Video Surveillance

PC based

Traditional Systems

Data Protection Act

 

PC Based CCTV system

The range of PC based CCTV systems comprise of a Video Capture Card and Software. The Video Card is installed in to a spare PCI slot on any compatible PC, and the software loaded on to the PC, which must be running Windows 2000 or XP.

Live viewing

The PC then becomes a powerful Digital Hard Drive Recorder, that can:

• Record up to 16 CCTV cameras in Real Time, and at high resolution directly on to the PC's hard drive
• Detect when cameras see movement and send telephone or email alerts to you when this happens
• Be accessed remotely over a normal telephone line, network, or the internet
• During live viewing the cameras can be viewed full screen individually, set to auto sequence (individually or 4 cameras (quad) at a time or viewed as a 4 (quad), 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 or 16 camera split screen view
• Each split screen view can be customised by simply dragging and dropping cameras to the desired position
• Once movement has been detected as well as recording it the software can call up to 3 telephone numbers and play a pre-recorded message, or alternatively send an email with images of the detection attached.

Recording

• Choice of 320x240 pixels Wavelet (Normal Resolution) and 640x480 pixels MPEG4 (High Resolution) recording modes
• Records all the cameras at the same time (similar to a multiplexer) without interruption.
• 3 different recording modes:
  • Motion Detection: To increase the recording time and reduce wasted recordings with no movement taking place, the software analyses the images from the cameras connected and automatically starts recording when it detects that they are seeing movement and stops when they stop seeing movement (because the movement detection is being processed by the software, the cameras do not have to have PIR detectors)
  • Around the clock: Continuous recording of the cameras, day & night, movement or no movement! Schedule: Allows you to setup a weekly, monthly or yearly timer of when you want to record cameras
• All the recordings are made digitally on to hard drive and stamped with the camera name, time and date.

Playback

• During playback the cameras can be viewed individually, as 4 (quad) camera split screen image or all together.
• Triplex mode, which means that you can playback recordings without having to stop the current recording of cameras
• During playback it is possible to slow down or speed up the playback speed, and digitally zoom in for extra detail
• During playback still images can be edited (brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc...) printed, or saved to disk.
• Recorded clips can also be saved to disk as AVI files and then copied to CD or floppy disk

Remote Access

• If you have received notification of movement being detected or you simply want to check on your premises while you are away, you can access the system in the following ways:
  • Connect to a Local Area Network, then you can access the system from any Windows PC/Laptop , view the cameras live and record them, listen to audio from the cameras and record it and control Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras.
  • Broadband (ADSL) connection with a fixed IP address, you can access the system remotely from anywhere in the world via an Internet connection.
  • Access the system remotely from anywhere in the world via a Pocket PC PDA with an Internet connection
  • Connected to a standard telephone line via a modem, then you can access the system remotely from anywhere in the world . With this type of connection you can only view the cameras live.

Traditional CCTV

Video Surveillance Equipment designed for commercial, residential and industrial application. The range comprises CCD Cameras, CRT Monitors, Digital Modulators and Video Processors.

The CCD Cameras employ advanced digital signal processing that provides users with the sharpest image possible. Available in various styles and configurations to suit a wide range of applications.

 

This offers a range of high resolution B/W and standard resolution colour CRT Monitors. Models feature in built sequential switchers, which support up to 4 external video sources.

Digital Modulators are digitally tuned multi-channel modulators units that converts any base band video and audio signal (from TVs, VCRs, DVDs etc.) into a user selected UHF channel (UHF 21-69).
Video Processors and designed to provide real time, high resolution output from multi video sources

 

About the Data Protection Act

What does the act say?

Any CCTV system used to record images of individuals must comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Failure to do so may result in a fine by the government of up to £5000 for the system owner. Some systems may be exempt from the act, an example of this, is one that is installed in a private residence.

What do you have to do to comply with the act?

1.		The system owners must notify the Government’s Information Commissioners Office that they are processing data in the form of CCTV recordings. This can be done by post (call 01625 545700 to request an application form) or on-line at www.dataprotection.gov.uk The charge for registering is currently £35.
2.		Signs must be mounted adjacent to the entrance to areas where CCTV is in operation. For external areas where CCTV is in operation signs should be fitted to the perimeter or approaches.
3.		Recording equipment (i.e. Video Recorders, including Hard Drive and PC based systems, etc...) and Recording Media (i.e. Video Cassettes, Hard Drives, etc...) should be held in a secure area (such as a locked room or office) or in purpose made secure storage cabinets and accessible only by individuals responsible for the operation of the system.
4.		All non-hard drive recordings, i.e. on to video cassettes, CD’s, video prints, etc must carry a unique serial number that links with an entry in to a recordings log book.
5.		For all non-hard drive based systems, the medium (i.e. video cassettes, etc...) on which the images are captured should be erased before re-use so that images are not recorded on top of images recorded previously. At the end of a recording mediums useful life it is recommended that you destroy it.
6.		All recordings must be held in a secure manner accessible only to individuals and organisations named in a site-specific code of practice. If cameras are capable of viewing areas where an individual may have a reasonable right to privacy e.g. within his/her home some form of physical masking or electronic privacy zoning should be installed.

Full details of the act can be found at www.dataprotection.gov.uk