Specialist CCTV Systems
DSW CCTV provide CCTV services using specialist equipment that provide solutions to more complicated installation requirements.
A typical CCTV installation comprises of a mix of static and PTZ cameras to view general areas of interest. There are situations however where a CCTV camera is called upon to perform a specific task or where a conventional system may not be suitable.
Specialist systems include thermal CCTV, ANPR number plate cameras and transportation CCTV systems.
Thermal Imaging CCTV Cameras
Conventional CCTV cameras rely on captured light to provide an image, if the light available to a camera is affected or obscured, a conventional camera can struggle to provide useful images. Obstructions such as smoke or fog, foliage and bright lights shone directly into cameras make it difficult to track movement during these conditions.
Thermal cameras record heat energy and display the subtle differences in heat from different areas as recognisable images. The images are less affected by partial obstruction and provide additional valuable information to accompany standard images.
Thermal cameras alone however do not provide a detailed image like conventional CCTV cameras provide in normal conditions. This makes them ideally suited as additional support to a conventional camera system.
Video from Axis displaying their thermal imaging technology
Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Customers often ask us if a CCTV camera can capture the number plates of vehicles entering their property. Although a correctly setup conventional CCTV camera can display number plates in the right conditions there are other important factors to consider.
Conventional CCTV - A standard digital CCTV camera can provide images with sufficient clarity for a user to read a number plates from recorded footage in ideal daytime conditions. Resolution limitations however mean that cameras must be zoomed in closely on the number plate and aligned to view the subject directly. At night cars with the headlights switched on will usually dazzle the camera making the plates unreadable. As number plates are highly reflective infrared light shone onto number plates will reflect back brightly making plate recognition at night very difficult.
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Specialist digital CCTV cameras for number plate recognition - More specialist CCTV cameras have been developed in recent years that overcome the difficulties traditional CCTV cameras have when it comes to viewing number plates in low light. These cameras use high shutter speeds and infrared filters to capture the right amount of reflected infrared light from the number plate. This gives a clear image of the number plate at night but the rest of the image is blacked out. Dedicated ANPR cameras use this technique to make each passing vehicles number plate readable.
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Mega-pixel CCTV cameras - Mega-pixel cameras such as HD CCTV and IP CCTV cameras capture additional image detail. This makes them very useful for number plate capture. Unlike a conventional digital CCTV camera a high resolution camera does not need to be as closely zoomed into the subject as the image can be enlarged after it has been recorded to view details. A single high resolution camera can potentially capture number plates from multiple lanes of traffic while providing a useful overview of the scene. Low light capture however still requires the specialist abilities of an ANPR camera but when these technologies are combined advanced CCTV cameras can provide powerful tools for capturing number plates.
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Automating number plate reading - ANPR cameras will record an image of each readable number plate in the same way a conventional camera records an image. Specialist computer software can expand upon this and be used to analyze the images as they are captured and make use of them in various ways. The software can contain or access vehicle databases to display and record registered driver information automatically. This is often used in law enforcement to quickly check with the DVLA that passing vehicles are in compliance with the law. Another use of the system is to for commercial access control. The number plates are checked against an authorised persons database, gates can then be automatically opened for authorised persons and anyone entering a property not on the database will be flagged and brought to security personnel's attention.
Setting up an ANPR system must be done by a professional installer who is working in partnership with the relevant manufacturer. The camera must be specified and positioned correctly and the software must be configured to perform in the manner required. Once correctly configured however an ANPR system is a reliable and expandable access control technology.
Transport CCTV Systems for Taxis, Buses and Trains
CCTV provides an excellent deterrent to prevent antisocial behaviour and trespassing as well as other criminal activity. Individuals in the transportation industry such as taxi drivers, bus drivers and passengers are often the victims of random and unpredictable crime that is hard to deter. This can affect employees and members of the public leading to high insurance costs and damaged reputations.
Example transportation CCTV applications.
- CCTV within taxis and black cabs
- CCTV systems for buses
- CCTV for trams
- Large scale CCTV systems for trains
- CCTV systems in aircraft
- CCTV systems for ferries and boats
Specialist CCTV solutions are now available that record activity with vehicles. Wide angle, vandal proof cameras and vibration-resistant recorders are some of the many options available specially designed for the transportation industry. For the highest levels of detail high resolution IP CCTV systems can also be adapted for transportation with solid state hard drives eliminating moving parts, reducing power consumption and improving reliability.
CCTV can record individuals entering vehicles as well as monitoring drivers and passengers throughout the journey. This provides peace of mind for drivers and members of the public and helps support your businesses reputation. It also provides indisputable evidence in the event of damage, threatening behaviour or other criminal activity taking place within your vehicle.
For more information about specialist transportation CCTV solutions contact DSW CCTV today.
Having just lately had CCTV installed at Erlas Centre I would like to say that the whole experience from Quotes,advice to installation and after service have been excellent. The company have given us a first class friendly,efficient and professional service 
