For the second year running Zenien has been honoured to receive the Outstanding channel Partner of the year award from Axis Communications and LAN1 at a function held recently.
Zenien is pleased that our ongoing commitment to the best quality and innovative IP CCTV cameras, accessories and systems have been recognised in this way.
There is a lot of hype at the moment in the security market about IP CCTV. Some people see it as the future, some that have been in the industry a long time see it as a fad. Really what is the difference and what does going IP for your CCTV system mean to you?
IP CCTV has been around for around 15 years, when Axis Communications released the first IP camera. Back then the camera struggled to impress due to most of its specifications being worse than analogue, but it was a start and it lay the benchmark for some impressive developments. An IP camera is basically a camera that rather than delivering footage over analogue video streams (using coax cable) it delivers the footage and other data using the Internet Protocols (TCP/IP Packets). In short, the camera is a little computer system and it processes the footage into packets of binary information and sends it across a standard computer network to a Server computer that then stores the footage and allows access to it.
Whilst IP CCTV has been developing for 15 years, Analogue CCTV systems have been around for over 50 years in one form or another and at the moment they are still very widely used. They are generally cheaper than IP CCTV due to their simplicity and existing mass produced components. If you after a cheap and simple CCTV system and you are not entirely worried about fantastic image quality, expandability or flexibility, really you cannot go past an analogue CCTV system… That however is slowly changing.
Limititations
An analogue camera unfortunately, is limited by how the data must be transferred over coaxial cable. Many years ago, computer networks also ran over coax cables and we can tell you from experience that they were a nightmare to support and very slow. The IT world moved on to ethernet cables over 15 years ago yet the analogue CCTV world kept running with coax. It is the limitations in the amount of data and restrictions on how the can be transferred over this cable that is the primary limiting factor of analogue CCTV. You can buy an analogue camera and an analogue video recording solution from two different manufacturers and be pretty sure that they are going to work together. This standardisation and the limiting bandwidth on the cable, plus the way the information is transmitted is what is holding analogue cameras back. IP CCTV cameras on the other hand kept with the significantly more advanced computer networking standards and as such face very few limitations on bandwidth, the type of data that can be transmitted and the different transmission mechanisms (eg: fibre optic, wireless, across the internet etc).
So what does IP CCTV give me that Analogue does not?
Because IP CCTV has far fewer limitations and because they have significantly more processing power inside each camera, they have many advantages over analogue. Below is a list with an explanation of each feature.
Resolution – IP CCTV cameras can scale up to amazingly high resolutions (number of pixels/coloured dots per image area). Analogue cameras are typically limited to around 720 x 575 pixels whilst the average 3 megapixel IP camera provides 2048×1536 pixels. If you look at the number of pixels in total of each image, analogue gives you approximately 414,000 pixels whilst a 3 megapixel IP camera delivers 3,145,778 pixels in each full image. Thats 7.5 times the number of pixels, which directly relates to (but is not the only factor) image quality. IP cameras now can go right up to 16 Megapixel and whilst we see this is as mostly unnecessary, it still makes for amazingly detailed images should the particular circumstances require it.
Remote functions – Having more of a bi-directional communication channel such as IP networking provides us the ability to do much more with a camera from afar. Often we install cameras, align them and test that they can been seen on the network, then complete most other functions of the camera’s setup remotely either elsewhere on-site or across the Internet. This includes features such as remote zoom, remote focus and allowing us to tell the camera which part of the image is more important and as such adjust its shutter speed, aperture etc to focus on providing the best quality image in that area as its priority. We can also apply privacy masks or block out an annoying spotlight that would ruin an analogue camera’s ability to provide good images. If something changes on the image (eg: a tree is cut down, some shelves are moved, a light is installed) we can easily login remotely from our office and alter the camera, as such providing significant savings in travel time and staff costs.
Remote Input/Output – Most modern day IP cameras have a significant amount of logic ability built into them. For instance most IP cameras have input/output ports on the camera which can be used for the camera to either receive an input (eg: someone walks through a door out of the viewing area, the camera receives an input then instantly pan-tilt-zooms over to the door to see who cam through for 5 seconds, then goes back to what it was covering before) or to create an output (eg: camera senses that a car drives the wrong way up a one-way street, send an SMS to security and automatically shut the security gate to prevent the vehicle leaving). In short the cameras can act as little Programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) and can be integrated with alarm systems, plant shutdown sequences, lighting controls, access control systems or building management systems. We are also seeing these cameras used for much more than security purposes as unlike physical sensors that wear out or get dirty and do not work as well, the cameras “see” and react which is significantly more reliable.
Edge Recording - Apart from the fact that TCP/IP (Internet Protocol) was designed with resilience and the ability to automatically route traffic via alternative routes in the event of a network link failure, TCP/IP and in turn IP cameras can go one step further to weather the storm of a network link outage. Now with many camera manufactures and Video Management Software (VMS) systems, you can place localised storage (eg: SDHC card) and providing the camera still has power (via PoE cable or other power supply) the camera will continue to record, but to the SD card in the event of a network failure. When the network issue is repaired or restored, the VMS software will fetch the CCTV footage from the cameras and slowly ‘stitch’ it back into the main CCTV archive as if no network outage occurred.
