Let’s Talk Frame Rate (FPS) Settings

When we talk FPS (Frames Per Second) or IPS (Images Per Second), it is really rather simple…the more frames you have available the more fluid your video feeds. This is a good thing, right? Yes, it can be, but there are pros and cons to everything. If you have an unlimited budget, that’s great! Crank it up to 11! For those of us on a tight budget, this can be the difference between great and mediocre coverage.

Regardless if we are going IP or analog security cameras, we can expect to pay a little more for the best frame rate. The more frames we get, the larger the video files will be, the more storage we will need, and that extra storage will cost additional dollars. What could have been a month’s storage can be cut down to a week if you aren’t careful.

On the flip side, the lower the frame rate, the more choppy the video. The top two frames in the above video show exactly what to expect with lower fps settings. Naturally, this is not ideal, but it dramatically increases the amount of storage space on your hard drives. Depending on the application, having a camera set to 5-10 FPS is not only completely acceptable, but encouraged. If a camera is at the end of a long hallway, monitoring a wide open space, or watching a low traffic area, recording at 30 fps is not only overkill, it’s wasting money every second it’s recording.

One quick tip, the difference visually between 30fps & 15 fps is absolutely minimal. If you put them side by side, you’d hardly be able to tell the difference. Recording at 15fps gives you fluid video at HALF the storage space! This will dramatically improve the amount of video in your archives.

Each setting is different and finding a happy median that works best for each camera is the goal. Your license plate recognition cameras, cashier stations, and entry ways need to be recorded at max frame rate and you can sacrifice fps in those other areas mentioned above. If you have any other questions, feel free to call me at 800-424-9070 and I’ll be more than happy to help!

RFID for Video Surveillance Solutions

I have come across quite a few applications recently that required radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The concept of RFID dates back to decades ago, but advances have been made to the platform which opened it up to many new markets. Many companies have adopted this technology and use passive and active RFID tags to account for key personnel onsite and, in some circumstances, even offsite.

The key difference between active and passive RFID tags is the distance at which the tag / card / object can be identified with active RFID being the longer range of the two. Active RFID platforms have embedded batteries or power sources built into the the tag which allows for longer range transmission and are well suited for tracking vehicles or other objects at great distances. Passive RFID is commonly used in shorter distance applications such as office buildings as they have antennas embedded in the tag with no power source which dramatically shortens the range of the tag.

Commonly, RFID technology is used with access control tags or fobs for employee accountability measures. I came across an application where a funeral home wanted to use RFID tags along with an IP surveillance solution so that they could view burials and after the fact, ensure that buried bodies remained not tampered with.

Most recently, an oil and gas company wanted to track their trucks when entering and leaving their various plant locations. The purpose was for the RFID technology to be integrated with their surveillance and access control systems to automate a good portion of their infrastructure. It was important for the company to be able to account for the timeliness of the drivers getting to the locations, to be able to track if trucks arrived with the precious cargo, and then track for how long the trucks were onsite dropping off their load and/or reloading in the loading docks.

RFID technology may be an old concept, but technological advances have made this platform exceptionally useful for monitoring your logical pipeline, restricting employee access at your facility, and safeguarding your bottom line.

Security Systems in Schools : How Much is Too Much?

As a child of the 80’s and teenager of the 90’s, I can remember mischievous events in school such as throwing your food at lunch or a bullied kid finally getting his revenge on the playground afterschool creating such an uproar among the faculty and administration. Occasionally, a test would be interrupted by a 10 minute fire drill where we’d all get a chance to walk, not run, to the nearest designated exit and decompress for a few minutes outside with friends. How times have changed…

On April 20, 1999, a nation watched in horror as the unthinkable happened at Columbine High School. As live aerial footage aired, people watched students frantically barging through the doors and escaping with their lives salvaged as gunmen, fellow students, opened fire on their classmates and inflicted any pain and fear they could in a short span of time. It wasn’t until we were able to turn to the video surveillance footage that we understand how horrific this really was. Fast forward 13 years, December 14, 2012, a lone gunman burst through a door and opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 26 dead, 20 of them 1st grade students. I’m not sure that anything could have prevented tragedies like this from taking place, but one measure can be taken across schools that will help instill peace of mind in students and faculty alike.

Implementing video surveillance cameras and access control on doors is becoming more prevalent across the country. Schools that do not have a security camera system already installed are seriously weighing the benefits of making the investment. It’s an industry wide belief that soon, money will be budgeted and earmarked for Video Surveillance in school districts across America, similar to textbooks and technology.

It’s a sad state we’re in when schools have to begin investing money in surveillance cameras and access controlled doors. However, its more tragic to hear about these random school shootings taking place with little resistance to the perpetrator. When it comes to keeping our children safe in school and taking every security measure possible to do this, how much is too much? Lives are precious and our children’s lives are priceless. Too much doesn’t exist.

Fiber Optic CCTV Cables : The Next Frontier

There is a new cable becoming more prevalent in our industry and it is poised to replace the standard RG59 siamese cable. With the enormous increase in popularity of IP cameras over the past three years, we can expect to see a similar trend with fiber optic cable as it comes in two types.

