Month: March 2012

Hard Drive Prices update

We blogged before that potentially suppliers and distributors were using the Thailand floods to maybe profiteer on increased Hard Drive prices.

hard drive western digital floods shortage 2012

We just heard that at least one supplier has lowered their HDD prices back. When asked why the sudden move, the response was that they had cleared their stock of higher cost HDD’s and that new HDD’s had reduced in price so they were happy to pass that saving back on to their customers.

So, prices do indeed appear to be dropping – if you are still not seeing this, then it may be time to change supplier or purchase HDD free DVRs and obtain yourselves!

Samsung HD SDI CCTV solutions

Anything up to the first quarter of this year that was offering a viable HD CCTV solution has been synonymous with IP network systems. Now though, HD SDI CCTV is capturing the imagination of  CCTV installers. Samsung are at the forefront of the new HD SDI revolution and technology built into Samsung’s new HD-SDI cameras and HD SDI DVR allows installers  the option of real time Full HD images over coax cabling.

Samsung SRD 480D HD-sdi DVR

HD-SDI CCTV installed over coax means there is no loss of image data and zero latency when live images are viewed. The new SCB-6000 HD SDI camera and  SCD-6080 internal dome are therefore perfect for retail environments, especially where existing coax exists and the cost of using the network is prohibitive.

The Samsung HD-SDI four-channel SRD-480D DVR has also come onto the market this quarter. Samsung appreciate that there are viable options to IP HD and have released the new HD SDI CCTV range in order to offer a full HD CCTV solution and compete across all 3 disciplines. Real time images at 720p resolution across all channels can be achieved.

For HD SDI CCTV to work, no licence is required and existing coaxial cable runs of up to 100m can be used. If the distance required is over the 100m mark then distance can be extended when Samsung introduce in the near future the SPH-120R Repeater.

Samsung have made  their HD SDI range compatible with Samsung’s licence-free Net-i Viewer software. This means IP analogue and now HD SDI CCTV can all be controlled from the same remote software platform giving installers plenty of choice when upgrading existing multiple site installations.

The SCB-6000 HD SDI camera and SCD-6080 can deliver up to 5 times the resolution of a traditional analogue camera. Both cameras are fitted with noise reduction technology and can deliver 25 frames per second real time images and  both are true day/night with super dynamic features built in.

The Samsung HD-SDI CCTV range is supplied with full support services from Samsung Techwin Europe.

 

Samsung SRN1670D

The Samsung SRN1670D is designed to make the installation of an IP system simpler and cost effective. The Samsung SRN1670D is an NVR that can support up to 16 cameras and deliver real time recording capability at a resolution of 4CIF.

Samsung SRN1670D

One of the main benefits that Samsung are promoting is that the 1670D operates in the exactly the same way as a traditional analogue DVR as far as the installer and end user are concerned. This is seen as a feature that will encourage upgrades to IP cameras for those who have shied away from this technology previously. The SRN 1670D quickly is able to discover Samsung IP cameras on a network and is capable of recording full HD Samsung IP cameras. With mouse driven control and the ability to back up recordings during playback makes this an easy to operate IP CCTV solution.

Full features include

16 IP camera recording

Full HD resolution

64 Mb bandwidth recording

4 CIF images at 400 FPS

VGA and HDMI outputs for monitors

Web browser

16 alarm inputs

DVD writer.

At just £1290 the Samsung SRN1670D is certainly pitched at a price to sell.

 

 

Concept Pro AIR 5026HG CCTV camera

Videcon have got just about everything covered with their new Concept pro AIR range of CCTV cameras. The concept PRO AIR range includes 11 different cameras to chose from. Each of the cameras has been designed to suit different scenarios and all look well built and not out of place when making a choice for a professional installation.

We looked at the AIR5026HG because we needed an analogue camera that could see up to 50 meters at night and came with a varifocal lens in order that we could cater for any view required. The image quality was compared to a Sanyo camera that it was to replace. The first thing we noticed was that the image quality was noticeably better. It was crisper and colour was more defined. The 6- 50 mm lens enabled us to look at various different views and easily accommodated our requirements. The portable plug in programmer that fits into a socket at the bottom of the housing enabled us to easily programme the camera and set up the unit for the very best picture.

AIR5026HG

What of the night time image? Well this was exceptional and measuring out the IR range it seemed to do a little more than the 50 meters we were expecting. If required this can be extended as Videcon have also produced a bolt on twin IR lamp that will allow the camera to look as far as 80 meters.

Videcon IR bolt on

The housing is very nicely finished and any customer would be pleased with the aesthetics of the AIR5026HG. However the best thing about the new AIR range is the price. Well pitched and with all 11 cameras looking fairly similar, a nice addition to an installing company’s portfolio.

How secure is remote CCTV monitoring over IP

In the old days when everyone used Adpro and everyone use ISDN remote CCTV monitoring was very secure. Sadly it was also very slow and had no flexibility whatsoever.However you could not take it away from Adpro, their product was rock solid. The marketplace though has changed some would argue very much for the better , we now have some excellent broadband services in this country and we have DVRs that have been adapted to both record and transmit video over broadband.

Remote CCTV monitoring

The question though is how secure is this remote CCTV monitoring? In there past there was little to go wrong, the phone line was a number that never changed and the receiving centres used Adpro gold, many still do. Now though we have so many different products, formats and protocols that receiving centres have been forced to use front end software that can handle many different products and feed this into the operators in a format that they can monitor.

We also now have a 4th party involved. The IT manager or contractor who looks after the on site router and assigns IP addresses. This is where we believe that anyone without experience could easily compromise the link between the installer, the phone line provider and the central station. We have seen many comms cabinets that are insecure, have been poorly wired and open to mistakes when any changes take place. Whats to stop anyone either accidentally or deliberately breaking the link from the DVR to the central station.

The problem for CCTV installers is that they will get the blame, they are forced to prove further to any loss where there has been a failure to get the images to the central station, that they are not liable, but often they are unable to prove where the fault is or they may find it is “fixed” before they can prove their innocence.

We believe that installers will be caught out unless they employ the services of good IT technicians, this also could well be the case with IP cameras as well. A difficult one but if you have ever been caught out or totally disagree with this view and believe that IP is more secure, please let us know.