360 Vision Technology, the UK manufacturer of ruggedised HD, radar and thermal PTZ imaging cameras, has supplied its Invictus TX streaming camera surveillance technology for installation at South Tyneside Council (STC) car parks.
Part of a wider STC CCTV surveillance scheme, thirty 360 Vision Invictus TX cameras have been installed by integrated technology solutions provider, North, to provide 24-hour monitoring for car parks located across South Shields.
Invictus TX cameras for STC car parks
Daniel Chappell, Technical Account Manager at North takes up the story: “Historically, South Shields had an existing public safety CCTV system, which was mainly street focused. However, this camera network had become unreliable with age, with some cameras being removed. As part of a project to overhaul the system, an opportunity arose for the STC car parks department to allocate to a new surveillance solution, to cover its twelve town centre car parks.”
He adds, “After discussing the car parks’ CCTV requirements with long-term client STC, we set about securing a robust solution, with technical support supplied in discussions with the team at 360 Vision. We outlined the technical requirement and video transmission restrictions of the project to 360 Vision’s technical team and were delighted with the enthusiasm and technical understanding of the demanding requirements of this installation.”
Low-cost video transmission
Daniel Chappell continues, “While cameras were required to replace existing devices, mostly in existing camera tower locations, the choice of video transmission needed to be re-considered, as the legacy fibre optic cabling had become unreliable and a replacement fibre network would have been prohibitively expensive.”
He further states, “On consideration of the cabling issue, 360 Vision suggested that we consider their TX streaming camera option, to transmit camera video wirelessly, over 4G mobile networks. This would have the benefit of substantially low-cost video transmission compared to the expense and civil works disruption required to own or lease a new fibre network, totally negating the need for fixed cabling.”
Securing the best 4G network supplier
The new Invictus PTZ TX cameras are now securing STC car parks with video streaming
Daniel Chappell adds, “Taking-up the idea and to secure the best 4G network supplier for each TX camera, exact camera locations were provided and cross referenced with network operators to provide the best quality of signal at each specific camera location.”
Utilising 4G unlimited data sim cards and backed-up by on-the-edge built-in camera recording, the new Invictus PTZ TX cameras are now securing STC car parks with video streaming, supplying high-quality wireless images to a Veracity Viewscape VMS in the main STC control room.
Control room monitoring
In addition to control room monitoring, authorised operatives in the field can view selected Invictus TX camera images using a laptop browser or mobile phone.
Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said: “This investment forms part of wider improvements to our CCTV provision, which is a vital tool in helping to keep our residents and visitors safe.”
Reliable video system for monitoring the cameras
He adds, “The surveillance flexibility and technology that comes with this new system greatly enhances the safety, security and management of the car parks. Staff has a reliable video system for monitoring the cameras and supporting them to manage and respond to incidents in real time more quickly and effectively.”
Councillor Jim Foreman continues, “The upgrade demonstrates our commitment to providing safe and secure car parks, many of which hold prestigious Park Mark awards in recognition of good management and maintenance, as well as appropriate levels of lighting, signage, cleanliness and surveillance.”
Close-up imaging and enhanced night-time vision
The 360 Vision Invictus TX cameras installed deliver close-up imaging via their 30x zoom lens
Featuring continuous rotation pan, unobstructed 360-degree view and 160-degree tilt, the 360 Vision Invictus TX cameras installed deliver close-up imaging via their 30x zoom lens and excellent night-time vision, being equipped with optional on-board white light LED technology.
Daniel Chappell explains, “If a network becomes crowded and the transmission bandwidth reduced, for example, during events such as the Great North Run, the TX camera will automatically optimise its video compression to maintain the best quality of video available.”
Advanced functionality
Daniel Chappell adds, “This advanced functionality offers peace-of-mind for STC car parks that the best quality video will always be received for monitoring, whatever the network conditions. And in the case of a network outage, no essential video will be lost, as back-up recording is stored in the Invictus TX camera head, ready for ‘on-demand’ download and viewing when the network has recovered.”
The cameras are now providing comprehensive coverage of the STC car parks, at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional hard-wired video transmission infrastructure.
Integrated LED white light technology
Adrian Kirk, Business Development Director at 360 Vision Technology, commented: “The combined Invictus TX camera and integrated LED white light technology makes it the perfect choice for the demanding coastal environment at STC’s South Shields car parks.”
Adrian Kirk adds, “For the ultimate in imaging performance, Invictus’ ultra-low light technology 1/1.9’’ ULL sensors deliver brighter, crisper and more defined colour images, even at night-time. We are proud to have delivered a practical Invictus TX based camera solution as part of the STC CCTV network upgrade.”