News, Reviews and advice on security related issues.
Below we look at some of the subjects we have covered over the last six months, from Avigilon to Xtralis we have covered many aspects of CCTV and security today. If you need any more information on any of the CCTV products contact us for more information.
CCTV engineers what’s the future?
Just a few musings from the Integrated CCTV team feel free to browse the rest of the site.
CCTV engineers are you listening?
CCTV engineers, luddites! Harsh perhaps, but in our experience it is the CCTV engineers within the security industry who least like change. Over the years they have seen little change to how their basic job works. Yes regulation means they have had to embrace a few tweaks to the standards and to be fair most engineers are happy to take these on board, but new technology presents a different problem. Up until the last few years the only serious technology introduced into their job spec has been the DVR. Most engineers did come to terms quite quickly with the new menus and the general installation of the now common DVR. Rarely however did this require the use of a laptop to set up and any networking tended to be done by a commissioning engineer who swept up after them. Now however things are about to change in a big way and those who don’t make the effort to embrace new ideas will be left behind.
IP video systems.
IP video systems are here and this requires a whole new approach by CCTV engineers who to all intensive purposes will see many parts of their job disappear over the next 5 years. Basic IT skills are an essential and probably much more than just the basics will need to be instilled into the CCTV engineers job specs to enable them to install and understand IP video in the new era.
To be fair to IP camera manufacturers, they are very keen to get training to everyone they can. Rarely does a day go by without an email landing into the inbox advertising a free training course for engineers to help them brush up on the skills they need . However in this climate of recession CCTV installers have cut back on all training and even if this training is free they still have to consider the cost implications of taking their engineers off the road for the duration of the course. So are CCTV engineers going to be left to hang out to dry and simply be replaced by IT network technicians? Well we will have to wait and see but a wake up call has been sent out …..is anyone listening?
We got talking to a reputable Manufacturer recently…..one who was pulling his hair out over the increased amount of Technical calls his Support team were taking
There was nothing wrong with the product – it was just new and the installing engineer had simply not seen it before.
This happens….an installer will have an enthusiastic team of sales/marketing/commercial guys all choosing products because of price, bells, whistles, days out (did we say that?!) but the first the installation team see it is when they have 1 day to fit it !! And train the end user
We have sympathy with the engineers……. particularly as it falls on them to sort the ‘problems’ that perhaps the over enthusiastic sales guy has, er, um ‘created’ !!! (Yes, we really did hear once that a camera down a shopping aisle, with a mirror at the end, could see around the corner!!)
But….in this age of instant email and mobile phones, is it REALLY easier to just call the manufacturer rather than take a look at the enclosed instructions? Sure, a life on the road is a lonely one and the engineer must miss the interaction of the office…….but if the supplier/manufacturer has only a handful of Support staff, employed to answer REAL technical problems, then it is understandable they can sometimes be tied up answering OTHER engineers questions……
‘How do I turn it on?’
‘How do I program presets?’
‘What’s the code to get into the menu?’
‘How do I set up the record schedule?’
Engineers – these manufacturers will not leave you in the dark…….they will always help you with difficulties…….they will always try to assist….but help them to help you, take a look at the Manual before ringing !!
We think Technical Support response will increase no end if the calls are valid !
What do you think?
Megapixel over coax.
EverFocus have released the new EQH5200 2 megapixel IP camera that is using the latest HD-SDI serial digital interface to open the retro fit market place to megapixel technology. The EQH5200 megapixel camera is able to send images down existing RG 59 coaxial cable from a BNC connection therefore meaning easy retrofit installations for installers and therefore a more competitive upgrade solution to analogue CCTV cameras.
The camera has compact box design complete with day/night functionality and an on screen menu set up to assist CCTV engineers.
Everfocus DVR
To compliment the ease of retro install EverFocus also have the EHDR08 8 channel DVR this unit can reproduce recordings boasting resolutions of 720p and comes in the form of a compact box design It uses the latest H.264 compression techniques and handle up to 8TB of hard drive recording space.The DVR can also output to a monitor using either VGA or HDMI.
Remote connectivity.
For those interested in remote connectivity the EHDR08 has a 1 gigabit Ethernet interface this allows networking capability and allows remote viewing and management of the CCTV system allowing smart search functionality. Monitoring from mobile devices that is now really catching on can be achieved through 3GPP connection. A DVD burner allows information to be easily removed when required.
What we have all been waiting for.
In essence the package provide a simple megapixel solution over coax something that many installers have been waiting for for some time.
Alarm installer?
If you are a CCTV engineer or also have experience in installing access control or intruder alarms we have all the the latest information here at integrated CCTV.
Keep up to date.
Simply register on the site and we will do all we can to answer your questions or simply let you know about new technologies out there. If you would like to guest blog with your experiences within the industry we will happily review them and publish the best ones.
So what can you tell us?
We are moving into an era where Megapixel and HD cameras will start to dominate the market place. Are you being given the training and support from the manufactures that you need? IT knowledge is now becoming as important as the ability to run cables and fix kit to the wall do you think you have been kept up to date? Do you think IP cameras are better than analogue? if not why not?
Comment.
So give us your views and get involved.