The IP Camera and IP CCTV Blog

Network webcams today are able to offer a 3G wireless solution for their construction webcams system, RemoteManager.

Providing increased flexibility and reducing costs, a fully wireless 3G solution takes the hassle out of network cabling on a construction site, which is often impractical or expensive.

Read more

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…

The developers of SecuritySpy IP camera recording software for Mac are now shipping version 2.0.

Read more

Network Webcams has made live a revamped networkwebcams.net for promoting the company’s strong IP CCTV solutions offering.

“We are going through a process of rebranding, which means that all our sites will be recognisably Network Webcams with the same corporate look and feel throughout”, says Frank Crouwel, managing director of Network Webcams Limited.

Mr Crouwel continues: “We recently introduced our new logo and this revamped website is step two and much more is to follow”.

With a strong track record in IP video and security solutions and the experience to combine the various technologies involved and make them work reliably as one total solution, Network Webcams is well placed for growth and is committed to network video for security.

Network Webcams is a specialist provider of IP security products and solutions offering supply and integration services.

Read more about Network Webcams’ IP CCTV and security solutions.

We are pleased to announce we have just added a range of product licenses for SecuritySpy on our UK/European store.

SecuritySpy

SecuritySpy is a CCTV monitoring, recording and playback application developed exclusively for the Mac. By installing the software you will turn your Mac into a professional video surveillance system, compatible with a wide range of devices including network cameras, video encoders, analogue cameras, webcams and digital multiplexers. It will even support the built-in iSight webcam you find in MacBooks.

Recording

SecuritySpy has built-in motion detection routines which can be set to record only when movement is detected saving on storage space. A timelapse function is also available for continuous recording if required.

Remote Access

A major benefit of the software is its remote web access capability. The software can be accessed from any remote Mac on the same local network or across the Internet. This provides remote viewing allowing you to keep track of your property from anywhere in the world. SecuritySpy can also be run in a ’server’ mode allowing other instances of the software to stream video back to a central server. This is useful for large organisations who may be running the software in various departments and want to feed them all back to a central monitoring room.

Affordable

SecuritySpy comes with a few licensing options and starts at just £29 for a 1-camera license making it ideal for home security. Licenses can be upgraded when needed and a full, unlimited license is also available making the software an ideal solution for your business too. It’s also easy to install and very simple to use.

More information

SecuritySpy - 1 camera license
SecuritySpy - 4 camera license
SecuritySpy - 8 camera license
SecuritySpy - unlimited camera license

Most businesses these days have some form or other of CCTV security or surveillance system on premise. For some this offers peace of mind, for some a surveillance system operates as a clear and present deterrance and for others as a ‘fire and forget’ system which only becomes critical when it is expected to work during an alarm event.

Larger corporations and some SMEs will monitor their CCTV systems at all times and respond immediately to break ins and violations, but most small businesses don’t have the luxury of resources and therefore rely on their security systems to work in the background, becoming ‘visible’ only when needed.

The idea that something as critical as the security of your business can essentially be forgotten about is not a concept which sits easy with most business owners, but in actual fact most will end up using it in this way, intentionally or no. Whether a security system is intentionally configured to work in this way, or whether over time businesses simply forget it’s there, there is always an element of CCTV working in the background. The real trick is to make sure any system functions correctly in the event of a security breach long before that mental backgrounding takes place.

With any IP CCTV installation large or small it pays in the longer term to test the system repeatedly and contextually. For instance, it’s no good setting up a motion detection window on a camera then simply walking past that camera to test the trigger works correctly. You need to test that trigger in a real scenario, usually at night, when a real event is most likely to occur.

Similarly, any event notifications must be stress tested on installation or businesses suffer the risk of email overload and thus even quicker mental backgrounding. The last thing any small business owner wants is to be woken at 3am by a raft of SMS messages or emails generated by false alarms from a poorly configured system.

Critically for your business, false alarms generate costs in money, time, worry and frustration.

If you have ‘backgrounded’ your CCTV system take a moment to consider how it is set up. Have you viewed the recordings lately? Has it generated any false alarms recently? Have you checked that it’s still working?

Get your CCTV system setup right and it will work to your benefit and perform its duties well, returning your investment rapidy and helping your business turn a profit. Fail to get the configuration right or skimp on testing and you risk rendering the system useless, shortening your temper and wasting your investment.

Choosing the right company to source your equipment from and to perform your installation and commissioning is therefore extremely important. A company with a deep knowledge of security, but just as importantly, of how your CCTV system relates to the needs of your business is a better company for you.

