benhutuk

yep that was a VCS product... People still use them, we sometimes get calls about them. There were also VLP's....

I should have given you our credentials.... Controlware are an International company with an HQ in Germany, I just happen to work for the UK sub, we are 25 years old. Yes we are originally from a networking background and jumped on the "bandwagon" before any of the major CCTV players moved to supplying IP kit in 1997. We owned a company called VCS who we sold to Bosch in 2005. So we have been involved in the security industry for more than 10 years. We call ourselves a value added distributor, which basically means we work with installer and integrator partners to deliver solutions. Because we are independent we provide the best components (cameras, management etc.) for individual requirements and design, comission and support solutions. Reference sites include St Pancras International, Charles de gaulle Airport, Munich Airport, numerous town centres, schools etc. so we do have plenty of experience. You seem very muched focused on cameras, I am sure at $100 they serve your market very well but you are not coming close to the right price point for a proffessional town centre camera be it analog or IP. You dont have to go so far back to remember VCR's, some UK councils still use them!

I think you are missing the point. You seem to be under the misconception that I am a rep; firstly trying to sell cameras, now trying to sell you IP systems. I understand there are different levels of CCTV system and can see where you are coming from but $30 cameras in town centres is just not an option. This is about technology. I hope we are clear on that and can move the discussion forward on that basis.

I didnt say one type of camera could cover every location? Why not use a $30 camera? Because most town centres, airports etc. require hi spec products in robust housings. At that price point you dont get the build quality or resolution you need, plus over in Europe land we have something called CE standards - if the product is not tested then you can import it but you cant use it. I am not an IP camera rep but if I was I would gladly jump at the chance to come and demo for you in the Bahamas...

I think you should hold fire until you have actually read what the articles are about, then debate away. I am getting them on the web and a link should be ready next week. BTW what do you mean analog systems also involve IP systems? That just makes them hybrid systems... You are joking about paying $30 for a camera I hope. These articles are talking about professional systems used in town centres, airports etc. Not a couple of web cams and some free software... Just to be clear.

1.8m over priced? LOL Try considerably over priced.... If you would like to read the artciles though drop me a line.

In his initial article Mike Newton talked about a 750 camera system but didnt explain the cost breakdown that is why the pro IP article details a cost breakdown. It in no way meant that 750 cameras is a maximum or limit in anyway just that the original article specified this. In fact one of the costs mentioned in the original article was £1.8m for a 750 camera system so LOL all you want I did!

Have a look at our case studies on the .co.uk site from controlware. We have completed a few large systems inc Runnymede Council (UK), North Lanarkshire Council (UK) and Ipswich Council (AUS). All of these systems are growing urban projects with large city wide control rooms.

Recently Mike Newton, CEO of Dedicated Micros, wrote an article about how IP CCTV solutions were expensive and unreliable compared to analogue / hybrid solutions. Mark Harraway, Country Manager of Controlware UK, responds to Mike’s observations and provides an alternative cost breakdown for a 750 camera system using IP which is significantly more cost effective than the solution proposed by Mike Newton. The two articles do a good job of outlining the benefits on each side of the IP, analog / hybrid debate. If anyone is interested in reading the articles in full and the 750 camera cost breakdown mentioned above feel free to email me - bhutchins@cware.co.uk

Recently Mike Newton, CEO of Dedicated Micros, wrote an article about how IP CCTV solutions were expensive and unreliable compared to analogue / hybrid solutions. Mark Harraway, Country Manager of Controlware UK, responds to Mike’s observations and provides an alternative cost breakdown for a 750 camera system using IP which is significantly more cost effective than the solution proposed by Mike Newton. What do you think? Is IP the way forward or is a hybrid CCTV world better? If anyone is interested in reading the articles in full and the 750 camera cost breakdown mentioned above feel free to email me - bhutchins@cware.co.uk