2006 News

 

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18 December 2006 - IP Video Analytics Ensures Airport Safety

Hoboken, N.J. – Schiphol, Amsterdam’s International Airport, is using IndigoVision’s advanced IP Video analytics to prevent accidental or malicious intrusion onto runway and hanger areas. With over 20m passengers passing through the Netherlands’ busiest airport each year, the airport operators were eager to install the latest technology to help improve the safety and security of aircraft movements.

The analytics algorithms, which are part of IndigoVision’s complete end-to-end IP Video solution, run in real time at the camera ensuring that operations staff in the dedicated control room are alerted automatically to intrusions as they are detected. This ensures a timely response to any potential emergency or security situation.

Seventeen fixed CCTV cameras cover the active airside area of the airport and these are connected back to the control room via a hybrid fiber and wireless LAN. The analytics mode ‘Virtual Tripwire’ is used to designate unauthorized areas in each camera’s field of view. Whenever a vehicle or person crosses into these areas an alarm is automatically triggered and the appropriate camera view is displayed in the control room. The system was designed and installed by GTN Systems, IndigoVision’s Dutch based approved integrator.

“It is not possible to implement such a system using traditional analog video systems, because of the distances involved and the need to use real time analytics,” said Dr Oliver Vellacott, IndigoVision’s CEO. “The combination of IP Video and wireless networks is opening up a whole new range of applications for CCTV, particularly for site-wide monitoring of rail networks, ports and airports”.

‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video and alarm management software, allows the operations staff in the control room to view live and recorded video from any of the cameras. All video is recorded on two of IndigoVision’s Network Video Recorders (NVRs), providing up to 14 days of continuous real time recording. The operations staff can also run the same analytics on the recorded video for post event analysis.

Each camera connects to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver unit installed with the camera. The 8000 converts the camera signal to DVD quality, high-resolution digital video for transmission over the LAN. The LAN is based on an existing fiber network installed within the airport building which was extended using a fault tolerant wireless mesh network. The furthest camera is located nearly 1 mile from the control room. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures that the operations staff can view and record CCTV images that are indistinguishable from analog while minimizing bandwidth on the LAN.

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7 December 2006 - Up to 50% Bandwidth and Storage Savings with New IndigoVision H.264 IP Video Range

Hoboken, N.J. – IndigoVision has launched a range of IP Video products supporting H.264. The new 9000 range includes updated versions of products currently available in the 8000 range: transmitters, IP domes and Network Video Recorders (NVRs). ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s class-leading video and alarm management software has also been updated for the 9000 range. IndigoVision partners can therefore install a complete end-to-end IP Video solution based on the latest H.264 compression technology.

The 9000 range provides the same high quality, low-latency video that has been consistently delivered by 8000 MPEG-4 based systems but with a reduction of up to 50% in bandwidth and storage requirement – or to put it another way, 9000 based systems can deliver significantly higher video quality for the same bandwidth. IndigoVision will be selling the new 9000 products alongside the existing 8000 range, providing a wider choice of solutions to the end user. Importantly, the new 9000 range is fully compatible with the current 8000 products, ensuring that any existing IndigoVision installations can be upgraded with products from either range.

The 9000 products use IndigoVision’s own custom designed FPGA-based H.264 hardware codec. This was designed by IndigoVision, as a natural development of the previously successful MPEG-4 design used in the 8000 and offers a number of distinct advantages. The custom design has been tailored for use in CCTV systems, for example, extra compression can be achieved when there is low activity in the video – a situation common in many surveillance applications. Advanced coding techniques mean that high-quality video can be maintained during fast-moving activity without frames being dropped. The in-house designed codec also ensures IndigoVision can provide low cost, high performance encoding of 4SIF 30fps video that is fully compliant with H.264 and use of FPGA allows field upgrade as compression standards advance.

IndigoVision’s analytics algorithms can be run in real time in the 9000 transmitters and IP domes. This means that the analytics are located at the edge of the network, i.e. at the camera, making the IP Video solution totally scalable. CCTV operators can therefore detect events as they happen in cases such as congestion, pilfering, cars parked too long outside a building or people moving the wrong way through security checkpoints. Real-time analytics lead to further reductions in the bandwidth requirement and improvements in incident detection hit rates.

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22 November 2006 - Budapest Adopts Wireless IP Video Surveillance

Hoboken, N.J. – Budapest has adopted IndigoVision’s complete end-to-end IP Video solution to provide citywide CCTV surveillance. The new system is helping the Budapest authorities increase public safety with remote monitoring of public places, tourist spots and parking areas.

The system was installed by IndigoVision’s local partner Erando Ltd, and consists of 68 dome cameras monitoring the 14th District around central Budapest. At the heart of the system is ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video and alarm management software, installed in the central control room situated at the district police station. Five operators each use a ‘Control Center’ PC workstation, four monitoring live video feeds and one analyzing recorded video. The recording of all the camera video is accomplished by using IndigoVision’s Network Video Recorder (NVR) software. ‘Control Center’, which was fully translated into Hungarian, enables the operators to view live or recorded video from any camera or NVR, anywhere on the IP network. “This application is one of many city-wide monitoring systems that IndigoVision has recently installed,” said Dr Oliver Vellacott, IndigoVision’s CEO. “Traditional analog CCTV technology is not suited to the large distances involved in wide-area surveillance such as city centers, road and rail networks, ports and airports. IP-based systems are also well suited for extending existing CCTV installations and creating a hybrid solution that utilizes existing investment and creates a foundation for migration to full IP Video in the future.”