Single mode fiber cable is the most expensive and it carries the highest transmission rate. This is mainly because it is a single strand with only one transmission mode: Very Fast. There is no distortion and thus no overlapping of light pulses. Multi-mode gives you the second highest transmission rate. If you are using it in medium distances up to 2500 meters, you will have optimum transmission speed. When you go over 2500-3000 meters, it is best to use single mode because multiple paths of light will cause distortion at the receiving end.

There are four main reasons that fiber should be implemented if at all possible:

• High Speed : Fiber optic networks operate at speeds up into the gigabit range
• Larger Bandwidth Capacity : Signals can be transmitted further without needing to be refreshed or strengthened
• Reduced Noise : Fiber has greater resistance to electromagnetic noise such as radios, motors or other nearby cables
• Reduced Maintenance : Fiber optic cables are able to be maintained much more cost effectively than other CCTV cables

The difference between a fiber optics system and a copper wire system is that fiber optics use light pulses to transmit information down fiber lines instead of using electronic pulses to transmit information down copper lines. Light pulses move easier down a fiber optic line because of a principle known as total internal reflection. Essentially, this principle states that at a certain distance, the light can’t escape the path that it is in…it simply bounces or reflects back into the path. Imagine a very long cardboard tube. Imagine the inner portion or internal cylinder of the tube is mapped in mirrors. Then imagine shining a flashlight through one opening of the tube. Now, if you were to bend the tube around a corner and then another, at the other end of the tube….you would still see the light shine through. Total internal reflection is the law that allows fiber optic networks to transmit data over fiber lines at extreme distances and angles.

If you have any questions or would like more info on how to implement fiber optic cabling into your existing security system, call one of our on hand security experts at 866-424-9070 today!

Internal Theft : How a Busines is Vulnerable by It’s Own Employees

I talk to dozens of customer every week, all with a different reason for wanting to implement a surveillance system. The initial reaction we have is to assume external theft is the driving force behind most security camera systems. While that reason certainly ranks high on the list, this is simply not the case. There are other ways that business owners are vulnerable to problems by their own “trusted” employees and for most of those, a video surveillance system can be the simplest and most affordable solution.

1. Fraudulent Claims – We all know that there are people out there who strive to make a career out of slip and falls. Surveillance cameras have helped to dispute these claims from customers time and time again. But what about employees doing the same? Don’t forget to also include cameras in employee only areas, as well. Remember, your employees are someone else’s customers, and dishonest people don’t tend to turn that off once they are inside the doors of your facility.
2. Supply Theft – I recently installed a surveillance system for a customer that was inspired to do so because he had discovered that an employee was stealing from his inventory and selling the parts under the table to the company’s customers. After reconciling his inventory, he approximated the total loss to come to roughly $50,000. The cost of the surveillance system that provided him complete coverage of his facility? $7,000. He emphatically shared with me that he wished he had implemented the surveillance system earlier.
3. Poor Customer Experience – It’s difficult to earn a customer, and possibly more difficult to earn their repeat business. With that being so, the last thing you need is an employee providing a customer with a bad experience. Video surveillance can provide you with the documentation you need to address issues that arise, as well as provide you with training materials to ensure that your customers are receiving the best possible experience.

Be mindful that you may never know the value of the surveillance system that you implement. With the execution of an effective video surveillance system, we can be hopeful that it will cause your patrons and employees alike to be on their best behavior.

Video Surveillance : Why Is It Needed?

There was a time when video surveillance was reserved for business or government entities that had large budgets. Surveillance systems were rarely seen, and when they were, you could be assured that the owner spent a sizable amount of money to implement it. Those days are now behind us.

As with any technology, the longer something is on the market, the lower the cost becomes; surveillance systems aren’t any different. We work with customers that have a wide range of budgets and what we often find is that many business owners are surprised to learn of the affordability of surveillance. With this being the case, it makes more and more sense for small business owners to implement video surveillance as the return on investment far outweighs not having the system present. I would like to highlight three areas where the business owner can find a surveillance system to contribute to a healthier bottom line.

1. Decrease the Risk of Theft: When a would-be thief looks up to see video cameras, he will be less likely to steal for fear of being caught. And it’s not just the customers or patrons that will find surveillance to be a deterrent to theft – your employees will, too!
2. Improve Employee Productivity: I recently read an article where a restaurant was installing a new lighting system in the dining room. Management was unsure if they should go with a low light system, or stick with a brighter atmosphere. They told the employees that they were going to be monitoring their activity to determine which degree of lighting would contribute to greater employee efficiency, and they began the process of recording what they found. The results were surprising, in that employee productivity increased by the same margin in both low and bright light conditions. As they began to dive into the reason for increased productivity in both scenarios, it became clear to them – employee productivity increased simply because the employees knew they were being watched.
3. To Protect Yourself From Litigation: We all know that we live in an overly litigious time, and business owners are at constant risk of lawsuits stemming from injury, genuine or otherwise, to both employees and patrons. Video surveillance can provide the proof that you need should you find yourself on the receiving end of a liability claim.

