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| The control room is a complex multi function room |
Working with installation partners Central Security Systems (CSS) Ltd and software manufacturers Meyertech the integrated CCTV solution helps reduce the threat of crime and improves safety, enabling residents and visitors to feel more secure.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester saw the new CCTV solution and state-of-the-art control room during a visit on the 9th October 2008. The control room is a complex multi function room, which in addition to CCTV monitoring deals with careline calls and is a fully equipped alarm-receiving centre.
Community Safety Manager for Runnymede Borough Council, David Dodd said: "CCTV is an important weapon to help combat crime and the fear of crime. Controlware has been on hand to support us every step of the way with this important project that provides advanced IP video management, control and recording of CCTV from cameras situated around the Borough."
The council network includes a mixture of more than 200 analogue and IP cameras with numerous sites linked over broadband. Recordings from these cameras needed to be available digitally so that the council can benefit from fast access to archived video. As the leading supplier of Bosch digital IP CCTV solutions, Controlware based the new recording system on Bosch equipment. Working closely with CSS Ltd, VIPX-1600 codecs were installed to cost-efficiently encode video from more than 160 analogue cameras so that video could be recorded digitally.
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| In the control room operators monitor live CCTV with Meyertech software and search |
Chris Lazzari, Managing Director of CSS Ltd, who installed and maintains the security network, said: "The new solution provides improved functionality for the council and enables them to expand their network and storage requirements easily. Best of all by using the codecs we have installed, the council saves money by retaining their investment in their existing analogue cameras."
The video from more than 200 cameras is recorded constantly and archived for 31 days on 11 Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID) servers. At the heart of the new recording system is the Bosch Video Recording Manager (VRM) that enables greater control and management of stored video data. VRM manages data virtually, automatically allocating video to iSCSI-based servers and eliminating the need for dedicated storage systems. Support for expansion of storage capacity in the future is assured as new cameras are added to the network and recording requirements evolve.
In the control room operators monitor live CCTV with Meyertech software and search, retrieve and review archived video with Bosch archive player. The new recording system is a significant improvement on the old system that required review of multiple videotapes, which consumed an inordinate amount of time.
"Today operators can view both live CCTV and archive video side-by-side at the same time," explains David Dodd. "Operators can therefore quickly review incidents while tracking suspects in real-time and this is a powerful tool which is already producing improved results".
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| Support for expansion of storage capacity in the future is assured |
Runnymede Borough Council takes its name from the historic site in its borough where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215 and includes the towns and villages of Addlestone, Chertsey, Egham, Egham Hythe, Englefield Green, Lyne, New Haw, Ottershaw, Row Town, Thorpe, Woodham and Virginia Water. With a population of 82,600 (Office for National Statistics, 2008), and covering an area of 7,804 hectares the council is committed to reducing the fear of crime and increasing public safety.