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Retail CCTV system – a guide on what to consider
Retailers face increasing pressure from within and without, making loss prevention a key driver for profitability. One way of doing this is installing a CCTV security solution.
When you’re thinking about a retail CCTV system you have various factors to consider driven by different needs.
This blog takes you through key considerations like view, visibility and non-security applications. After that, this article gives you some suggested systems to consider.
Crucial steps when installing Milestone XProtect for the first time – installation and beyond
Congratulations you’ve purchased Milestone XProtect and have got a Software Licence Code (SLC), what do you do next?
This blog runs through the steps to get you up and running on this powerful video management software. We also cover where to look for help and how to get the best out of your system.
If you haven’t already, take a look at our pre-installation pro tips for advice on how to choose the right hardware to run XProtect on and how to set up your XProtect system. Now your hardware is ready, let’s begin.
Crucial steps when installing Milestone XProtect for the first time – pre-installation pro tips
As the market leader in video management software, Milestone XProtect is packed with features to manage your security surveillance. While this is great once the system is set up, it does mean you need to think about your set up before installation so you can get the most of your software.
So, how can this be done?
The hardware system should, ideally, be designed around your actual requirements. This includes the number of cameras, resolution, frame rate, retention period and number of clients viewing live.
How IP cameras can be used to monitor machinery and reduce downtime
Modern IP cameras now come with a dizzying array of features. What can sometimes be trickier to figure out is how they can be used practically in areas other than surveillance. Take an industrial or manufacturing setting for example; how can you get an early warning of issues?
For the purpose of this blog we’ll be concentrating on indoor scenarios.
Securing your small business IP camera network
If you’re looking to protect your small business by installing IP cameras, take a look at the steps below for ways to make your installation more secure.
This blog covers the system set up aspect of your camera network security.
Date and time setup
Setting the right date and time at system set up ensures that your recordings show the correct time information. This makes it much easier to find and review incidents, rather than having to watch hours of footage. If you’re using a video management systems (VMS), it’s important that all parts of the system are in time sync at all times otherwise components can be prevented from functioning correctly.
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How to license Milestone XProtect
Milestone XProtect is a great VMS platform and like any commercially-offered software it is a paid-for product which has a licensing mechanism. In the case of XProtect, licencing can be done both online (with a connection to the Internet on the server with the software installed) or offline.
The process can seem complex, but is actually quite simple. If you’ve bought your software through Network Webcams, we provide you with a guide to licensing along with your licence key (or SLC – Software License Code – as Milestone call it). This blog has been created to help you go through the registration process with ease.
There are a number of things which need to be in place before the XProtect software is installed. Let’s go through the process.
How can you make your CCTV system greener?
In a recent blog we explored how easy it was to find the green credentials of the major IP camera brands we supply, in an aim to see “how green your IP camera really is”. It’s clear that most manufacturers are continuously looking at ways that they can be “greener” – from the materials they use through to their transportation options, but the end-user can make a difference too.
Recognising the impact your CCTV system can have on the environment is a challenge for everyone, but it’s worth remembering the additional benefit of reducing the energy consumption of your video surveillance system is a potential saving for your organisation.
Choosing the right camera for live streaming your next event
When it comes to choosing a camera for live streaming, there are plenty of options out there from high-end HDMI cameras to cheap USB webcams, but if you’re looking for that best-value balance between quality, versatility and price, we recommend that an IP camera is the way to go.
But which one is right for you? And what features should you be looking for?
If you’ve read our recent blog post – 5 mistakes to avoid when live streaming an event, you’ll know it’s important that the camera you choose has great image quality and supports high quality audio but there are some other features worth considering to ensure you get the best results.
We’ve picked out a few of the main attributes that you should look for when choosing a camera for live streaming your next event.
5 mistakes to avoid when live streaming an event
So you’ve decided to stream your next live event. You already know there are plenty of benefits to live streaming, but how can you ensure you make it a real success and get the most from your setup?
Picking the right equipment for the job, using a suitable hosting service and a little preparation goes a long way to ensuring your live stream looks and sounds great for all of your audience, but if you’re not sure where to begin, this can seem a little daunting.
To help get you started, we’ve got some practical tips that will help you avoid 5 common mistakes made when streaming a live event.
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.