Erando has installed a wireless network around the central district that accommodates the current system and has additional capacity and range for expansion in the future. Each dome camera is connected to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver unit which converts the analog feed to DVD quality full-frame rate digital video for transmission over the wireless network. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology minimizes bandwidth requirements and ensures that the operators at the police station view video that is comparable to analog.

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7 November 2006 - Hollywood Casino Chooses IndigoVision IP Solution

Hoboken, N.J. – IndigoVision, the leading provider of IP Video solutions, has been awarded its largest ever US contract to supply an integrated IP Video system for the new casino complex at the Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center, Hollywood, Florida. This IndigoVision solution is being deployed in full compliance with Florida Gaming Board regulations.

IndigoVision’s IP Video technology was chosen following evaluation of several digital video solutions.

“The key factor for IndigoVision was our performance guarantee that all video would be DVD-quality, 4SIF, 30fps and that no frames would be dropped”, said Steve Wright, IndigoVision’s US SE Regional Sales Manager. “This was a fundamental requirement of the Gaming Board and the Casino operator. Any dropped frames within a video clip could hide fraudulent or criminal activity and make any customer disputes more difficult to resolve”.

Redundancy and reliability of the system was another important factor in choosing IndigoVision. Gaming Board regulations dictate that the casino can only use a gaming table or slot machine if video is being recorded; therefore any downtime would have immediate commercial implications.

The system was designed and is being installed by Miami based Aware Digital, Inc., and will consist of over 550 cameras controlled by ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video and alarm management software. ‘Control Center’ provides control, administration and viewing of the live camera feeds and recorded video over the IP network. Video recording will be achieved with eight server-based Network Video Recorders (NVRs), with over 70TB of storage. This will allow recording for 30 days of continuous full frame rate video from all cameras and ‘Control Center’ provides a suite of tools that enable super-fast location of events within large amounts of footage. IndigoVision’s efficient compression technology and Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) minimize requirements for bandwidth and storage for recorded video.

The CCTV cameras will be connected to the network via IndigoVision’s 10-way transmitter/receiver racks. These convert analog video to MPEG-4 high-quality digital video for transmission over the network. The security control center in the new complex will house more then 10 terminals running ‘Control Center’ software and a video-wall driven by high-end ‘Control Center’ PCs.

This landmark project is the largest US installation of IndigoVision equipment to date and demonstrates that IP Video technology is now a mature platform for the demanding CCTV requirements of casino operations, which need high resolution video images and fast analysis of recorded footage. IndigoVision’s solution is fully compliant with Gaming Board regulations and shows that MPEG-4 digital video is as good as, if not better than, analog. IP Video provides many benefits compared with traditional analog CCTV systems, such as scalability, real-time camera-based analytics and fault tolerant configurations.

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26 October 2006 - IndigoVision Scoops Prestigious Frost & Sullivan Award

Hoboken, N.J. – IndigoVision, the leading supplier of IP Video and Alarm management solutions, has been honored by Frost & Sullivan with the prestigious 2006 Technology Innovation and Leadership of the Year Award in the European security industry. This award has been presented in recognition of IndigoVision’s advanced strategies for product and technological development of IP Video solutions for CCTV applications.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation and Leadership of the Year is bestowed each year upon the company that has demonstrated excellence in technology innovation and leadership within their industry.

“IndigoVision has demonstrated technology leadership by excelling in all stages of the technology life cycle - incubation, adaptation, take-up and maturity - to ensure a continuous flow of improvements,” said Frost & Sullivan Energy and Environment Practice Director, John Raspin. “The company is constantly striving to upgrade and improve its systems. The combination of a highly skilled in-house research and development team with a customer-focused approach has enabled it to stay ahead in the IP video security market.”

IndigoVision’s complete end-to-end IP Video and Alarm Management system controls the transmission and storage of live-network video for security surveillance applications. IndigoVision designs and manufactures every aspect of the system from the hardware components through to ‘Control Center’, its flagship video and alarm management software. The company currently works with over 140 systems integrator and installer partners across the world.

IndigoVision has thousands of installations around the world including two recent Olympic Games, the 2006 soccer World Cup in Germany, 6 major rail networks, 2 of the world’s top 5 banks and 26 major airports. These solutions deliver excellent video and audio, markedly reduced storage costs and enable rapid access to recorded footage.

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23 October 2006 - 50% Cost Saving with Re-deployable Wireless IP-CCTV

Hoboken, N.J. – IndigoVision’s IP Video technology is providing a unique re-deployable CCTV system for Swindon town center, UK. The system is operated by the Swindon Town Center Management Team which assists the police and other partners in reducing anti-social behavior, shore theft and other criminal activity. Like many towns, their previous CCTV system did not provide surveillance of the more remote areas where criminal activity often shifted in order to avoid the cameras – a problem that the Swindon Team was eager to solve.

