The Predator PTZ camera, Jack of all trades and master of all of them !

Thermal predator
Jack of all trades

Sometimes in the Security arena a product arrives in the market place that really captures the imagination of those in the industry. The Predator CCTV camera with all its variants is one of those products.   Launched to compete with the Bosch MIC product range the Predator ruggedized PTZ camera has been able to morph into a camera that really can fit into most applications.

The 360 Vision PRED can be fitted at airports, harbours, military sites. Schools university’s and hotels. It can be purchased as an HD camera, have built in IR, A white light that gives a fantastic deterrent feature and this camera can even come with thermal capability.   There is so many ways to use the Predator CCTV camera. Those who deploy mobile security are mounting these cameras to their vehicles and harbour masters are utilizing the thermal aspect of the cameras to give them a distinct advantage when monitoring our seaports.

The PREDATOR CCTV camera is designed to work on a multitude of recording platforms and it will integrate seamlessly into existing systems. It comes as standard with Multi Protocols including Pelco, Ultrak and DM. This allows complete integration with most DVR’s. If your existing set up is an IPCCTV system then there is an IP version of the Predator and because this is ONVIF compliant any video management system can be integrated into quite easily.This includes Avigilon and Milestone two of the most popular VMS systems out there.

Perhaps the largest untapped source yet of sales within the security world is thermal. 360 vision have recognized this and the Predator Thermal is available in either 320 or 640 pixel resolution. This definition is more than enough to pick up heat sources at distances of 2.5K in absolutely zero light conditions. When used by on-site security guards this is an extremely powerful tool. One feature that has been asked for by many is temperature sensing from the thermal core that will lead to an alarm condition. This can be particularly useful in the waste industry and in areas where expensive plant needs to be protected against fire. The new 320S offers temperature sensing with up to 10 ‘Temperature Alarms’ to monitor Preset positions. This means that if the temperature rises or drops below a pre-defined temperature range, then an alarm condition that can be created and transmitted to a central station triggering a reactive response and hopefully limiting any damage that may be caused.

Predator thermal security camera

To complement the Thermal range there is also another offering that gives fantastic pictures at night. The IR version of the Predator now has 125m of IR illumination. Added to this camera is also the Ultra Bright White Light LEDs meaning images can be produced in both monochrome and colour. A great feature but we believe the white light offers much more than just colour images at night. It brings a whole new deterrent value to your security system. Imagine as this light follows an intruder, either automatically through the use of alarm presets or manually as a guard is able to follow every move an intruder is making. It really does hand the advantage to the guard and business owner and remove any doubt for the intruder that he is being watched, recorded and more than likely going to be caught committing any crime he may be considering.

One final feature that highlights 360 Vision’s sense of fun as well as a clever commercial tool is that you can buy the Predator camera in just about any colour you may want. Add to this a new innovation where by you can get any pattern transferred onto the camera. It maybe camouflage or perhaps need to fit with the brickwork pattern of the building it is being fitted to. This now means you can have a camera that will either stand out or blend in to any situation that maybe required, this it has to be said is quite brilliant! predcolours220x190 The HD predator is just the latest addition from 360 vision so in essence we can say the Predator is colourful, practical and effective, most of all though, it is a camera that is proactive NOT reactive, something we all want and need these days.

Success of the Predator ruggerdised CCTV camera – interview with 360 Vision Technology

We’ve blogged on the Predator from 360 Vision before, but when the opportunity came along to discuss the product further, we grabbed it while we could!

Here we ask Mark Rees, Business Development Director for 360 Vision, what are the reasons for current and future successes with the range.

1: So how are sales of the Predator camera range despite the current economic climate?

Mark: we launched Predator CCTV camera back in late 2010 as an addition to our already established PTZ Dome range. Predator was always going to take some time to get established as the economy was still in difficulty and public spending was being cut in many places appropriate to the product – Predator is a ruggedised and overt PTZ, designed perfectly for town centres, local authority trouble spots and anywhere where a ‘cctv presence’ is necessary. We just found that money was tight so we decided to diversify.

Introducing the White Light (more later) brought us into more deterrent applications and the Thermal Predator particularly gave us an excellent tool for markets abroad.

We now supply in excess of 200 Predators a month all over the world!

White light Predator camera

2: Where are Predators being sold then?

Mark Well, just last week we took an order from a customer for a series of Predator CCTV cameras to be installed on the Kenyan Railway system….another order was for a customer in the US using them into the Oil industry. We are also extensively quoting for projects in the Middle East now in applications such as Oil fields and Border control.

3: Middle East? How?!

Mark This year we attended the superb Intersec expo in Dubai. We were sceptical at first – new region, new client base – but we were delighted with everything about the show. We came away with over 150 very strong project leads and the reception for our products was amazing.

4: Which of the  Predator cameras grabbed their interest then?

Mark The Thermal Predator was well received, we are unique (and patent pending) in that we offer a 640 high resolution thermal core (our competition currently offer 320 maximum) and in addition, we can offer IR and WHITE LIGHT on the combined Thermal and Analogue Predator camera.

Also, we used the show to present our final stage concept, ATEX Predator. This allows us to tie the product into the protected and intrinsically safe Oil, Petroleum and Gas industries – huge in the Middle East! ATEX Predator in Class I & II certification during late Summer 2012

5: Tell us about the White Light and why it has worked well for the range

Mark White Light Predator has surprised and amazed us as to the take up. For the first time since launch, we are seeing a small decline in our established PTZ Dome sales and instead, a transfer to the White Light Predators.

Talking with installers, it makes perfect sense now. Historically, they would install additional lighting to aid the cameras, be it IR for covert or external security lighting for more overt site protection.

