News Archives
New Product Launch - April 2007 - PaceNet Video Interview Recorder
In the world of law enforcement, commercial investigations and disciplinary hearings, video recordings provide an accurate and impartial record to benefit all parties. Previously, the size and complexity of the necessary equipment made recording impractical.
To make the recording process as straightforward as possible, ClearView have developed a compact PaceNet recorder, in use by UK police forces, which is easy to use with only two controls: RECORD and STOP. PaceNet records between one and three cameras onto single or multiple DVDs. The discs can be replayed on standard “high street” DVD players or computers.
PaceNet recordings can also be sent over an IP network for live monitoring or hard disc back-up. Facilities are available to time-link written notes to the video recording live, or on a typed transcript on replay. A particular section of recording can be found instantly by mouse-clicking the relevant section of word document.
New Product Launch - March 2007 - Cell-Net Integrated Police Custody Security System
ClearView launched their new Cell-Net integrated system which integrates all cell electrical, electronic and communication services within a police custody suite, at the Home Office HOSDB exhibition in March 2007.
ClearView Communications have provided security systems to hundreds of police stations around the UK . The system is designed to meet the increasing demands on police forces to maximise cell availability, and minimise the workload of the custody officer.
Cell-Net provides a single screen interface for management of CCTV, Intercom, Affray Alarm, Fire Detection and Lighting. All systems are i mpact resistant, tamper-proof and non-ligature design .
All electrical, electronic and communication components are monitored and controlled via a single CAT-5 cable. These allow all systems to be monitored and controlled via a single TFT screen on the custody desk. Individual components may also be wired to their own independent systems. For example the fire detection and lighting systems are monitored and controlled independently of the Cell-Net system. However, the custody sergeant is able to dim a cell light, or see which fire detector has alarmed on his control screen, in addition to the suite's fire alarm panel.
Innovations include prisoner intercom call by “non-touch” sensor. Bulky stainless steel panels are therefore no longer required since switching and audio systems are integrated into the wall tile.
The system provides sophisticated CCTV monitoring and recording with central network storage of real-time video and audio with perfect “lip-sync”. Cameras may be recorded from 31 days at frame rates which can be adjusted depending upon activity being viewed.
The Cell-Net system can be integrated with ClearView's PaceNet system which allows video and/or audio interview rooms to be monitored on the same IP network.
Press Release - January 2007 - Wireless Video, Audio and Telemetry
ClearView have completed town centre CCTV projects for Basildon and Welwyn Hatfield councils using their wireless IP transmission systems for (maximum) 15km line-of-sight applications as well as “mesh” networks for blanket IP coverage of an area.
Contract Award - June 2006 - ClearView wins Southampton Docks Security Contract
ClearView Communications have been successful in winning an open tender bid to act as consultant and supplier to Associated British Ports in an innovative installation at Southampton Docks.
The networked installation covers the three main passenger terminals at the docks including the berthing area used by the QE II. The project is unusual in that in order to install cameras to provide coverage of all the areas required by the customer, it was necessary to use a variety of techniques to transmit the CCTV pictures across the network including wired and wireless IP. External domes are being used by Associated British Ports (ABP) in the innovative installation.
Southampton is one of the country's busiest and most successful deep-water ports with a unique double tide that allows access for the world's largest vessels. It has long been the UK 's principal cruise port, and will handle in excess of 230 cruise calls and close to 700,000 passengers in 2005.
New Product Launch - May 2006 - Intelligent Megapixel Camera System
ClearView Communications has combined the increased resolution of megapixel video cameras with the latest in video analytics to enhance their “Videsearch” range of intelligent video systems.
Live and recorded pictures can be recorded and displayed in 1024x968 pixel resolution (2.7 times that available from analog PAL cameras). The intelligent video software can identify different behaviour or object types (person, vehicle, bag etc.) and create an alarm on user-defined rule. Examples of rules could include “person moving from vehicle to vehicle in a car park” or “large vehicle parked in a controlled zone”.
VideSearch can dramatically improve the efficiency of control room operators, automate alarms for non-monitored systems, zoom dome cameras to objects creating alarms, and save time when searching CCTV recordings.