When you finally ‘mentally background’ your CCTV system be safer in the knowledge that you’ve done your prep.

Above all, sleep tight.

VIVOTEK have just announced the release of their IP Surveillance Handbook. The handbook is aimed at security installers and system integrators and hopes to enhance the level of knowledge about IP surveillance and IP CCTV systems.

The book takes you through the basics of IP cameras, video servers and recording solutions, covering hardware, lenses, sensors, camera housings etc. It also looks at IP-specific areas such as networking, bandwidth, video management and system design and provides the reader with the knowledge to help supply cost-effective IP video surveillance systems that truly match their customer’s requirements.

We think the book is a good read for system installers, integrators and end-users alike. The more information that is available on IP video, the more the industry will begin to see the benefits of making the jump from analogue CCTV to digital IP CCTV.

You can download a copy here: VIVOTEK IP Surveillance Handbook (PDF 6.01MB)

With the launch of Sony’s first Megapixel IP CCTV security cameras last year came the introduction of their new sensor technology, ExwavePRO.

ExwavePRO

The ExwavePRO sensor is a new CCD imaging sensor which is designed specifically for IP cameras. It benefits from progressive scan technology which eliminates the blurring caused by moving objects you would find when using interlace sensors.  It also uses a CMYG complimentary colour filter which provides greater levels of sensitivity when compared to RGB primary colour filters.

Image on the left is taken from a Sony SNC-DS10 with an ExwavePRO sensor, image on the right is taken from a conventional camera (progressive scan sensor with RGB filter).  Both at 0.7 lux illumination.

Read more

With the recent launch of the Axis Q1755 HDTV Network camera we suddenly thought to ourselves…  “What on earth is an ‘HDTV’ network camera“?

We know that HDTV is the latest in home entertainment technology delivering television pictures at up to 5 times higher resolution than standard definition (SD) television. However, with the introduction of SVGA resolution (800×600) in 1989 computer monitors have been able to display resolutions equivalent to HDTV for 2 decades on our computer screens, so aren’t all IP cameras HDTV cameras?

Read more

With major UK providers beginning to roll out broadband services at speeds which most of the rest of the developed work have been able to access for years, CCTV can expect a brighter future, one where CCTV isn’t closed any more, but is seriously open.

Nowadays, people and businesses buying IP cameras want to be able to access those cameras from wherever they are. They want their security and peace of mind on their terms. Faster broadband services mean faster access over the web to your CCTV cameras. That’s the theory anyway.

With Virgin’s recent 50Mb fibre service it was hoped things would change. However, the critical part of any remote CCTV system is the upstream bandwidth available and in this case while the downstream data jump was considerable, the upstream was limited to 1.5Mbp/s. Whilst this is still pretty good when compared to other providers, try watching 4 simultaneous cameras at VGA resolution from your hotel room and you’ll soon be wondering what all the fuss was about.

BT’s 21CN services should mean even faster upload speeds and indicates that the pace of growth is still towards faster broadband all-round, both in the down and upstreams.

Here’s an interesting idea BT and Virgin, why not offer a service with poor download speed but nice, fast upload connectivity? Surely there’s a valid business case for this with CCTV systems alone? It would be easy to prevent the hosting of nefarious websites from cheap broadband connections in this way and you wouldn’t have to worry about peer-to-peer downloaded spoiling the show.

Does faster broadband herald better CCTV? Yes it does, but the progress is painfully slow.

Network Webcams, recognising the need for businesses to make cost savings but to retain control over their CCTV and video surveillance needs, has launched its CCTV Deal of the Week available on purchases made from its IP camera store.

The Deal of the Week is currently available to UK and European customers and will shortly become available to customers within the USA. Customers elsewhere can still take advantage of these great value deals by calling 0151 633 2111 (+44 151 633 2111 from outside the United Kingdom).

The company’s first Deal of the Week is MILESTONE RECORDING SOFTWARE - GET A 6 CAMERA LICENSE FOR THE PRICE OF 4.

Videotec has launched a Hi-PoE camera housing ideal for outdoor installation of IP network cameras. Installing CCTV cameras in external locations has never been easier. Now, you only have to run a data cable to the camera, there is no longer a need for additional external power cabling for the housing. This makes IP CCTV installations more flexible and much more cost-effective.

PoE technology gives IP CCTV a huge benefit over traditional CCTV. The PoE housing will soon be available in the UK. Keep an eye on our UK IP CCTV camera store.

