CCTV company recommendations

[TMBS]

Hi

 

Can anyone recommend a CCTV company in the Leicestershire area?

 

Thanks

[christhetech]

Is it just to supply and install a CCTV system for you to manage yourself at the school, or are you looking for a fully managed service with offsite monitoring?

[TMBS]

Just a system for us to manage within school but some support for when things go wrong.

 

Thanks

[smarties11]

We had an install done over the summer by GBSG. They did a decent job. They've used HIKVISION kit and the quality is great. I wasn't involved in procurement, only the technical bits where required - but I understand the cost was around 12K for 25 cameras (4 external) and an 16TB NVR.

[TechMonkey]

Net Ctrl have just done a great job for us. They use Mobotix.

[mavhc]

Not sure hikvision can write software https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=hikvision+vulnerability

[NDEJosh]

I don't want this to come across as a blatant advertisement, however NDE (nenedata.com) are based in Northamptonshire and are installers of both Hikvision & Dahua.

 

The above two manufacturers make some great quality cameras for a cracking price. Also very versatile and are bound to have something in their product range to suit your needs.

 

Consider how you want to store your footage, I would usually recommend a dedicated device such as a NVR (Network Video Recorder).

 

Don't forget to consult whoever is your main consultant for GDPR as this needs to be taken into account when planning and maintaining an installation.

[mavhc]

Seems like Dahua can't do software either https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-12853/Dahuasecurity.html

[Net-Ctrl]

We install CCTV in your area. We specialise with Mobotix cameras. If you would like to discuss further, please send me a PM and I will ask one of the CCTV team to get in touch.

[mavhc]

Much better: https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-4519/Mobotix.html

[Net-Ctrl]

Looks like that refers old camera models and software. It references the D10 camera model when we're currently on the D16. Mobotix make a pretty big play on their Cyber Security piece, more info can be found here: https://www.mobotix.com/en/cactus-concept-cyber-security

[NDEJosh]

Seems like Dahua can't do software either https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-12853/Dahuasecurity.html

 

Oh indeed. They do keep ontop of their security vulns though, so as with anything, keep your patches up to date and minimise it's exposure to the outside world where possible.

 

It is like comparing apples and oranges cost wise however, if you have the budget for Mobotix I thoroughly recommend it, many schools however do not which is where both Hikvision & Dahua have made a name for themselves.

[mavhc]

You'd think one of the cheap ones would realise they can save even more money by just open sourcing the firmware

[TechMonkey]

Oh indeed. They do keep ontop of their security vulns though

 

As there are some Vulns from 2013 I'd say that may be up for debate!

 

It is like comparing apples and oranges cost wise however,

 

I think it is more like comparing a Ford Fiesta to a BMW. They basically do the same thing, but the ease with which you can perform the task and the output are incredibly different. We compared Hikvision and Mobotix and doing a side by side comparison over a weekend we were blown away by the difference in quality of the same footage. One of our staff rode past and on the Hikvision you could see that someone rode past, what colours they were wearing and a rough description of the person which maybe enough. Meanwhile on the Mobotix we could tell that his helmet was hanging from the handle bars, who it was and the detail on the clothing and bike.

 

As ever, it is down to getting all the information you can, carrying an assessment of what you really need and what you are willing to compromise on and then making a decision. CCTV is like insurance, you will only realise how good it is when you have to use it. We have had potato quality NVR based CCTV for ages and it just was more trouble than it was worth. Now we have better coverage with fewer cameras, better storage and features and in the long run we will save money as they don't need servicing, beyond maybe cobwebs brushed away and a rub over.

[mavhc]

Those are all known Vulns, not unpatched ones btw.

 

Wonder if the video quality difference was the lenses, the sensors, or the software

[TechMonkey]

Ah, thank you. I wasn't sure, couldn't quite work out how it indicated they were patched so guessed they were the unpatched ones.

We recorded back to a Synology for both so the software was the same, didn't touch the company offerings. I think it was probably a bit of both, lenses and sensors. The range of mobotix lenses is impressive on its own and having the ability to have 2 lenses in one camera is a massive boon, having a colour lens for day and a B&W lens for night, the feed flipping over automatically, meant the Mobotix could see into a tree line whereas the Hikvision just saw a black mass. I would love to get my hands on one of their thermal lenses, but I think that would be hard to justify.

[mavhc]

Ah, thank you. I wasn't sure, couldn't quite work out how it indicated they were patched so guessed they were the unpatched ones.

We recorded back to a Synology for both so the software was the same, didn't touch the company offerings. I think it was probably a bit of both, lenses and sensors. The range of mobotix lenses is impressive on its own and having the ability to have 2 lenses in one camera is a massive boon, having a colour lens for day and a B&W lens for night, the feed flipping over automatically, meant the Mobotix could see into a tree line whereas the Hikvision just saw a black mass. I would love to get my hands on one of their thermal lenses, but I think that would be hard to justify.

 

Just need to encourage more crime to the local area.

 

Good to know there's a image quality difference as well as a software quality difference anyway

[robjduk]

CCTV is a piece of p**s to setup yourself. Companies will charge you a fortune for what you could do in a couple of hours. I run a QNAP NAS box which does all the work and comes with the software you need. A £35 licence per camera and your choice of camera leaves you setup.

No expensive companies forcing you into contracts. Bliss.

 

https://www.qnap.com/solution/surveillance-station-intro/en-us/

[mavhc]

Just install zoneminder for free, £0 licence costs