Under the Swindon Crime Reduction Initiative Partnership (SCRIP), ATEC Security, IndigoVision’s local partner, worked closely with the Swindon Team to assess the most effective way to carry out remote surveillance of key locations without incurring the costs or limitations associated with traditional fixed analog town center CCTV systems. The solution was to develop a re-deployable CCTV camera system using IndigoVision’s ‘Control Center’ software and wireless IP Video technology to provide remote surveillance and to gather evidential standard CCTV images.

Bernie Maguire, from SCRIP said, “ATEC and IndigoVision provided a truly innovative solution. They took the time to understand our needs and designed a system that was not only 50% cheaper to acquire, but one that will save us 50% per year in ongoing revenue costs compared with a traditional CCTV solution.”

‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video and alarm management software allows simultaneous viewing and recording of images from any of the re-deployable cameras. Recording is achieved on an IndigoVision 1.5TB RAID 5 Network Video Recorder (NVR). Video from the strategically deployed cameras is transmitted wirelessly via line-of-site and a number of relay base stations, back to the control room. This allows the cameras to be re-deployed between base stations without re-configuration. The vandal-proof camera housings were developed especially for this project and contain a Metal Mickey® camera, an IndigoVision 8000 unit, wireless transmitter and power supply and an optional heavy duty rechargeable battery so the cameras can be deployed in locations without local power supplies. The 8000 units convert the camera signal to DVD quality, high-resolution digital video for transmission over the wireless network. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures that the control room staff can view CCTV images that are indistinguishable from analog while minimizing bandwidth on the wireless network.

The unique approach adopted by ATEC was recognized at the IFSEC 2006 Awards where it was one of the finalists in the “Most Innovative Security Project” category.

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6 October 2006 - IndigoVision IP Video System Deployed at Munich Airport

Hoboken, N.J. – IndigoVision’s advanced IP Video system has been installed at Munich Airport as part of recent security enhancements. Munich is one of Europe’s fastest growing airports with nearly 30m passengers expected through its two terminals in 2006.

In accordance with new European Union regulations requiring that all airport employees undergo the same security checks as passengers when entering the secure airside area, Munich Airport undertook a security reconfiguration of its staff access points. This included scanners, security arches and CCTV surveillance, for which Munich airport chose IndigoVision’s IP Video technology. The main reason for choosing IndigoVision’s solution was the ability to deliver high quality 4 CIF 25 fps digital video with minimum impact on the network bandwidth.

The new security measures were installed in both Terminals by IPPI GmbH, IndigoVision’s local approved integrator. The furthest camera was located approximately 1.5 miles from the central control room, the main monitoring point for the airport’s entire 1800 camera CCTV system and the new IP Video solution. The system was interfaced to both the existing digital MJPEG system in Terminal Two and the analog matrix system in Terminal One. This allowed users of the existing CCTV systems to have access to the images from the new secure access areas.

IndigoVision’s CEO, Oliver Vellacott said, “IP Video was an ideal choice for this application as it provided high-quality MPEG-4 CCTV images from cameras located over a large area of the airport and a flexible interface path to the existing hybrid mix of CCTV systems. Extending the existing systems would have been far more expensive and would not provide the same level of scalability for the future.”

In addition, the existing analog cameras in the parking areas were connected to the new network system to improve the overall level of security for those areas. A local monitoring system was established for the parking area using IndigoVision’s ‘Control Center’ enterprise video and alarm management software and a Network Video Recorder (NVR). Advanced motion detection was installed in the parking area ensuring critical events were alerted and recorded. ‘ Control Center’ is a highly scaleable application which allows local and remote control of any CCTV system, from an entry-level system with a small number of cameras, to a large installation with several thousand cameras. In conjunction with IndigoVision's compression and transmission technology and NVRs, ‘Control Center’ provides a complete integrated end-to-end solution for digital CCTV.   

In total the IP Video network accommodates 43 cameras for the new access areas and 23 existing cameras from the parking areas. The cameras are a mix of fixed and dome cameras and are connected to the network via IndigoVision’s stand-alone and rack mounted transmitter/receiver units. These units convert the camera signal to DVD quality, high-resolution digital video, for transmission over the airport’s existing LAN. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures that the CCTV images are indistinguishable from analog while minimizing bandwidth on the LAN. The transmitter/receiver units were also used to convert the network video back to analog for local displays at the screening points and for interfacing to the existing analog CCTV infrastructure.

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22 September 2006 - IndigoVision Monitors Network of Hydroelectric Power Plants

Hoboken, N.J. – IndigoVision’s IP Video technology is providing remote monitoring for Verbund Group hydroelectric power plants along the River Danube in Austria. Verbund is the largest power generation company in Austria and derives over 90% of its generating capacity from renewable hydro power. Previously all power plants and facilities were monitored by local analog CCTV systems with continuously manned control rooms.

Within 5-6 years Verbund plans to convert all 88 hydroelectric power plants and over 40 transformer stations to centrally monitored facilities using an IP Video infrastructure supplied by IndigoVision.

