2010 News

 

2010 news - 2009 news  -  2008 news  -  2007 news  -  2006 news  -  2005 news  -  2004 news

3 March 2010 - Czech Themed Shopping Complex Invests in IndigoVision for Surveillance Upgrade

Excalibur City, a themed shopping and entertainment complex in the Czech Republic, has deployed IndigoVision’s complete IP-CCTV solution to enhance the security for its customers and staff. The new upgrade has transformed the surveillance operation, having replaced poor-performing analog/DVR equipment with a distributed network-based digital video system.

Excalibur City is situated near to Znojmo on the border between the Czech Republic and Austria and is home to specialized shops, restaurants, wellness centers, Children’s World and the duty-free outlet ‘EXCALIBUR Free Shop’. The project also includes the monitoring of a new satellite shopping centre located 18 miles away on a different border crossing. The 130 camera system was specified and installed by IndigoVision’s local approved Partner, KPZ electronics s.r.o.

“We set out very demanding requirements for the new CCTV system,” said Mr Dalibor Perinka, Facilities Manager at Excalibur City. “The original cameras were to be reused; the images had to be indistinguishable from high-quality analog pictures and be recorded for a minimum of 3 months; transmission from the satellite shopping centre was not to affect the picture quality or frame-rate; the operators interface had to be intuitive and simple to use and the system had be able to be easily and cost-effectively expanded in the future. Following a live demonstration from competing vendors, IndigoVision was chosen as they were the only company that could meet all of these essential requirements.”

Excalibur City faced many problems with their old CCTV system. The images were poor quality and recorded video held very little useful information. The DVR storage capacity was small and the control room equipment consisted of many different monitors and control units. However, one of their biggest problems was the cost and quality issues associated with relaying video from the new satellite centre 18 miles away, using a leased line. All of these issues have now been solved with the upgrade.

Operators use PC workstations running ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software, to view live and recorded video. These workstations have replaced all of the original outdated control room equipment and because the system is fully distributed, workstations are also located on the desks of the Facilities Manager and the Head of Security. IndigoVision’s advanced H.264 based compression technology allows high-quality video to be streamed across the network with minimal bandwidth requirement, allowing video from the satellite store to be displayed alongside the local cameras without any degradation. This also allowed the entire system to be implemented on the center’s existing IT network, eliminating the old coax cable and removing the need to install new wiring.

“The features offered by ‘Control Center’ have transformed the way we use the CCTV system,” added Perinka. “The use of an interactive map allows us to easily select the right cameras and we can quickly find clips from the recorded video using the advanced motion search facilities. In the event of an incident we can export evidential quality video for the police.”

back to top

24 February 2010 - IndigoVision Secures French Eurotunnel Terminal

In a major CCTV upgrade, Eurotunnel’s French passenger terminal has deployed a widely distributed IP Video solution from IndigoVision. Used for security, traffic management and immigration control, the networked CCTV system has transformed Eurotunnel’s surveillance operation.

Eurotunnel manages the Channel Tunnel fixed link between the UK and France and operates the Shuttle service for tourist vehicles or trucks. It also shares the track with rail freight and passenger trains passing through the Tunnel. As with any major transport hub, Eurotunnel has a demanding and diverse environment for surveillance and security, requiring a distributed system that can deliver high-quality live and recorded video to many different users located throughout the site. The new 340-camera upgrade, which was designed and installed by IndigoVision’s approved Partner, ClearView Communications Ltd, monitors all areas of the operation including passenger terminal, parking areas, loading operation, ticket booths and offices.

“Recent changes in French regulations meant that we decided to upgrade our existing CCTV equipment to a higher specification,” said Sylvain Pamart, Chief Project Manager at Eurotunnel. “We knew we wanted to replace the analog system with a digital virtual matrix to give us the flexibility and scalability required for the new regulations and for future expansion.”

The existing analog system was replaced because it could only record 1fps, SIF resolution video for 3 days, considerably less than the new regulations require. The switching matrix also had little spare capacity and would have been very expensive to upgrade. Eurotunnel now has a surveillance system that can record 25fps at 4SIF for 31 days. In the future, cameras can easily be added at any point on the network, including the latest High-Definition (HD) IP cameras, which can be freely mixed with the existing standard resolution cameras. The hardware footprint has also been considerably reduced, freeing valuable space in the equipment room.