Power over Ethernet - Nearly all modern IP cameras are now utilising Power over Ethernet systems of some sort. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a standard that allows for both computer data and for power to run over the same physical wire bundle (single cable with 8 cores). This is done by using either Cat5e, Cat6 or some of the newer Ethernet standards and utilising spare wires to inject power for the camera down. The result of this is that the camera gets a high speed dedicated networking link (generally 100mbit or Gigabit) as well as a 48v (depending on camera and PoE class) to power the camera itself. The advantage of this in terms of ease of installation, reliability and installation costs are fantastic. Analogue cameras require two cables (in most cases), one 2 core cable for a 24VAC (typically) power feed and another thick and annoying to work with coaxial cable to send its limited amount of analogue data down. I will not dwell on the other benefits of having ethernet cable everywhere and being able to leverage existing ethernet cabling for CCTV as that is out of the scope of this article.
Viewing Angles – Put simply, higher resolutions and computer controlled cameras allow IP cameras to support significantly greater angles of coverage whilst still providing very useful images. The processors in the cameras can do more and the advanced software can almost completely remove effects such as fish-eye stretching issues.
Having rambled on sufficiently, if you have read this far, yet only really touched the surface of the technical differences between IP and analogue, hopefully you will sense our enthusiasm, passion an excitement by the migration of the CCTV and other security systems into the IT/IP world. Yes, perhaps I am somewhat biased towards the IP systems with a career background in computer systems and IT, but once you’ve seen the technology, the differences are astounding.
For more information on IP CCTV, Integrated Security Systems, Corporate IT support or any other technology related query, please to not hesitate to contact Zenien using the details on our contact us page. Thank you for reading this post and I hope the article was useful.
- Cameron Watts
Everyday businesses lose their precious data due to hard drive failure, inadvertent deletion, or their unwanted action or event. The result is a great deal of stress, anxiety, lost intellectual property, client information and lost revenue.
Your computer or server’s hard drive that stores all your data has moving parts, and in time your hard drive will wear out and fail…it’s just a matter of when. You need to keep a copy of all your important data somewhere else.
We have found that while the price of hard drives has decreased significant so too has the longevity of many hard drives.
Apart from hard drive failure, there are many other likely scenarios that may result in the loss of your valuable files like power failure and spikes, or system and file corruption due to viruses, worm or other malicious attacks.
Zenien helps businesses across Perth ensure that their data is protected…If you are not sure that your backup system is working properly call us today on 6253 8999 for a free check of your backup system.
Recently, Zenien completed the first phase of a IP CCTV system for the small Western Australian country town called Wagin. Famous for this annual “Woolorama” and the “Giant Ram”, Wagin has seen increased levels of anti-social behaviour and minor criminal activity. The local Shire was successful in a grant application to the WA State Government. They then engaged Zenien to design and implement a wirelessly connected IP CCTV system that allowed the Police to control and react to events.
Having had prior experience with small country towns, Zenien Director Cameron Watts believed that an approach to keep as much of the grant funding in the local community would ultimately benefit the town. As such, IT engineers from Zenien worked closely and trained Wagin based electricians during the install phase. The idea is that local expertise will be able to maintain and repair the system for many years to come. This furthered the notion that this project was for the community and with a certain ownership and involvement from the community that we believe will benefit the area in the future.
The first phase of the system involved a mixture of Axis and Mobotix cameras all feeding wirelessly to a central location. The main backbone feed relays the CCTV images back to a secure location where the server is stored. We also included a computer and big screen monitor in the local Police station to allow the police to monitor the cameras and as such a large area of town from their offices. A mixture of fixed and HDTV Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras were used and the system was planned in such a way as to allow for expansion in subsequent phases.
It is still too early to tell if the CCTV system at Wagin has had a measurable impact on crime statistics etc, however we firmly believe that is will make its presence felt and help to make Wagin a safer, happier place to live and work. Zenien received extremely positive feedback both on their work and also the effectiveness of the system.
The recently released Samsung SNP-3430H IP camera has surpassed competitors Axis and Pelco to release a 43x optical zoom PTZ camera.
Whilst not as high a resolution as the Axis or Pelco HD offerings, in environments where covering details over a wide area and where an operator is monitoring the camera/area this camera could be a great option. The Axis 18 x P5534 and Q6034 cameras are already impressive, as is their 32x Q6032 series, the added zoom levels of this camera are sure to be impressive.
For more information or details on the review:
Yesterday, at an event hosted by LAN1, Zenien Directors were awarded the Axis Communications 2010 Outstanding Channel Partner Award.
Zenien use Axis Communications cameras and related equipment heavily but not exclusively for many of their advanced IP based CCTV Systems. “We love the quality, ease of use and reliability we get from the Axis cameras” said Cameron Watts at the event.