This innovative IP Video solution was designed by IndigoVision’s local partner C&C Salzgeber GmbH, and currently encompasses 3 of the 9 hydro plants along the River Danube network. The central command center for the Danube network is located at the Vienna Freudenau plant and is connected to the other plants via a 2Mbit WAN with transmission distances of between 18 to 186 miles.

“The key to the success of this project is the ability to transmit high quality video images over large distances with minimum bandwidth requirements,” says Ing. Juhani-Michael Haider, Project Technician at Verbund. “IndigoVision’s technology is field-proven and easily met the criteria. It has also provided us with a system that can be simply scaled up when new plants are added in the future.”

‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video and alarm management software is used at the central command center to provide a fully redundant backup to Verbund’s existing plant monitoring system. ‘Control Center’ is at the heart of IndigoVision’s complete end-to-end IP Video solution and allows staff to view live video from any of the cameras, at any of the plants. Even though the video from each plant is currently not recorded, IndigoVision’s Network Video Recorders (NVRs) can be added to any point on the network to provide fault-tolerant and secure recording.

The existing analog cameras at each plant are connected to IndigoVision transmitter/receiver modules, in the form of racks or individual 8000 units. These modules convert the camera signal to DVD quality, highresolution digital video for transmission over the network. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures that the Command Center staff can view CCTV images that are indistinguishable from analog while minimizing network bandwidth. There are typically about 10 analog cameras at each plant that are connected to the network.

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19 September 2006 - IndigoVision Powering Ahead

IndigoVision, the leading supplier of IP Video and Alarm management solutions, has announced its intention to dramatically increase its global sales force following the release of preliminary results for the year ending July 31, 2006. IndigoVision’s sales have more than doubled compared to last year, far outperforming its competitors in this increasingly important sector of the security market. Sales for the first two months of this year also show similar dramatic growth.

“As the market continues to shift from analog CCTV to digital, we are confident that the rapid sales growth will continue,” Oliver Vellacott, IndigoVision’s CEO said. “Our worldwide sales team has grown from 4 to 26 over the last two years and we expect to recruit at a similar level in the current year.”

IndigoVision has over 1000 installations around the world including two recent Olympic Games, the 2006 soccer World Cup in Germany, 6 major rail networks, 2 of the world’s top 5 banks and 26 major airports. IndigoVision completely owns its technology, including a rich suite of hardware products and ‘Control Center’ its flagship Video and Alarm Management software.

The company reported an increase in sales to US$14.2m from US$6.5m last year, with pre-tax profits of US$827,000, in contrast to a loss of US$3.6m in the previous year. The full results statement is available from www.indigovision.com/investorrelations.htm

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30 August 2006 - Seaport Embraces IP Video for Site-Wide CCTV Surveillance

The Port of Turku, Finland's second largest seaport, has invested in IndigoVision's complete end-to-end IP Video solution to provide an innovative approach to site surveillance. More than four million tons of cargo and over four million passengers pass through the port every year and safety and security are paramount to the port's operation.

The CCTV system includes numerous dome cameras, providing high-quality digital images via a wireless WiMAX LAN, which spans approximately a six mile area around the port. The cameras provide surveillance for the main entrance, parking lots, the port's rail network, the docks and the approaching seaways. In addition the port operates a mobile CCTV vehicle that provides flexible surveillance quickly and easily to any area around the port. The vehicle is based on a standard sedan and is equipped with a range of environmental sensors, for measuring parameters such as radioactivity and toxic gases, as well as a wireless CCTV camera and monitor. Should a large or unusual ship enter the port, the vehicle can be dispatched to monitor the event in areas that are not covered by the fixed cameras. Local systems integrator Taitotekniikka worked with IndigoVision to design the system which resulted in considerable savings for the port operator compared with a traditional analog CCTV solution.

'Control Center', IndigoVisio's enterprise video and alarm management software, allows the security staff at the central control room to view live and recorded video from any of the cameras. In addition the control room staff use analog monitors and keyboard/joysticks to complement 'Control Center'. Recording is accomplished using three of IndigoVision’s 800GB RAID configured Network Video Recorders (NVRs). Each dome is pole mounted, high above the ground, and connects to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver unit installed with the camera. The 8000 converts the camera signal to DVD quality, highresolution digital video for transmission over the wireless LAN. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures that the security staff can view and record CCTV images that are indistinguishable from analog while minimizing bandwidth on the wireless LAN. The system also uses IndigoVision's Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) built into the 8000s. This reduces the video frame rate during periods of scene inactivity, which minimizes bandwidth demands on the wireless LAN and NVR storage requirements.

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25 August 2006 - Wireless IP Video Protects Construction of Exclusive Singapore Development

IndigoVision is providing wireless IP Video technology to protect the construction of the exclusive Sentosa Cove development in Singapore. Originally conceived to emulate the waterfront resorts on the French Riviera, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Sentosa Cove is an oceanfront enclave of 2,500 well-appointed residences expected to be completed by 2010.

The construction of the first phase is due for completion at the end of 2006 and is protected by a mixture of 50 fixed and PTZ outdoor dome cameras. Supplied by local system partner Spiraltech Pte Ltd, the surveillance provides security as well as overseeing the health and safety of the construction site. The flexibility of the wireless IP Video solution allows the cameras to be easily re-sited as the construction site develops. Furthermore, when the construction is complete many of the wireless IP camera positions will be re-deployed to provide permanent monitoring for the resort’s roads and perimeter.