The system is suited to applications where precise picture detail is important, coupled with automated alarm response. Examples include the recognition or identification of people, objects or vehicles for perimeter surveillance, town centre monitoring, education, health, transport or commercial security.
New Product Launch - November 2005 - Megapixel Dome
ClearView Communications introduce the world's first CCTV Megapixel IP dome which boasts a 1290 x 960 pixel resolution – three times that available from standard PAL cameras.
The megapixel camera can record alongside standard analogue or IP cameras with software pan/tilt and pre-set controls. It is suitable for internal and external applications with low-light switching from colour to monochrome down to 0.03 lux.
Network output is available via RJ45 network connector or wireless IEEE802.11b Wi-Fi link.
The camera is suited to applications where precise picture detail is important. Examples include the recognition or identifation of people, or reading vehicle registrations.
June 2004 - UK first for Council Monitored Digital CCTV systems
The leading edge CCTV technology used at Thurrock represents a UK first for council monitored
systems. All CCTV camera pictures feed back to a central monitoring station using the council’s
existing broadband computer network. Live and recorded video pictures are viewed using
wireless LAN networks. It is the first time this technology has been used on such a scale in the
UK with no need for video tapes to record, or separate copper of fibre-optic cables to bring
individual camera images back to the central monitoring station.
The purpose-built monitoring centre and CCTV system was partially financed by an £845,000 grant from the Home Office. The centre also serves as a concierge for three high rise housing blocks, through which residents gain access to their flats. This effectively creates a “gated community” using electronic access control.
Paul Main, Commercial Director for ClearView Communications takes up the story “Thurrock involved as many of the community areas of the Borough as possible in the decision making process. Once camera coverage was decided, it was then a matter of looking at the technical aspects of achieving the right level of information being received at the Central Monitoring Centre. This was achieved by exploiting the backbone digital network already in place throughout most of the Borough. Our job then was to work with the various departments within Thurrock to achieve the desired results as cost effectively as possible”
The scheme has had the overwhelming support of the residents of Thurrock. Although crime is below the national average, the Council is determined to address anti-social behaviour for the benefit of the whole community.
All cameras are fed live to the CCTV Central Monitoring Centre (CMC). Initially two operator workstations handle the image monitoring, with the potential to grow the CMC to three operator positions and a theoretical maximum of 320 cameras.
John Beasley of Intrinsic Solutions stated: “The design concept of the CMC was to maximise the benefits given by the distributed digital servers, thus allowing near instant retrieval of any recorded camera images. The operators are able to note down the exact time of any event that needs further investigation. They can then view the images from the nearest camera to the incident.”
The VGA video monitors continuously sequence through all 192 cameras which are displayed in matrix format. The display and dwell time have the ability to be customised so that hot spots can be viewed for longer periods.
Each operator position has two LCD screens. This allows a minimum of two cameras to be viewed simultaneously. So that if the operator is following a suspect around an area, the next camera view can be queued up, whilst they are still in camera shot on the first screen. Any images that are displayed on the operator screens may also be recorded onto their PC’s local hard drive. The software allows for maps to be displayed so that the operator is oriented to the exact location of the camera. Any monitor can display any live camera or group of cameras.
High speed dome cameras cover town centres, housing blocks, playgrounds, car parks and areas of high crime. They are controlled by computer mouse and can travel at up to 300 degrees per second to pre-set positions allowing operators to rapidly view problem areas. ClearView’s fixed miniature MVH 480AV vandal resistant cameras cover walkways and lobby areas around the estates.
Cameras operate in colour during the day, but switch to low-light monochrome for clear images at night. Recordings are held for 31 days on the distributed remote hard disc servers.
An “evidence” room at the control centre is used by the police to print stills or to copy video recordings onto video tape, CD or DVD. Master and working copies are made for evidential purposes. There is also a dedicated link to the police station, so incidents can be transmitted live for the police to co-ordinate their response.
Even before the official commissioning of the system, crimes have been detected and arrests made. Incidents have ranged from fly-tipping and vandalism to averting a potentially lethal situation arising when a 15 year old was seen brandishing a sawn off shotgun near a shopping parade.