SOURCE: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/8385416/council-rolls-out-crime-alert-cameras/
A security camera system that can identify when a crime is being committed and then alert security guards, is being expanded across the City of Belmont.
The council’s acting chief executive, Neville Deague, said the technology, which was put in at Kooyong Road in Rivervale late last year, had since been rolled out at the city’s main shopping precincts and the Belmont skateboard park.
Other potential sites were also being identified.
Gary Pennefather, managing director of Icetana, the company that produces the technology, said the system’s software was linked to CCTV cameras.
The software learnt and logged all examples of typical behaviour in a busy environment.
This allowed it to identify behaviour which was abnormal – from violence to graffiti to public urination – and immediately send an alert or footage of the incident to the mobile phones of security guards.
Mr Pennefather said the technology, which has been tested by Belmont since September last year, eliminated the need for councils or organisations to pay someone to monitor the live feeds from its CCTV cameras.
He believed the technology could be used in all major public spaces and on public transport to catch thugs and vandals.
Meanwhile, high-tech covert surveillance cameras are being used by police to catch graffiti vandals around Perth.
Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan said the seven mobile security cameras were used to target graffiti hot spots.
The cameras, which produced the same high-quality images as those of the Public Transport Authority, can be used in low light and be activated by motion.
Mr O’Callaghan said officers could hide the cameras and monitor them from a distance.
“The images can be recorded or transmitted wirelessly and viewed remotely,” he said.
The Office of Crime Prevention has grants of up to $25,000 available for CCTV technology for local governments and organisations.
Zenien have had great success using the Korenix 4706 industrial media convertor and PoE Switches in robust CCTV installations. Having installed fibre optic cable to the based of an existing pole, covering the City of Belmont’s widely used skate park, Zenien needed a way of both converting the fibre optic to into a switch and providing PoE power and data to the cameras.
“Dean from MergeIDC was extremely helpful and knowledgeable with the Korenix range” stated Cameron Watts, Technical Director of Zenien “The Korenix 4706 system r
eplaced numerous devices to help with space, power and cost savings. We originally planned a fibre optic media convertor, a PoE Switch and two power supplies. The Korenix 4706 supplied all this in a robust industrial and cost effective solution.”
The Korenix 4706 system intergrated with Zenien’s existing fibre infrastructure easily and simply worked out of the box. “The software is a breeze to use and the system just works and keeps on working” commented Mr Watts.
Zenien has found the Korenix systems to be robust, heat tolerant and reliable. Electricians from Cary’s Electrical Services installed the MergeIDC solution in record time and were impressed by the systems simplicity to install.
Zenien has expressed great interest in working with MergeIDC to fulfil other networking and power requirements for their advanced CCTV and security solutions.
Zenien are an Information Technology company, coupled with a commercial electrical company that specialise in advanced IP based CCTV and automation solutions. For more information on how Zenien can assist your IT or Security requirements, please visit www.zenien.com.au for more information
Tonight Zenien presented to a community forum organised by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Together with Senator Stephen Conroy and other esteemed guest from NextGen Networks, The WA Government and NBN Co, Zenien discussed the benefits of the National Broadband network for our clients and CCTV installations.
We would like to thank both iiNet and the Dept of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy for the fantastic opportunity to present at this forum and share our excitement about the NBN rollout.
For more information about how Zenien and the forthcoming National Broadband network could assist your business, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Zenien was proud to showcase its latest CCTV installation to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at a meeting to highlight the use of Safer Suburbs funding.
The meeting briefed the Prime Minister on the joint initiative between The Kewdale Tavern, The Coxon Group and The City of Belmont which has resulted in the successful implementation of a new CCTV system at the re-developed Kewdale Tavern. Zenien in partnership with its sister company Cary’s Electrical Services installed 31 cameras and the associated infrastructure within a tight deadline overcoming many challenges that would have been associated with conventional CCTV systems.
The advanced technology installed by Zenien enables users to quickly and easily access high quality footage with images that can be forwarded direct to the appropriate authorities. The technology has features which ensure easy location of captured instances and includes motion detection and very low light capability.
The Prime Minister showed a great deal of interest in how the system was capable of enhancing the security in the area, as well as integrating with City of Belmont infrastructure, community assets and local businesses. The Kewdale Tavern installation is a hub for future expansion of the City of Belmont CCTV program providing a secure environment for people working and living in the area.
Dennis Graesslin from Zenien said “The system was designed to utilise the most advanced cameras for the application and to effectively integrate this with the best CCTV video management software currently available. This allowed us to achieve the best outcome for our clients”. The partnership between Zenien and Cary’s Electrical Services ensured smooth application of the technology from design, to implementation with skills from both organisations called upon to effectively deliver the project.
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If you would like more information on Zenien and its capabilities, please contact Cameron Watts or Dennis Graesslin on 08 9330 4592 or email sales@zenien.com.au
