HD SDI CCTV Archives - Integrated CCTV

HD SDI DVR price drop. Will it continue?

HD SDI DVR’s are they getting cheaper?

HD SDI DVR’s are dropping in price as more and more options start to flood into the UK. Following the success of HD SDI CCTV in general at IFSEC this year it seems installers have been selling the concept with a great deal of enthusiasm. It also seems that HDcctv compliant recorders are the preferred way forward. It is widely accepted that those badged as compliant are viewed as more reliable and more trustworthy. This of course does not mean that those HD SDI DVR’s that are non-compliant are not still a good option as long as the supplier is able to provide cameras with the product and guarantee they will work seamlessly together.

Everfocus HD SDI DVR was the market leader.

It remains to be seen who will come out on top as market leader but Everfocus certainly had a big head start. Analogue sales are still in the majority here in the UK but the signs are that the trend towards HD will continue to drive CCTV sales across the globe but particularly here in the UK where we have a huge legacy of coax infrastructure. Many end users are reluctant to replace all their cameras. As a result many have expressed an interest in targeting areas for HD SDI cameras rather than upgrade their entire system . With this in mind the Hybrid HD SDI DVR has been a popular choice for many. Combining HD SDI inputs with analogue inputs it allows this targeted response to HD and in times of austerity like we are currently experiencing it makes a lot of sense for many businesses.

HD SDI DVR verses Analogue CCTV

Just how good though is HD SDI compared to analogue? Well at 1.5 to 2 megapixels being the general standard HD SDI camera output the definition is at least double what was achievable previously. To the human eye though an HD upgrade looks remarkably impressive and this is matched when reviewing recorded images. The ability to zoom in on an incident without the image becoming blocky and blurred is the major benefit of HD SDI CCTV. Add to this the fact that there is no latency between the delivery of the images and many are questioning whether this technology is better than HD IP. The arguments are many on that subject but for a simple installation, using your existing infrastructure, HD SDI CCTV is the ideal way forward.

Will the prices drop further?

Further price drops are inevitable. The aim of Everfocus and other big names who now manufacture HD SDI CCTV equipment have always aimed to compete price wise with the top of the range analogue kit. This seems achievable now as new chip technology helps reduce the prices even lower and even faster. It is possible we could see some parallel pricing with analogue within two years. In the meantime its important to realize price is not everything . Quality must always come first and this is improving by the day as HD SDI technology just gets better and better.

HD SDI or IP how do you make an informed choice?

The time has come for an upgrade and your company has decided that they want HD CCTV images instead of analogue that has served them well for a number of years but just does not provide the definition that you need anymore.

So how do you decide which path to take for your upgrade? There are so many choices out there and mixed messages. However each site is individual and each company will have their own specific requirements so here are a couple of questions you should be asking before starting.

Do you need the CCTV system to be for one one site or a group of sites spread across the country/world?

If the answer is just one site then you should perhaps be considering HD SDI CCTV, especially if it is an upgrade and you have existing coax in place. If you wish to view the CCTV from anywhere and across several different sites then IP may well be the first port of call.

Do you want to keep existing cameras but upgrade just a few to HD?

Again we have two ways to approach this. We can install a Hybrid HD SDI DVR this will enable us to put new HD SDI cameras on existing coax and leave other analogue in place. Alternatively we can put encoders in place that will convert existing analogue cameras to IP and then add HD IP cameras in our designated new positions. However if existing coaxial infrastructure is in place then HD-SDI CCTV has to be the favorite.

HDcctv alliance logo

By asking yourself the above questions the choice will become clearer and HD SDI is becoming cheaper and cheaper. We would recommend that if you do chose an HD SDI option you look for both cameras and DVRs that have been endorsed by the HDcctv alliance (logo above). The reason is simple, you know it will work. What is more it will always work with any HDcctv approved equipment if you chose to expand in the future.

Trium HD SDI DVR from win4net FD02

Win4net have finally made their entrance into the HD SDI DVR arena with their new 2 way HD-SDI recorder. This compact unit is the first 2 way unit in the market place and is looking to pick up on the upgrade business of HD CCTV over coax. Win4net have added the FD02 to their Trium range and this unit is designed to work on the NVMS software platform that has done so well for them with their traditional analogue DVR. In fact the plan for this little 2 way HD- SDI unit is to use two analogue outputs to link it up with existing systems currently running the software. This means the end user gets local HD quality recordings but still has the ability to have the cameras monitored remotely in an analogue format, meaning images stream easily to the central station not restricted by huge data bundles.

The Trium FD02 2 way HD SDI DVR has space for two 3 TB hard drives giving it capacity for over 20 days recording space for both cameras at full def and 30FPS. The playback quality is quite simply stunning. Detail is crisp and clear and objects, number plates and faces can be clearly picked out in playback mode. The FD02 has the ability to be able to zoom in at up to 8x and lose minimal definition.

The best part of the HD CCTV solution is the price. HD CCTV at budget prices. Win4net have taken a risk with this unit in terms of the fact that its only going to be able to record 2 HD SDI cameras. Is this enough? Well if you are just looking to record a gateway and an entrance doorway this is the DVR you want. More cameras just means the units get stacked and a staged upgrade is the best way to improve your existing analogue CCTV system and control costs and target key areas to deploy HD CCTV.

So Wn4net have made their commitment to HD-SDI CCTV and judging by the feedback its a very good product.

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.

Benefits of HD CCTV over coax

The benefits of HD CCTV over coax are many. The introduction of HD-SDI cameras and recorders has seen a change in the way many companies are now influencing their customers to buy HD CCTV. IP is no longer the only option and in many cases now no longer the prefered option . We list below some of the benefits of HD SDi CCTV and see why some installers think HD SDI could change the industry as a whole.

Higher resolution is the primary benefit that is gained from HD SDI CCTV. HD-SDI cameras output full HD resolution images (1080p) but unlike IP this is done in real time. This means that HD SDI cameras can give the end user as much five times the resolution of standard analogue cameras. HD-SDI DVRs are also capable of recording full HD. This means up to (1080p) Full HD resolution images. The primary benefit of this is that the end user will get real-time recording. HD CCTV has now already filled one one of the fundamental requirements of a CCTV system. Quality images that the end user can rely on.

Of course one of the main drawbacks of analogue CCTV is the amount of data that is sub standard. HD-SDI is an HD CCTV solution that provides video signals that are not compressed before transmission. This means that unlike IP there are no distortions within the captured image or frame rate interruptions. Zero latency can be achieved because HD-SDI transmits a digitized video signal meaning no reduction in quality of the images which often occurs with analogue.

Perhaps the best news for the CCTV industry with the introduction of HD-SDI DVR s and HD CCTV cameras is that they can use an analogue infrastructure. In other words HD CCTV over coax.This makes them suitable for users looking to increase the quality of their current security systems. Why re-cable when HD CCTV can be achieved with little effort and lower costs that installing a new IP CCTV system?
HD CCTV cameras and DVRs are similar to standard definition cameras and DVRs in the way they need to be installed and do not require any additional specialist knowledge or skill. Re-training that has added a heavy burden on the CCTV industry is no longer required. HD-SDI is not prone to issues associated with IP network based video surveillance systems. The installer is no longer dependent on third party IT companies to install or allow access to IT networks. One of the biggest benefits being seen is that no IT or IP network knowledge is required and bandwidth requirements are a problem of the past. We are back to a simple CCTV installation.