CCTV Today articles from November 2003

CCTV Today archives from November 2003

Several gains at once from bus monitoring ...(News)
November 1, 2003... SECURITY AND information systems for buses in London and other major cities are to be supplied, maintained and installed in a partnership deal between security specialist Photo-Scan and Crystal Eyes, a private company formed to develop such...

Disabled operators staff more control rooms.(News)
November 1, 2003... A TEAM of CCTV operators supplied by Remploy, the UK's largest provider of employment opportunities for disabled people, now monitor 28 cameras in the recently upgraded network covering town centres in Herefordshire. Working in a new...

URNs issue for detector-activated CCTV monitoring.(BS8418-compliant systems move)
November 1, 2003... END USERS can now apply for a Unique Reference Number (URN) for detector activated CCTV systems, after ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) last month added a new appendix to its security systems policy--on the basis the system is BS8418...

Reality TV fuels demand for domestic surveillance systems.(News)
November 1, 2003... REALITY TV is one reason behind a "boom" in use of CCTV cameras in Britain's houses, says a survey conducted to mark National Home Security Week. TV shows like Big Brother are said to have helped inspire this trend. by showing how cameras...

Norbain.(People)
November 1, 2003... Paul Blake has been promoted to Norbain's board as IT director, as part of the distributor's moves to strengthen its IT-related infrastructure He has for the past four years led the IT team at the company which has equipped staff with a range...

SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation).(People)
November 1, 2003... SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) has recruited Richard Lockley as its new training and development manager. His experience includes spells with security companies such as Firm Security Group and Chubb Security Personnel.

VCL.(People)
November 1, 2003... Manufacturer and distributor VCL recently appointed Mark Openshaw (right) as its new training manager. He has already recruited Darren Cunliffe as product trainer to carry forward technical training for customers, and is also now developing the...

CCTV.(People)
November 1, 2003... Following introduction of a new range of cameras, monitors and digital recorders into the fire & security products division of Siemens Building Technologies, Sarah Black has been named regional manager for CCTV. She's previously worked for...

TPS Consult.(People)
November 1, 2003... Mick Marshall has joined TPS Consult's security and counter-terrorism group as a security advisor. He was previously electronic services manager with Reay Security and prior to that, with the electronic security department at Newcastle City...

Dedicated Micros Incorporated.(People)
November 1, 2003... Dedicated Micros has announced the appointment of Graham Wallis to head up its United States subsidiary, Dedicated Micros Incorporated. Graham has a number of senior management roles in the US, including president of Javelin Systems, a...

Audit trail goes digital.(News)
November 1, 2003... FOLLOWING THE news that the majority of digital CCTV users are unsure how to present digital images as evidence, a new evidence kit has been unveiled by Fujifilm. The kits, which are the digital equivalent of the company's CCTV starter kit...

New camera and data communication system for Channel tunnel link.(News)
November 1, 2003... SPECIALIST communications company Optilan has been awarded the communications, CCTV and telephone contract for Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The contract, valued in excess of 8 million [pounds sterling], covers for the 39 km...

I read the article "Look--no wires" (Sept/Oct 2003) with interest.(News)
November 1, 2003... I read the article "Look--no wires" (Sept/Oct 2003) with interest. We are using JPEG2000 for our new DVR and there were a couple at inaccuracies with respect to JPEG2000 in your table of page 27 and the middle of the first column on page 28....

Cameras considered to stop violence in GPs' surgeries.(News)
November 1, 2003... A NEW service to deal with violent patients in a Glasgow surgery is being offered by Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust, as part of a move to provide medical care for patients displaying challenging behaviour. Security measures--including...

Global project breaks for TYCO.(Major contracts in US, Australia and France)
November 1, 2003... TYCO COMPANIES have won several significant contracts, involving surveillance measures for projects in the United States, Australia and France. ADT US has been awarded a five year $128 million extension of an existing deal, involving...

Help points to give Chelmsford's town centre a sunnier disposition.(News)
November 1, 2003... SOLAR-POWERED help points are to be installed in Chelmsford town centre in December, in a bid to reduce the fear of crime among residents. The five help points, which will operate around the clock and use a battery back-up system at night,...

Tell us what you think and stand a chance of winning great home entertainment prizes.(News)
November 1, 2003... AT CCTV TODAY we strive to make the magazine as informative and reader-friendly as possible. To help us produce the magazine you want, please take a few minutes to complete our reader survey inserted in this issue. Not only will you help shape...