“One of the many reasons we chose IndigoVision was their flexible licensing and pricing model,” continued Pamart. “The company’s Security Management Software is free of charge for viewing camera feeds. We only pay for the channels we record based on the framerate and resolution. Eurotunnel only needs to record at 6fps/2SIF, thereby saving us money; however, should the regulations or our requirements change in the future we can increase this by simply changing the license.”

Operators located in multiple control rooms view live and recorded video using PC workstations running ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software. The wide distribution of the system allows these workstations to be located at any point on the network – a feature that Eurotunnel has used extensively. The various control rooms have combinations of standalone workstations with monitors and traditional video walls and are operated by the security and traffic management departments. With the correct permissions any operator can view any camera from any part of the system.

“The features and analysis tools offered by ‘Control Center’ are excellent,” added Pamart. “The user interface is very intuitive, which ensured the new system was quickly and easily adopted by the operators. ‘Control Center’ software also ensured that Eurotunnel surpassed the requirements of the new regulations, including a full operator audit trail and tamper-proof evidential video.”

Eurotunnel uses advanced analytics to aid their video analysis within ‘Control Center’. For example, analytics can be used to automatically detect vehicles moving in the opposite direction to the normal flow of traffic. These powerful functions allow operators to quickly identify relevant video clips following an incident.

It was very important for Eurotunnel’s IT department to manage a system that was easy to configure and maintain. Using a ‘Control Center’ workstation located in the maintenance office, the support team is instantly notified of a problem or fault with any component in the system. Video recording is achieved using IndigoVision’s standalone Network Video Recorders (NVRs), which are rack mounted in the equipment room. Nineteen 1.5GB NVRs have been installed, together with an additional 3 that are used as backups.

back to top

22 February 2010 - IndigoVision IP Video Transforms County Prosecutor’s Interview Recording

IndigoVision, the leading supplier of complete IP security solutions, has supplied an IP Video surveillance and recording system that has transformed the interview process of Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey.

The Prosecutor's Office currently has a staff in excess of 300 that includes assistant prosecutors, detectives, and clerical and support personnel. The investigative division of the office is supplemented by officers employed by the County Sheriff and the county's 12 municipalities. It is the second largest county prosecutor's office in the State of New Jersey.

The new IP Video system was installed by IndigoVision’s local approved partner ADT and replaced an analog/VCR system that was proving to be inadequate for the demanding application of recording law enforcement interviews. Officers could only view video from a small room adjacent to the interview room itself and longer interviews had to be interrupted to change tapes. IndigoVision’s distributed architecture now allows live and recorded video from any camera to be viewed from anywhere on the network. Redundant and fault tolerant Networked Video Recorders (NVRs) have replaced the unreliable VCRs and removed the need for tape changes. The ability for multiple users to view video over the network has also aided in the investigative process.

“Following an analysis of competing systems we chose IndigoVision’s solution because it delivered the highest quality video and the best audio and video synchronization,” explains Sergeant Gerald Dezenzo, Head of Computer Crimes. “It is vitally important when recording interviews that we have no delay between the audio and video, otherwise it could bring into question the validity of the interview.”

The County Prosecutor’s Office currently work’s out of three buildings and has 25-30 users that monitor live and recorded video from 20 cameras installed in 4 interview rooms, cells and public waiting areas. The Task Force building is home to the Homicide Unit, Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Narcotics Task Force, each of which has its own interview and monitoring room. In addition the SVU also conducts interviews in the Hudson County Child Advocacy Center which is approximately 2 miles away. All of the buildings are connected via a LAN and video from any camera can be viewed from each location.

Officers use PC workstations running ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software (SMS), to view live and recorded video. ‘Control Center’ is licensed on an unrestricted basis within the cost of IndigoVision hardware so workstations can be deployed anywhere on the network for no more than the cost of a PC. The Prosecutor’s Office has capitalized on this by installing workstations not only adjacent to the interview rooms but also on the desks of shift supervisors, Chief and Deputy Chief. Officers can use ‘Control Center’ workstations on their desks to view cameras in the cells and waiting areas, allowing them to monitor prisoners and ensure potential witnesses are not being influenced by other individuals.

