Dangerous driving captured on CCTV video

CCTV often captures some strange things but this video of a car in New Zealand “negotiating” a roundabout is really something.

The importance of vocational training for CCTV

Mike Tennent of Tavcom Training sets out the final part of his response to Mark Harraway of Controlware’s “Dont Go Hybrid”  article.

The security systems industry is one of exceptional challenge and reward. At Tavcom, we believe that the key to a successful future career in the sector lies with our special brand of vocational training – a careful blend and balance of classroom theory and ‘hands on’ practical experience that reinforces knowledge based learning. In a fast paced technological world we are not ashamed to state that some ‘old fashioned’ tried and tested methods of teaching still remain the best. In short, ‘Tell me and I will listen’, ‘Show me and I will observe’ and ‘Let me do it to demonstrate that I have learned’ are the maxims by which Tavcom’s team of experienced tutors continues to operate. Tavcom’s total independence of individual manufacturers or suppliers is fundamental to the success of training as students are able to observe and compare a selection of products side by side. This allows them to develop informed opinions of competing systems and support the choices and recommendations made within the workplace. In accordance with the sentiments expressed in this article, Tavcom’s policy is to utilise only equipment that is current and in general use – neither fully redundant nor excessively futuristic – for students to hone their skills.

To read the original “Dont Go Hybrid” article click here.

To read from the beginning of the Tavcom posts click here.

Shocking CCTV video shows woman fall in front of oncoming train

CCTV video captures a woman stumbling off the platform onto the tracks before terrified bystanders at Boston’s North Station shortly before 11pm on Friday night.

One technology that could help avert incidents like this in the future would be  Intelligent Video Analytics.

Analytics today can analyze video and send alarms very accurately on motion, object size, direction, people counting, loitering, removed or left objects and many other functions. To prevent an accident like this happening again the track could be selected in the analytics system and configured to send an alarm if an object moved into the area. This alarm could be passed to oncoming train drivers to alert them there was a problem on the tracks. It was fortunate that the actions of the fast thinking driver in this incident prevented a serious and possibly fatal accident occurring.

With an open CCTV management platform such as Cware Video Analytics can be easily integrated into security operations. By combining Analytics, Access Control, building management, intruder and fire systems together into a single management interface security operations are easier to manage. Video is even supported remotely thanks to Transcoding technology that enables not only the monitoring of video but also the control of PTZ cameras and Analytics from mobile phones. This enables security personnel on the ground to see and control video data on the move allowing better coordination of security operations between the control room and mobile patrols.

To find out more about Cware open management click here.

Flexible system design is key for CCTV ROI

IP is here and offers more than hybrid or analogue systems. So Mark Harraway argues here. Mike Tennent of Tavcom Training sets out the next part of his response below.

The sensible answer to all these issues (concering analogue, hybrid and IP technology) is for us to encourage progress and quality whilst coming to terms with the equipment we actually have available and using that to design cost effective solutions for the security and surveillance needs of clients that are both backwardly and forwardly compatible. Whatever the systems employed, the paramount consideration is to provide image quality that can be measured on a repeatable basis and will meet the expectations of the discerning user and the professional commissioning engineer.

In this way, system designs and installations should never need to come under the critical, eagle eyes of the expert witnesses! Tavcom’s consultants will not mind losing that strand of business if systems are working efficiently for the benefit of people and property.

To read the original “Dont Go Hybrid” article click here.

To read from the beginning of the Tavcom posts click here.

Does CCTV make you feel safer?

A new study from the University of Hertfordshire appears to undermine one of the key justifications for Britain’s network of 4.2 million surveillance cameras: that they provide reassurance to the public.

The study also finds that people are no more fearful of crossing a street with a young male skinhead in it than they are with a smartly dressed woman present, unless, a CCTV camera is overhead.

120 participants – shoppers in Hatfield – were presented with pictures of a fictional town centre street scene. When the scene contained both a skinhead and a CCTV camera, the participants, aged between 18 to 70 years, reported raised concern about walking in the scene, compared with when the same scene was either empty, contained a woman with or without a CCTV camera, or a skinhead without a camera. In other words, it was specifically the combination of a skinhead and CCTV that provoked fear – neither had any effect on their own.

