Rainbow are prize exhibit

Zoom lenses from US security product manufacturer Rainbow CCTV are forming a key element in the complex security and management of the National Exhibition centre (NEC) in Birmingham.

The lenses are being used predominantly with Philips cameras on PTZ assemblies throughout Britain’s leading exhibition and conference venue.

The NEC stages more than 180 events a year, ranging from Crufts and the British International Motor Show to our own industry’s IFSEC trade fair.

Up to four million people visit the centre annually. With 21 exhibition halls totalling 200,000 square metres it is the seventh largest venue of its kind in Europe.  The NEC has its own network of roads, four on-site hotels, a lake, 22,000 car parking spaces, together with dedicated traffic and fire fighting forces.

Although the majority of the lenses are employed to protect people and property the system also has ANPR systems supplied by Hatfield-based CitySync to help with traffic management.  The scale of the site necessitates long runs with communication including microwave, balance feeders and coaxial.  Recording is to both VHS tape and hard drive with ongoing migration to all-digital storage mechanisms.

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