Is IP fragmentation a future killer?
I recently came across a situation where a leading brand manufacturer discontinued some of their IP cameras and no longer supported them. The NVR made by the same manufacturer did not support the new IP camera models even with an upgraded firmware and they were basically told they would have to replace the system with updated cameras and NVR. The integrator was obviously upset and no longer wanted to continue using the brand. This got me think further about the fragmentation within the IP camera technology and the possibility of future problems that may exist. These concerns cover both IP cameras and NVRs.
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Within the world of analog even if a manufacturer discontinues a camera model or even a line of cameras the installer can use virtually any other brand of analog camera to replace the cameras and continue operation but with IP it’s not so simple. The NVR must support the cameras you would like to use and things are not so cut and dry. No matter the changes that occur within the analog camera in regards to the CCD, DSP or format. The systems are all interchangeable. This leads to long term support and usability.
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The Urban Monitoring System: CCTV Draped on 3D Models
An Urban Sensation is a proposal from Dan Foster-Smith, a graduate from Designing Interactions at the Royal College of Arts. It is aimed at developing an open source infrastructure that would enable the virtual reconstruction of our sensory stimuli at any location. The infrastructure enables our sense of sight, sound and smell to be emulated. For the sense of sight live CCTV footage is overlain on a 3D model of the urban environment. This allows you to move around the city space exploring visual soundings in real time. Combined with a GPS trace you can then re-live you visual surroundings or experience the visual surroundings of another person or just ponder what it would be like to be at hypothetical location:
We really like the use of CCTV to drape footage over a 3D model, it is well worth heading over to http://sensoryemulation.com/ to find out more on the technique as well as Dans own page for more projects.
Move to Colorado if you want to sell some CCTV systems.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — From security systems and surveillance cameras to mandatory tracking of all sales, tough regulations will hit the Colorado medical marijuana industry hard beginning July 1.
“Some of the major changes that are coming into effect are really going to affect how we deal with our patients,” Jesse Vriese, manager of Green Love Wellness in Colorado Springs, said. “We have to be very careful with who we serve. It is no longer friendly retial, it is more paperwork and business.”
Among the new rules, dispensaries must keep track of all their patients and sales. Vriese welcomes such regulation.
“Seed-to-sale, in my opinion, is very important,” he said. “I think it is a pain, and I think it is definitely going to be more work for us, but I think it is very important. I think it is something that needs to happen so the industry is regulated.”
CCTV being used to curve Grave Thefts
A review of security will be carried out at Cheshire cemeteries after items were stolen from young children’s graves in Crewe. It could lead to the introduction of CCTV cameras in many of the county’s graveyards. One mother told BBC Radio Stoke that thieves took two stone angels from her baby daughter’s memorial. The area’s Conservative MP, Edward Timpson, called the perpetrators “mindless idiots”. Mr Timpson, the MP for Crewe and Nantwich, is now calling for the local community to work together to tackle the thefts. “It’s going to need some strong support from the council and the police, and from the wider community, to ensure that those mindless idiots who’ve done this - whether it’s through stupidity or through vindictiveness - are deterred from doing it again.”
- Brazil school shooting - CCTV video (by RTAmerica) WARNING -… (cctvblog.com)
- A students view on CCTV for her school. My old school made it… (cctvblog.com)
You ready for 3 TB hard drives?
Distributor Drive Control Corporation (DCC) has launched Western Digital’s (WD) addition of the 2,5 TB and 3 TB versions to its family of WD AV-GP SATA hard drives, serving the audio-video (AV) market. Shipping immediately, the 2,5 TB and 3 TB capacity, 3,5-inch, WD AV-GP hard drives offer 24X7 reliability, low power consumption and large storage capacity for storage-intensive AV applications such as digital video recorders, video surveillance, single-drive media servers and external multimedia storage. “Designed to go the distance in high-temperature, always-on streaming digital AV environments, WD AV-GP drives store more high-definition audio and video than ever before with our new 2,5 TB and 3 TB versions,” says Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD’s branded products and CE business units. “Combine capacity, power-saving WD GreenPower Technology, and performance capabilities to capture up to 12 simultaneous HD video streams with SilkStream technology and the drive choice is made clear in optimising AV applications like PVR/DVR, IPTV and video surveillance.”
