The IP Camera and IP CCTV Blog

Pelco have launched a free 4-channel video recording software solution, DS4U, which will now be bundled with every Pelco IP camera product.

What DS4U offers is entry to their high-end Digital Sentry platform which allows users to manage data for multiple locations from a single client workstation.

DS4U is a free software-only video management solution, suitable for recording video from up to 4 Pelco IP cameras including HD support for Pelco’s Sarix range of megapixel IP cameras.

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These cameras are already out in the US and are the direct replacements of probably our best selling cameras, the Panasonic BL-C111 and BL-C131.

Due out very soon in the UK the BL-C210 and BL-C230 (wireless model) are both targeted to the home security market. If you look at their appearance you can see they are moving away from the silver finish of the previous models now come in that white finish which Apple have made very fashionable over the last few years. This of course makes them blend in a little better with modern interiors (home or business).

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Mobotix are in the process of rolling out new camera models with updated hardware. Their new M24M range adds a range of features over the older M22M which improve the effectiveness of your security installation.

Here are some of the features available:

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Axis are the first to introduce a fully featured thermal network camera for surveillance, the Q1910 (outdoor variant Q1910-E). Before now thermal imaging cameras have been analogue-based and restricted to high-end installations with a heavy price tag but with the new cameras launched this week Axis are offering thermal network camera surveillance at an affordable price.

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Something which caught our eye recently is the new 2 megapixel outdoor camera from VIVOTEK, the IP7361.

From the spec the IP7361 it’s definintely not shy of features:

• Outdoor-ready IP67 rated protection
• 2 Megapixel sensor (1600×1200 pixels) with digital PTZ
• True day/night functionality with built in IR illumination
• Power over Ethernet compliant to IEEE802.3af
• 2-way audio with SIP protocol
• On-camera recording using SD/SDHC memory cards

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After the recent glowing review of the Mobotix Q24M by PC-Pro, Network Webcams are running an exclusive promotion on the Mobotix Q24M 3-megapixel hemispheric IP camera. Save £50 + VAT until the 28th of February 2010.

Only available from www.networkwebcams.co.uk

Mobotix Q24M full specification >>
Mobotix Q24M PC-Pro review >>

We have been lucky enough to get our hands on a Panasonic BB-HCM701 before they are released and we thought we’d share our first impressions.

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Our Chester City Walls RemoteManager IP camera has hit the local press again as archaeologists uncovered a buried Roman tower during repair works. It’s believed that the well-preserved tower, which was found beneath the foundation of the city wall, was used by Roman guards patrolling the area. Interval towers were placed regularly every 65m or so along the rear of the main fortress wall and acted as lookout points and as bases for Roman artillery.

Chester residents are being enouraged to log on to the webcam to watch as more of the tower is uncovered.

Read the full story at Chester First.
Learn more about RemoteManager.

The Mobotix Q24M hemispheric IP camera recently scored highly when reviewed by the guys at PC Pro, “We were stunned when we first saw the live view. It’s not just that the image quality is good, it’s what the camera can do with it that’s so impressive.”

The Q24M from Mobotix uses a hemispheric lens to capture a 360 degree, 3 megapixel image. The camera then cleverly uses the circular fisheye image to provide up to four independent views, each with pan, tilt and 8x digital zoom functionality which are digitally corrected for distortion. The result is the image and control you would get from a standard mechanical PTZ camera without missing details or events by recording the complete 360 degree field of view.

All Mobotix cameras are designed to operate as a decentralised surveillance system with all image processing and recording performed by the camera. The Q24M comes with a pre-installed 4GB MicroSD card for a complete surveillance solution.

See the PC Pro article >>
Mobotix Q24M 360 degree hemispheric view network camera >>

Network Webcams is highlighting a recent report in the Sunday Mail on the staggering cost of school vandalism in Scotland. According to the report, vandalism in Scottish schools costs taxpayers £10,000 a day or £3.53 million per year, equivalent to the salary of more than 170 teachers.

According to Kevin Bowyer, our Kirkcaldy-based Technical Director: “Because of its proven effectiveness, more and more educational establishments are using networked CCTV surveillance to protect staff, students, property and buildings.

“One specific problem for schools is night-time vandalism against property, and the cost of damage is often significant. Network CCTV helps local authorities and individual schools to take control of this problem, not just by recording the event but by instantly raising alarms with people in other locations, who can then see what is going on and inform the police. The chance of catching the vandals in the act is much greater and a series of quick police responses will deter vandals from trying again next time.”

Read the full story…

Network Webcams’ RemoteManager construction webcam service is being used by Chester West and Chester council to document the reconstruction of Chester city walls.

A 25 metre section of the city walls was closed after part of the walls collapsed on 3 April 2008 close to the Eastgate Clock. The walls have been stabilised and in summer 2009 work was started on dismantling and then rebuilding the walls. The work is expected to last around 12 months.

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Network Webcams has launched a spectacular offer on the best-selling Panasonic BB-HCM511 and BB-HCM531 IP network CCTV cameras. The offer is exclusively available from Network Webcams and reduces the cost of these Panasonic cameras by over 30% to the customer.

This spectacular Panasonic offer is available from www.networkwebcams.co.uk and is valid whilst stock last.

For full product specification:

Panasonic BB-HCM511 indoor IP camera
Panasonic BB-HCM531 outdoor IP camera

Press release October 7th 2009.

Following the release of the World’s first ONVIF conformant Network Video Products, LILIN have announced its partnership with Network Webcams, a leading specialist in Network Video and IP solutions.

Established in 2004, Network Webcams are one of the largest specialist companies in the area of IP Video. Providing networked CCTV systems and remote monitoring solutions for security and surveillance applications, they offer tailored web camera systems and webcam hosting and video streaming services.