“The ease with which the cameras can be re-deployed highlights the flexibility and cost effectiveness of wireless IP Video compared with analog CCTV,” said Dr Oliver Vellacott, CEO. “The combination of IP Video and wireless networks is opening up a range of new applications for CCTV, particularly for wide-area surveillance such as rail networks, ports and airports.”

Each analog dome is connected to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver unit. The 8000 converts the camera signal to DVD quality, high-resolution digital video for transmission over the wireless LAN. At the security guard house further 8000s are used to convert the digital video back to analog for display and recording in a traditional control room configuration. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures the security guards receive CCTV images that are indistinguishable from analog whilst minimizing bandwidth on the wireless LAN. Low latency of the digital video ensures smooth operation of the remote PTZ camera controls.

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21 July 2006 - New IP Video Integrated Analytics Suite

IndigoVision has launched a suite of advanced analytics integrated within its complete end-to-end IP Video system. These algorithms run both in real-time on live video and also on recorded video using ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video and alarm management software. Deploying real-time analytics at the camera enables fewer employees to monitor more cameras allowing more personnel to work in the field. Live demonstrations of the new advanced analytics suite will be available throughout the ASIS show in San Diego, CA on booth #629.

“IndigoVision's goal is to provide sophisticated analytics as an integral part of our market leading IP Video management solution,” said Dr Oliver Vellacott, CEO. “Automating the real time detection of incidents frees up valuable operator resource and having the same set of tools available to analyze large volumes of recorded footage dramatically reduces the time to locate critical events, enabling timely response to emergency situations.”

IndigoVision’s new analytics include:
• Congestion Detection
• Motion Detection
• Abandoned Object Detection
• Counter Flow
• Virtual Tripwire
• Shape-Based Detection
• Object Tracking and Theft Detection.

All of these can be run in real-time at the camera or post-event on recorded video. Real time analytics run in the 8000 Transmitters connected to analog cameras and in IndigoVision’s dedicated high-end IP domes. This significantly reduces bandwidth requirements on the network and ensures the system is totally scalable. Pre-determined events are identified as they happen, at any camera, and can drive the virtual matrix, e.g. display a salvo on a bank of monitors. Using ‘Control Center’ software, recorded footage stored on IndigoVision’s network video recorders (NVRs) can be analyzed using the same algorithms. Post processing allows operators to run many different scenarios on recorded video, e.g. look for cars parked for a certain time. Enabling analytics in both real-time and post-event modes offers the best of both worlds, using analytics to identify events as they occur, and also providing advanced search tools for operators to analyze previous situations.

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17 July 2006 - IndigoVision IP Video monitors National Rail Network

NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the Dutch rail authority, is one of the world’s busiest rail systems with 25,000 employees operating over one million passenger journeys every day. NS is currently operating over 385 full service rail stations throughout the Netherlands and running approximately 5000 train journeys every day. To protect so many stations, it was neither practical nor cost effective to locate CCTV monitoring staff at every station and so a centralized remote monitoring system was developed.

A nationwide fiber network had already been put in place in parallel to the rail network and so an IP video solution was the obvious choice for CCTV surveillance. NS employed local consultant Movares Nederland B.V. to source the best IP solution. Following a comprehensive evaluation IndigoVision’s IP Video technology was chosen for its high-quality video, low video latency and future-proof architecture. It was important that the operators could not tell the difference between IndigoVision’s digital video and equivalent analog images. Low video latency also ensured effective camera PTZ control, even across the large distances between the remote monitoring centre and the stations. NS were keen to embrace future technologies such as analytics so future-proofing was also an important requirement.

Over a period of 18 months over 200 of IndigoVision’s 8000 transmitter/receiver modules were installed on 12 stations around the network, with the largest single installation of 96 cameras. Over the coming years the system will be expanded to accommodate more and more stations. Each 8000 unit was installed with a camera in a special outdoor housing to provide a weatherproof, vandal deterrent IP camera package. The 8000s convert the analog camera feed to DVD-quality digital video for transmission over the 100Mb/s Ethernet fiber network. Data from the remote monitoring centre is also decoded by the 8000 for local PTZ control.

Without changing the existing installed hardware, NS can add the recently launched advanced analytics package from IndigoVision. This will give NS a wide range of additional features such as Congestion Detection - to automatically alert operators if platforms get too busy; Virtual Tripwire - to detect if people fall onto the tracks; and Object Detection – to detect if bags have been left unattended at the stations.

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4 July 2006 - IP Video Enhances Police Operation

A complete IndigoVision IP Video solution has been installed in the Barrie Police Service headquarters in Ontario. The system provides 24- hour surveillance for all parts of the police operation including interview and booking rooms, sally ports, operation centre and detention cells.

The IP Video system provides DVD-quality full frame rate images for both routine monitoring of the station and recorded video for evidentiary purposes that meets the requirements of the Canadian Federal and Provincial Crown Attorney and Courts of Law for admissible camera evidence.