With White Light Predator, up to 125m of high intensity White Light LED beam travels with the Predator – almost like a searchlight ! So, if an intruder was spotted, then he/she would have to be incredibly determined or incredibly stupid to continue their activities whilst illuminated!!

Remote Video Monitoring stations have embraced the concept too – it aids their staff in both the additional illumination, but also complementary to the voice annunciations they can make – to be able to say ‘you in the red jumper and blue trousers’ is a powerful message – yes, White Light also gives the ability for colour CCTV images at night, which again, is a big advantage for the quality of recorded evidence.

CCTV 2012

6: How expensive are your IR & White Lights to run and maintain?

Mark because they are all based on high quality LED technology, they are very long lasting, low power consuming and very easy to maintain and replace. I can recall supplying conventional IR lamps way back and the cost to replace their bulbs was extortionate, along with the sometimes short life! LED is a massive step forward.

7: we hear about this ‘Any colour, any quantity’ statement, what does that mean?

Mark It’s a tongue in cheek jibe to our competition – we know a really large manufacturer is not able to provide custom paint finishes unless the quantity is sufficient to alter a large production run. Even though we are selling Predators monthly in the hundreds now, we still offer the facility for the customer to request a specific RAL colour and we will provide it, any quantity!

This is important where the end user is concerned about blending into the surrounding area – we have produced colours for National Trust, Quarries, Woodland and even a JCB Yellow! We even took a stunning Gold Predator to Dubai to show that we really can produce ‘any colour’ !

8: So what about the future of Predator? What developments?

Mark currently right now, we have a stunning Megapixel camera block, with 28x optical zoom ready to deploy inside our IP Predator. All our range has an IP option which again, is currently unique amongst our competitors.

We are looking at Thermal additions with some seriously cool features that will diversify our activities further, but I cannot reveal those just yet!!

And with the ATEX, the materials we are using means we an offer a Stainless Steel version Predator which opens us up to ballistic arenas as well!

9: Integrated CCTV thanks you for your time and looks forward to reporting more on your Predator CCTV camera updates in the future!

Mark you’re welcome !

Many thanks to Mark for a brief insight into the Predator. Being a UK product, built, tested and supported, means that UK based installers benefit from a more ‘local’ company. Here at Integrated CCTV, we think buying British is essential in these difficult economic times, so support British and give the Predator a try!

Thermal CCTV images. Just fantastic

Thermal CCTV is the ultimate tool for central stations. It is also the ultimate tool for end users who a) want to reduce crime and b) want to reduce costs.

By using a combination of thermal CCTV and central station monitoring solutions the on site aspect of  security can be removed saving many thousands of pounds a year for the end user and allowing manned guarding to be re-deployed to more effect.

Check the video out and let us know if you want to save money.

Infiniti Integrated PTZ camera.Dedicated Micros Thermal CCTV solution.

The Infiniti integrated PTZ camera is Dedicated Micros answer to thermal CCTV. They have gone for a fully functional Integrated solution using a day/night CCTV camera and a thermal imaging unit together in the same housing. By combining the two different technologies Dedicated Micros Infiniti has an answer to all lighting conditions, in theory you will never be without a picture or thermal images to work with . Great for high security situations.

The Infiniti also comes in both analogue and IP versions and is housed in a IP66 enclosure. A sun shield and  integrated washer and wiper ensure that the lens is well protected against the elements. The Infiniti also has simultaneous streams from both of the integrated cameras and the thermal imaging unit has an exceptional range of 900M. Brilliant for scenarios where an early warning of movement is required.

We recently told you of how we believe Thermal imaging will start to be used more and more in the mainstream CCTV market and now with the Bosch Metal Mickey and 360 vision’s thermal predator. The competition is starting to hot up. Flir also are trying to reduce their prices in order to compete with these new kids on the block. The only negative comments we have heard is aesthetically, the Infiniti does not really match the some of its closest rivals…as i was told..comparing the the camera with its closest rivals is a little like comparing Cheryl Cole and Susan Boyle………not quite sure what they meant by that ……………….

Thermal CCTV – trust us, THE next big thing!

Thermal CCTV is here! Much has been discussed about it  in our Industry…….but what is it really all about and how does it help?

Thermal CCTV

Imagine an environment where normal cameras are really unlikely to pick up meaningful information – maybe a harbour or port where water, at night, is just a black wobbly mess as far as conventional cameras are concerned

Maybe there is a requirement for observing movement in the water? Man Overboard or similar requirements…….

Thermal CCTV works on heat – ok, we’re not trying to give you a lesson in Thermal here, but basically, heat signatures are picked up, AT DISTANCE, and translated into a video image that is highly useful

Why?

Well, imagine a camera that could spot movement at distances of 750m+ – in pitch black……..Thermal CCTV does not need ANY light at all……..it can display it in colour (rainbow) or black/white heat……..

Imagine strapping that to a standard camera and suddenly you have the best of both worlds – Thermal for Night, High quality analogue for the Day…………

Thermal Predator camera

The boys over at 360 Vision have taken that one stage further and made it a DUAL unit – capable of giving 2 video feeds simultaneously which is a first for Thermal CCTV PTZ cameras………Bosch too have a unit, they have taken a different approach and provide it as a switching unit, offering Thermal and then analogue either manually or automatically form one video feed – both have merits we feel

So why is this going to be a hot topic?

Thermal Metal Mickey

We think Ports, Harbours, Airports, buildings of importance etc are all targets in this heightened world of security alerts……….and Thermal works brilliantly with Analytics. No light, long distances, pixel perfect detail…..ideal for video analytics……and, like Bosch and 360 Vision, strapped to a conventional camera, analytics then allow clever tracking with dynamic zooming options…….

Just watch our Industry in the coming months……Thermal really will be THE next big thing!

Check out this video we caught of the Thermal Predator from 360 Vision……..