• PC-Based DVRs – A PC-Based DVR provides you the ability to utilize both analog and IP cameras. They are used in larger installation projects that may require maximum performance and flexibility. They contain upgradeable DVR cards that allow you to utilize the necessary software to incorporate IP cameras to your system at any point. So the next time you think about using a standalone DVR, think about if you will want to have features like facial recognition or object detection as part of your surveillance system. If that’s the case, future-proof your system with a PC-Based DVR, and use both analog and IP cameras to enjoy the best of both worlds.

• Use Cat5 instead of coaxial cable – So here’s an idea for the cost-effective buyer who still decides to purchase a standalone DVR instead of a PC-Based DVR. Go ahead and run Cat5 (Category 5) wire instead of coaxial cable. This way, if it comes time to upgrade your system to a PC-Based DVR with IP cameras, at least you don’t have to rewire your location. This will also save you money on installation because Cat5e is cheaper to run. Installs are also made more manageable because you can run power to one central location, rather than having it in several different locations.  Cat5e is also about 10-20% cheaper than coax wire, with installs sometimes being over 50% more cost-effective as well.

• Video Balun technology- Most video baluns provide a solid solution to extending your cable runs by using Cat5e/ Cat6 cable. By using this type of cable, you can upgrade your security system in the future by utilizing IP cameras (pending you have a hybrid PC-Based DVR). Also, video signal is stronger when using Cat5e, and since the wire contains 4 pairs, you can use one for video transmission, while the extra pairs can be used for power (or even PTZ control function for cameras using RS422 or RS485 protocol).

1)    Check the connections that attach behind the DVR to ensure they are not loose or brittle, as this can cause an unexpected cameras loss on the DVR.

2)    If your camera system is more than 2-3 years old, look at your power supply box; if the box has individual fuses on each camera, it’s time to update.  Most systems should carry a non-fused resettable power supply, meaning your cameras will be protected in the event the power supply gets jolted.

3)    If you notice from time to time you have dust gathering on electrical devices in and around your office, keep in mind that it will gather on your cameras as well.  Get a duster and regularly wipe them down – dust forming on the lens can cause a distortion in the view.

4)    If you have an outdoor camera in a weatherproof enclosure you can open, look at the seals and bushings around the housing – if it looks dry, cracked, or doesn’t fit correctly, then replace it with a new enclosure.  Moisture and humidity can easily enter camera housings and damage the cameras within. If the seal looks dirty, wipe it down with a dry cloth.

5)    Whether you own a PC-based or a Linux-based standalone DVR, make sure to perform a reboot on a regular basis. This helps the system have a cool-down period, and also in the event it receives and new firmware, updates these can changes can take effect and allow your system to be more efficient.

MPRMS Security App

One of the most asked question I hear daily in the CCTV industry is, “May I view my surveillance system from my smart phone?”  We can all recognize the crazy growth of smartphone usage over the past few years, and at the rate the CCTV industry is climbing, it makes since that the demand for viewing a surveillance system over a phone would increase.

The “phone application” feature is one that allows business owners, executives, and parents a peace of mind that allows them to focus on more important tasks other than the accountability of an employee, husband, or son.

Setting up an app is not always as straight forward as you might be told. All apps require a minimum of three things: IP address, password, and port numbers. The specifics might not always be known by the user, so having technical assistance could be crucial.

You do want to confirm with your CCTV supplier what apps are compatible with your DVR. However, please do not be intimidated by the ease of use these applications provide. Many new and exciting features are soon to hit the market in the way of smartphone viewing, and this promising growth is sure to please home and business users alike.

Some popular smartphone surveillance apps:

• GeoVision GV-iView for iPhone
• GeoVision GV-aView for Android
• MEye for Android
• MPRMS for iPhone
• MPRMS for Android

While consumers have stopped using VCRs and are beginning to adopt HD megapixel camera technology on their TVs, recording devices, and cell phones, the VCR is still in use in many Las Vegas casinos.  There are several factors that are helping push the transition to HD surveillance.  Most of the time, there will be a large enough incident to prompt the transition.  HD security camera video can be recorded in real time (30 FPS) and the clarity removes all doubt and gives clear evidence for the casino security staff.

