ilk

You need to consider the typical speed of the vehicles (dictates frame rates), whether you planning to set up for front or rear reading, the width of the road (or number of lanes) how the camera deals with back-lighting (head lights). Best to purchase specialist LPR cameras as these will be set up to deal with these issues. Regards Ilkie

All of my engineers undertake the Tavcom training courses leading the BTEC accredited Security Diploma. Highly recommended. Ilkie

They are different styles of domes include infrared domes, indoor domes, outdoor domes, vandal proof domes, and pan tilt zoom controllable domes. The smoked cover does not affect picture quality. Smoked dome covers normally reduce light sensitivity by 1 f stop so you need more light on the subject with a smoked cover against one with a clear cover. Ilkie

OK, suggest you read this [url http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/8291][/url] Ilkie

As distances are typically quite large for street camera projects, work on the basis that you need to provide main power in each pole and for transmission only consider fibre optic cable or wireless (E Band has the best reliability in most locations that have line-of-sight). Ilkie

As a London based CCTV specialist with oer 26 years in the business, I would suggest that installing CCTV should be the lowest priority when spending your budget. In order of priority: Target harden - physical security install efficient locks on doors and windows that exceed insurance requirements. Make sure you use the double locking facility on uPVC doors every time (remove keys from lock and do not leave your car keys where they can be easily found). In very high risk areas install security shutters or grills. Risk assess your boundary - Remove climbing points, aggressive planting, improve fencing, install secure gates, make sure that garages and sheds are secure. Increase natural surveillance - remove vegetation which offers cover, install sensor driven floodlighting. Improve deterrence - Property mark valuables and install stickers by front and rear door stating the same. Record all serial numbers and photograph valuables. Join Neighborhood Watch (if there is one) and install stickers. Get a dog. Install a professionally monitored intruder alarm (and use it!) to maximise chances of a Police response in quick time. Consider one that includes video verification. Once you have done all of the above then think about CCTV (make sure that images recorded do not include public areas.) Hope this helps Ilkie

I have done that in the past, but it is not suitable for camera's on a pole mount. A box in the top of the pole is bad for catching wind / pole stabilisation. A box in the base of the pole is vulnerable to vandalism. We have installed hundreds of this type of installation the best the option is to use a wide base cabinet column or a separate street cabinet by each camera pole. Ilkie

Try a Google search for machine vision cameras. You will find a number a types of cameras there with frames rates up to and beyond 500fps Will not be cheap though Ilkie

If running data cabling from external cameras (including twisted pair, coax and computer networking) the first point of contact with the system should be via lightning/surge arrestors such as manufactured by companies such as Furse (see http://www.furse.com/pub/en/electronic-system-protection. Regards Ilkie

In the UK you can buy these from trade distributors manufactured by BBV and Pelco. Ilkie

The Bosch cameras has auto back focus (not auto focus) and should work OK with this lens Back focus relates to the distance between the sensor in the camera and the first glass element in the lens. This is used to set the focus to run true through the zoom range. Ilkie

See if they will let you know how many call outs happened last year and also state in your response that no pre-existing faults on commencement of the contract are included (ie you have assumed that the system is operating 100% to manufacturers specifications and operational requirements) Ilkie

2 hour response time! That will take some resourcing as you will basically need engineers permanently on standby including allowance for cover for sickness, holidays and spikes in demand. Sounds like a waste of public money to me. Does your health and safety procedures allow for one man working on the highway with the cherry picker? Also don't forget Milestone ongoing licence costs. Ilkie

Use twisted pair (telephone cable), launch amps and line correctors. An alternative is active UTP transmission systems by companies such as NVT. The best option is to use fibre. Ilkie

Hi danester, The specific answers to the questions raised will guide you in the set up of the cameras. Without these answers any response will be guesswork. Ilkie

What is the operational requirement? Are you looking at vehicles (speed?), licence plates, faces?. How good is the lighting? How much storage do you have and how long are you going to retain images? Are there any privacy issues that need to be considered? How are you going to download images for evidence? Ilkie

I cannot comment about security procedures that Tesco's utilise, but you are unlikely to be able to connect to any face recognition database due to Data Protection regulations (check out the ICO web site). I would suggest that you look at Shopwatch (see http://shopwatchonline.co.uk/schemesite-county.php?c=95 and Facewatch (seehttps://www.facewatch.co.uk/cms/) Don't forget that when planning security for an establishment like yours, CCTV should not be considered as the sole solution. Also think of access control, alarms and smoke cloak. Ilkie

I would suggest that you need to look at a different type of camera Perhaps something like this from http://www.szitsecure.com/52/i-511.html - this is not a recommendation of this particular model as I have no knowledge about this company. This is similar to the MIC style cameras from Bosch Hope this helps Ilkie

As IP based systems grow in size, the necessary requirement to move from a flat network to a fully routed network requires a review of the detailed network design. As you have indicated, router processor speed and back plane capacity is critical, as it is for the network switches employed. Also issues, such as camera setup (resolution, bit rate (CBR/VBR) and frame rate transmission) and the number of streams also need to be factored in. This will allow some detailed calculation of network load in the worst case scenario to be undertaken and allow you to check router and switch selection and set up. I hope this helps Ilkie

I have read this information from Pelco with interest and sadly it is a simplification of cable specification. DC resistance is not a main factor when considering analogue video transmission over coax, dB loss at the 5MHz point is the most important factor, a total loss of 6dB including connectors and joints is considered to be the maximum allowable. In addition high frequency (HF) loss is the first to occur with longer cable runs, the high frequency component of analogue video which contains the picture detail, which is why when you speak to installers who claim to be able still get a 'picture' at 750m+ on RG59 the resulting image is lacks any detail. There are ways of measuring this with specialist pattern generators and a oscilloscope, a skill that sadly they do not teach CCTV engineers anymore. Ilkie

The answer is yes. The model will depend on what you need to see (size of image) at the 1 mile range (numberplates, faces, vehicles, houses etc) Also consider the environmental conditions, light levels and rigidity of mount. Ilkie

The first thing I would check before replacing any kit is the settings on your recording system. This should be set for the highest achievable resolution. Second check that the camera is correctly focused in all light conditions and that the shutter speed is correctly set (to reduce motion blur). Then test to see if the recorded images are OK. If not consider changing the lens to reduce the view and produce a larger image of the target area. This could then require a second camera to be installed. Ilkie

RG6 should not be used for CCTV. The correct cable to use is RG59 or URM70. Ilkie

Sounds like you have double terminated the video. Get rid of the splitter and install a VDA. Never ever use splitters (tee pieces or goal posts) for cctv! Ilkie