Working in partnership with consultants, Securac Inc., and systems integrator, Northern Video Systems, IndigoVision supplied a solution based around ‘Control Center’, its IP video and alarm management software. Situated in a new fully redundant control room, the software provides control, administration and viewing of the live camera feeds and recorded video over the network. Video recording is achieved using 4 Windows based Network Video Recorders (NVRs).

When video clips are exported from the NVR they are protected by a dual layer encryption system comprising of both digital signature and watermarking technology. Subsequent tampering of the video, whether malicious or accidental, can then be easily detected. Protection of exported video is important to ensure that vital information, such as the time and date, duration and content of the video clip is accurately preserved for evidential purposes and that frames have not been inserted, re-ordered or amended.

Surveillance is provided by 47 CCTV cameras connected to the IP network via IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver modules. 18 of these cameras were from the original system and 29 were newly installed. The 8000 units convert the analog camera signal to MPEG-4 high-quality digital video for transmission over the network. Any new cameras in the future can be installed at any point on the network without the need to install additional cabling, a truly scalable solution unlike analog CCTV systems.

Following an exhaustive assessment of a variety of digital video solutions, IndigoVision’s IP Video technology was chosen because of its high-quality full frame rate video, field proven technology and local partner support. Access to the system is controlled by the User Profile facilities in ‘Control Center’. These restrict or enable access for users on a camera by camera basis across the network. For example the Station Duty Officers have access to view a limited number of cameras, whereas the Staff Sergeant has administration rights to view all the cameras.

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21 June 2006 - Stuttgart Invests in IP Video for Football World Cup

The city of Stuttgart has installed an IndigoVision integrated IP Video solution as part of its security system for the 2006 Football World Cup being held in Germany.

The new system has upgraded and extended the existing analog CCTV infrastructure to provide monitoring for the city’s transport network in a 16M/30Km radius around the stadium. The CCTV surveillance inside the stadium has also been updated to IP Video to provide a totally integrated solution that delivers continuous high-quality, 25fps video to several control centers around the city.

The overall system is divided into three rings of surveillance covering specific areas. Each ring is monitored by different officials in separate control rooms, for example ring 1 monitors the inside of the main train station and is controlled by the police. Ring 2 is the FIFA area and constitutes the stadium and surrounding area; this is controlled by the event organizer from the stadium and is mainly concerned with crowd control. Ring 3 provides surveillance for the city’s roads, tunnels, airport, tram and rail network and is controlled by the police’s traffic operation. Even though each ring has its own focus and infrastructure, the IP video network allows any camera to be viewed by any ring - a truly flexible integrated system.

‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise alarm and video management software, is at the heart of the system and provides the city’s control rooms with the ability to manage the viewing of live and recorded video over the network, from any of the cameras. Video recording is achieved using IndigoVision’s Windows based Network Video Recorders (NVRs). The flexibility of the system and the power of ‘Control Center’ software were the key determinants for selecting the IndigoVision solution. Extensive user access controls can be configured in ‘Control Center’ to ensure video from sensitive areas controlled by the police is not available to the event organizer, for example.

The existing analog CCTV subsystems around the city and the individual cameras within the stadium are all connected to the network using over 60 IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver units. These convert the analog camera signal to MPEG-4 high-quality digital video for transmission over the network and receive PTZ control data for local camera control.

This project shows how easily an existing analog CCTV system can be migrated to a network IP solution. The system was installed in less than 2 weeks by the local system integrator, PKE Germany, a far shorter timeframe than required for a traditional CCTV installation. After the World Cup, Stuttgart City will expand the system further by adding additional cameras to the network for the monitoring of tunnels, roads and pedestrian areas.

For further information contact IndigoVision Ltd., on Tel: +44 (0)131 475 7200, Fax: +44 (0)131 475 7201

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30 May 2006 - IP Video Protects Santa Monica Landmarks

IndigoVision’s complete IP Video solution is providing the innovative technology behind the new $1.3m City of Santa Monica Public Security Video System. Installed by Federal Network Services, the 123 camera system is fully integrated with the City’s existing security network. The advanced CCTV system helps local officials detect and investigate suspicious activity, including potential acts of terrorism, around the Pier and Third Street Promenade - Santa Monica’s popular landmark areas.

Security staff at the City’s Public Safety Facility remotely monitor live and recorded video using ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s IP video and alarm management software. Continuous full-frame rate video recording is achieved using IndigoVision’s Network Video Recorder (NVR) Software. Each of the 123 external day/night CCTV cameras is connected to the network via IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver modules. The 8000 units convert the analog camera signal to MPEG-4 high-quality digital video for transmission over the City’s IP network.

The IndigoVision IP Video technology was chosen following an exhaustive evaluation of a trial system installed on the Pier and Promenade. The combination of ‘Control Center’ software and the IP network creates a ‘Virtual Matrix’, which is fully scaleable. This means that the Public Security Video System can easily be expanded in the future simply by connecting new cameras to any point on the network. This level of flexibility could not have been achieved using a traditional analog CCTV system. “We are pleased IndigoVision partnered with Federal Network Services on this project,” said Federal Network Services President Doug Chesler. “IndigoVision’s experience in security and monitoring applications was a critical component in building the Santa Monica Public Video Security System.”