In summary, today’s video surveillance systems are both effective and cost effective. This one time purchase can pay for itself in a short period of time by simply providing security in these three areas. The reasons are endless, and installing video surveillance is sure to give the added protection that your investment deserves.

To find out what surveillance system is right for you, call one of our expert security consultants at 866-424-9070 today!

Loss Prevention : Security System Catches Missing Merchandise

A large Southern-Californian manufacturing company recently approached our team with a problem:  Merchandise was disappearing and nobody seemed to know if it was walking out the door or if their inventory was drastically off. They needed a solution quickly or management was going to audit their facility.

Our client informed us that they had security cameras in place but their footage hadn’t captured any conclusive evidence that product was being taken from the building by anyone, employee or otherwise. We sent one of our security consultants to their location for a free site survey and found that the images captured by their security system did not provide enough detail to see what we really happening. Additionally, the surveillance cameras were not placed properly and were not capturing the vital areas or providing the level of detail necessary to make informed decisions.

Fortunately, we were able to provide a solution.  Our professionals designed and installed a digital surveillance system that caught two employees in the act. They employees have been terminated and charges are pending. The production facility avoided the audit and was commended for making the decision to invest in a surveillance system.

With a well-designed modern surveillance system, you can live in the comfort of knowing that your property, products and personnel are safe and secure. Contact one of our expert security consultants @ 866-424-9070 to help prevent loss at your company.

Security Surveillance Solutions : Plan Ahead to Reap the Benefits

The increased demand for wireless surveillance, fiber optics and IP solutions have placed a strong emphasis on planning ahead for your surveillance solution.

Networks are also being impacted because end users want higher megapixel cameras. In some circles, it is being forecasted that close to 80 percent of video surveillance networks will have mega pixel cameras integrated by 2015. The older the network platform, the harder it will be for it to keep up with the functions of those IP megapixel cameras.

As surveillance systems become more dependent upon ethernet based networks, the networks themselves play an instrumental role in the successful functioning of the surveillance systems. Without a reliable, robust network infrastructure, the performance of surveillance video is compromised.

A few things to consider when planning your surveillance solution:

Establish what surveillance platform you want: IP or Analog

It is a factual statement that companies are slowly but surely moving away from analog to IP-based systems. The two main variables are when and how to do so. Being that the economy is still recovering, end users want to extend the life of an existing analog system while slowly upgrading to IP-based technology. If planned properly, implementing a hybrid analog/IP system will accomplish both initiatives of integrating newer technology and getting the full use of the existing infrastructure.

Make sure the network can handle the bandwidth consumption

One of the biggest challenges facing organizations today is managing bandwidth as surveillance video can present many bandwidth challenges. Network infrastructures are continuing to become more capable of transmitting larger amounts of data; however, the resolution of security cameras is also increasing rapidly and continuing to test the limits of network infrastructures.

The TIA-942-A standard, which is expected to be finalized sometime in 2012, will lead the industry towards higher bandwidth capable cabling. Soon, Category 6 cables will be the industry recommendation. However, fiber optic cabling presents the most potential for providing enough bandwidth and reliability especially for higher resolution / megapixel surveillance systems. It is recommended to install one category of cable higher than your current needs to stay ahead of bandwidth demand.

Building a network infrastructure for video surveillance takes preparedness, a keen eye to standards and forward thinking on cabling. If planned properly, it’s an investment that is sure to pay off long term for the end user. If you have questions about how to future proof your security system, contact one of our on-hand security experts at 866-424-9070!

Security Camera System Scalability – A Case Study

With a little planning, a forward thinking company can plan and implement a surveillance solution for tomorrow … on today’s budget.

Example: A large paper distributor recently asked us to provide a large-scale surveillance camera installation. Unfortunately, they only had approval from Corporate for about 50% of the cost of the entire project.

Solution: We designed a scalable solution. Our team built the bones of the security network by installing the DVRs, prewiring the entire building with Cat5, strategically placing the POE switches and hanging the most critical cameras.

Over the course of the next 12 months, our professional installation team will add cameras in small groups. This way, the entire expense can be spread out over a year’s worth of discretionary spending.

The professionals at Virtual Surveillance are prepared to design and execute a plan that works with the timeline, budget and needs your require.

Fisheye Security Cameras – Managing Your Company Remotely

We recently installed a surveillance camera system for a government agency in Philadelphia. Management needed a solution that allowed monitoring of the employees without their being alerted to the fact that they were on camera. The video coverage needed to be complete while being discrete. Finally, our client required high-resolution images of a diverse setting including doorways, hallways, cubicles and offices.

Virtual Surveillance was able to provide an elegant solution – the 5MP Fisheye IP Camera! The unique profile of the Fisheye makes it not immediately identifiable as a camera. Additionally, because of the two-way audio feature built-in to the Fisheye cameras, management was able to tell their employees that our team installed a ‘mass-notification system.’ The audio functionality allowed management to give announcements throughout their offices over the built-in speakers. This masks the Fisheye’s true purpose – monitoring of employee fraud.

Our professional installation team worked after-hours ensuring as little disturbance to the normal flow of productivity as possible.

Today, management has complete video coverage of their offices while their employees remain unaware.