What is Digital Network CCTV?
Digital Network CCTV Systems use a Local Area Network (LAN) to transmit video streams around the network for recording and display. Because it uses standard Ethernet and Internet protocols, the full range of modern, cost-effective transmission media can be used, for example Wireless Ethernet, Broadband Connections, Power over Ethernet and Powerline.
Depending on bandwidth and other criteria, your existing LAN can usually be used to carry video traffic alongside the normal network traffic. Unlike traditional CCTV systems - where co-axial cables need to be radiated out in a star from the control room - a Network CCTV Camera can be placed anywhere you have a network point. In fact, installing a camera is so easy that you can install a temporary camera in minutes if you have a particular trouble-spot. Likewise, the recording and viewing of the cameras can take place anywhere on the network.
If you already have traditional, analogue CCTV cameras these can be quickly integrated into the digital network using our range of Network Video Servers.
The components of a Digital Network CCTV System:
Network Camera Software
Network camera software is the key to a successful installation. The software manages the cameras, displays and records the video streams and can act as a server, making the video streams available to any standard browser on the network. ViewCommander from Camea runs on standard Windows-based PCs, giving it the power to run sophisticated algorithms for motion detection, image tracking and alarm management. ViewCommander is not limited to a single manufacturer's cameras; it frees you to choose the most appropriate cameras for your needs.
Cameras
Camea can supply a wide range of cameras that connect directly to the network, from standard box cameras, through vandal-proof domes and fully weather- & vandal- proof external cameras to sophisticated pan-tilt-zoom models.
Wireless Cameras, incorporating standard Ethernet 802.3b/g technology are also available.
Network Video Servers
These devices take a standard, analogue video stream and convert them into a network video stream. They are used to integrate existing systems into the digital network, avoiding the need to replace existing cameras, or to integrate specialist cameras, eg thermal imaging.
Power over Ethernet
Finding a suitable power source near the camera installation can often be more difficult than finding a suitable network connection. Most of the cameras in our range can be powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE). This is an approved standard (802.3af) which allows low-power devices such as cameras to be powered using the spare cables in a standard CAT-5 network cable. We can supply matched pairs for one-off installations or PoE hubs, switches and splitters for multiple installations.
Broadband
Our network cameras can work over a standard Broadband connection, so that if you have more than one site you can incorporate cameras from the remote site into the managed system, enabling them to be recorded and viewed centrally. Subject to security, ViewCommander can make specified cameras available on the broadband connection so that they can be viewed externally or even on a live web site.
