Avigilon V HD CCTV over coax

One thing that is not contested in the CCTV market place today is that HD CCTV is inevitable. It is the natural upgrade path for pretty much every CCTV system out there and the results that can be achieved using HD cameras are superb. HD CCTV gives the end user what they want and to this end as Avigilon rightly say “the evidence is clear”.

What however is less clear is how this upgrade path to HD will be achieved. It has to be mentioned that when it comes to an IP solution Avigilon are clearly the market leaders. Their equipment is second to none but their approach to the market place is unique. Selling encoders and software is their number one priority. After all once they have their recording software in place the end user will not go back to a DVR and they will happily add their legacy analogue cameras into the system until the camera either fails or the budget can be put in place to take the next step and upgrade to HD.

The flexibility of their VMS solution is second to none and they appear to have left the competition in their wake. The HD cameras are well built, come in various formats that allow them to be sold into small as well as large system solutions. We have to question just who is their closet rival ?

The only rival we can foresee is in fact a completely different technology but one that still provides an HD solution. This is HD CCTV over coax. Perhaps the most interesting thing about HD CCTV over coax though is that no real market leader has yet to emerge. Yes Everfocus were probably first on the scene but they do not seem to have forced their advantage from the early days into actual sales.

This has allowed scores of new entrants to try their luck in the field of HD CCTV over coax. Calsys, Win4net, Ctring and the biggest name Samsung as well as other Chinese and Korean companies are all trying but none have emerged yet as clear market leaders. This gap in the market will be filled and soon but who can really grab the nettle. The efforts of the HD CCTV alliance to standardize the technology mean those who have subscibed seem to be getting more exposure. In addition once HD SDI can be transmitted over CAT5 and rumours persist the alliance expect this to be in the very near future, the scope for HD SDI becomes huge, so watch this space.

So where does this leave us with the question of HD IP and Avigilon verses HD CCTV over coax. Well Avigilon will find more and more willing participants in their HD revolution but price will still dictate that it will be bigger CCTV systems and IP projects that will more happily fit their profile. HD CCTV in the meantime is finding a niche in 2,4 and 8 camera systems. HD SDi DVR s seem to be most in demand for existing analogue systems in smaller retail, industrial estate type scenarios. To this end the take up on smaller existing systems is the market they are picking up. The technology of HD SDI is providing some great results and with it some happy customers.

There is a long way to go and we look forward to who will win the battle to become the number 1 supplier in HD CCTV over coax. In the meantime Avigilon have certainly laid claim to their place as the number 1 in HD over IP. Can anyone challenge that out their?

Argus HD SDI DVR AHD-004

Argus have been producing DVR’s since 2001. A leading exporter of DVR’s from Korea they used IFSEC 2012 to launch the AHD-004 HD SDI DVR. This 4 channel unit has been produced as HD SDI technology is taking off in both Korea and the UK in particular.

Key features include

4 HD SDI 1080p video inputs

HDMI and VGA full HD outputs

120 fps in 720p and 60 fps in 1080p

supports 4 internal HDDs

Smart phone viewer for both iPhone and android

h.264 compression.

This smart looking unit is another example of an HD SDI DVR that is taking full advantage of the trend towards CCTV installers using HD over coax in preference to IP products.

CTRING HD SDI DVR

CTRING’s HD-SDI DVR line-up is headed up by the V7304  HD-SDI DVR. CTRING are pushing the fact that the V7304 can record at a maximum recording rate of 30fps at 1080p per channel and has Pentaplex function.

The V7214H is an innovative hybrid standalone DVR which has 2 HD-SDI and 14 Analog Video inputs. This DVR will allow use of the existing ifrastucture of analogue cameras but the intoduction into the system of 2 new HD-SDI cameras for areas that need clearer pictures with just one DVR. CTRING;s high-end HD-SDI DVR is attracting interest from such organizations as financial facilities, casino’s and hospitals where clear images are crucial. Plans are a foot to release the “Low price” lineup of 8 and 16 channel HD-SDI DVRs to adapt to current market needs.

So what do CTRING say about themselves?

“CTRING is a pioneer in the DVR industry and a provider of world-class OEM, ODM DVR solutions to international security markets such as transportation, education, retail, gaming and government areas. Over the years, we were encouraging ourselves to be the leader in innovative DVR solutions by employing a high level of flexibility and forward-thinking principles into the development of our technical and business solutions.

At CTRING, we offer advanced and customized DVR technology and software solutions. The open architecture of our products provides an efficient and well-customized approach through a user-friendly interface. Being flexible and forward-thinking corporate culture encourage us to be a dynamic and innovative workforces that lead a constant development of cutting-edge DVR technologies and a exceptional customer support. In 2010 we launched our own brand, CTR, based on high technology and OEM & ODM experiences of supplying DVRs to world-class security equipment manufacturers and distributors. The launch of CTR brand will bring CTRING one step closer to the world`s best DVR manufacturer.”