The whole system was seamlessly integrated into the City’s existing computer network. IndigoVision’s unique compression technology allows live 30 fps video from all cameras to be transmitted around the network with minimal impact on the available bandwidth and the other IT services using the network.

For further information contact IndigoVision Ltd, on Tel: +44 (0)131 475 7200, Fax: +44 (0)131 475 7201

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16 May 2006 - Casino Banks on IP Video

The Gala Hotel and Casino complex in Douglas on the Isle of Man has installed IndigoVision’s integrated IP Video solution to provide CCTV surveillance for its gaming operation. The system, installed by Zoom CCTV Limited, uses IndigoVision’s ‘Control Center’ enterprise video and alarm management software. ‘Control Center’ provides control, administration and viewing of the live camera feeds and recorded video over the IP network. Video recording is achieved using three 1TB standalone Network Video Recorders (NVRs). The Casino required a flexible system that could be easily and costeffectively expanded to meet their future needs. The combination of ‘Control Center’ and the IP network creates a ‘virtual matrix’, which is flexible and fully scalable unlike an analog matrix in a traditional cabled system.

Twenty-six cameras from the casino’s original installation were re-used by connecting them to IndigoVision’s transmitter/receiver racks. The racks convert the analog camera feeds into 25fps, MPEG-4 high-quality digital video for transmission over the network. Three channels of audio from different areas of the casino are also transmitted over the network and recorded on the NVRs alongside the video.

IndigoVision’s IP Video technology provides an ideal platform for the demanding CCTV requirements of gaming operations, which typically need high-definition video images and fast analysis of recorded footage. The casino’s original system was based on VCR recording technology and required tapes from 20 recorders to be changed every 3 hours. The 3 NVRs now record continuous 25fps high-quality video from all cameras for 21 days. ‘Control Center’ allows a specific recorded video sequence to be quickly and easily located which vastly speeds up the resolution of potential customer disputes. The IndigoVision solution is fully compliant with the local Gaming Board regulations and has significantly improved the efficiency of the casino’s security operation.

“Because of the importance of the CCTV surveillance the casino needed a resilient fault tolerant system and this was provided by IndigoVision’s IP Video solution. In the unlikely event of an NVR going down, all live camera feeds are still available and recording is switched to the other NVRs while the problem is resolved,” says Alan Steedman, Zoom CCTV’s Project Manager.

For further information contact IndigoVision Ltd, on Tel: +44 (0)131 475 7200, Fax: +44 (0)131 475 7201

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9th May 2006 - Automotive Center Gears Up with IP CCTV

IndigoVision’s integrated IP video solution is providing state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance for the new £5 million Automotive Center of Excellence at Gateshead College, UK. The center provides automotive, manufacturing and logistics training and includes a vehicle showroom, workshops and specialist welding facilities all fully supported with extensive IT.

The college wanted a leading edge network based solution to CCTV surveillance and chose IndigoVision over alternative IP based systems because of its video quality, system flexibility and the ability to grow with the College’s future requirements.

The system was designed in co -operation with systems integrator SDA Protec and uses IndigoVision’s Control Center IP video and alarm management software. Control Center provides control, administration and viewing of the live camera feeds and recorded video over the IP network. Video recording is achieved using 2 Standalone IndigoVision Network Video Recorders (NVRs). The combination of Control Center and the IP network creates a ‘virtual matrix’, which is fully scaleable unlike an analog matrix in traditional systems.

Surveillance is provided by 21 IP cameras connected directly to the network and 4 external domes connected to the network via IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver modules. The 8000 units convert the analog camera signal to MPEG-4 high-quality digital video for transmission over the network. The IP cameras combine a professional high-quality CCTV color camera with an IP Video transmitter/receiver in one unit and are powered directly from the IP network. Full PTZ control of the external domes is also achieved over the network.

The whole system was seamlessly integrated into the College’s LAN, which in addition delivers IT and voiceover-IP services. IndigoVision’s unique compression technology allows live 25 fps video from all cameras to be transmitted around the network with minimal impact on the available bandwidth. Control Center also provides integration with the College’s existing alarm receiving centre - another important requirement of the project.

For further information contact IndigoVision Ltd, on Tel: +44 (0)131 475 7200, Fax: +44 (0)131 475 7201

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3 May 2006 - Traffic Monitoring Migrates to IP Video

The challenge facing the traffic monitoring system around Adelaide in South Australia is typical of many analog CCTV systems worldwide – the cost to expand the system is prohibitive. This is why they turned to IndigoVision’s IP Video technology to provide a migration path to a fully digital CCTV system.

South Australia’s Department of Transport had been looking to improve their traffic monitoring systems and recognized that IP network Video was the future for CCTV surveillance.

According to Bob Carter, Senior Technical Officer, “We had assessed many manufacturers and felt that IndigoVision was in another league of its own. Picture quality, feature set and the flexibility to control other equipment made the choice easy.”

The South Eastern Freeway Tunnel project, specified by Rexel Video, was a good example of how IP Video technology can be deployed as part of a migration strategy. The existing CCTV cameras in the tunnel were connected to IndigoVision’s 10-way transmitter/receiver racks. These converted the analog video to MPEG-4, 25fps 4CIF hi-quality digital video for transmission over a newly installed fiber-based network.

