IPfocus - IP UserGroup

IPfocusIP-in-ActionDiscreet MOBOTIX solution protects staff and students atThe Vallé Academy for the Performing ArtsMOBOTIX AG, a leading manufacturer of digital highresolution,network-based video security systemshave released details of an installation of itsMOBOTIX CCTV solution which is helping to discretelyprotect students and staff at The Vallé Academy ofPerforming Arts.Since being founded in 1994 by Corinne Vallé, TheVallé Academy has been teaching acting, singing anddance to students from all walks of life and of allages. Based at studios in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire,the Academy now has over 500 students andteachers regularly participating in classes 7 days aweek.With a strong “family” atmosphere, the Academy haddecided that some form of CCTV could enhance theenvironment and provide added comfort for bothstudents and staff, especially during late nightclasses or during the securing of the premises at theend of the day.“We have never had any trouble on the premises but,I guess it’s a sign of the times, that we startedlooking at CCTV last year,” comments Steve Wortley,Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Academy.Steve Wortley approached local CCTV firmDuplications Ltd for advice, “What we needed was aCCTV solution that was simple to operate, veryreliable and could be accessed remotely without theneed for expensive communication equipment.”Based on recommendation, The Academy selected afour camera Mobotix solution which wasimplemented by Duplications over two days. Thesystem provides coverage over the key entrancepoints, main public areas and parking area but isexcluded from studios or rehearsal spaces to ensureprivacy.Due to Mobotix’s innovative Q24 hemisphericcamera, The Academy only needed one camera inthe main foyer area. Thanks to the 360° all-roundview, the Q24 is able to capture an entire area. With apanorama function and a quad view, the camera canshow images from four different anglessimultaneously. Currently the MOBOTIX Q24 is theonly product on the market that offers thisfunctionality and reduces the amount of camerasneeded to provide surveillance of a large area.MOBOTIX cameras record approximately 30 timesmore details than 95% of all existing video systemsworldwide. In virtually all applications, one MOBOTIXcamera can replace several standard CCTV systemsbecause MOBOTIX technology offers up to four timesmore coverage.“The system has worked flawlessly since we got itand the quality, both during the day and at night isvery impressive,” comments Steve, “But one of thebest features is the ability to quickly log into anycamera from any PC in the building or from anothersite via our standard broadband connection.”Although there have been no incidents within theAcademy requiring CCTV evidence, Steve has usedthe accessibility of the system to help police with asuspect caught on its external camera for a robberyof nearby premises. The high resolution Mobotix Dayand Night lenses has also allowed the perpetrator ofa minor act of graffiti to be identified and cautionedby the police.“The MOBOTIX cameras are reliable, unobtrusive andeasy to operate and have blended in nicely with ourethos of a peaceful and happy creative community,”Steve concludes.Increasing police interest in systems for custody suites and video interviewsVicon reports that its stand at the 2010 HOSDBexhibition and conference attracted a largenumber of visitors, many of whom wereparticularly interested in the company’s videomanagement systems for police custody suitesand prisons. Vicon also report strong interest inits portable and static vulnerable witnessinterview recording systems.It took place on 16-18th March in Farnborough, theevent was organised by the Home Office ScientificDevelopment Branch, a government agency whichexists to research and develop science andtechnology so that both may be effectivelydeployed by the various law enforcementagencies.“The manufacturing of surveillance equipment forcustody suites and prisons is a major part of ourbusiness and this show was therefore veryimportant to us,” said Richard Allen-Miles, Vicon’sSales Director for the UK and Ireland. “We were20_issue 27delighted not just with the level of interest fromthe delegates but also with the opportunity toengage with key figures within the HOSDB toensure Vicon’s thinking in terms of future productrequirements is aligned with their own. As thesupplier of choice for surveillance systems in thepolice and prison sector, we are committed todelivering tomorrow’s policing requirements aswell as today’s.”The three day show also gave Vicon theopportunity to demonstrate its specialised cellcameras which incorporate the necessary featuresessential for providing in-cell monitoring,including privacy masking, IR illumination and ofcourse a high degree of vandal resistance. Thepolice and custodial market sectors haveparticularly demanding requirements in respect ofvideo recording and Vicon were able todemonstrate its comprehensive range of recordingplatforms. Also on show were Vicon’s range of IPcameras including the new 2 Megapixel camerarange.Police and prison authorities are increasinglyshowing interest in IP/network based videosurveillance solutions and Vicon demonstrated itscapability in this area with its virtual matrixcontroller which allows IP video streams to becontrolled and displayed in the same way astraditional analogue matrices.