Cameras, Recording and Storage Equipment

VIP Security use only quality products in selecting the correct equipment to secure your site. Depending on your requirements we can either install a digital analogue system, LAN based IP system or Hybrid system.

Digital Systems
Digital systems are typically where analogue cameras (older technology) are connected to a PC or other computerised system. The analogue images are digitized and then compressed for storage onto hard drives. Hard drive capacity ranges from 500GB to 1.5 Terra Bytes.
The maximum resolution of these Digital Systems are approximately .3 to .4 MegaPixel, or around 570 TVL (vertical lines of resolution).
The major benefit of a Digital System is the large array of analogue cameras that can be used, specifically Pan-Tilt-Zoom and low light cameras.

Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol cameras
The latest technology are the Internet Protocol based camera systems.
Working with IP cameras and company IT departments requires people who really understand networks and transmission protocols and all the jargon that goes along with it.
VIP's three engineers are uniquely suited to consult, install and service your TCP/IP digital cameras system. We offer you a no headache approach to implementing the new wave of centralized network recording systems and liaising with IT staff.
IP LAN based systems are the future of the surveillance world, and can offer resolutions from VGA up to 30MB images (such as Sentry Scope). However, typical IP cameras offer resolutions between 1Mega Pixel to 3 MegaPixel - considerably high resolution than analogue cameras.
Mega pixel cameras therefore allow you to either cover more area with one camera, or, the same view but with lots more detail.
The main drawback with IP cameras is still the price of the camera - however in our opinion these cameras offer the best value for money and return on investment with their flexibility and future proofed nature of IP cameras.

Closed Circuit Television
VIP Security’s staff offer a great depth of CCTV installation experience. Whether you have a simple commercial application, or a difficult day/night license plate identification requirement or VIP Secu

rity has the experience to help you.

VIP Security installs only quality brands of camera systems, such as Sony, Pelco, Panasonic (and high end Samsung).
We are not tied to any one manufacturer, allowing us to offer our customers what we believe to be the most suitable.
Left: Panasonic Mini Dome. Right: Pelco Spectra IV PTZ

Cameras Systems are Booming – But Beware!
CCTV systems are becoming more and more popular. On the surface, cameras systems look easy to install, after all, there is typically only one composite cable to run to every camera, so how hard can it be?
The truth is, installing CCTV may appear easy, but to do it correctly takes experience and know how. Experienced installers such as VIP Security know how to…
Ensuring the correct camera is installed for the application and lighting levels is crucial, as is ensuring the recording format (e.g. motion detection) is correctly configured.
Sony 593 DynaView
Select the proper camera to provide the best image for the price while considering the lighting environment.
Select the proper lens, considering the lighting levels, iris function and f-stop.
Mega Pixel cameras require mega-pixel lens.
Eliminate ground loops
Stop signal noise and aberrations
Test the system for optimum image
Locate camera placement for correct view
Ensure correct back-focus adjustment
Apply correct back light compensation
Select the correct recording medium
Provide the customer with the best (useable) and affordable playback image
For more information on Camera systems, click here.

Digital Video Recorders
Digital recording is now the default method used in the commercial video surveillance industry. The benefits of digital recording include; incredible picture quality, long recording times, almost immediate search facilities, video motion detection (VMD), smart search, re-useable storage medium, complex alarm handling etc, remote surveillance, networkability, multiplexing, duplexing (ability to simultaneously record, archive, playback, live view, network) and integrated PTZ support.

The elimination of tapes (and changing them), allows a DVR system to virtually run themselves. There is no degradation of the tapes (VCR tapes need to replaced after10 record cycles), and the VCR record heads are also eliminated (these too need periodic maintenance/replacement in a VCR systems). Most DVR systems have built in multiplexers, a method of simultaneously showing multiple cameras on the same screen.

VIP Security staff have been installing Digital Video Recorders for over six years (we are one of the early installers of this technology). In this time, we have built and installed over 10 different brands of digital recorders (which is typical of the computer technology relied upon). VIP Security constantly review up-coming Digital Video Recorders to assess their suitability to our customers' needs. Currently we support five brands of digital video recorders, each with their own special features...

Sony and DVTel series
These systems are only limited by the server. This is why we liaise with your IT department to ensure the server specification and installation is in line with their requirements and budget.
Naturally, these servers are hard disk and IP traffic intensive (1 single 4cif – high quality live quality image takes about 1meg of bandwidth). DVTel offers the best 3rd party integration, while Sony offers the best total intelligent package (by far).

DVTel / Sony Server
Pelco DX8000 series
In a time when large companies are looking for a totally integrated DVR system, where a master DVR controller can also view cameras on another networked DVR, then Pelco DX8000 fulfills that need. Built on factory built servers, running XP professional, these DVR’s offer hi-res 4CIF recorded images.

Capable of immense scalability, this system, while not the cheapest, is the best and most scalable analogue camera recording system.
Can also integrate with TCP/IP cameras for future proofing – just what you’d expect from Pelco and VIP.

DX8000-16
Panasonic HD500 series
In our view, the best performing image playback system period! Not as easy to use as MS Windows based systems, but if reliability and playback image quality are your goals, this is the system for you. Not as network savvy as the others – but solid.

Panasonic HD500 DVR
Siemens MX series
This Siemens Hybrid DVR is designed and built in Germany, so expect quality and precision. Combine 1 Terabyte of on board storage, support for NAS storage, 32 IP cameras, 32 analogue cameras, and you get one powerful and upgradeable DVR.

Siemens MX DVR
Zone Raptor series
This system still offers one of the best networking (including IP or LAN based recording) systems on the market. VIP Security have been installing these systems for over four years, and they offer true server/client workstation functionality. If your organization requires great images to be transmitted across branches using your existing LAN, then this system should be on the top of your shopping list.
Dallmier
This system (like the Panasonic) offers an ‘embedded’ (non Microsoft based) operating system, which inherently offers superior robustness and reliability. The image quality is outstanding, and the unit has great features not normally associated with ‘embedded’ systems.
Pacom
The Pacom series offers a good quality/medium budget solution, while also offering an easy to use GUI (i.e. Microsoft based operating system).

Storage equipment
The biggest and hardest question customers ask is “How much storage time will I get?”
The answer is hard to quantify, as it will depend on the following variables…
How large is the storage drive(s)?
Do the files save as a conditionally refreshed image?
How many cameras are being recorded?
What frame rate?
Stored Image quality?
Image Compression engine?
Density of movement which triggers Video Motion Detection
Percentage of false or noisy images, incorrectly triggering VMD

Note: The specifications of DVR systems are constantly changing (for the better), and thus we do not print the specifications of each DVR on this site.
For more information regarding CCTV or DVR’s please click here.

Transmission Systems
VIP Security has the experience to offer you a variety of transmission systems.
We have proven experience in

Long range coaxial transmission systems
TCP/IP camera transmission systems

Microwave (long distance) camera & controls transmission

Fibre Optic (ground & underwater based) transmission

R/F (radio frequency) transmission
Again, this is where having several trained engineers makes the difference to our customers.