external and internal risks.

The way we were
Historically, the weak link in CCTV security systems was the video recorder (VCR).  Recording quality was sometimes mediocre and accessibility of the recorded information reminiscent of searching for the proverbial ‘needle in a haystack’. Added to this, the VCR was often located in some forgotten corner, or other equally inconvenient location for senior management. It was regarded, all too often, as something to be reviewed only if an incident had happened….a source of reactive information.

CCTV in the digital age
We live in the age of digital technology and, without doubt, the biggest development for business CCTV security systems has been the method by which video data is recorded and, more critically, distributed for display and playback.

The VCR has been superseded by the DVR (Digital Video Recorder).  Picture quality and the method of compression and images per second are all so much better.  But the main benefit is in how and where system cameras can now be viewed and how the recorded data can be intelligently searched.

There remains a control hub for the business CCTV security systems but the DVR can be networked (LAN/WAN), transforming nominated desktop PC’s into part of the system when required.  Now, instead of the camera images seemingly destined for a ‘Black Hole’, they are distributed to all who need, so that live and recorded data can be discreetly viewed on desktop.

Allocate a static IP address to your Broadband line and the DVR can be viewed over the Internet from wherever you happen to be in the world.

This has meant that these Business CCTV security systems have now become a dynamic source of management information, a source of proactive detail, enabling business to work smarter.

Cameras
The past ten years has seen cameras get better and better.  A pivotal point was the introduction of speed domes, enabled excellent performance for a low cost, and ease of operation in one attractive sealed unit.

Looking back, those early domes were inferior when compared with some of the units available today but they represented great progress.

Today’s cameras offer, subject to application, incredible value for money and image quality excellence.  The low light colour/mono units, some with built-in IR illuminators, are particularly impressive. 

For our part, Crime Prevention Services have established partnerships with some of the world’s leading manufacturers, and offer an extensive range to suit virtually every conceivable application.

Ensure it meets your needs
The key objective when designing business CCTV security systems is for the design to meet your every need.  We must consider, for example:

• What are the key and critical areas of your site
• What the foreseeable risks are and which need to be addressed
• Where needs to be continuously viewed and supervised and where, as an alternative, patrol surveillance by a motorised Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) unit discreetly scanning around a wider area is more suited
• Where the benefits of manual operation of a PTZ camera are essential (lenses typically have a 25:1 zoom ratio)
• When recognition is the requirement rather than general observation (It is vital that cameras are not asked to see too much.  For recognition we advocate a person should occupy at least 50% of the screen height and that a person should as a minimum always occupy at least 10% screen height to be considered as seen.)
• When vehicle recognition is a requirement, so impacting not only on camera type and set-up but on frame speed of image processing
• Type of illumination and consequences for 24hour applications
• Recording duration and archive period, including image quality/speed/resolution needs
• Where the control ‘hub’ should be located
• Where, elsewhere, system access is to be required (and any differing authority levels in respect of what each operator is to be allowed to do/see)

Look before you decide
For those considering the installation of commercial CCTV security systems or an upgrade of your existing system, we would recommend that you ‘see for yourself before you decide’.

Crime Prevention Services provide a full on-site survey and demonstration service with no obligation.  Our demonstration vehicle is equipped with some of the latest technology and will enable you to determine best external camera positions as well as gaining expert advice and guidance regarding what is best suited for your needs and application.

Contact us NOW !

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