A promising player in the HD SDI DVR market place and one we will be keeping an eye on.

Benefits of CCTV…but is this the real picture?

CCTV is just about everywhere now and is universally accepted by the public as something that is part of  our everyday lives. However what are the benefits and what is the real truth behind CCTV systems that have been installed over the last 20 years?

Benefits as follows:

1) CCTV is always on. Day and night the systems record every movement  that takes place in view of the camera.

2) CCTV acts as a valuable visual  deterrent. No one is knowingly going to commit a crime when they know they are being watched and recorded.

3) CCTV cameras can be fitted both internally and externally this is certainly not the case with all physical deterrents.

4) CCTV can be used to determine authorised access to site, controlling movement and keeping out those who perhaps should not be in a certain area at a certain time.

5) CCTV can be used to determine when a deliberate attempt to compromise a secure boundary is taking place . Particularly useful for high security situations such as the MOD sites and airports.

6) CCTV reduces loses due to theft. Crucial in the retail industry.

7) CCTV reduces company loses from fraudulent transactions or injury claims.

8 )  CCTV can be used to enforce health and safety requirements on site , it may even to be able to claim that it saves lives.

9) CCTV enables retrospective analysis of crimes and actions, the resulting evidence can be used to enforce a conviction or in the case of companies, a dismissal.

10) CCTV gives  the public a feeling of well being that that would not be achievable without the help of the knowledge that people are watching to keep you safe.

11) CCTV is cheaper and more reliable that manned guarding and human intervention . Cost is always a primary decision when it comes to security.

CCTV images of riots
Can we get a conviction from this kind of quality image?

To be fair we could go on, but the above bullet points prove that for all the negative publicity that CCTV sometimes gets, there is certainly value in the concept.

The concept?…yes this is where we actually to get to root of the problem with CCTV. Everyone loves the concept but over the last 20 years people have been less than satisfied with the results that have been achieved by installing CCTV on the streets or into their businesses. Why you may ask? Well the answer is simple “ANALOGUE CCTV”.

Analogue CCTV  has been about the most mis-sold product of the last 20 years in our opinion. The reason is quite simple….. “definition”. Lets be fair, analogue CCTV is quite capable of providing the correct definition if specified correctly , however cost has proved a limiting factor in the sale of CCTV systems across the UK and invariably CCTV has been massively undersold as a result. There are simply not enough cameras or recording memory to get satisfactory results. Everyone wants a wide angle picture, all customers want to see every part of of their site  but they also expect to be able to see car reg plates and faces as well . This is not possible or at least it is not possible without the correct investment. You must buy the right lens and ensure you get the correct angle of view as well but you must have enough cameras looking into the area of interest. You must also take lighting into consideration to really achieve what the end user expects. Sadly over the years salesmen have wrongly under specified in order to keep costs competative and win contracts. This way of selling has caused disillusionment amongst business owners and the public alike.

Now though the CCTV industry has the means to redeem itself. HD CCTV is the answer. This can be provided either through an HD SDI format or over IP. Now images that we all agree are a huge improvement on the past are achievable. The CCTV industry has something to hang its hat on !

HD SDI CCTV, HD CCTV DVR, HD SDI DVR

HD CCTV promises to restore the faith of the public in CCTV in general and offers the CCTV industry the opportunity to upgrade many of the poorly sold systems of the past. This of course does not excuse mistakes that have previously been made. It must also be warned that as always you will get what you pay for. Don’t be tempted by cheap HD SDI DVR’s that offer frame rates and recording capacity that just won’t cut it.  It does however offer a way forward that will see all the benefits listed above be able to be applied and at last get some real value for money out of your CCTV system.

Qvis HD SDI DVR

Qvis have released their latest offering to the HD SDI market place in the form of the Apollo HD SDI DVR.

This 4 channel unit contains a 1 terrabyte hard drive as standard but can be expanded up to 24 TB with the addition of 8 supporting HDDs. Complete with a built in webserver and 4 channel real-time recording@1080p the Apollo HD SDI DVR is able to fit into many applications.

The dual-core CPU is able to present a powerful preview and playback performance. It is also able to perform well on the network to enable remote connection from a Wan or Lan and via the web-server.

Backing up the footage is simple, this can be done either across the network, through an on board USB connection or backed up directly to a DVD.

Alarms and email notification are also included but it should not be forgotten the most important feature are the sharp clear HD quality images that the Apollo Hd SDI DVR supplies to the end user.

If you have not seen HD SDI working yet ask for a dem as the technology is now highly competitive with its HD IP equivalent systems and getting cheaper as new chip technology pushes this type of HD CCTV to the mass CCTV market.

The Qvis HD SDI DVR will retail around the £1200-£1400 mark depending on the size of the hard drive provision and represents excellent value in this fledgling CCTV discipline.

Qvis supply several HD SDI cameras that are directly compatible with the Apollo recorder including a PTZ version and an HD SDI anti vandal camera.