Export marketing performance wins MultiVision top marks.(News)
November 1, 2003... DIGITAL VIDEO surveillance solutions provider, MultiVision Intelligent Surveillance, has been awarded the Export Marketing Certificate of Merit 2003 in the 2003 Hong Kong Awards for Industry. The annual awards scheme recognises excellence...

Control room information at your fingertips.(Free CD includes ergonomic design advice)
November 1, 2003... A FREE CD containing information on specifying and installing control room equipment--such as monitor walls, racks and tope storage solutions--is now available from control room furniture specialist Winsted. The CD, which runs on both PC...

Video verification: often, the cause of an alarm activation is nothing more than a bird or dust particles. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if the emergency services are called out. Well, technology may have the answer. Adam Wiseberg chairman of the BSIA's CCTV section, explores the advent of video content analysis.(Reducing False Alarms)
November 1, 2003... For all of us involved with CCTV, from end user to manufacturer to installer, change is definitely the order of the day. Fortunately, we are not Luddites and this is not something to be feared. Developing technology offers the very real...

Working together: although seeming like rivals at one point, the Public CCTV Managers Association and the User Group find they have more in common than they thought--and are combining to tackle the important issue of training.(Touchstone Of A Successful CCTV System)
November 1, 2003... I have often written about the critical importance of: partnerships, particularly (but not exclusively) between the police and control room managers; the equally essential need to develop a nationally and internationally recognised approach to...

Changing rooms: control rooms are undergoing something of a makeover, thanks in part to new ways of displaying and managing images. We look at two schemes where changes in equipment and layout have led to results which are more than skin deep.(Control Centres)
November 1, 2003... The increasing availability of flat screen monitors, ergonomic workstations and projection systems replacing the traditional video wall of monitors, is changing the face of CCTV control rooms. One high profile installation has been at...

Security in prayer: religious buildings and CCTV can be a tricky balance between the need for security and safety, and the right atmosphere of dignity and welcome. We look at one such installation at a stunning new Sikh temple in west London.(Cameras & Lenses)
November 1, 2003... When the biggest Sikh Gurdwara outside India, the 20 million [pounds sterling] Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall, west London, opened earlier this year, it included a CCTV system that balanced two objectives--maintaining the welcoming...

Avoiding a slipped disc: most security managers would say that their digital video recording system is 'mission critical', yet many digital video recording systems on sale today would come to a long and embarrassing halt if a hard disk failed. Bob Rodgers of Geutebruck UK looks into the whole question of redundancy on discs.(Disk Recording)
November 1, 2003... Disk failure can result from inherent disk errors or handling damage, or a combination of both--plus or minus some element of general wear and tear. Although present from the time of manufacture, disk errors may not manifest themselves for...

Night shift: to kick of our night-time special, Shaun Cutler of Derwent Systems takes an up-to-date look at new developments in using cameras with infrared illumination. We follow this with a review of lowlight cameras in our product testing section.(Night-Time)
November 1, 2003... The science of 24 hour CCTV has changed significantly over the last three years. The same critical issues remain--how to balance different elements of the installation to get clear, crisp images in all lighting conditions--but there are some...

Low-down on lowlights: now the nights are drawing in, more CCTV footage will be taken in periods of low light or darkness. If you've ever been confused about claims of low lux and day/night performance, all will be revealed, as our team at Tavcom Training filled their flasks with hot coffee and burned the midnight oil to put nine lowlight cameras through their paces.(Lowlight cameras)
November 1, 2003... The term low light camera is frankly a bit meaningless, as it does not relate to any specific standard or technical specification. It is also a bit of a moving target, as what was considered good low light performance five years ago, may not be...

Fast track store surveillance: CCTV is alive and well in the retail sector, reports Ron Alalouff with new stores using trend-setting equipment. Here he looks at an alternative to dome cameras, while in the US, we profile one of the largest ever retail surveillance installations.(Retail)
November 1, 2003... As the retail sector is used to setting fashions, it's perhaps fitting that it has also been responsible for the aesthetics of the surveillance camera. Domes, and then mini domes, have helped cameras blend in with store environments--which are...

Trading estate secures a new lease; poor security will always be an invitation to criminals, especially where a large business park is concerned. But thanks to a remotely-monitored CCTV system, a once ailing trading estate has been revived and is now approaching full capacity.(Detector-Activated)
November 1, 2003... When real estate investment management company, LaSalle Investment Management, bought the Kelvin Way trading estate in West Bromwich a few years ago, it was convinced it had made a good purchase. But problems soon began to occur as the 200-acre...