When you start planning an IP camera CCTV network, no matter how small, and you need to record that footage for playback later as evidence, your have two main options: an NVR (Network Video Recorder) or recording software (software NVR).

We have a range of both from Milestone, Axis, Panasonic and Sony and have just added to our range of NVRs from Panasonic with the inclusion on our UK IP CCTV Store of the Panasonic iPro WJ-ND200 and WJ-ND300 ranges.

The i-Pro Network Disc Recorder range includes:

Panasonic i-Pro WJ-ND200/120 (16 cameras) - NVR with 120Gb storage space
Panasonic i-Pro WJ-ND200/240 (16 cameras) - NVR with 240Gb storage space
Panasonic i-Pro WJ-ND300/500 (32 cameras) - NVR with 500Gb storage space
Panasonic i-Pro WJ-ND300/1000 (32 cameras) - NVR with 1TB of storage space
Panasonic i-Pro WJ-ND300/2000 (32 cameras) - NVR with 2Tb storage space

When designing a CCTV system or network you’re weighing up whether to go down the software route (using a PC or server) or put NVR(s) in place. There is choice in both camps. CCTV Video Recording Software is generally lower cost, therefore you potentially get a quicker return on your investment, but the additional benefits and hassle-saving of NVRs can be significant in the longer term and should not be ignored.

A useful networked CCTV system with IP cameras may be a success or failure on the quality of its recorded video, but the same can also be said for the ease of use and maintenance of the recording system. NVRs can make these tasks simple.

Panasonic have launched their eagerly awaited outdoor BL-C140 and BL-C160 cameras bringing outdoor IP CCTV surveillance at an affordable price for the first time.

These cameras are small in size and can be installed discreetly in any outdoor location thanks to their IPx4 splashproof design. They are ideal for security around the home, especially when monitoring your driveway, garage or entrance to your property.

The BL-C160 model includes a built-in light which can be set to activate when the light levels get low or when movement is detected within range of its sensor.

Key features:

• Outdoor ready. Install the camera outdoors with no additional housing. Works equally as well indoors.
• Simultaneous MPEG-4 and MJPEG streaming at up to VGA resolution at 30fps (full VGA at 30fps is only available using MPEG-4).
• Multi-camera display allows live image display of up to 16 Panasonic cameras simultaneously without the need for additional software.
• Mobile phone viewer delivers the camera output in an optimised format for mobile phone displays.
• Full-screen mode allows the live image or live multi-display to be enlarged to make monitoring easier.
• Easy to install using the (supplied) Power Transfer Unit which will allow the camera to be installed using a single network cable with no need for conventional means of power at the camera’s location.
• Remote access to your live images from anywhere in the world allowing you to see there when you can’t be there.

For more information:

Panasonic BL-C140 Outdoor ready static IP camera with motion detection

Panasonic BL-C160 Outdoor ready with built-in light and motion/heat detection

Available now! The Axis 233D high-end network PTZ dome camera has been upgraded and now includes Auto-tracking. Auto-tracking automatically detects a moving object (e.g. person of vehicle) and follows it within the camera’s area of coverage. Auto-tracking is particularly usefull for unmanned CCTV security operations, both indoor and outdoor. All new Axis 233D cameras will be shipped with this additional functionality built-in. Existing users of the Axis 233D can install auto-tracking for free by downloading the latest firmware from the Axis website.

We have released for sale a range of IP network cameras from Bosch.

The range includes the Bosch NWC-0455 Dionion compact IP camera, the Bosch NWD-455 FlexiDome IP camera and the Bosch NWD-495 FlexiDomeDN vandal resistant IP camera.

The suite of cameras includes a compact network camera, vandal resistant domes, dan/night switching capabilities and all cameras are power over ethernet capable making Bosch an ideal choice for mid-range CCTV security installations.

Bosch IP camera prices start at £389. View the range >>

For a number of years now Network Webcams has been training its staff, gaining knowledge and generally beefing up its technical capabilities in order to have the best technical team in the IP camera industry. We feel we’re well on the way to attaining this goal.

Our team can not only help you find the right IP camera for your needs, support you on a one-to-on basis and sort out your IP camera problems in an industry leading way, but we can design state-of-the-art security systems based on IP technology for applications from small shops to major transport hubs.

Network Webcams’ integration and installation services go hand in hand with our IP camera sales allowing our company’s customers to benefit from this enhanced knowledge base and support structure. Systems designed by the Network Webcams team are IP from the ground up and are among the most reliable systems available at a fraction of the cost of traditional analogue systems.

Find out more about our CCTV systems integration and installation services.