Vandal Resistant CCTV cameras not Vandal Proof

October 14th, 2008

Vandal resistant CCTV we can deliver.

Vandal proof is just a promise too far - no sensible CCTV manufacturer or installer would ever offer “vandal-proof” products.

There is no end to the amount of force that might potentially be used.

Some manufacturers will state their claim e.g. “proven to withstand a blow from a 10lb sledge hammer”.

I recall, when vandal-resistant dome cameras first became available (some years ago) one manufacturer had a rig on their exhibition stand that allowed you to lift and drop a hinged sledge hammer repeatedly onto their dome camera’s bubble!

Another manufacturer (or was it the same manufacturer?) made a video of a truck driving over their camera to show that it could survive this extreme treatment.

However, I once attended a client’s site after a vandal had struck a camera mounted to the ceiling of a subway with a five foot concrete fence post - it did not survive that!

The ultimate in this particular game is “ballistically tested” - as you can see from above, nobody will ever claim that they have manufactured a bullet-proof camera!

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Megapixel CCTV cameras for under £140

October 10th, 2008

Megapixel CCTV cameras are often dismissed as an expensive technology, beyond the budgets of ordinary end-user applications.

Take a look at this video clip from the ACTi ACM-4200 Megapixel Cube Camera.

It’s a 1.3 Megapixel network camera. 1.3 megapixels is three times the image resolution of the traditional CCTV cameras watching over your Reception area or shop!

Simply connect it to the nearest network point and record the video on a PC (ACTi provide their NVR Professional video recording software free-of-charge on a CD in the box with each camera - for use with up to 64 cameras!).

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Dome Cameras deliver great value

October 5th, 2008

vandal-resistant dome camera ACTi ACM-7411

Dome cameras deliver everything you need in one easy-to-install package.

ACTi ACM-7411 vandal-resistant dome camera

Camera, lens and outdoor weatherproof camera housing all in the one assembly.

In the case of this ACTi 7411 IP camera it’s also a vandal-resistant housing - ideal for those applications where you may have some fear of unwanted interference with the camera (indoors or out).

And, it’s a 1.3 megapixel camera, delivering over three times the image resolution of a traditional analogue camera.

And, it’s supplied with a vari-focal lens that allows you to adjust the field of view to suit the scene you want to cover.

And, it’s POE enabled, for an easy installation with video and power via a single Cat5 cable connection to your nearest network point.

And, ACTi supply their NVR Professional video recording software for up to 64 cameras free-of-charge in the box with each camera.

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Free NVR (Network Video Recorder) software from ACTi

September 23rd, 2008

NVR Professional and NVR Enterprise video recording software from ACTi are both free to use with their cameras.

ACTi NVR Professional free video recording software

ACTi NVR Enterprise free video recording software

The Professional version is shipped on a CD in the box with every camera purchased and can manage up to 64 cameras on any single site.

The Enterprise version can be downloaded from ACTi’s website free of charge. This version can be used for multi-site solutions where there are up to 16 cameras at each site. For camera counts greater than 16 on multiple sites ACTi NVR Enterprise can manage up to 64 cameras but, they charge for licences for 32, 48, and 64 camera versions - please contact us if you need any further details on this software.

Currently, this free video recording software only manages ACTi products, but you can mix their video inputs from their megapixel network cameras, standard IP video cameras and analogue CCTV to IP Video servers.

Their offer of free video software makes this perhaps the ideal migration route for owners of existing analogue CCTV cameras. Simply convert those CCTV cameras into IP video feeds by use of an ACTi video server. Then install their free recording software onto a suitable PC. Then add megapixel network cameras for better resolution IP CCTV into the future …

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ACTi ACM-4200 Megapixel Demo Video Clip - now online

September 14th, 2008

ACTi ACM-4200 is a great value megapixel IP camera, absolutely ideal for indoor applications for schools, offices and retail shops.

Don’t take our word for it check out the image quality from this budget-priced 1.3 megapixel camera in our video gallery.