Dome service: in the first of an occasional series taking a behind-the-scenes look at manufacturers, we visit a company that has become a byword for dome cameras--Mark Mercer Electronics.(Company Profile)
November 1, 2003... In the still-youthful domes sector, market, Mark Mercer Electronics is no Johnny-come-lately. It was established by its eponymous founder In 1978 and this year is celebrating 25 years in the business. It started life making multi-camera...

Meeting of minds: the fast-changing nature of CCTV technology means that support and advice from manufacturers is becoming more important. Here, we profile a project in which IFSEC 2004 exhibitor Sanyo teamed up with an installer to help get the best out of an unusual installation.(Exhibition & Conference Preview)
November 1, 2003... The launch of new and innovative CCTV products continues unabated. One only has to look at the catalogues of the major distributors to appreciate the enormous wide range of products now available. The digital 'revolution' has created...

Vehicle congestion--who you gonna call? Jambusters!(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Vehicle congestion problems at B&Q's Portswood House site had been a problem for many years. That was until facilities manager, John Roberts, came across an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system at the Facilities Management...

It's alright in the night ...(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... The CCTV system at Mayflower High School in Essex had proved to be very effective during the day but, at night, the quality of the images recorded left a lot to be desired. To remedy the situation, the school called in CCTV specialist...

Cameras on commuters.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... GE Interlogix Video Systems Group is currently involved in the Midtown Greenway transport project in Minneapolis, expected to be fully complete in two years time. There are 13 GE Interlogix cameras and 13 Code Blue towers within Phase I,...

Burning rubber surveillance.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Around-the-clock video surveillance at this year's Silverstone Formula 1 Grand Prix was provided by Videoswitch. Crime Secure installed 16 pan, tilt and zoom cameras, strategically placed around Silverstone to cover the most important and...

IP forum.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Aiming to help educate the security, communication and IT markets in the use of TCP/IP in security, remote monitoring and building management applications, a dedicated technology forum has been set up. Paul Hennings, director of IP Security...

Ale of a time in Munich.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Bosch Security Systems provided video surveillance for Munich's famous folk and beer festival--the Oktoberfest--attended by some 6 million visitors. The contract involved Bosch erecting Autodome cameras each year at the main entrance to...

Security at major golfing event well above par.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... To provide a high level of security at the Royal St George's Open Championship in July, Wright Fire & Security installed an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) video transmission-based CCTV system from NVT. Vista Powerdomes were used along with...

Aardman gets animated with Pentax.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Aardman Productions, the company behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, is using Pentax lens technology to help out with its TV commercial animation productions. To make animated movies like these actually costs more than making...

Council rides high without stabilisers.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... The first UK order of a Versalift ET26NEXS platform mounted on a 2.9 tonne Vauxhall Vivaro has been delivered to Warwickshire County Council. No stabilisers are required, as the vehicle has a maximum working height of 9.2m and can outreach...

Remote stock monitoring.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Global logistics and transportation management services supplier, GeoLogistics, has installed a digital CCTV system based on Indigo Vision's VideoBridge technology. As the system is location independent, GeoLogistics can provide remote stock...

Images from above.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Vislink has supplied digital microwave transmitters and receivers for a new helicopter surveillance system, EOST-51 Smart, being used by the Regione Lombardia in Milan. Vislink's microwave downlink antennae has been mounted on an Agusta...

Wireless solution rams the message home ...(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... When Local Health Partnerships (LHP) NHS Trust needed to upgrade its network, it turned to reseller Switchnet Systems, which in turn recommended Wavelength's Aries wireless Solution. The Trust needed to be able to link two star points in...

Camera's the safe choice.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Samsung Techwin day/night cameras has been chosen by ACD Safe & Security to monitor activity at its Basildon premises in Essex. Complete Security was commissioned to install an integrated system security solution and recommended the Samsung...

Reflex action leads to hotel upgrade.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Reflex Systems has completed the upgrading of security, surveillance, access and audio visual systems at all 42 of the Moat House Hotel's UK-based sites. More comprehensive coverage was provided to key areas such as car parks and reception...

Warehouse wonder.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... The design, supply and installation of critical security, access control, and associated systems for distribution company RCS (UK), has been completed by Reflex Systems. A latest generation Panasonic CCTV system was installed to protect...

Moving house.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Tyco Integrated Systems, a division of Tyco Fire & Security, has relocated its Cambridge-based headquarters and main operations centre to a new facility at Bar Hill, about 5 miles outside of Cambridge. The move is expected to provide Tyco...

On patrol in Pontefract.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Some 26 Baxall CDX7914 cameras have been installed in Pontefract town centre, west Yorkshire, by Quadrant. The CDX9714 Digital Signal Processing colour cameras have been installed in and around the pedestrianised part of the town centre,...

