Digital video surveillance - Expert commentary

Competitive security market wants total solutions instead of products

With the entry of more manufacturers and mergers and acquisitions in the security industry, the competition is undoubtedly getting fiercer VIVOTEK 2014/2015 Review and Forecast: Total solutions have become more important than individual products in the industry. Security brands are starting to turn themselves into solution providers instead of product manufacturers. Moreover, with technology advancement, the adoption of intelligent video content analysis is on the rise. I...

Cannabis and Security: The security challenges of legalised marijuana sales in the United States

The decriminalisation of marijuana has left the security industry apprehensive to collaborate with the industry If ever there was a market tailor-made for security companies, it’s the growing cannabis industry. Although only two states – Colorado and Washington – currently allow the sale of recreational marijuana and 22 other states permit limited medical use, many within the industry believe the tide has turned in favour of legalisation. [After the recent el...

Video management software – the core of security solutions

Traditionally, security systems have been designed with the cameras in mind first then with added consideration for the infrastructure and cabling components. But this is old-school analogue thinking. Milestone Systems CEO Lars Thinggaard states that a security system can be designed for more than just protecting assets by starting with specifications for digital video management software (VMS) at the core of the solution. By thinking 'digital', an IP network video system can...

Key considerations in CCTV monitor selection

Heat, connectivity and resolution are just a few of the key criteria to consider when selecting a new CCTV monitor When looking for a new CCTV monitor, buyers want to consider more than just the size. This buyer’s guide highlights some key facts to keep in mind when choosing and comparing different types of monitor units. Power consumption Where ever possible, it is best to choose an LED rather than an LCD monitor. A LED panel uses less power, and is therefore cheaper...

Redefining access control with NFC-enabled smartphones

Comprehensive and robust security programmes and policies are required for adequate data security Over the last decade, we have entered a new era of physical and logical access control. We are now living in an increasingly mobile world where our phones do more than just make a simple call – employees can now open doors and enter secure areas, as well as access computers, corporate data networks and associated information assets with just a single mobile device.  Fur...

Greedy CCTV - managing network bandwidth

To reduce costs, many organisations are switching to converge IP networks to transport both data and voice. Some early adopters are now adding CCTV feeds to these converged networks but are running into problems. Mike Lewis, UK & Eire Country Manager for MOBOTIX believes that a move to an "intelligent" distributed CCTV architecture will help solve the growing network bandwidth  An intelligent distributed CCTV solution provides a low network load bottleneck. Network...

Advances in CCTV video recording

A lot has changed since VHS tapes were the universal medium for CCTV recording, with digital systems now starting to predominate. But what's the current state of the art in digital recording - and what new developments are just around the corner? Siemens Building Technologies, Security Products Jon Hill has the answers.Today, there would be very few, if any, CCTV Preference for digital recording systems is significantly increasing specifiers who would choose anything other th...