“Having a fully redundant recording solution for video and audio was an important consideration when choosing the system,” added Dezenzo. “IndigoVision’s NVRs have been configured to automatically record an interview onto two separate recorders for each room, thereby ensuring no part of the interview is lost in the event of a NVR failure.”

Officers in the interview room can initiate recording via a simple key switch with a red light that indicates recording has started. Fully synchronized audio and video is then recorded onto a number of IndigoVision’s standalone, fault-tolerant, NVRs. The video and audio from a specific interview is mirrored onto two NVRs to ensure full redundancy. All the NVRs are located in proximity to the interview room on a network rack and a hot spare can be brought quickly online in the event of a failure. At the end of each day the video from each NVR is archived over the LAN onto a server located in the Prosecutor’s Office data center. Evidential quality video clips can be exported and played back in court using IndigoVision’s Incident File Player.

Investigators are also using an IndigoVision 9000 H.264 transmitter/receiver unit inside a covert camera enclosure for field surveillance. IndigoVision’s class leading compression technology allows 30fps video to be viewed and recorded remotely from this camera via the internet. The camera PTZ can also be controlled remotely from the main office.

back to top

17 February 2010 - IndigoVision IP Video Revolutionizes Surveillance at Casino Resort

Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Oregon is an excellent example of how a gaming surveillance operation has been transformed following the installation of a digital IP Video solution. The surveillance revolution was achieved when an end-to-end integrated 500-camera system from IndigoVision was deployed to replace the ageing analog/VCR equipment. The system was installed by IndigoVision’s Approved Partner, Southwest Surveillance Systems – a system integrator specializing in the gaming sector.

For nearly four years the Casino evaluated various IP Video systems before finally finding the right solution with IndigoVision. During the process the Casino discovered that they had drawn, as Abe Martin, Head of Surveillance at the Casino, describes “a Royal Flush of project challenges; budget, space, power, cooling and load limits, all of which hindered our progress.”

“Although some were skeptical when we started looking for a digital solution that would fit our needs, IndigoVision met the challenge head on and exceeded expectations,” added Martin. “This can be seen through the reduction in the overall equipment footprint from 18 racks to only 4, which addressed many of the project challenges.”

Chinook Winds Casino Resort consists of a 24/7 casino, 227-room beach front hotel, fitness center, 18-hole golf course and 6 food outlets across the resort. As with all casinos, Chinook Winds creates one of the most demanding security environments that require the very best surveillance tools, not least to satisfy the local Gaming Commission.

IndigoVision is unique in offering a guarantee that delivers high-quality, full framerate video without dropping a frame, under any conditions. This is fundamental to ensure that any fraudulent activity is detected and customer disputes are quickly resolved – an area in which the Casino has seen significant improvement.

“Inconclusive reviews have dropped by nearly 50% since installing the new surveillance system, helping us to save money and improve our customer service,” continued Martin. “In addition we have realized labor saving efficiencies gained through eliminating tape changes, improving incident response and lower maintenance.”

The Casino’s security team uses ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software to view live and recorded video from all the cameras. The software provides the operators with a range of tools to quickly locate and analyze relevant video clips, which helps improve incident response. One of the most significant benefits is the increase in the number of live views that can be displayed compared to the original system. ‘Control Center’ is licensed on an unrestricted basis within the cost of IndigoVision hardware, allowing the software to be deployed for no more than the cost of a PC. This resulted in a 30% increase in the number of workstations used throughout the Casino.

By installing IndigoVision transmitter/receiver modules, the Casino maintained much of its investment in the original analog cameras. An additional 55 IndigoVision IP PTZ domes were also installed to increase coverage. The new system now allows the Casino to record continuously on all the cameras, which was not possible with the old setup. Recording is achieved with IndigoVision Network Video Recorder (NVR) servers, which are configured with failover redundancy. The Casino’s active retention period has more than doubled with the new archive storage.

back to top

10 February 2010 - Police Emergency Calls Integrate with IndigoVision IP-CCTV to Improve Response in Malaysian Township

Cyberjaya has become the first Malaysian township to deploy a system that allows local police to remotely monitor the location of an incident, immediately after receiving an emergency call. This is achieved by interfacing IndigoVision’s IP Video solution with the Malaysian Emergency Response Service (MERS) 999 system, which is part of the overall integrated CCTV surveillance system commissioned by IndigoVision’s local approved Partner, GTC Global Sdn Bhd.