24-hour surveillance for leisure park.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... A new leisure and entertainment development in Chichester is being monitored by CCTV, backed up by manned security, from a control centre situated visibly on-site. Kent & Sussex Security has installed a total of seven 360[degrees] PTZ...

High-speed Spanish rail surveillance.(Industry News)
November 1, 2003... Video network specialist COE is behind a major CCTV surveillance installation on the high-speed rail track, which will eventually link Madrid to Barcelona and the French Border. Revenga, the Spanish value-added-reseller for COE, has been...

Reach for your destiny.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Baxall has launched a range of cameras, all supporting IP for video transmission. As with its original Destiny-IP camera, the latest range is based on the company's high-end cameras such as the CDH, CDX and CDRA. However, unlike these...

Storage upgrade.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Previously having a maximum hard disc recording capacity of 320Gb, Sanyo's 520 TV lines digital video recorder can now offer 500Gb of storage, The DSR-3000P is a single-channel DVR, while the DSR-3009P offers nine channels and the...

Vandal-resistant models.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Featuring integral cameras, a range of vandal-resistant domes has been launched by Sanyo. Each of the three new domes are available in two versions--surface mount or in-ceiling. The VDC-B1112FB has an integral 1/3-inch monochrome camera...

Removing images using a caddy ...(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Mitsubishi Electric has launched its latest digital recorder--the DX-NT400E. This model has a hard disk drive caddy, which is not only removable but also interchangeable. The caddy means that recordings can be removed and stored, which may...

Plug-and-play control.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... CEDIP Infrared Systems' JADE UC camera is now available with a USB 2.0 digital output, allowing users to display digital images at a rate of 60 Hz over the full 14 bits dynamic range, as well as to fully control the camera. The USB 2.0 is...

Tough customer.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Said to be IP66-rated and manufactured from high quality die cast aluminium, the TPH-1000 external camera housing from Genie CCTV is described as suitable for most outdoor CCTV applications. The casing is powder coated and stove finished,...

VCS increases portfolio.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... VCS, the German-based developer of digital data transmission systems for multimedia applications and real-time communications, has signed a UK distribution deal with Video Imaging Supplies (VIS). Products now available through VIS include...

Colour camera duo launched.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Panasonic has unveiled two new cameras. The WV-CF224 colour dome unit delivers 480 lines resolution, has a 2x variable focus lens, and is equipped with a 440,000 pixel CCD. It can operate effectively in lighting down to 2 lux, with an aperture...

Thermal imaging technology offers sight beyond sight.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Raytheon's Thermal Security Camera (TSC) is now available from BFi OptiLas--integrated into the Pelco Espirit pan and tilt camera housing system. The system is said to be suitable for outdoor security and surveillance applications, and is...

Browsing products on the web.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... CCTV distributor ClearView Communications has launched a web catalogue at www.clearview-cctv.co.uk The website hosts an individually priced on-line catalogue where visitors can browse through more than 2000 CCTV products, including...

Live pictures on your mobile.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... CCTVsafe has launched live video on standard GSM Java-enabled mobile phones, without the need for expensive third generation handsets or networks, it's reported. The new service will allow CCTVsafe's customers to be able to use their...

Dolphin friendly.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... The new Dolphin range of cameras for the IEEE 1394 bus, from Allied Vision Technology, are said to offer advanced features and aggressive pricing not commonly found on industrial mega pixel cameras. Features include 15 frame stores, for...

Digital recording solution lands in UK.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... The new Li-Lin PDR-400 is a complete digital video recording solution with an integral 120Gb hard disk drive, capable of recording for up to 6 months at one frame per second. Recording rates go up to 25 frames per second and resolution is...

Fusion system joins analogue and digital.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Suitable for those seeking to create a hybrid video security system, combining analogue video and IP-based video devices, Pelco has released the VMX300 and VMX300-E video management systems. The VMX300 systems help users to take full...

Wonder of the web.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Available from CNL, the IPVideoCenter (IPVC) is described as a convenient web-based service that allows you to view video images from any of your Internet-connected cameras, anywhere, any time. It can be accessed at www.IPVideoCenter.com ...

Silent night-time witness.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Two tamper-resistant, bullet-style cameras that capture images in total darkness have been released by Silent Witness. The SWX81 and SWX82 Night Hawk cameras offer 24-hour operation with the combination of their built-in infrared LED...

Digital transformation.(Products & Services)
November 1, 2003... Providing streams of high quality video for surveillance use, the 2411 single channel video server has been launched by Axis Communications. Axis video servers transform traditional analogue video into high-quality digital video streams....