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Network Webcams is due to release a beta version of their new web-based CCTV Service in November this year. The service has been branded ‘SecurityStation’ and allows customers to manage their IP cameras fully via the web. It does away with the need for recording software or video recorders of any kind. The recording and storage is done offsite on remote servers managed by Network Webcams. Users simply log in to the system via the web and have full control over their cameras, all via the Internet.

Kevin Bowyer, Technical Director at Network Webcams, and the driving force behind the development of SecurityStation:

“We think we have made it so easy to use, it offers customers all the benefits of modern-day CCTV but we deliver it via the web in a way that many of us have become used to in our everyday life.

“We are releasing a Beta version of the service in November and are looking for users with a critical mind to provide feedback to us before we fully launch. This is the most important stage to us”.

The beta version will be free and available by invitation only. Beta users will be rewarded with a free lifetime SecurityStation account (Terms and conditions apply). You can register to receive an invitation at www.securitystation.com.

Feel free to call us if you want to find out more. Speak to Frank on 0151 633 2111.

Sony has unveiled their latest HD network video cameras at ASIS 2009, the SNC-CH140 a fixed network camera and the SNC-DH140 a fixed mini-dome network camera. The new cameras include Sony’s new high-speed Exmore CMOS sensors which are designed to offer high image quality along with high sensitivity which is required for security applications in difficult low lighting and high contrast conditions.

With new View-DR Dynamic Range technology the camera takes multiple images at different exposure settings for each required frame and uses these to create a single image. With previous technologies nearly half of the information (light) captured was discarded to make the required frame. View-DR uses all the information captured to recreate a single frame which makes the camera nearly twice as sensitive, this allows high quality megapixel images to be captured in low and difficult lighting conditions.

The new cameras have a 720p resolution and are capable of 30fps in MJPEG, MPEG4 and H.264. XDNR (eXcellent Dynamic Noise Reduction) is used to enhance the low light performance further with selective 2D and 3D noise reduction, and DEPA advanced video and audio analytics provides motion detection, anti-tampering alarms and advanced audio detection. Both cameras conform to ONVIF specification and should be available winter 2010.

For more information see: Sony SNC-CH/DH series datasheet

Network Webcams Limited is a specialist company in the area of IP video and Security, offering networked CCTV solutions to a wide range of sectors across the UK. We are widely recognised as one of the leading companies in this field and are certified partners with Axis, Sony, Panasonic, Mobotix, Milestone and other IP vendors.

Due to ongoing growth we are looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking individual with a proven track-record in sales to further develop our system installation business.

Your key tasks and responsibilities

• Identifying and exploring sales opportunities with support from an office-based opportunity researcher / lead generator
• On site customer meetings, presentations and product demonstrations
• Site surveys
• System design, quotation and follow up
• Customer account management

Key requirements

• Good customer-facing skills
• IT / Networking or CCTV / Security background, or both
• IT and web literate
• Honest, no-nonsense person with high professional standards

Location: flexible
Remuneration: negotiable

For further information about our company please see www.networkwebcams.info.

If you are interested or wish to discuss further details about the position, please contact Frank Crouwel at 0151 633 2141 or email jobs@networkwebcams.com.

Pelco, a world-wide leader in design, development and manufacture of video security surveillance systems has announced a technology agreement with Cisco, the world-wide leader in networking and communications to collaborate on development of high definition (HD) IP surveillance products.

This joint venture will see the merging of Pelco’s advanced HD imaging technologies from their Sarix range of IP cameras (see our product evaluation: Pelco Sarix IX30DN 3.1 Megapixel IP Security Camera) with Cisco’s expertise in creating a robust, network interface and best-in-class IP networking features. The cameras will be co-branded and available by the end of 2009.

From the press release is sounds to us like the new products will be based on Pelco’s SARIX range delivering megapixel, high resolution images but at HDTV compatible resolutions and frame-rates. It also looks like they will support H.264 compression and have some on-board video analytics. We can’t wait to get a look at them at the end of the year.

For more information on the Pelco Sarix range:

Pelco Sarix Megapixel Security Cameras

Axis Communications now have their first ONVIF compliant network video camera with the release of the latest firmware version 5.10 for the P3301 and P3301-V fixed dome network cameras. Axis have been heavily involved in the development of the ONVIF standard and this will be the first of many Axis network video products to incorporate ONVIF standard functionality.

ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is an open industry forum founded by Axis, Bosch and Sony to standardise the communication between network video devices. The aim is to develop common protocols for the exchange of information between devices, including device discovery, video streaming and intelligent metadata to ensure complete compatibility regardless of device manufacturer.

The rise of a common standard will give increased flexibility for the end user or system installer with devices chosen for their suitability for the application and not compatibility to an existing system or other network video devices. The ONVIF standard will also future-proof any investment with the reassurance of future compatibility with any ONVIF compliant network video products.

On Friday night / Saturday morning (19th September 2009) our server provider is moving some of our machines from our current data centre into a brand spanking new facility.

This means that for a short period during Friday night / Saturday morning our RemoteManager and Streamdays Webcam Hosting services will be offline and unaccessible. We have a team on hand to deal with any issues that may arise, but we have worked closely with our provider over this move and they, to their credit, have been planning this move for many, many months and have covered all bases towards ensuring everthing picks up where it left off once all the plugs and cables are in place again.

The move has been scheduled for the quietist time for our customers and will have the least impact on these public services. We do, however, acknowledge that in some cases users or viewers of those services will be disappointed.

Things can, of course, go wrong. If they do, we’ll be around to restore service as soon as we possibly can and we’ll provide updates on our websites and Twitter feed as to what’s going on

This move is in the best interests of our customers and solidifies a server infrastructure plan for moving both products forward.