A unique feature, compared to similar cameras in this price range, is the ability to change the lens - you can fit a replacement lens to give you exactly the field of view that you need to cover (the more closely you clip your field of view to the area you are actually interested in, the greater the number of pixels concentrated on that area, the better the delivered video resolution when you need to review recordings).

Don’t forget that ACTi offer their NVR Enterprise video recording software free of charge for use with up to 16 of their cameras.

As always, we look forward to your comments and feedback:

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CCTV and IP Integration Workshop - 5th November, Earls Court

September 11th, 2008

CCTV and IP integration workshop - the day before the “Next Generation CCTV” conference.

I posted on Tuesday about the upcoming conference, but nearly overlooked the workshop planned for the day before. I suspect that for some people this may prove even more useful than the conference itself.

Sessions scheduled on the agenda include:

  • Fundamentals of IP Technology
  • IP or not IP - why make the investment?
  • Jargon busting - understanding the technical complexities of IP CCTV
  • Integrating IP with existing CCTV systems
  • Navigating and overcoming technical disadvantages of IP: an honest evaluation
  • Matching the right IP solution to your business / organisation requirements
  • A step-by-step practical guide to IP/CCTV implementation
  • Q&A sessions with open audience discussion

Some good topics there, presenting a great learning opportunity for those that attend.
Check the website here for full information.

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Axis 207 proves ideal for retail CCTV

September 9th, 2008

Axis 207 and Axis 207MW network cameras are to be deployed in 750 SPAR stores in Austria, according to the latest press release from Axis Communications:

SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels-AG is Austria’s largest retail chain with total sales of SEK 93 billion (2007). Between 10 and 15 cameras of Axis 207 and Axis 207MW (megapixel wireless) models are being installed in each of the 750 SPAR stores. Axis cameras will be integrated in SPAR’s existing infrastructure and will provide several advanced features through their digital technology.

The solution makes it possible for SPAR to conveniently bring together all components in one system that in addition, may be remotely monitored from different locations. Updates can be performed centrally in all the 750 stores and it is possible to keep statistics on the number of customers and purchasing behavior. This means that SPAR can plan store layout and product exposure.

We are proud that one of Europe’s largest grocery chains has chosen Axis network video products. The retail trade accounts for about a quarter of all the security installations carried out on the market and is an important customer segment for us. The installation is a valuable reference in the work of generating interest for installations of network video products.

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CCTV for the Future - Earls Court, London - November 6th

September 9th, 2008

CCTV is evolving.

CCTV is converging with IT.

IP CCTV enables high-resolution images from megapixel cameras, and the connectivity to take those images anywhere.

The “Next Generation CCTV” conference will present these concepts for the future of CCTV and provide a platform to discuss and develop them.

It should be very interesting …

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ACTi servers - full range of ACTi CCTV video servers added

September 8th, 2008

CCTV system owners might be interested to learn that we’ve added the full range of currently available ACTi servers and decoders:

ACTi ACD-2100 - single channel server

ACTi SED-2120 - single channel video server

ACTi SED-2140 - single channel video server

ACTi SED-2320Q - four channel server

ACTi ACD-2200 - four channel server

ACTi SED-2610 - eight channel server

ACTi ACD-3100 - single channel video decoder

If you already have CCTV cameras (the traditional analogue type with a BNC co-axial connection on the back), and you want to connect them to your IP Network, then these are the devices you need.

ACTi NVR Enterprise recording software is still free for use with up to 16 cameras, and would be the ideal choice if you wanted to connect your cameras to your Local Area Network (LAN) then view and record them on your PC.

The Video Decoder device allows you to take video back off of your network and re-display it on a CCTV monitor. This can be a neat solution for carrying a video signal across a large site or campus which is already network cabled. I have even known a user to use a network encoder then decoder to carry TV signals across a site via network cables.

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ISNR - International Security & National Resilience Event Cancelled

September 8th, 2008

International Security and National Resilience Event (ISNR) scheduled for 2-3 December at Olympia has been cancelled.

No interest in National Security?

OR

Recessionary forces?

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