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Faisal Hanif is a freelance journalist on the MA Newspaper Journalism programme at City University, London and has a Masters qualification in History from the School of Oriental and African Studies. Previously, he received a BA (hons) in History at the University of Leicester, and has worked as a outreach worker for TELL MAMA, fieldwork researcher for the IPPR and an associate researcher for Datamonitor in Manchester.
He has also been published on the Guardian's online comment section and has his own blog.
Independent CCTV consultant Simon Lambert told the Centre Stage audience that CCTV providers must adopt 3D software imaging to challenge the CSI effect, maintain profits and negate risks to the customer and installer.
The self confessed CCTV geek spoke of how the popularity of the US hit show which has aired over 300 shows since debuting in 2000 has created false expectations from customers.
People see a grainy image and think some guy on a laptop will press a few keys and clarify what is being shown. Not even NASA can do that!”, says Lambert.
Lambert proposed the use of field view and 3D modelling software to replicate the location and surroundings and provide a clear picture to the customer of what exactly they will be able to see and from what angle and level of clarity. The audience was advised that this should be done at the selling phase to make clear to the customer about what they will be getting for their money.
“There is no point of explaining technicalities you may as well be speaking Mandarin”, said Lambert before adding that a picture replaces 1000 words and everyone understands.
Lambert expressed his confidence in the adoption of such a technique and assured the audience that it would be affective in managing expectations as well as covering risks. “Even if your service and equipment was more expensive than your competitors they would more likely purchase from you based on the clarity of what they were getting and the confidence they take away with them.”
“3D tools are getting cheaper and more advanced every year and there are freely available platforms on which these things can be done”, said Lambert.
Conclusions
2D is vitally misleading; 3D shows the reality
A picture replaces 1000 words and everyone understands
Designer, installer and customer confidence is high
Costs of failing expectations are kept to a minimum
3D tools becoming more amazing and cheaper every year
Available Tools
Freely available 3D modelling software
Timetable Sketchup: www.sketchup.com
Blender: www.blender.org
Second Life (Virtual World): www.secondlife.com
Freely available image editing
GIMP: www.GIMP.com
Freely available video game engine
Unity: www.unity3d.com
Freely available lighting design
Relux: www.relux.bit
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Essentials: Lowering Risk in Surveillance Design – Simon Lambert at IFSECSpeaking on Centre Stage, the respected CCTV consultant suggested that CCTV providers adopt 3D imaging software to maintain profits and negate risks to both customer and installer.
Faisal Hanif
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