Speaking at the launch of the integrated system at Cyberjaya Police Station, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said, “The MERS 999 provides a uniform platform for handling emergency calls from the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Health Ministry and Civil Defense Department. This allows better coordination between the agencies especially after police are able to use CCTV to check on the type and seriousness of the emergency and assess the assistance that is needed.”

The ability for the police to assess a situation immediately and provide a fast response deters criminals and allows the authorities to provide the correct assistance for victims following an incident. Being able to check on the scene of an emergency also means that the police can identify crank calls. This improves efficiency and ensures resources are directed to dealing with actual emergencies.

Using a fiber network designed by GTC Global Sdn Bhd, a total of 30 IndigoVision series 9000 IP PTZ vandal-proof domes were installed at various high traffic and populated areas around the town. Loudspeakers were also fitted alongside many of the cameras allowing control room operators to broadcast warning or help messages using an integrated intercom system.

In the central control room operators use ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software to view live camera feeds and analyze recorded video. Evidential quality video clips can be exported as evidence for use in court. When an emergency call is received, its location is displayed on the main GIS Map. The operator then displays the nearest camera and remotely controls its PTZ movement to view the incident. IndigoVision’s class-leading compression technology means that high-quality H.264 video can be streamed around the network with minimum bandwidth requirement. This ensures minimum latency, allowing operators to smoothly control the PTZ domes from long distances. This was one of the main reasons IndigoVision was chosen for this project.

Video is recorded on an IndigoVision Windows Network Video Recorder (NVR), with Raid 5 storage, providing a 30 day archive. The amount of storage required compared to comparable systems is significantly lower due to the efficiency of the compression technology and to advanced features such as Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF), which is used in the IP domes. ACF is a unique feature that reduces the framerate at which video is transmitted from the camera during periods of scene inactivity. As soon as the camera detects motion, the video is automatically streamed at maximum framerate. This can considerably reduce the amount of recorded video, particularly during the night or at quieter locations.

back to top

3 February 2010 - IndigoVision IP-CCTV Has Instant Impact on Crime for Polish City

The Polish city of Pleszew has seen a dramatic drop in crime since upgrading its analog CCTV with a complete IP Video surveillance solution from IndigoVision. The new system now gives the local police extended coverage, excellent evidential quality video and the ability to improve their incident response.

Speaking to a regional newspaper on the installation of the new surveillance system, Pleszew City Council spokesman, Marcin Konieczny said, “The new system fully meets the Council’s high expectations and the crime rate has dropped significantly since the moment it was installed. The City Council is now planning to expand the system with additional cameras by the end of the year.”

The challenge for the Council was to increase the coverage of the City’s surveillance, while at the same time improve the video quality. This was not possible with the original analog system. The evidential quality video delivered by IndigoVision’s system has enabled the police to identify people involved in criminal activity and parking infringements and has shortened the prosecution process, saving the authorities time and money. The Police have also noticed a dramatic drop in acts of vandalism and graffiti in the monitored areas.

The equipment and technical support for the project was supplied by IndigoVision’s Authorized Partner, MIWI-URMET Sp. z o.o., who used local systems integrator ABM Alarm for the installation. Twelve cameras were installed across the city on a dedicated fiber network. The cameras were mainly external PTZ models, with 4 cameras being used from the original system. IndigoVision’s advanced video compression ensures that minimum bandwidth is required to stream high-quality video across the network. This also means that latency is very low, allowing the PTZ cameras to be smoothly operated - even when controlling the furthest cameras, which are located 3 miles from the Police Station control room.

Police Officers use a dual monitor workstation running ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software, to monitor the cameras and to view and analyze recorded video, which is archived on an IndigoVision Windows-based Network Video Recorder (NVR). The NVR has 2TB of storage providing the Police with 30 days of recordings.

