IFSEC Insider is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
Tavcom Training’s senior tutor Jon Laws explained how to properly design a CCTV and IP system at IFSEC International 2015.
Jon Laws explained the difference between useful and useless CCTV
Addressing the assembled installers and integrators Jon Laws explored the fundamental steps to follow in order to build a safe, efficient and secure video surveillance system (VSS).
Firstly, it is essential to fit to BS IEC 6267-4 – a standard adopted in many countries worldwide – which was only released in 2014 and contains fresh stipulations on screen height, the introduction of VSS Grading, the quality of transmission and storage.
The grading, according to the standard, is necessary, because there’s more to consider than cameras, it’s the overall system itself.
“We suggest you look at that in combination with the operational requirements,” said Laws, adding that “grading in itself will never guarantee the quality of the images obtained. It affects robustness, the integrity and the security of the system.”
Graded items include storage, alarm related information, system logs, time synchronisations – all are listed in the standard guide provided by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA).
Screen height
Screen height is another crucial point when talking about video security systems. It is necessary for the customer, whether a company or private, to have something appropriately designed for the location of use.
Too often, cameras include in the image irrelevant details. For example, in a private house security system, there’s no point occupying half of the image with the ceiling if the focus needs to be the patio.
Furthermore, the height of screens is linked to the quality of the image obtained. Using PAL or high definition cameras will influence the percentage of the screen used to inspect, identify and recognise detail in the final image. This data must match with the type of monitoring used, whether it is proactive or reactive.
In addition, other basic expedients to always keep in mind were underlined by Law. First of all the role of the environment: “When we do testing, we do it in regular conditions. I suggest you test your devices in the worst possible conditions.”
He then invited the audience to look at the camera’s position. “If it’s pointing east, will it be able to have a clear image facing the sunlight?”
The final advice is to ask the basic questions which make the difference between useful and useless footage.
Free Download: The Video Surveillance Report 2023
Discover the latest developments in the rapidly-evolving video surveillance sector by downloading the 2023 Video Surveillance Report. Over 500 responses to our survey, which come from integrators to consultants and heads of security, inform our analysis of the latest trends including AI, the state of the video surveillance market, uptake of the cloud, and the wider economic and geopolitical events impacting the sector!
Download for FREE to discover top industry insight around the latest innovations in video surveillance systems.
How to Plan a Security System: Tips and Tricks from TavcomTavcom Training's senior tutor Jon Laws explained how to properly design an IP CCTV system on the first day of IFSEC International 2015.
Gaia Fosca Mellone
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
Related Topics
Cloud and professional signalling services as ‘gamechangers’ for the intruder alarm market – In conversation with Texecom’s Jim Ludwig
“Networked, integrated IP audio can bring just as much value as cameras” – In conversation with Zenitel’s Koen Claerbout at IFSEC 2022
Revealed: The IFSEC Global influencers in Security 2022
Subscribe
5 Comments
Oldest
NewestMost Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
correysmith321
August 5, 2015 1:06 am
What I’ve heard from a few of my neighbors is that there are home security systems that anyone can keep track of with their smart phones. It’s amazing at how systems like those can do that for people who leave their house frequently. Well, people like myself and so, that got me thinking about my family and their safety. http://www.protectsecurity.com.au/servicesproducts/
ScottJohnson4
November 14, 2015 1:42 am
I really like how you’ve brought up screen height as an important aspect in setting up a security camera system. At an old company I used to work at we had a security camera set up right outside the front door that had half of its lens covered up by a plant. I’m pretty sure they fixed it eventually, but it never really made much sense to me as it seemed like a good camera was going to waste. Hopefully people will read this article and take your advice. http://www.alarmresearch.com/commercial-solutions/
LevyRedfox
December 8, 2015 1:54 am
My husband and I have been thinking about getting a security system for our home. It would be smart to see if a video feed would be something we would want. That might be a good idea to talk to a professional about what type of alarm system would be best for our home. http://www.pinelandtech.com/sefb/services
AndreBeluchi
February 11, 2016 12:33 am
What impresses me is seeing how much video surveillance has changed and have gone high tech. It seems like I might need to install some video cameras around my house. My wife recently informed me of seeing someone try to open the garage door of our house. When she told me that, I definitely got scared because that when the incident happened, my family and kids were without me. http://www.videotecsecurity.com/commercial/video.html
Sarahthefoodie76
April 20, 2016 4:36 pm
You should indeed always test your security systems in the worst possible conditions. This way you know their range. If it rains a decent amount where you live, then you need to test it in the rain. You don’t want something to happen in the rain that wasn’t picked up because something didn’t work.
What I’ve heard from a few of my neighbors is that there are home security systems that anyone can keep track of with their smart phones. It’s amazing at how systems like those can do that for people who leave their house frequently. Well, people like myself and so, that got me thinking about my family and their safety. http://www.protectsecurity.com.au/servicesproducts/
I really like how you’ve brought up screen height as an important aspect in setting up a security camera system. At an old company I used to work at we had a security camera set up right outside the front door that had half of its lens covered up by a plant. I’m pretty sure they fixed it eventually, but it never really made much sense to me as it seemed like a good camera was going to waste. Hopefully people will read this article and take your advice. http://www.alarmresearch.com/commercial-solutions/
My husband and I have been thinking about getting a security system for our home. It would be smart to see if a video feed would be something we would want. That might be a good idea to talk to a professional about what type of alarm system would be best for our home. http://www.pinelandtech.com/sefb/services
What impresses me is seeing how much video surveillance has changed and have gone high tech. It seems like I might need to install some video cameras around my house. My wife recently informed me of seeing someone try to open the garage door of our house. When she told me that, I definitely got scared because that when the incident happened, my family and kids were without me. http://www.videotecsecurity.com/commercial/video.html
You should indeed always test your security systems in the worst possible conditions. This way you know their range. If it rains a decent amount where you live, then you need to test it in the rain. You don’t want something to happen in the rain that wasn’t picked up because something didn’t work.
http://www.apswa.com/products.html