CCTV.
When I first started out in this industry, CCTV was true to its name – a “closed circuit” television system. Then it was viewed onsite where the cameras were being recorded. Clunky VCRs that could stretch a tape to 24 hours worth of recording. Who remembers the excitement of the first multiplexers? How we gasped in awe when we could record 16 cameras at once and watch single or multiple-camera views?
CCTV remains as the same abbreviation, except it’s probably fair to say that now it’s not “closed circuit”. Since the heady days of remote monitoring, using phone lines, microwave, laser, and infra-red transmission paths to the current offering. Now IP based networking systems can transmit megabytes and gigabytes of video data around the world in a blink of an eye.
Equipment Available.
There is a bewildering array of IP camera systems available (and still some that provide exceptional quality using coaxial cable)with grand titles of megapixel, HD, and 4K Ultra HD. MMV has access to a huge marketplace of CCTV products. Whilst we are happy to work with just about anything a customer might already own and wish to continue using, our current preference for CCTV ranges is limited to two of our choosing.
In an ideal world, we would install nothing but Avigilon HD megapixel cameras and their associated support hardware and software. Why? Simply because we believe it is very good. It s extremely well made and has a very easy-to-use and understand end-user interface through its ACC software.
What is CCTV about?
Consider this, the vast majority of CCTV is all about the recorded footage. As a result, the ability to find the pertinent parts of your video archive is of paramount importance. Avigilon software handles this for you extremely well. With constantly evolving search tools and video analytics built into the hardware and software of their systems, this job is only going to become easier.
However, we understand that not everyone needs or has the budget for all the facilities that Avigilon software has to offer. So to this end, our second-tier equipment offer uses the now well-known Dahua range of cameras and recording equipment. Again, well made, with excellent product support available to us and through us, the Dahua equipment fulfills the need for when someone wants the very best images a limited budget allows.
We have many systems out there that are actually now hybrids often making use of the expertise available from the Avigilon software and mixing that with a range of cameras alongside Avigilon units that the Avigilon software is more than capable of handling.
The key to a good CCTV system is to decide your budget, maximise this budget where you can. Understand what YOU would like to get from the camera system. Be aware of the limitations of camera positioning, specification, and performance. Look beyond the headlines of manufacturers’ datasheets. Talk to people who know how it works in the real world. Ensure they are prepared to offer you the truth about performance and system design.
What will MMV do for you?
Here at MMV, we try to maximise the efficiency of your budget and put together the best system that you can afford. We will be honest about what you can and cannot achieve. Staff at MMV understand the limitations of the systems available to you. We will do all that we can to fully translate your needs and your wishes into an affordable system design. Even better news – we don’t charge for this service nor do we try to engage you with an aggressive sales strategy. We will provide you with facts, delivered at a fair price and with clarity of costs and system performance. It just makes everyone’s life far less stressful if we do.
