The importance of IP (Internet Protocol) networks and associated technologies in dramatically improving the efficiency and effectiveness of CCTV installations is still passing by largely unheard and unnoticed. That is the view of Mike Holt, chairman of Sirrus and a major player in the sector.
Speaking at a seminar entitled ‘The Future of CCTV’, Holt stressed that 99% of the world’s camera systems still use ‘traditional’ communications networks – a situation that “has to change”.
Holt added that, although 90% of networks are now IP-based, capacity is not being exploited from a CCTV perspective.
“Recording directly to network storage is in its infancy, but I’m certain it is poised for rapid growth,” added Holt.
“Only recently, one of our clients had 1,300 cameras covering a site and wanted footage recorded from each camera every 30 seconds for a month. In VCR terms this is nearly unthinkable, as around 45,000 tapes would have been needed. IP can condense that down to 120 million megabytes.”
IP technology was out in force at last month’s IFSEC 2002, although many commentators were predicting that it would be between three and five years’ time before this variant on recording really begins to take a grip on the market.