The analog cameras are connected to the network using IndigoVision’s transmitter/receiver modules, which also incorporate hardware inputs that can monitor external equipment. In an innovative use of this feature, local peripherals such as network devices and power supplies are monitored for failure, through the digital input at each camera. In the event of a failure an alarm is raised in ‘Control Center’ that automatically drives the nearest PTZ to a preset position to view the equipment. This allows operators to check that the failure is not being caused through vandalism.

back to top

27 January 2010 - IndigoVision IP Video Used for Casino Wide Integrated Security Solution

IndigoVision’s complete IP-CCTV solution is at the heart of a ground-breaking integrated IP-security system at the Mohican North Star Casino in Wisconsin. As part of a major security upgrade, IndigoVision’s partner Reliable Security Services has designed and installed a casino-wide solution that integrates CCTV, access control, intrusion detection and panic alarms over an IP network. The casino is also planning to integrate its point-of-sale equipment into the security system.

At the heart of the system is IndigoVision’s ‘Control Center’ IP Video and Alarm Management software, where alarms are consolidated to provide the operators with a universal interface for all CCTV and security systems. Four ‘Control Center’ workstations, each with three monitors, are located in the central surveillance room. From these the operators can view live and recorded video from any camera and manage alarms generated from any of the systems.  The advanced video review features in ‘Control Center’ ensure that the right video clip can easily be found following an incident and that dispute resolution is fast and accurate, to the benefit of the casino and its customers.

The installation of a distributed network-based surveillance and security system provided the casino with two major benefits. Firstly it replaced an ageing VCR analog-based CCTV system that was expensive and slow to operate and secondly it gave the casino a platform for easy expansion in the future.

The tight and seamless integration between ‘Control Center’ and the other security systems allow powerful cause-and-effects to be programmed. For example, an intrusion alarm can automatically display the nearest camera, pan a camera to a pre-programmed position, display the location of the alarm on a map of the casino and bookmark the video. This allows the security team to quickly manage events and improves overall operator efficiency and incident response. 50 card readers, numerous door contacts, panic alarms and intrusion detection alarms are all connected through the MAXxess access control system. Using an IndigoVision integration module, alarms are then passed to ‘Control Center’ from the MAXxess system. The panic alarms and door contacts are connected to the access control system via an Inovonics encrypted wireless network.

“The quality of IndigoVision’s product and technology was demonstrated in an unusual way during the project,” said Bill Miller, President of Reliable Security Services. “Due to an aggressive construction schedule, we only had 48 hours to fully test and commission the 450 camera system before handover. Amazingly, we succeeded!”

A combination of 450 fixed and PTZ cameras are connected to IndigoVision transmitters, which convert the analog feed to DVD-quality, 4SIF, 30fps digital video for transmission over the IP network. This is achieved without any frames being dropped, whatever the level of motion and activity in the camera scene. This is a fundamental requirement of the local gaming board and casino operator. Any dropped frames within a video clip could hide fraudulent or criminal activity and make any customer disputes more difficult to resolve. This level of performance coupled with excellent video quality has made IndigoVision the market leader for complete digital CCTV solutions in the gaming sector, with 27 casinos worldwide having chosen IndigoVision.

“The flexibility of IndigoVision’s IP Video solution enabled the casino to remain fully operational during the upgrade,” added Miller. “The casino cannot afford surveillance downtime at any time, including the loss of video recording.”

A fully redundant recording solution has been deployed using IndigoVision’s Windows-based Network Video Recorder (NVR) software. Video is recorded directly from the network onto 9 primary NVR servers with a total of 260TB of DAS storage, giving the casino 7 days of continuous recording at full frame rate from all cameras. An additional NVR server with 10TB of storage is used as a failover. If a primary NVR server fails or is removed for maintenance, the failover NVR automatically starts recording the appropriate camera streams.

back to top

19 January 2010 - Aberdeen Harbor Upgrades CCTV Recording Capability with IndigoVision IP Video

The UK’s largest port serving the North Sea oil and gas industry has upgraded its CCTV recording capability with a future-proof solution from IndigoVision. Aberdeen Harbor in Scotland has replaced its existing DVR equipment with Network Video Recorders (NVRs) to create a hybrid CCTV system that delivers leading-edge video recording and archive analysis tools. The hybrid approach allows the Harbor to maintain its existing analog CCTV infrastructure, whilst accessing the advanced image quality and capability that an IP Video solution provides. When deciding to upgrade its system, the Harbor recognized the importance of archiving high-quality evidential video and having a CCTV platform that could easily be expanded in the future.