- Hacker pwns police cruiser and lives to tell tale (cctvblog.com)
- Toshiba launches HDDs with built-in Wipe Technology (cctvblog.com)
- “Video Surveillance Is Growing - And Fast Putting on my vendor hat for a moment, there’s an…” (cctvblog.com)
(Source: securitysa.com)
Sweden resists EU’s watchful eye
Sweden government is picking a fight with the EU over plans to monitor and store all telecom and internet traffic, when every call, every text, even every email will be watched if the EU has its way.
Sweden is a dedicated protector of its privacy, to the extent that there are very few security cameras on the streets.
The EU is imposing a law to store all telecom traffic data in order to have the capacity to establish where you are and who you are talking to.
Sweden’s sharp refusal to comply has meant the country is now being sued by the European Union.
Swedish MP Maria Ferm from the Green Party says “All of this information probably will be in some case misused. It’s endangering the foundations of what we see as a democracy or a free society.”
The law is meant to combat terrorism and Sweden should’ve been tracking calls since 2007, but parliament recently postponed it for yet another year. It is one of just five members standing up to Big Brother.
“The EU has been wrong in many cases before and also in this case. Of course we should chase criminals and combat terrorism, but we should not build up a Big Brother society,” states MP from Swedish Left Party Jens Holm.
Going under the radar could land Sweden a fine of up to €68 million, a small price to pay for a country that does not like being watched.
- Is The Industry Ready For HD CCTV Cameras? (cctvblog.com)
- Securitas buys SCG security guard firm for $22 million | Government Security News (cctvblog.com)
- Big Brother Birdhouse (cctvblog.com)
- Sweden Resists Big Brother EU’s Watchful Eye (current.com)
Pretty cool…Ethernet to DVI Video Adapter over IP
This DVI Video over IP adapter turns an Ethernet port into a DVI or VGA port (see accessories for DVI to VGA adapter).
Connect your PC to your display or projector through an existing office or home network. The adapter connects directly to a DVI or VGA display / projector from a host computer or through a network hub / router. The IP2DVI adapter acts as an external DVI or VGA video card that can be used to extend or mirror the desktop displayed.
A cost-effective solution, the DVI IP adapter includes the necessary auto-detection software, and can be used with any Windows XP (32-bit) or Windows Vista (32-bit) computer.
Convert your PC’s video signal to IP packets and transmit the signal to any display / projector connected to the IP2DVI adapter through your wired or wireless network.
How it works:
Diagram 1: Direct connection from PC Ethernet port to DVI/VGA display or projector.
Diagram 2: Multiple desktops/laptops through router to DVI/VGA monitor or projector.
The StarTech.com Advantage
- Transmit a PC video signal over a home or office network to any display / projector connected to an IP2DVI.
- Add an additional display using your network. Installation is quick and easy with automatic detection software (included).
- Las Vegas casino installs Basler IP security cameras (cctvblog.net)
- HauteSHOT microNVR wireless router and network video recorder (cctvblog.com)
- Network your Sony block Cameras with Pleora’s High Performance IP Engines (cctvblog.net)
Arecont Vision Becomes Select Supplier Of Megapixel Cameras For FST21′s SafeRise
Glendale, CA (April 4, 2011) – Arecont Vision, the attention personality in IP-based megapixel camera technology, announces their partnership with FST21 as a of the premier suppliers of megapixel cameras for SafeRise installations. The new partnership complements Arecont Vision’s modernized camera surveillance technologies with the multiple of facial recognition, voice recognition, pattern of behavior, permit image approval and caller administration that FST21′s SafeRise offers. “Our partnership with FST21 serve exemplifies how Arecont Vision megapixel cameras go on to be digested for mainstream video surveillance applications,” mentioned Raul Calderon, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “FST21′s SafeRise answer features non-intrusive biometrics that are rarely reliant upon the high quality of video prisoner by the system. Arecont Vision megapixel cameras broach the image sum compulsory to make sure rarely exact network performance. We are gratified to be the disdainful camera producer is to multiple of these two pioneering technologies.” The FST21 SafeRise network is an easy, programmed and available identity administration network that regulates access to a room or office building for both certified people and visitors. SafeRise utilizes a Inter-mixture of second era biometrics and high-resolution video to give the top turn of security. The network is unique in that it uses no key, no card and no code. Instead, the face and voice of certified crew functions similar to a key. “FST21′s SafeRise provides roughly human access control, but it still needs the ‘eyes’ to see,” updated Avi Lupo, CEO of FST21 America, Inc. “Arecont Vision’s high opening megapixel cameras supply our network with high high quality images to make an smart preference and approve the identity of the person at the entrance. FST21 has been consistently flourishing and we’ve found great success with Arecont Vision as our associate on new projects and look forward to stability with them on many more to come.”
