ilk

Most professional network attached equipment (computers, routers, switches, NAS, servers and IP cameras) require a time source. Devices can be set to run on their individual internal clocks or run on a network attached clock (or a device that is designated to provide the only time source). An option that is sometimes utilised to source more accurate time is a clock source on the internet, or for 'closed' networks (i.e. no internet connection) an NTP server device can be used (see http://www.veracityglobal.com/products/networked-video-integration/timenet.aspx or http://www.wharton.co.uk/master_clocks/4860.htm) These are in turn connected to a GPS device for very accurate time reference. These types of systems are typically used in the broadcast industry, in large computer networks and in CCTV systems to ensure that all devices are synchronised to a common time source accurate to milliseconds. Hope this helps Ilkie

Only purchase hardware that can be externally sychronised by a common clock source - eg gps clock Ilkie

Standard design principles subject to risk assessment. Install layer 2 smart switch with POE and multimode SFP interface on floor three of buildings two, three, four and five. Connect each of the above switches directly to the building one - floor three and connect to layer 2 smart switch with POE and four multimode SFP interfaces (or can be two separate devices) At this location install storage server. Install cameras to each local switch and connect client control/monitoring system in building one to the local switch. For higher risk levels it is good practice to support each switch and the storage server with online interactive UPS systems with extended run time battery packs. If the new network is to have (or may in the future have) remote access, integrate with access control, intruder/fire alarm or BMS consider installing Layer 3 switches. Ilkie

Forget zoom ratios. They are marketing talk and have no bearing on cctv design. For instance a lens that has a 1mm to 26mm and one that has a 10mm to 260mm are both 26x lenses, but with completely different performance. You need to work from calculation with screen width and height with your chosen sensor at your defined distance. This will give you your lens size to meet the operational requirement. Ilkie

Fibre optic cables Ilkie

It depends on your attitude to risk. Technically, any camera mounted on the outside of the building should be installed with lightning protection connected to building earth on all cables. Ilkie

The design is wrong at a number of levels. You would need to first define the operational requirement, legal restrictions and confirm how you are going to operate/monitor the video feeds. This will influence the design. Technically, the cable selection is wrong and the wireless is likely to self interfere. Network design will be important with this type of system as a flat network may cause issues. I would suggest you contact a specialist in public space CCTV systems to work with. Ilkie

Start up by undertaking a risk assessment at each site, so that a formal understanding of what the organisation's expectations are going to be. You will also need to document the operational requirement (how the system is to be used, who will use it, who will be able to view it (for what purpose) and how can recorded images be distributed etc) This should be undertaken before you think about cameras/type of technology etc. More information on your legal obligations can be found here http://www.ico.org.uk/for_organisations/data_protection/topic_guides/cctv Ilkie

Look for COFDM transmission systems Ilkie have you used any specific model that you recommend? thanks. Ogier Electronics in the UK have a system which we have used transmitting secure CCTV images from/to Police vehicles. It can also be used as body worn or for deployable use. There are others. The technology is an off shoot from the Outside Broadcast TV industry, which means it is professional kit (i.e. very expensive!) Ilkie

Look for COFDM transmission systems Ilkie

Only by VSAT. 80km is beyond the curve of the earth so radio would be 'difficult' Ilkie

Try Moxa, they have a range of industrial rated video servers (and supporting network kit) Ilkie

Any idea on what size screens you are thinking about and where is the project to be implemented? Ilker

For the mains power use a stranded high flex 3 core mains cable around 2.5mm and an online interactive UPS In this region voltage will also fluctuate so you must minimise volt drop. Also use a voltage regulator to protect against over voltage as well. Earth differentials may also be a problem. This design would not meet any European electrical regulations or Health and safety guidelines but I assume this is not a problem where you are. If you maintain seperation at a minimum of one metre you should be OK with interference, but better to double this to a minimum of 2m. Use good quality baluns like NVT Ilker

YES if looked at as a security product. yes MP has a much better res but thats it. analog still does the job as a security system and has done for over 60 years. Hi ilk. take it you have also had the white paper regarding some of the MP tech such as 360 cameras. be interesting to see what happends to footage from them in the courts And how they are going to replay the images during an appeals hearing 20 years from now. Ilkie

No Because you have not stated what your criteria is (operational requirement) If my criteria to get from A-B with the best fuel economy then the Taurus will typically outperform the Lamborghini. If my criteria to get from A-B in the least time the Lamborghini will typically outperform the Taurus. So the 'what is best' question can deliver different answers. It depends on the questions you ask. By the logic you suggest we should all be installing 16MP+ cameras. The technology type (analogue, IP, MP HDSDi), quality or resolution of any camera offered by the integrator should relate directly to the OR, the overall system design (including consideration of how the output of the system is to be utilised) and TCO. Ilkie

This is not the case. The choice of camera should in part be determined by application and by operational requirement. Analogue cameras still have a place in high end applications due to better low light performance, the use with large lenses, support or upgrade of legacy systems etc. Analogue also still has a part to play at the low end domestic end of the market. IP cameras do have a role to play which will increase as the technology matures, but there are still are problems with issues such as cross manufacturer compatibility, network cable standard length restrictions, low light performance, compatibility of manufacturer specific encoding techniques with end user systems (such as the criminal justice system), possible issues regarding replaying video after storage for a number of years etc. I would suggest that manufacturer’s camera specification of resolution should never be the sole criteria for purchasing kit, as CCTV system design is so much more. Ilkie

What country is the system located and how many cameras? Ilkie

RS485 is not designed for star wiring. You need to either install a RS485 distributor or rewire in series with end of line terminated. Ilkie

Is that so? Any Cat5E cable must be pure copper in order to be certified? Taken from the this white paper http://www.fia-online.co.uk/pdf/Whites/wp-IAN002-01.pdf "Specifically: ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 by reference to ANSI/ICEA S-90-661-2006 for Category 5e states that “solid conductors shall consist of commercial pure, annealed, bare copper …” and that, where used “tin coated conductors shall consist of commercially pure, solid annealed copper, tin coated …”; IEC 61156 standards state that “the conductor shall be a solid annealed copper conductor”; EN 50288 standards state that “the conductor shall be solid copper and comply with the requirements of EN 50288-1:2003” and “the conductor shall be plain or metal coated” (the latter referring to the use tinned copper). In fact the latest EN documents in development (marked with an asterisk in Table 1) go even further by including the additional text shown in red “the conductor shall be annealed solid copper and comply with the requirements of EN 50288-1:2003, 4.1. The conductor shall be plain or metal coated. NOTE Copper covered (clad) aluminium and/or steel conductors are not permitted.” It is therefore very obvious that a conductor that is not solid copper (whether or not tinned) cannot be used within a cable that claims to conform to a Category to North American, international or European standards." Ilkie

CAT5, CAT5E or CAT6 will all be OK if installed to standard. For outdoor cables there are two specific considerations, UV resistance and mechanical protection. Ilkie

CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) = nasty & does not meet the CAT5E standard Ilkie

Shielding does make a difference as impedance is changed so I would suggest use UTP. Also try to get order the cable as a single length on one reel as multiple joints will create losses. Better still use pre-terminated fibre Ilkie

vhs spec, if memory serves, is 220-240 lines at 'sp' speed (2 hours on a t-120 tape). on a time-lapse machine (24 or more hours per tape - i've seen machines that will do up to 192 hours on a t-160 tape) it's substantially less. you're lucky if each camera's effective resolution is qcif (160x120). There is also the scenario (in the early days of digital) where the time lapse VCR installed to record the output of a mux or a quad was replaced a single channel DVR. Police Technical officers? A rare breed now almost extinct. Ilkie