Commenting on the success of the project, Ken Reilly, Engineering Director of Aberdeen Harbor said, “We are delighted with the new IndigoVision recording solution. The system is a huge improvement on the previous equipment and has greatly enhanced our CCTV capability at the Harbor.”

Aberdeen Harbor handles around 5 million tons of cargo a year and is the centre of activity for the offshore oil and gas industry's marine support operations in North-West Europe. This creates a complex security environment, with the need to monitor staff and public safety, manage traffic and shipping movements, protect assets, detect criminal activity and combat terrorism. Advanced search and analysis of recorded video is therefore an essential tool for the Harbor and law enforcement agencies.

“The approach we took to upgrading the video recording solution ensured that there was minimal disruption to the CCTV operation,” said Liam Mowat, Engineering Manager of Scottish Communications, IndigoVision’s approved Partner who designed and installed the upgrade. “There was also no re-training required as the front end CCTV control room remained unchanged. Adding a networked-based IP Video solution to the existing equipment has given the Port a simple migration path to a fully distributed IP-CCTV solution for the future.”

IndigoVision’s 8000 series MPEG-4 transmitter modules are used to convert the analog camera feeds to DVD-quality video for streaming onto the network. The NVRs, which together with the 8000 modules are rack mounted in the Harbor’s IT suite, record video directly from the network. The NVRs provide a 31-day archive, recording all cameras at 4CIF/25fps. IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures both the network bandwidth and recorder storage are minimized. This is further reduced by the use of IndigoVision’s unique Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) feature that is built-in to the 8000 modules. ACF reduces the amount of video that is transmitted from a camera during periods of scene inactivity. As soon as motion is detected, the 8000 automatically starts streaming video at the maximum configured framerate.

Operators in the IT suite use a workstation running ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software, to review and analyze recorded video. Evidential video clips can be exported for use by the police and other agencies. Should the Harbor wish to expand the system in the future any component, such as cameras, NVRs or workstations, can be installed at any point on the network, creating a truly distributed system. Many ports around the world have invested in IndigoVision’s complete integrated IP Video solution for wide-area surveillance. The flexibility and distributed nature of the system allows a number of different agencies to monitor their own operations within the port. IndigoVision’s low-bandwidth technology also means that wireless networks can easily be deployed, an important consideration when monitoring the huge areas covered by port operations.

back to top

13 January 2010 - IndigoVision’s HD IP Video Keeps Jordanian Logistics Village Secure

An IndigoVision High-Definition (HD) IP Video solution has been deployed to protect the Aqaba Logistics Village (ALV), which is a tax-free hub located in Aqaba, Jordan, adjacent to the country’s only container port. Both IndigoVision’s HD and standard 4SIF resolution IP cameras have been installed to provide blanket CCTV coverage with the minimum number of cameras – one of the many advantages of deploying megapixel HD cameras.

Aqaba is an important gateway for Jordan and neighboring Iraq and the addition of a state-of-the-art surveillance system allows ALV to provide a high-security solution for its many international clients. In addition to monitoring the security of the site, ALV now has a video record of the logistics transactions, providing an audit trail in the event of a customer dispute. The system was designed and installed by IndigoVision’s approved local Partner, Megatech.

“We chose IndigoVision for its superior High-Definition image quality and its user-friendly alarm and audio management capabilities”, said Nezar Al-Bkower, ALV’s General Manager. “Other key criteria were the ease of integration with third party systems and ability to scale up for our future expansion.”

The truly distributed architecture of IndigoVision’s system was a key factor in being chosen for the project. It provides ALV with a scalable platform for their expansion plans and allows them to easily monitor the two existing 100,000 square foot warehouses and site perimeter, which form the first phase of the Village. Additional warehouses, office space and a weighbridge are planned for the future.

