iPhone, iPad and CCTV

We blogged some time back now about iPhone/iPad requests for CCTV accessibility…………….

Just recently, a new app ‘app’eared (like what I did there!) in the Apple App Store that gives access to the 360 Vision OpenVision range of DVRs and NVRs



Called iDVR-Vue, it draws on the fluidity of the iPhone/iPad interface to offer a really intuitive way to view cameras on your installed H or T DVR, or even your Hybrid/NVR system.

Connection setup is as easy as selecting the model, entering the static IP address (this is normally provided by your ADSL or ISP provider), and putting in the Username and Password and clicking connect

First connection presents a Quad display………..if you have more than 4 cameras, a simple swipe across the screen moves the display onto cameras 5-8, a swipe again onto 9-12 and finally 13-16…………. and if any of the cameras are PTZ domes such as the Predator or Black Hawk range, then tapping on that quad image brings the camera to full screen where the fun really begins!

Anyone that has used the iPhone/iPad will know that the screen is great for touch control……….. a swipe in any direction sends the camera moving in the same direction…..the further you move across the screen, the quicker the dome will move………….Zoom is very much like viewing pictures, pinch to zoom in and out and the dome camera will respond by zooming in and out!

We’d like to see preset and tour initiation and also maybe some playback/search controls, but we are told that will be in the next release in the App Store

The real beauty to this? IT’S FREE !

We like free, it shows a manufacturers commitment to offer additional services to what is often considered a grudge purchase

And let’s face it, who these days does not have an iPhone or iPad!!!

Also available for the Blackberry range

CCTV NEWS, MEL release their Thermal CCTV camera Unit!

MEL Secure Systems have launched an innovative new PTZ Thermal Rapid Deployment unit called the ThunderHawk Thermal…..

Incorporating the previously blogged 360 Vision Predator Thermal IR PTZ camera unit, MEL have added their incredible RF and battery capabilities to launch the World’s first, dual camera, IR and Thermal Rapid Deployable.

Inside is the tried and tested FLIR technology, offering lens choices to 35mm, which in turn delivers up to 750m of movement detection in zero light!

According to their MD, Peter  Druzyc, Domehawk IR Thermal employs a continuous rotation, ruggedised PTZ security camera in combination with a thermal imaging module from FLIR and IR and Sony WDR Day/Night camera modules. It offers exceptional quality and reliability and it has virtually silent operation. Equipped with a Sony WDR 36:1 optical zoom and a 35mm Germanium lens for the thermal, Domehawk can deliver high quality thermal pictures with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels alongside high performance IR LEDs which give night vision to the Sony module at ranges of up to 90 metres.

Peter Druzyc, Managing Director of MEL Secure Systems: “Domehawk IR Thermal is a powerful camera system that integrates all the technologies needed to deliver total protection around the clock in a wide range of high security applications.”

The optically flat glass windows of the Domehawk are distortion free, which give brighter and clearer images at higher zoom ranges, detecting human movement at over 750m when in thermal mode, and allowing greater installation flexibility. The camera also has  fitted wiper and washer options, to clear any atmospheric dirt and water enabling effective operation in even the most adverse weather conditions.

Mel Secure Systems’ new camera has very low power consumption and can even operate from a 12 volt battery giving an operational life in excess of 200 hours before needing to replace or recharge the battery. It can be operated from within a control room environment, separate control case or even a hand held unit allowing for easy on-site setup and operation. With full multi-protocol integration, it is compatible with most leading DVR’s, Matrices and IP Systems. Transmission is via a MEL COFDM Video and UHF Telemetry system, enabling high quality, interference-free images to be received at distances of up to 4km without the need for line of sight. This also ensures low end-to-end latency making it faster than IP-based systems and easier for operators to follow specific events with a PTZ joystick.

The use of ultra-narrowband also provides exceptional range and video quality in high multipath environments regardless of line of sight as well as enabling users to co-locate more channels in the increasingly crowded RF spectrum. The MEL Dual Thermal Domehawk camera is currently available in a wide range of frequencies including 1.0 MHz ultra-narrowband, 1.3, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz as well as 300-400 MHz UHF. It can also be used with IP based networks and has a 3G/GPRS HSDPA/HSUPA option enabling the camera to be monitored or images downloaded from any computer with Internet access or mobile phone.

Domehawk IR Thermal is IP67 compliant with a housing cast from hard anodised aluminium and epoxy powder coated to provide protection from damage such as scratching, oxidation or attack from solvents making it vandal resistant and suitable for use in most environments.

Looks like an extremely interesting take on an established quality product from 360 Vision, well done MEL……. We like to see clever companies join forces and produce exciting and unique products!

International Security Exhibitions

We may be based in the UK, but we always like to follow some of the up and coming International Exhibitions!

Volcano ash permitting, we are looking to bring good information on emerging technologies from the following exhibitions in 2010

ESSEN – Essen, Germany 5th to 8th October

ASIS – Texas, USA 12th to 15th October

ISC EAST – New York, USA 3rd and 4th November

more to follow!

Black Hawk IR dome from 360 Vision

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……

Navtech Radar

An interesting twist on Perimeter protection!

We became aware recently of a new, emerging technology in the Security Industry……….Radar

It’s not a new technology, but certainly new in our industry.

Is it expensive?

Well, yes…….but, you need to look beyond the capital outlay and see what it replaces…

historically, protecting a huge perimeter, such as that of an airport, would involve 10’s or even 100’s of sensors, whether beams or detectors, alarm or dedicated CCTV beams such as those from companies like Optex etc…..

but, one single Navtech Radar unit, placed centrally, can monitor movement in an 800m 360 degree zone………and link various zones to multiple cameras……controlling PTZ cameras such as MIC-400 from Bosch or the new and excellent 360 Vision Predator product, moving them automatically to moving objects and dynamically tracking as the object moves within the detection zone………

Offering a complete revolution of the mentioned 800m 360 degree view in ONE SECOND this represents a very different way to think of sensor detection.

We think this is a very exciting new product, there is defintely a cost increase, but we are prepared to bet that if installation costs and labour are factored in, there is very little in it!

Navtech’s website can be found here – let us know what you think!