There are some issues to consider when upgrading casinos to the latest technology:

• Gaming establishments have a set of standards to go by, and these have been written for analog devices, most likely from a non-technical person who may have an analog bias
• Existing coaxial cable infrastructure and building design
• Meeting budgets and the approval process
• Training for new technology

A successful implementation will include the following:

• Education on the current level of security in use and why it must be replaced
• The proposed HD surveillance solution and why it needs to be used
• The cost associated with implementing a new solution and how it compares to the benefits the casino will receive
• Testimonials from previous customers that have used your HD surveillance solution and experienced the benefits

The transition from analog VCR security to HD megapixel surveillance is gaining momentum in the casino market and eventually there will be standards set in place by regulators for HD surveillance.

Access Control can be installed in several types of applications. Doors types are usually pretty common, and there are several different locks that can be installed on each style.

Electronic Strike:

This device can be installed on many different styles of doors but will generally require a metal frame to help support the lock (a door is only as strong as the framing that supports it).

Magnetic Lock:

This is commonly used when either the frame is not hollow and cannot support a strike. This is a very common lock you’ll find if you have glass or solid metals doors.  You may also find this style of lock on any application that is secured by a double door, whether it be glass, metal or wood.

Electric Bolt:

This lock is designed for special applications. You will typically find this type of lock on gates or secured fenced-in areas.

Keep in mind not all doors require a lock mechanism.  Access control can be implemented on several different applications that do not look like your typical door. For example, access control software with a valid badge reader can authorize the opening or closing of parking garage or access gates that you may encounter from within your vehicle. Another example would be electronic sliding doors that you may encounter while walking into office buildings, hospitals, or airports. Again, these doors use a motor to drive the doors open and closed, and they can be monitored by the access control system to give the ability to secure them at any certain time, in addition to providing access to only certain personnel.

Think of the common file types that are used universally – WMV, MPEG, and AVI. A friend sends a video file to you, you right click onthe image, select properties, and then you see the image’s file type. Those file types each have their own properties or video compression type. Now, consider the size of that image or file, and how much space it may consume on the hard drive. You can then fathom why it’s important to have the ability to compress that video file in order to save space. It’s also important, especially with video surveillance, that with this compression, the quality of the video footage is not decreased.

The intention of H.264 is to establish an acceptable balance between viewing quality and the size of the video file, so that the maximum amount of video can be stored on a hard drive without losing the detail and quality of the video. When speaking of a DVR and CCTV footage, H.264 is imperative not only because of the larger quantities of actual footage (that can span from a few hours to several weeks), but also due to the various purposes for surveillance. Depending on the application, such as a government facility or a retail store that is trying to monitor theft, achieving the highest possible frame rate is essential to identify problems accurately. It is best to stay above at or above a 15 FPS frame rate because once you drop below that, the footage becomes choppy and isn’t nearly as reliable.

H.264 DVRs aid in these endeavors because compressing the video allows for maximum storage on the hard drive, while producing the highest resolution and frame rate capable of the unit and cameras being used. The two main types of video compression for CCTV are H.264 and MPEG/MJPEG.  H.264 is the latest technology in codecs, and will drastically reduce both the bandwidth and storage requirements of video files while still maintaining high-quality images.

• GSA (General Services Administration) Schedule. You can greatly increase government sales opportunities by getting on the GSA schedule.  This will allow you to save time and minimize the amount of competition you might face otherwise.  Being on the GSA schedule shows that you are truly serious about handling government projects.  Integrators should also sign up with a bidding service, such as governmentbid.com or Reed Construction Data.

• What Government Customers Want. To put it simply, government customers are looking for one thing:  a complete turnkey solution.  Understanding and helping these customers meet compliance requirements is a big element that will help you win their business.  Government security systems and device requirements often extend beyond commercial and IT-based solutions.

• Challenges Working with the Government. Because compliance is so important, it is imperative that you maintain complete and 100% accurate records of everything.  It is recommended to work closely with your manufacturer, as they know how to implement and market their product for government solutions.  They can also make sure you are within compliance, using their solution.  The government will also assume everything is covered in the bid, but the biggest problem here is the word “assume”.  It is imperative to make sure everyone is on the same page, so that there will not be any surprises down the road.  Another thing to keep in mind is the larger the scope of a government project, the longer time it will take to get approved.

