The IP Camera and IP CCTV Blog

Today, Network Webcams announces the launch of SecurityStation, its own Alerts & Recording Platform (ARP). Designed with the user in mind, SecurityStation makes viewing and recording from IP cameras as easy as using a website.

The new service can be accessed using all common browsers and does away with the need for recording devices or software of any kind. All a user need is a camera and an Internet connection, SecurityStation does the rest.

Secure, offsite remote servers managed by Network Webcams store the data captured from users’ cameras. Via www.MySecurityStation.com users have instant access to their event recordings, live camera feeds and system control settings.

Frank Crouwel, Managing Director at Network Webcams said, “We expect that SecurityStation will become a great success and a market leader amongst other Alerts & Recording Platforms (ARPs). The fact that the service is fully web-based and is accessible from anywhere on demand makes it easy to use for anybody, and this makes it such a powerful product. It will open up the use of IP video to a much wider market.”

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Y-cam have been very successful with their IP cameras for the entry-level market. They have provided a small range of daylight viewing (Y-cam White) and night vision cameras (Y-cam Black/Knight) aimed for home and small business users but now they are launching something with the business user in mind.

The Y-cam Bullet

Enter the Y-cam Bullet, Y-cam’s first true day/night camera which is fully weatherproof and features wireless connectivity and 2-way audio.

The Y-cam Bullet is the next natural progression of the Y-cam Black or Y-cam Knight. It is a bullet-style camera which is self-contained in a weatherproof housing (no Y-cam Shell required!) and is the first camera from Y-cam to feature true infrared automatic day/night switching, Power over Ethernet connectivity and 2-way audio and comes with a new MJPEG optimised viewer for the iPhone.

Exclusive price until end of March 2010

From today we are selling the new Y-cam Bullet at a reduced price until the end of March. Buy from Network Webcams today and save £50 off the manufacturer’s RRP. See below link for details.

More information:

Y-cam Bullet true day/night wireless outdoor security camera
Y-cam Bullet product evaluation by Network Webcams

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

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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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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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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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.

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

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Y-Cam have released the latest firmware update for their Y-Cam White, Y-Cam Black and Y-Cam Knight IP Cameras.

This software includes the following updates:

• Additional schedules (up to 4) can be used with various functions
• Added wireless signal strength level meter when searching for SSID
• Added wireless signal strength level meter in the System page
• Built-in detection of SD card which displays an additional menu and disables Buffering (SD models only)

The following bug has also been resolved:

• FTP Remote path couldn’t handle 2 level path, such as xxx/xxx

If you need to update the firmware on your camera, the files can be found on our forum.

We have recently learned from Y-cam that they have plans to launch a new version of the Y-cam Black at the end of the month. This new model will be called the Y-cam Black SD and feature an Micro SD memory card slot for on-camera recording.

The Y-cam Black SD will contain a new menu called ‘SD Functions’ to allow the management of SD card features. We are told that this menu will only appear when an SD card is inserted into the camera. The menu gives access to 4 different recording methods, a playback browser and a utility to format the SD card.

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We’ve just heard that Panasonic are now officially discontinuing their BL-C1 and BL-C20 IP cameras.

This has been coming for a while as these models have already been replaced for a few months with the BL-C101 and BL-C121 respectively.

The BL-C101 and BL-C121 (wireless) offer advanced features over the old models, including:

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Recent reports out from the British Crime Survey show that in the last year while violent crime is down compared to the previous year, theft related crime has risen in the wake of the economic down turn.

Trends show a rise in domestic burglary and shoplifting over the past year along with a rise in the overall risk of being a victim of crime.

Many people today are now looking for new and reliable ways to protect their homes. Recent figures show that households with even basic security are nearly 2.5x less likely to be a victim of burglary than households with no security features. This figure rises to nearly 5x for households which include enhanced security.

While security features like CCTV act as a deterrent against crime they also offer peace of mind while away from your property. IP cameras which connect directly to your computer network now offer significant advantages over analogue CCTV.

Active security measures

While some traditional CCTV systems ran in the background only being called upon after a crime has occurred, others required constant active monitoring. IP cameras can intelligently monitor your property and even alert you before you become the victim of crime without any human intervention.

Key technologies included in IP cameras such as Video Motion Detection (VMD) allow for this intelligent unmanned surveillance and can notify you of alerts via email or even mobile phone. The option of being able to store data offsite along with the ability to view images over any Internet connection including your mobile phone makes an IP camera a robust and adaptable security solution.

Entry level IP camera security solutions

Below are a few examples of low cost IP cameras that can enhance security for your home or office.

Axis M1011
Entry level Axis IP camera with advanced video compression, motion detection, email notification and FTP upload, including recording software for one camera. A Wireless version is also available.

Y-cam Black
Includes infrared night vision and wireless capability along with motion detection, email notification and FTP upload. Addition outdoor housing for this camera is also available.

Panasonic BL-C101
A cheap introduction IP camera with one way audio, external sensor inputs along with motion detection, FTP upload and email notification.

The Q6032-E is the latest in PTZ dome network cameras from Axis.

It is a professional camera for high end security surveillance and monitoring, suitable for any indoor or outdoor location. With an IP66-rated case the camera is fully weatherproof and with Arctic Temperature Control can also withstand extreme temperatures of between -40 to +50 degrees C.

Easy to install

Designed for easy installation, the IP camera can be mounted quickly and easily and with support for the IEEE802.3at High Power over Ethernet pre-standard the camera can be powered using a single Ethernet cable.

Other features include:

• 35x optical zoom with autofocus
• H.264 video compression for bandwidth efficient monitoring
• Local storage to SD memory card
• Day/night monitoring for reliable 24-hour surveillance

For more information:

Network Webcams, one of the UKs leading IP CCTV firms, has appointed two new technical team members.

Kevin To and Simon Le Monnier will be at the spearhead of our technical support effort, both over the phone, by email and through the web. Our goal remains to provide the best technical support and customer service in the IP CCTV business. These appointments give Network Webcams capacity for further growth and success.

Based in Kirkcaldy, Fife, both Kevin (who has a background in IPTV) and Simon (educated in Music and Video Engineering) will spend some time getting used to how we do things around here, following our in-house training programme and learning the ropes.

We welcome both Kevin and Simon into the team and wish them every success within Network Webcams.