Another advantage of the high-resolution and high-quality video that is delivered from the HD IP cameras is that operators can digitally zoom in on critical areas during an investigation, while the whole field of view of the camera is still recorded. Unlike a traditional zoom on a PTZ, none of the camera scene is lost. In fact several different zoom views can be setup from the same feed, providing the operator with a powerful monitoring facility all from a single HD camera.

At the heart of IndigoVision’s distributed IP Video solution is ‘Control Center’, the company’s Security Management Software. ‘Control Center’ workstations allow the security team to monitor live and recorded video from any camera. It provides a suite of features that enable operators to quickly analyze video and to interactively manage alarms, both of which help improve incident response. As with any component in the system, ‘Control Center’ workstations can be located any point on the network, in ALV’s case workstations are situated in the main security room and on the desks of the General Manager and IT Manager.

The majority of the IP cameras are POE-compliant and are powered directly from the network, minimizing demands on the site’s power infrastructure and reducing installation costs. IndigoVision’s class-leading H.264 compression technology means that video from both HD and 4SIF IP cameras can be streamed across the network with minimum bandwidth requirement. This allowed ALV to deploy the surveillance system on their existing network, which shares resources with other IT functions.

back to top

6 January 2010 - IndigoVision IP-CCTV Helps Cut Crime in Grand Canyon West Resort

An innovative wireless surveillance system is helping to cut crime and provide a safe and secure environment for visitors to the Grand Canyon West Resort, Arizona. IndigoVision’s complete end-to-end IP Video system has been deployed at multiple sites, providing an integrated surveillance solution across a wide area. Grand Canyon West is a popular tourist destination on the west side of the Canyon owned and operated by the Hualapai tribe. The resort includes Skywalk, which allows visitors to ‘Walk the Sky’ on a horseshoe shaped glass bridge that overhangs the Grand Canyon.

“From a single location we can now monitor several remote locations that have no connectivity,” explains Robert Bravo, the Resort Security Manager. “The IndigoVision system has helped us to reduce crime, monitor inventory, resolve disputes and improve our customer service. These have always been a challenge for us due to the nature and location of our business.”

Several sites, including Eagle Point (home of the Skywalk), Guano Point, a hotel, fuel depot and airport, are all centrally monitored from the airport terminal building. The facilities are located several miles apart and are completely standalone with no cabling or infrastructure between them. All the sites are powered by their own generators. Each local IP network is interconnected using the HughesNet® satellite broadband network. There is also a secondary link to Peach Springs, the Hualapai Nation’s capital, which is over 60 miles away from the resort. Each of the remote locations can also be monitored from Peach Springs.

Bill Miller, President of Reliable Security, IndigoVision’s approved system integrator that designed and installed the system said, “IndigoVision is the only solution we know of that can broadcast the high-quality images required by the resort, with the very low bandwidth required by the satellite network. The company’s excellent compression technology also ensures that latency is kept to a minimum, allowing smooth PTZ camera control over long distances.”

A mixture of 57 IndigoVision fixed and PTZ series 9000 IP cameras are installed across the resort and airport. The 9000 series uses H.264 compression to dual stream video across the network. Each camera outputs two streams, one with a lower bitrate for transmission over the satellite network, and one with higher resolution for recording on IndigoVision standalone Network Video Recorders (NVRs), located locally at each site.

“Our security team at the airport terminal and Peach Springs use ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Security Management Software, to view live and recorded video from each camera,” continued Bravo. “The software is very powerful and easy to use and allows us to view feeds from multiple sites on a single monitor.”

Bandwidth and storage requirements are further reduced by the use of an innovative feature called ACF – Activity Controlled Framerate. ACF is built into IndigoVision’s IP camera and effectively makes the camera act like an alarm motion detector. When no motion is detected in the scene the video is transmitted at a very low framerate. When motion is detected, the video is automatically transmitted at the maximum framerate configured. The resort uses this feature extensively when the facilities are non-operational. The ACF feature is automatically switched on when the resort operation is closed. This is achieved through a schedule configured in ‘Control Center’.

back to top