Having read the research findings I disagree.

The  study says more about our association of CCTV cameras with crime and their use as a deterrent for crime than it does about CCTV cameras not reassuring the public.

Initially looking at an urban street scene the study subjects think – this is a place I have never been to before but it looks ok. When a CCTV camera is added the perception of the neighborhood changes and subjects think – hold on the CCTV cameras must be there for a reason. Then when their fears are confirmed by the addition of a perceived negative image (the skinhead) that creates a potentially threatening situation, so we cannot be surprised with the findings of this research.

You could achieve the same results as this study by showing a group of people a picture of a castle (for example) in daylight, then showing them a picture of a castle at night. In daylight the castle is an interesting historical building that the subjects might want to visit. Show them the same scene at night and it produces an entirely different effect. Most people are frightened and wouldn’t want to go there.

The study shows nothing about how people feel about CCTV all it proves is that the majority of people in the study associate CCTV cameras with crime,  the more dangerous parts of town and the fight against crime.

To read the research paper click below

The relationship between antisocial stereotypes and public CCTV systems: exploring fear of crime in the modern surveillance society

To discuss this study visit the CCTV group on linkedin SIGN UP TO JOIN HERE. Or add a comment below.

Study Abstract

Situational crime deterrence measures like CCTV are not always associated with reductions in fear of crime. This study explores this unexpected finding by investigating the interaction between target type and the presence of a CCTV camera, in order to test the effect this has on impressions of the target and corresponding fear of the location the target was shown in. Participants (n=120) were shown either a picture of a male ’skinhead’, a ’studious’ female, or no one within an urban setting in which an obvious CCTV camera was either present or absent. Participants then rated the scene using scales estimating crime frequency, worry and target activity. Estimates of location safety fell for the male ’skinhead’ target and activity impressions were more negative, but only when a CCTV camera was also present. Ironically, in some circumstances, public crime deterrence measures may prime pre-existing negative stereotypes about others and so foster suspicion, undermine trust in others, and increase fear of crime.

Can you compare IP CCTV to CB radio?

IP is here and offers more than hybrid or analogue systems. So Mark Harraway argues here. Mike Tennent of Tavcom Training sets out the next part of his response below.

Progress for the CCTV industry is still in an embryonic state and we must ensure that we do not stifle positive technological advancements by insisting that one form of protocol is the only way forward. We cannot foresee the future and it may therefore be that IP itself may be destined to enjoy only a very limited life span. Alternative means of getting better quality, more manageable CCTV images from A to B in faster and cheaper ways are almost certain to appear. How many of you happen to remember the surge and equally fast decline of CB radio that we experienced many moons ago? History has a way of repeating itself.

To read the original “Dont Go Hybrid” article click here.

To read from the beginning of the Tavcom posts click here.

CCTV video of warehouse accident demonstrates importance of Health and Safety

Much has been discussed about the wider merits of CCTV and how it can reduce crime and make people feel safer but a topic that is often over looked is how CCTV can help with health and safety.

It is sometimes a shock to find staff carrying out tasks that completely go against the training, regulations and processes that have been put in place. CCTV if well monitored can therefore be highly important in preventing the occurrence of accidents. Also if employees having received training and been made aware of regulations are involved in an accident, CCTV is a tool that can be used to help clear your company of blame and potential legal action that might follow.

The video below filmed at a warehouse in Russia shows a major health and safety incident occurring. Fortunately no one was badly injured, but five million roubles (£105,000) worth of alcohol was destroyed in the accident, according to the website that posted the video, scandalim.ru.

