CCTV Systems
By John W. Colley

Grill The CCTV Expert
September, 2003 Issue

John W. Colley

Digital Recording with Dynamic IP Addressing
Can we use a video server digital recorder application with Dynamic IP Addressing?

First you need to explore your contract with the ISP provider. Unfortunately, it may violate your service agreement with the ISP. The easy answer: Yes, it will work with Dynamic IP Addressing. The system design will require a gateway router to manage the traffic. Most video manufactures can give you guidelines that need to be explored with the supplier of the gateway. This is not a plug and play installation so be prepared to spend time researching the clients information.

Measuring Network Bandwidth
Our clients are asking about measuring network bandwidth. What are the common measurements of bandwidth?

The common explanations of bandwidth for digital application contain multipliers Kilo 1,000, Mega 1,000,000, Giga 1,000,000,000 and Tera 10,000,000. Bits per second, bytes per second are the builders of the bandwidth.

Networked Cameras
Our Company just completed a site survey that cries for a web-based application. What should be some of the important issues surrounding networked cameras?

Several CCTV companies are producing Ethernet capable ensembles. A review of the products features and benefits, the manufacturers offering the ensembles historical background, and local support of the product all should be considered. As most would agree if it were a perfect world this would be a system solution fit for many of the industry's opportunities. The reality is your company needs to hire and train technically savvy technicians to offer this type of product. The integration with an existing Ethernet system will require discussions with the client to see if the Network is compatible and large enough to handle the additional traffic. The management of the Network is another issue that needs to be covered with the client. i.e. Who manages the issuing of IP Addresses and handles the trouble shooting issues when they occur? Ethernet Networks connected to Internet also open the door to invasion of privacy issues with employees and their data. All the issues can be overcome but allocate time to educate your customer on these issues before the sale not after it has been installed.

Integrated Cameras and Alarms
Our client is asking alarms to be integrated with our video system. They have requested fiber optic cable runs for alarms in existing electrical conduits. Presently our video comes back on fiber optics to the central security console. The site is a campus setting and we need to connect to the main guardhouse and the central security room with remote campus buildings. How do we get the alarm signals around the campus using electrical conduits?

Transmitting alarms and integrating them with CCTV system is very common in today's security world. Fiber multiplexers are available to transmit alarm inputs and outputs only. I would recommend you consider using fiber optics to transmit the alarms to the master video controller location first and then run them over to the guardhouse. You can hard copper wire the local alarms internally from each building to a single gathering point and transmit the collection of alarms via fiber optic multiplexer transmitter to the fiber optic receiver in the central security console. This way each building will be using a communicator that is not susceptible to electrical transients.

Choosing the Right CCTV Manufacturer
How important is it to use CCTV manufacturers with record of stability and successful customer service?

The bottom line when evaluating the risk of doing business is values. Both the values of the individual and the company they work for. If you are selling a manufacturer's product, you should take every opportunity to research the background of the manufacturer and the product. Remember- Once you sell the system to the customer, it is your responsibility to ensure the system performs to the customers expectations.

John W. Colley is president of Integrated Security Systems, Ltd. and has been in the security industry for over 25 years, beginning his experience in the CCTV segment of security and gaining knowledge through field experience, manufacturer training and designing systems to meet customer needs. Colley started his security integration firm 18 years ago, providing design, engineering, installation and service to commercial accounts using integrated systems. Send your CCTV/Surveillance questions to jwc@securityiss.com.