As I have knowledge of this site, I’d like to question the accuracy of some of your statements.
You suggest that St Pancras is the model for the IP network ‘revolution’ when, in fact, there are relatively few IP cameras. The majority are standard, composite video cameras distributed via coaxial cable to Bosch VideoJet codec. They are then transmitted over the internal fibre network to a VideoJet decoder and converted back to composite video before transmission to display on a raster screen. Some screens are IP-based where PC control exists, but many are composite video.
This is not a pure digital system but a hybrid. Rendered image quality suffers where cameras are received over long coaxial cables, and the cameras are not progressive scan but PAL. Bear in mind that the monitoring point may be less than the collective transmission via coaxial as the codec may be some distance from the camera. Why this is not a digital system end-to-end is beyond me, but it’s certainly not state-of-the-art.
Further, I would suggest it’s wrong of you to create the impression that this station is networked to others when in fact this isn’t so. Some of the security equipment isn’t compatible with other stations even though it fell under the same contract umbrella. I suggest you seek clarification on these matters from whomever supplied you with the information to write this article.
In my humble opinion, whenever a supplier ‘talks up’ a solution it can verge on misinformation. I suggest this should be corrected as your discerning readers must not be misled by ‘facts’ which are neither accurate nor truthful.
As the Editor, I do appreciate that you may have been given this information in good faith by others, but if that’s the case they are beholden to correct what has been published.
Colin Greene, CMG Consultancy
The Editor replies
Thank You very much indeed for your Letter To The Editor, Colin.
First of all, let me state that SMT has won three editorial awards during my Editorship. We did not receive these accolades because of poor editorial standards. Far from it.
As the Editor of this journal, I pride myself on the depth and accuracy of the articles we publish. It’s one of the main reasons why SMT is regarded as the best and most influential journal in its marketplace, and by some considerable distance.
That said, no-one should believe they are beyond question. On that basis, I felt duty bound to pass your comments over to the parties concerned. This is what they have to say on the matter…
Sir – Controlware Communications Systems and Bosch Security Systems verify that the information contained within the recent article published by SMT relating to the IP CCTV solution at St Pancras International Station (C105) is factually correct. The article clearly states that the security solution comprises of multi-channel IP video encoders (VJ8008) and NVR servers, and is fully-managed by the Bosch Vidos management software. The latter interfaces with the main station management system, access control and Help Points. The IP CCTV system is completely IP-enabled, operating on a dedicated V-LAN within the Station Data Network (SDN) supplied and implemented by Bailey Teswaine. It remains one of the largest deployments of an IP CCTV solution here in the UK.
The article in your June edition refers to access to the live system from outside of the station. This incorporates external organisations and locations that, for security reasons, cannot be specifically documented.
Furthermore, the IP CCTV implementation has been recognised and acknowledged within the security sector as being ‘leading edge’, having won the IFSEC 2008 Project of the Year Award in addition to the 2008 European IT Excellence Award.
To conclude, all publications and press material issued by both Controlware and Bosch are subject to authorisation and sign-off by the end customer to ensure their accuracy.
Matt Caine, General Manager, Controlware Communications Systems
Sir – we have reviewed Colin Greene’s comments, cross-referenced them with your article and the copy that was sent through to SMT’s Editorial Offices. Information with which you were provided is 100% accurate. It’s based on discussions with the Bailey Teswaine project manager, and was fully approved by the management team at St Pancras International Station.
In response to Colin’s comment: “You suggest that St Pancras is the model for the IP network ‘revolution’ when, in fact, there are relatively few IP cameras”, we were informed that the station hosts 450 cameras to ensure security for all passengers.
This fact was also reflected in the national and broadcast media when the station first opened.
On Colin’s second point – “Why this is not a digital system end-to-end is beyond me, but it’s certainly not state-of-the-art” – there is a quote provided by the management team at St Pancras International that says: “Bailey Teswaine did an outstanding job, designing and installing a state-of-the-art network on time and to budget that forms a central part of our operations.”
Perhaps this quote is a little overzealous but, according to the project teams at both St Pancras International and Bailey Teswaine, the latter’s involvement in the project provided the station with one of the UK’s fastest high capacity networks (enabling services such as IP CCTV). In that respect, it’s very much state-of-the-art.
Denis Davies, Golin Harris Public Relations (on behalf of Bailey Teswaine)