Specialist IP Camera Store since 2004
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How to get the best out of your CCTV system in 2021
Our 2021 Guide for CCTV System Optimisation
Market research which we commissioned this autumn, randomly targeting medium and large-sized businesses running CCTV systems right across England, uncovered evidence of some disquiet about the effectiveness of the surveillance systems which they had in place.
The shopping list of improvements which those running these systems were looking for was long. Only three per cent of businesses in the study were looking for no improvements in their CCTV systems in the next 12 months.
Over a third (36 per cent) of firms running CCTV systems are now looking for tighter integration with other security systems, ranging from fire and smoke alarms to access control systems.
What makes the Axis M5525-E our fastest-selling PTZ?
When the Axis M5525-E was listed on Network Webcams in October 2017, it certainly created a bit of stir; a feature-packed PTZ camera in Axis’ affordable “M” range and crucially, below the £1000 price-point. Having a PTZ camera in this competitive price bracket was a first for Axis and despite the unit being priced towards the top end, we anticipated it would be popular.
A few months on, and the M5525-E is proving to even more popular than we initially expected. We put the camera through its paces in January this year and created a demo video which has only increased the rate at which it flies off the shelves.
Dynamic DNS: is it still useful, or is it now irrelevant?
Over 10 years ago I wrote about Dynamic DNS (DDNS), asking if you really need a static IP address if you want to access your camera or CCTV system from the Internet. The answer was ‘no’, because of the ubiquity of Dynamic DNS services which were, at that time, starting to become embedded in camera firmware. Similarly, IP camera manufacturers were beginning to offer their own DDNS services which made life a whole lot easier for end users.
As DDNS is now a mature technology, is it still useful and relevant today?
Build your own surveillance system with the Axis F series
The Axis F series offers a very flexible way of creating a high performance IP CCTV system – complete with video management software and remote access – all without the need for a dedicated PC, server or Network Video Recorder (NVR).
An F series camera consists of separate HD sensor / lens units which connect to a main unit (the body of the camera) via a cable. Axis refer to this design as a ‘divided concept’ and a choice of 7 lenses offers users the flexibility to build a surveillance system to meet their exact needs.
Since the series was launched in 2014, we’ve seen the Axis F series used for a wide variety of indoor, outdoor and mobile surveillance applications. The ultra compact design and options for discreet installation make these cameras particularly popular with small office-based businesses, independent retailers and restaurants.
We’re going to show you how you can put together your own system in 3 easy steps.
IP cameras and online security
Today’s story of a Russian website showing UK companies’ and people’s personal cameras, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30121159, shows how important it is to secure access to your cameras. Not protecting access to your cameras is like leaving the door of your house open. At some point you will get unwanted visitors. There is no need for this risk, keeping safe is easy. Just follow the basic rules:
The phenomenon of Viewer Creep in IP video systems
A well-known form of ‘Creep’ many of you will have heard of is Mission Creep linked to humanitarian interventions in war-torn countries which escalate into, initially unintended, long-lasting military campaigns.
In the world of software coding, programmers talk about Feature Creep as system features or capabilities are extended mid-way through projects. Meanwhile, project managers frequently bemoan Scope Creep, the process by which a project grows beyond its originally anticipated size or complexity.
The global value of IP camera sales is close to 50% of total CCTV cameras sold worldwide, but they are not plug and play…
Close to the tipping point
During 2014, the global value of IP camera sales is set to reach the tipping point when compared with analogue CCTV cameras, according to the leading analyst covering the global surveillance and analytics market IHS (formerly IMS Research). Jon Cropley, IHS’ lead analyst covering the surveillance market explains:
“The video surveillance equipment markets in EMEA and the Americas have already reached a ‘tipping point’ where revenues from network video surveillance equipment exceed those from analogue equipment. At a global level this is not forecast to occur until 2014 due to the continued growth of the market for analogue equipment in Asia.”
IHS’ global report on the video surveillance market based on 2013 sales (which should be out by June 2014) may even reveal that the global ‘value tipping point’ has already arrived – spurred on by rapid migration to IP video in China and the rest of the Far East.
Edge-based recording on the rise
Original SD cards, called ‘SD Standard Capacity’ or SDSC, could provide only 2GB of storage only 10 years ago. High Capacity SD cards (SDHC) offering up to 32GB reached the market in number some five years ago. This development prompted an explosion of IP surveillance camera launches with in-built SD card slots designed for edge-based recording.
Moore’s Law continues to go to work so that today SDXC cards (eXtended Capacity SD Cards) already offer 2TB of storage capacity. 128 GB SDHC and SDXC cards are available today in larger and larger numbers and prices are falling fast. This is a game changer for edge-based recording because it makes the storing of high frame rate HD video images increasingly easy and inexpensive. To give you an idea of the level of penetration of edge recording – of the 69 network cameras listed in Axis’ latest product comparison tables published in February 2013, 45 now offer SD card slots. Almost every new camera model launched this year comes with a SD card slot.
How useful are the Home Office’s i-LIDS video analytics tests in today’s world?
Following NW Systems Group’s look at the new Surveillance Camera Code last month, we decided to follow up this month by taking a closer look at the world of video analytics.
Read more >>
NW Systems welcomes new Surveillance Camera Code but worries it creates potential for delay in adoption of ‘intelligent’ CCTV cameras in the UK
One of the most significant pieces of news for the UK surveillance world has been the appointment of the new Surveillance Camera Commissioner Andrew Rennison back in September 2012 and the subsequent publication, on 7 February 2013, of a draft Surveillance Camera Code of Practice Pursuant to Section 29 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. The Act promises ‘further regulation of CCTV’ as surveillance technologies improve and potentially threaten individuals’ rights to privacy. Consultation on the draft Code closed on 21 March.