It was important that these new additions were seamlessly integrated into the existing CCTV system and that the configuration of the Norwood Traffic Control Center, situated 15km from the tunnel, initially remained unchanged. To achieve this further IndigoVision racks were installed in the Traffic Control Center to convert the digital video from the network to analog, this was then fed into the existing matrix for crosspoint monitor switching. The only difference the operators saw was the significant improvement in the quality of the video from the tunnel cameras. In fact live images from the tunnel can be now be seen featured on television as part of Channel 7’s Early Morning Sunrise traffic report.

This project illustrates the simple migration path an IP Video solution can provide. Existing analog cameras and matrix/switching equipment can be used so that new digital video signals can be integrated into existing configurations. Eventually the analog matrix could be replaced with a “Virtual Matrix”, using IndigoVision’s “Control Center” IP video and alarm management software. This provides a more flexible and scaleable solution for the future and introduces features such as advanced analytics that are difficult to implement on analog systems.

For further information contact IndigoVision Ltd, on Tel: +44 (0)131 475 7200, Fax: +44 (0)131 475 7201

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29 March 2006 - IP CCTV Aids Medical Training

A complete IndigoVision IP Video solution is at the heart of smots™ - a medical training system designed by Scotia UK for the prestigious Oxford Brookes University School of Health & Social Care. Based in a simulated 24-bed ward facility, the innovative system uses specialist cameras to allow tutors and medical students to interact in a live patient care environment.

‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s IP video and alarm management software, is used to manage the viewing of live and recorded network video and audio from each bed. The flexibility of the system allows the tutor to simultaneously monitor all 24 beds remotely and enter into a two-way conversation with students at the bedside - no longer does the consultant have to peer over the student’s shoulder.

Even though ‘Control Center’ is primarily designed for security applications, it was chosen because its features and high quality video and audio easily meet the standards demanded by this type of ‘video conferencing’ application. The video and audio from all training sessions is recorded at full frame rate on 6 IndigoVision standalone Network Video Recorders (NVRs). The system allows the export of video and audio clips to show best practice and allow student review. Each bed is monitored by a dedicated camera which is connected, together with a bedside microphone/speaker, to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver unit. The 8000 then transmits MPEG-4 hiquality 4SIF video and two-way audio onto a local private network. Each camera is under complete PTZ control by the tutor.

For further information contact IndigoVision Ltd, on Tel: +44 (0)131 475 7200, Fax: +44 (0)131 475 7201

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16 February 2006 - IndigoVision Wins 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino

IndigoVision’s IP Video technology is providing the platform for the entire CCTV system at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. The system, spanning the entire Olympic site, consists of 500 cameras managed by ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise video & alarm management software. The system was installed by Elsag, one of Italy’s largest system integrators, and represents the second Olympic Games protected by an IndigoVision solution, following on from the success of the 2000 camera system at Athens in 2004.

Each camera is connected to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver module that encodes the analog signal into MPEG-4 digital video, which is then transmitted to several security command centers via the IP network. Site-wide video recording is achieved using IndigoVision’s Windows based Network Video Recorders (NVRs). Recording and playing back high-quality 25 fps video, the NVRs were installed independent of camera positions, in various locations around the network providing a high level of redundancy – a recording solution that cannot be achieved using traditional DVR technology.

The Control Center software and the network combine together to create a ‘virtual matrix’ that ensures the correct camera feeds are available at the appropriate command centers. ‘Control Center’ also provides all the management and analysis of recorded video from the NVR. Video analytics are used by Elsag to automate the low-level scene monitoring functions, freeing the operators to monitor higher risk areas.

By implementing a CCTV system based on IP Video technology the organizers have ensured a high-degree of flexibility. Existing cameras can easily be moved and new cameras added if needed. All that is required is a connection to any point on the network. This type of wide area CCTV surveillance is just not possible using traditional analog equipment – IP Video is the only practical solution.

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20 January 2006 - High Quality IP Dome Cameras

IndigoVision has developed a range of dedicated IP Dome Cameras for internal and external applications. The units are compatible with IndigoVision’s “Control Center” Video and Alarm Management software and its range of Network Video Recorders (NVRs). These cameras are the latest components to be added to IndigoVision’s integrated IP Video solution.

The domes incorporate a high quality Sony camera module, robust pan, tilt and zoom mechanisms and IndigoVision’s world-leading MPEG-4 encoder technology. Two versions are available; internal and external, with options for wall mounting, ceiling mounting and flush mounting on false ceilings.

These new dome cameras enable simple and easy deployment of IP based video systems as they only require local power and a single CAT 5 cable connection to the network. IndigoVision’s integrated solution also allows advanced features such as Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) and camera-based Analytics, to be deployed in the dome itself – a feature not normally available on stand-alone IP cameras. Incorporating these types of features within the camera provides the user and system with many benefits. For example they reduce the bandwidth and NVR storage requirements during periods of scene inactivity and allow the user to deploy advanced analytics to identify events as they occur in real-time. This coupled with the advanced search tools available for recorded video in “Control Center” provides the best of both worlds for the operator – facilities that can only really be implemented with an integrated IP Video solution.

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