- Hikvision launches 2 megapixel WDR dome camera (cctvblog.com)
- “CNB Technology Announces Plans to Deliver New DSS Solutions XNET Megapixel IP and HDcctv…” (cctvblog.com)
- Sensors Unlimited-Goodrich ISR Systems debuts 1.3 megapixel SWIR camera (cctvblog.com)
British Teens Unknowingly Try To Break Into Surveillance Van, Confronted By SAS Troops
A group of Manchester teens, on a crime spree of breaking into vans and stealing tools, tried the handle on the wrong van over the weekend and were confronted by a squad of armed SAS (Special Air Service) troops on a surveillance mission. Not gonna lie, I would’ve shot the kids. A source said: “The lads each had a machine gun and a side pistol with live ammunition to make it realistic. They saw these scrotes coming for some time. “They didn’t want to move for fear of ruining the exercise and hoped the gang would pass them by. “The lads decided they would teach them a lesson if they did get into their van, which is exactly what happened. With the team’s cover blown, the exercise was cancelled.
- The Seven Guidelines for Selecting Camera Positions for Surveillance Systems in New Homes (cctvblog.com)
- “Video Surveillance Is Growing - And Fast Putting on my vendor hat for a moment, there’s an…” (cctvblog.com)
- The convergence of biometrics, location and surveillance (cctvblog.com)
Call for CCTV review after latest unsolved attack
I am amazed at how many of these articles i am coming across. It seems to me that more and more city CCTV systems simply do not cut it. The choice for IP cams with limited bandwidth and frame rate usually seems to be the issue. Not sure in this case but it does not look good.A LEADING Thornbury businessman is calling for an overhaul of High Street security camera coverage following the second unsolved attack on his premises so far this year.
Estate agent Tim Pearce is furious after a CCTV camera once again proved useless in the hunt for smash and grab raiders who hit his offices in the early hours of Saturday, January 19, getting away with a plasma TV and causing more than £1,000 worth of damage.
Mr Pearce, who is also chairman of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce, is demanding to know why the camera in question - located just 20 metres from the premises - was not operating at the time.
“This is the second time my premises have been attacked so far this year and the second time the camera has failed to do its job,” said Mr Pearce.
“On the first occasion when miscreants broke our windows - and also attacked two other nearby premises - police investigated the footage and found that the camera was not pointing in the right direction.
“Now it’s happened again and I’ve been told the camera was not operating at all. It’s a scandalous situation.
“Businesses pay a higher rate of commercial council tax and we’re entitled to expect better protection than this.”
Mr Pearce said he was now investigating installing his own video surveillance equipment to meet insurance company requirements.
Thornbury High street is monitored by three cameras, funded by South Gloucestershire Council. Street lighting was recently upgraded to improve imaging.
Sgt Craig Ogborne, of Thornbury police, said it was unfortunate that the camera had been inoperative during both attacks on Mr Pearce’s premises.
“I am aware that there has been technical issues and teething problems with the camera in question but as far as I know they are now resolved,” he said.
“The High Street cameras in general have proved very useful since they were installed and have resulted in some significant arrests.”