Although we keep hearing about government budgets getting tighter and tighter, security threats are still high, thus reinforcing the need for security solutions.  If you are willing to commit the time and effort, the payoff can provide a serious revenue increase.

1) Should dealers install coax for current and future analog projects?

The simple answer, no.  You can install Cat-5e or Cat-6 cable and future-proof the cabling at your customer’s location.  You will need to use video baluns for this cable to work with analog cameras.  When you begin the switch to IP cameras, you will simply replace the video baluns with an RJ45 connector (if not already on the cable), so that it can connect to the IP camera, switch, etc.

2) Are all dealers that don’t offer IP the same?

Yes!  The most common fear from dealers is the networking component.  The best way to overcome this is to invest in your staff and offer them basic network training.  This will help when discussing what you are trying to do with your customers IT department.  Getting a “green light” from the IT department of your (potential) customer will make the purchase much easier and offer far fewer headaches.

3) HD cameras vs. Megapixel cameras

All HD cameras are megapixel cameras.  A 720p camera is 0.9 megapixels and a 1080p camera is 2.1 megapixels.  The main difference between an HD and megapixel camera is that HD cameras use a widescreen format (16 x 9).  As an example, a 3 megapixel camera will only provide a 4 x 3 format, but it will have a higher resolution than a 1080p camera.  One advantage of the HD cameras, is that most end users understand “720p” and “1080p” terminology, when dealing with the type of TV they buy for their home.

4) Which IP cameras should dealers offer?

The two biggest variables for choosing a distributor or manufacturer of IP cameras are great support and training.  Another big variable is to determine what the application is.  A large scale university will need a completely different solution than a person who wants a couple of megapixel cameras for their home.

The reality is, IP camera solutions are here to stay. If you are already offering IP camera options to your customers, then you are ahead of the bandwagon.  Analog solutions still have a strong place in the market, but it is best to offer both types, especially as IP gains more acceptance.

For now, we are going to talk about the doors themselves.  There are several styles and types you may find in your building, and each one is going to have different characteristics that result in different methods of installing hardware.

Common Door Styles:

• Single swinging door
• Double swing door
• Double swing door with a center beam
• Electric motorized doors

Single Swing Doors:

This style of door will be the most common you’ll encounter when dealing with interior doors. Most often you will find them with metal frames, and they’re generally made of wood. Depending on the frame, you would usually want to go with an electric strike. This will be the simplest solution, and also the most cost-effective. In some cases, depending on the frame, a mag-lock (magnetic lock) may be needed, which will require you to have an emergency form of egress to exit the building.

Double Swing Doors:

Double doors can be tricky, and are commonly found in glass, wood or steel types. If the doors are interior and havethe ability to swing freely, you will have few options available, and may find yourself leaning towards the mag-lock option. Again, keep in mind that if this is the case, then you must find a way to have egress on the exiting side of the door. Some double doors may not be free swinging, and instead have locking mechanisms that require you to perform some type of action as you exit the door, such as the pushing a button or a crash bar. A crash bar is a large button that is the width of the door that you have to walk directly up to the door and push on to release the door before you can push it open. If this is the case, we may still be looking at a mag-lock solution.

Double-Swing Doors with a Center Beam:

Same concept as above, but when you have a center beam that acts as a stopper for the door, in some cases this can give you the ability to go with an electric strike. In the event you had to go with a mag-lock, you would basically treat the doors as if the center beam did not exist and follow the preceding guidelines.

Electric Motorized Doors:

Motorized doors can actually be very simple when you look past all the existing cable and components of the door itself. Special hardware will be needed, like a device called a “pin lock” that is used to secure the door in the locked position (most automatic doors already will have the device pre-installed in the door). Also, the doors have the ability to recognize when to open or close when someone is close enough to the door thanks to motion detectors usually located on the door or above the ceiling; this will act as the egress method for this door.

Keep in mind when looking at types of doors such as metal, glass or wood we can insinuate that certain models will restrict us to use a certain type of lock such as a strike or mag, but more importantly we need to be looking at the frame. Most commercial doors and frames are pre-fitted for hardware – this may require you to disassemble a piece or two of the door, but a little homework go a long ways.