News
Press Release - August 2007 - ClearView gains ‘Investor in People’ accreditation
Chelmsford-based ClearView Communications, one of the country’s leading security systems suppliers, has recently gained ‘Investors in People’ accreditation.
Joint MD Chris Wilson says, “Achieving the Investor in People standard is the result of a dedicated management team, who strive to maintain ClearView’s position as a market leader in the security industry, and reflects the belief that our seventy staff are our most valuable asset. The award is not only an outward demonstration of our commitment to our staff, but also gives new staff the confidence to know that we are a fair and reliable employer”.
Based in Chelmsford, Essex, ClearView ’s integrated security systems are relied upon around the world for applications including town centres, ports and industrial premises. Their systems are widely used by the police to provide video evidence relied upon in the Criminal Justice System.
The company has gained a reputation for leading-edge security solutions. Recent successes include contracts with clients like Eurotunnel and UK police forces for “intelligent cameras” which know the difference between cars and people – and can spot suspicious behaviour.
Press Release - May 2007 - IFSEC 2007 - Stand 19:129
ClearView will be exhibiting at IFSEC at the NEC in Birmingham as part of the “Global Security Consortium” - a group of security suppliers capable of providing integrated security solutions for UK and international clients and projects. Don't miss the chance to catch up on the latest in integrated security systems, PIDS, intelligent and megapixel CCTV. We look forward to seeing you there!
Press Release - May 2007 - Integrated Security Management System
ClearView have launched a new security management system which provides status data and control of all security systems on a site including CCTV, intruder, access, intercom and fire. The system uses an IP backbone and presents all data on site maps via two touch screen TFT monitors. An audit trail logs all operator actions.
New Product Launch - May 2007 - Re-deployable 3G Camera
The ability to rapidly deploy discrete video surveillance and recording equipment into known trouble spots is increasingly being seen as a cost-effective way of countering crime.
ClearView Communications introduce a new range of Re-deployable CCTV camera systems capable of taking advantage of the increasingly wide range of transmission methods available today. By providing a variety of transmission options - including mobile 3G, GSM, HSCDS and Wireless IP, the systems can transmit pictures without the need for a fixed telephone line. Connection and download speeds range from 1 fps (GSM), to real-time 50 fps @ 4 CIF (Wireless IP).
The most appropriate transmission method can be chosen to suit the application—depending on mobile phone transmission coverage and geographical considerations (e.g. Line-of-Sight).
All systems have a fixed IP address, up to 320Gb on-board removable hard disc drive and wall/lamp post fixing brackets. They can be easily and rapidly deployed - all that is required is 240VAC mains power or battery.
The colour/mono auto-focus camera is able to provide high resolution (540 TVL) images in the lowest light levels (0.075 lux). As well as dialling in remotely to view live and recorded images, full telemetry PTZ control of the dome camera is available from standard internet connected PCs.
Crime prevention officers, local authorities, developers and housing associations are currently using the system for a variety of applications including vandalism, graffiti, theft, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
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.