CCTV Systems

[pcstru]

I'm looking for input on CCTV systems. Ideally we would like some kind of central repository which can take feed from IP or yea oldie worldie analogue cameras (but the latter is optional), give secure access to nominated staff and ideally be accessible via a web interface. What are people using and would you recommend it for use or avoidance?

[Linfit]

We use the Milestone software with a mix of Mobotix and Axis IP cameras, all PoE. It wasn't our choice as it came with the new building, and its not a cheap combination, but we have found it very reliable and effective in the three years since installation. We have two servers of which one runs the internal cameras and the other the external, partly from organisational choice and partly because there is a 64 camera limit on each install of the server side software. (We have around 60 cameras total at the moment).

The Mobotix 360 cameras are amazing if you have large open spaces that need coverage with only a minimum of cameras (we have a three storey atrium in the centre of the building). The only downside we have found is that the client software for live view or recordings needs a fairly hefty spec machine to work effectively: you can't install it on a standard two or three year old staff workstation and expect it to work effectively. As a result of this, I will be upgrading SMT computers in the summer to allow them to use the client more effectively.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Linfit

[dhicks]

What are people using and would you recommend it for use or avoidance?

 

We're using Ubiquiti's cameras and software. The software, which is free, seems to provide the functionality people want, it's all web-based (works best on Chrome, some features are missing on other browsers) and the hardware was cheap and easy to install (around £1,500 for 10 cameras). We did already have network points in place where we thought we'd be putting CCTV cameras, though, and nice new PoE-capable switches.

[NeustroEduIT_Christine]

There are a couple of options available, depending on how many cameras you have, the recording type and whether there are plans to expand. If you would like a site visit to discuss some options in more detail please don't hesitate to PM me.

[pcstru]

There are a couple of options available, depending on how many cameras you have, the recording type and whether there are plans to expand. If you would like a site visit to discuss some options in more detail please don't hesitate to PM me.

Could you put some detail on the options so we are able to evaluate whether it is worth a site visit?

[NeustroEduIT_Christine]

Could you put some detail on the options so we are able to evaluate whether it is worth a site visit?

Of course, will you be expanding your CCTV system in the future? Could you confirm how many cameras you have and also the recording type?

Thanks for getting back to me.

Christine

[pcstru]

We must have around 70 cameras with plans to add more. Not quite sure what you mean by recording type - as far as I know all the camera feeds are stored digitally.

[snagrat]

We use Mirasys for our hikvision cameras. Very good software, but not the cheapest.

[NeustroEduIT_Christine]

You could implement HIKVision hybrid DVR units - which can be viewed remotely and can be set-up so select users have different rights. They can vary in size, from 4TB's to 16TB (going up in increments of 4). You would require POE switches for the IP cameras, but the total amount of Hybrid units will be determined by the split of IP & analogue cameras you have.

I've come across Mirasys software before, it seems very good but I've not looked into it.

[gsk]

We started off our CCTV as a bit of monitoring for damage in IT rooms and we used bundled software with d link cameras. We were always happy with the cameras and the software so stuck with it. The system grew and we hit the 32 camera software limit so put a second server in. Then we hit 64 cameras and thought a third server was a bit silly and looked at doing it properly, so we used Milestone after trying out 2 or 3 different platforms. Milestone is great and has lots of features.

 

tl;dr - if its a fixed size project with the same brand cameras, then bundled software will be fine. if it's got potential to grow or you have different cameras, use milestone.

 

tl;dr2 - My single top tip is to avoid moving cameras unless you have someone to operate them full-time.

[dhicks]

My single top tip is to avoid moving cameras unless you have someone to operate them full-time.

 

That's a good point - moveable cameras are a bit pointless unless you have someone monitoring in real time. However, there's a couple of 360 degree cameras now coming on to the market, so having a camera with a moveable viewpoint during playback of recordings becomes possible. Giroptic's 360 degree camera, in particular, has a PoE option and seems to be designed with the idea that it could be used for CCTV.

 

If you're buying standard CCTV cameras, you can fit different lenses with greater or lesser fields of view - either to see a wider area or norrow down to get better detail in a particular area. We found our Ubiquiti cameras take standard M12 lenses, you can just screw the old one out and screw a new one in. M12 lenses are available off Amazon and eBay, quite often in bulk (£50 for half-a-dozen kind of price).

[plexer]

I would say ptz cameras are fine and can be used at time when someone is available to operate them but if you set them on an automatic patrol route you will miss action at the critical time.

 

Ben

[hipsterdoofus]

We have used Cisco's cameras and VSOM solution. I can't say at this point I would recommend them over anything else though. Cisco's support level has become terrible over the past couple of years.