If resource for live monitoring is not available technologies such as Video Analysis (Video Analytics / Smart CCTV) can help. When using an open management platform such as Cware, Video Analysis from IP cameras, analogue (analog) cameras or codecs can be easily integrated into the CCTV system. Video Analysis continuously checks for activity, events or behaviours that might be considered suspicious against user-defined policies. When activity is detected the system will classify the objects of interest (people, vehicle etc.), track and identify the direction of moving objects, interpret what the objects are doing and determine if a customer-defined policy has been broken. Once a policy is broken, for instance an intruder climbing over a perimeter fence or a vehicle parking in a forbidden zone, a wide variety of automatic countermeasures can be taken. PTZ cameras can automatically zoom in and track the object to get images of evidential quality, audible alarms can be broadcast to frighten away trespassers and emails or text messages can be sent to notify security personnel.

For more information about IP CCTV, the Cware management platform and Video Analysis click here.

HD can improve the quality of CCTV

Mike Tennent of Tavcom Training sets out the next part of his response to Controlware’s Mark Harraway argument that IP is here and offers more than hybrid or analogue systems. 

In the face of this Beauty and Beast IP conundrum there is a very strong case for enterprising suppliers and integrators to provide hybrid security solutions for their clients. Cost effective systems can be deployed – and sensible Operational Requirements achieved – by using the best of the client’s existing equipment whilst bringing the control and management of the scheme ‘bang up to date’.

For example, I am aware of the new technology from JVC that enables the use of High Definition (HD) cameras across existing coaxial cable runs and produces quite stunning real time pictures of 25 to 30 images per second over 500 metres or so. This sort of innovative design thinking will save the user thousands of pounds, dollars or yen because, when using this system, there is only a need to upgrade to HD technology when the picture quality being produced by conventional cameras fails to meet a specific need.

HD is upon us and it will be commonly available in the 16:9 format in the blink of an eye. That, of course, means we will require even MORE bandwidth for IP solutions, even more storage space for the recorded images although – if we don’t compress or manipulate the CCTV images any more than we do nowadays with the resultant alarming reduction in picture quality – there will certainly be a marked improvement in imagery!

To read the original “Dont Go Hybrid” article click here.

To read from the beginning of the Tavcom posts click here.

Is IP the new kid on the block for CCTV?

IP is here and offers more than hybrid or analogue systems. So Mark Harraway argues here. Mike Tennent of Tavcom Training sets out the next part of his response below.

It is arguable that these traditional attitudes and problems may well affect the long term success and effectiveness of the new IP technology. For now, however, it is the new and very popular kid on the security block that can do no wrong! For many, in fact, it is now the only kid on the block … but with good reason? Let’s have a look at some of the arguments being put out about by the providers of ‘IP-only’ solutions. Many suppliers have a very narrow focal plane and say it is now the sole way forward and that there should be no other method of designing, installing and operating CCTV systems.

At Tavcom we have been teaching IP and networking solutions for the industry for the past 10 years now and I have always agreed with the opinion of thousands of installers and end users that whilst IP technology in concept is first class, in practice there are many instances where there is an insufficient supply of bandwidth to provide the images specified by the users for their operational needs.

What do you think? Is IP the only way forward for CCTV?

To read the original “Dont Go Hybrid” article click here.

To read from the beginning of the Tavcom posts click here.

Is IP CCTV Beauty and the Beast rolled into one?

Mike Tennent of Tavcom Training responds to “Dont go hybrid” by Mark Harraway of Controlware.

A simple analogy is that TCP resembles the sending of a registered envelope to a customer who must acknowledge receipt of the consignment with a signature. UDP is like sending an ordinary letter … you never really know if it arrives! So, in essence, this is really no different, in transmission terms, from coaxial cable, optical fibre, twisted pair, microwave, laser or other free space methods.

I suppose cynically-minded people would identify IP as Beauty and the Beast rolled into one! The beauties of IP are that today’s world is increasingly computer-based, the infrastructure of cable is built in, the young people of today are largely computer literate and the transfer of information from computer to computer is so much easier and quicker to perform than old, traditional methods of tape. The beastly part of the analogy is the inability to get a picture from A to B as quickly as you can on many other other forms of transmission. IP produces some form of latency (delay) across the newtwork. This may be perfectly acceptable to many but totally inappropriate in other cases. There is also an issue as to how many cameras can be used on one system at a time.

To read the original “Dont Go Hybrid” article click here.

To read from the beginning of the Tavcom posts click here.