CCTV Center Roadshows offer instruction on IP technology

13 Oct 09

CCTV Center has just run the third successful seminar in its current IP education series for installers, consultants, end users, specifiers and other invited guests. Brian Sims reports.

By Brian Sims

Ahead of the next event at the end of this month (more details of which anon), delegates to the most recent seminar have been describing the benefits they gained from attending.

Guests at the 1 October Roadshow, held at the Wiltshire Hotel near Swindon, gained an insight into IP technology and networks during a half-day training session, giving them an understanding of the terminology and considerations when working with IP surveillance solutions.

The seminar programme also covered topics including megapixel, Ethernet-over-fibre, Ethernet-over-coax, IP lighting, external detection and switch technology, in turn affording all delegates an insight into the technologies available and the most important issues to consider when selecting equipment for IP projects.

Technical experts from CCTV Center – the Panasonic System Solutions distributor for the UK and Eire – demonstrated a raft of new equipment. Roadshow visitors also gained an insight into complementary solutions from CCTV Center’s Technology Partners (including Pentax, Raytec, Optex, KBC Networks, Teleprecision, Zyxel, See Tec, TOA, Veracity and iWatch), all of whom were on-hand to demonstrate their equipment and services.

First-hand feedback from attendees

Simon Herbert, the director of ACL CamCom (a specialist CCTV company operating in Devon), said the seminar had attracted him as an opportunity to become fully up-to-speed with IP: "Previously, IP technology didn’t seem to offer enough advantages to justify the investment over analogue equipment, but the price difference has now closed to within striking distance and we’re starting to actively quote IP systems to customers," he said.

Herbert continued: "We are now more likely to be tendering against IT companies as well as CCTV companies. We therefore have to understand what our competitors may be offering and come up with the best solution."

In conclusion, Herbert told SMT Online: "On larger systems, IP is now much more likely to be the preferred option due to the reduction in installation costs and significant improvement in picture quality. I’m pleased I attended this event, even though I was on an IP training course earlier this year. You always learn something new from an event like this."

ACL CamCom designs and installs surveillance systems, and has completed over 2,000 installations to date in Devon, Cornwall and further afield for a range of commercial and industrial clients.

Clients can learn much

Meanwhile, Philip Moore - a London-based independent security consultant - explained that he’d benefited from the seminar: "I’m interested in IP technology because it’s the market’s future. Even though there’s a lot of analogue kit still being sold, I need to know all about IP because of the advantages it offers customers."

Moore added: "There are so many variants within CCTV and a big range in price that can be confusing for clients. This seminar has so many knowledgeable speakers, which is just what I need to inform clients about IP systems' strengths."

CCTV Center’s next seminar takes place at the Holiday Inn, Leeds (Brighouse) on 29 October. Registration for the event is online (a dedicated link has been provided on the right hand panel of this page)

Delegates will be able to view Panasonic equipment including the Super Dynamic 5 and 3-Megapixel IP cameras, along with the company’s latest HD616 DVR.