Get the picture

When the light level falls below a set limit an electric motor rolls the IR filter away from the CCD and the camera switches to mono mode, giving a high-resolution IR sensitive camera. When the light level increases the motor reverses and the camera reverts to a high quality colour camera.

Samsung has now gone one stage further and fitted the design with a Sony EX-View CCD which gives "incredible" low light performance in mono mode while still giving "superb" colour reproduction during daylight hours, according to distributor Dynamic CCTV.

And our experts agreed, in a Bench Test published last December. "We are suitably impressed," they wrote. "The 520 is very well built and easy to configure but the real benefits are clear to see on the screen. It is a true dual role camera with above average performance in normal light.

"But it shows its worth in the sort of low light conditions that even some specialist cameras have trouble with."
Reader Service No 129

Add to computer network
Bosch Security Systems has announced a new series of enhanced NetCam-2 cameras and single or six-channel NetServers which make it easy and cost-effective to add existing or new analogue cameras to a computer network.

Key features include full remote control of Bosch AutoDome PTZ cameras via the network using simple web pages, remote viewing by multiple users using a standard web browser, motion control and alarms. The NetCam-2 cameras are ideal for remote monitoring and allow single or multiple users to view CCTV images and handle alarms via a standard computer network.

The next generation NetCam-2 are high-resolution colour cameras featuring an integrated two-channel server complete with its own IP address for easy direct connection to a network of the internet. An additional input allows an additional analogue colour camera to be connected and the images from both cameras can be transmitted over the network individually or in dual mode.

These enhanced cameras also feature a serial output allowing remote control of pan, tilt and zoom cameras, allowing such as the well known Bosch AutoDomes series, from a remote networked PC. The cameras offer selectable frame rates right up to 25 fps (real time) with a choice of five resolutions up to 720 x 486 pixels for very high quality images.
Reader Service No 130

Three more
JVC has added three new and improved colour ½-inch CCD "super Lo Lux" cameras, the TK-C1480BE, TK-1481BEG and TK-1460BE. Highlights – apart from that Lo Lux sensitivity – include extended dynamic range, with added features of high light inverter and digital zoom. The TK-C1460E is colour/mono and IR switchable.

The new models are replacing the TK-C1480E and TK-C1460E. Meanwhile the TK-C1481BEG has replaced the TK-1481EG models.
Reader Service No 131

Radical cosmetics
Sony's SSC-CX18VP is one of four in a range of units which have a smart modern design and are easy to install, partly due to a high quality vari-focal lens which assists in a speedy set-up.

With no need to fit and back-focus a separate lens, an installer just needs to make two simple adjustments to focus and focal length to suit the field of view and distance from the scene being surveyed.

For extra flexibility, mounting holes on both sides of the body allow easy installation on a tripod bracket either from above or below. Although the cost compares favourably with conventional camera designs, the models feature a ¼-inch type IT Super HAD CCD sensor which assures imaging quality.

Security Installer Bench Tested this model last June, when the conclusion was: "Cameras with integrated lenses are not a new idea but video performance is very good indeed and the combination of flexible optics and a responsive exposure system means that it can provide a one-box solution for the vast majority of non-specialist surveillance jobs.

"But from an operational point of view there are a couple of things we would want to change, starting with the position of the focus and zoom adjusting levers (see picture above) which would be a lot easier to get at if they were on the underside. But the stylish – even radical – cosmetics will prove popular with design-conscious customers."
Reader Service No 133

Cutting edge
Sanyo proudly claimed to be the first manufacturer to introduce a single chip camera which offered 520 TV lines horizontal resolution. The VCC-6572P 1/3-inch colour camera has a revolutionary DSP circuit which incorporates a host of technical innovations.

It offers a sophisticated backlight compensation function, colour reproduction and aperture compensation which, combined, produce a comprehensive improvement in picture quality. The innovative method used divides individual frames into 64 small areas in which luminous intensity is measured separately to determine the lighting conditions of all objects within the frames.

It was back in September 01 that our Bench Testers offered this opinion: "The application of a high-performance image sensor in what would otherwise be a fairly ordinary colour camera marks another small but important step forward for video surveillance technology.

"It is clear there is a growing demand for ever higher resolutions, which until now has been rendered almost useless by analogue recording equipment's inability to capture the fine detail. Now digital recording systems are having an impact we can expect to see a lot more cameras like this one."
Reader Service No 134

Camera with web server
Panasonic's new network camera, the KX-HCM10, can be used for a wide range of indoor solutions: from surveillance for businesses including offices, manufacturing areas and shops, through to home use for viewing callers at the front door or monitoring pets while at work.

Easy to install and operate, this is a small, lightweight camera with a web server, control protocol and email protocol built in. When plugged into an Ethernet network, it gives PC control using an internet explorer and transmits real-time images.

It offers 640 x 480 video resolution as well as remote pan and tilt. It can be viewed by up to ten users at the same time, and up to four cameras can be viewed simultaneously by using a multi-camera view option. Controlled remotely from a web browser, the camera can pan 60 degrees left or right, with 45 degrees up or down tilt.

The camera is also reactive and can take a series of pictures using an optional security sensor as a motion detector. An outdoor version is also recently available.
Reader Service No 135

Getting a face-lift
Home security manufacturer Micromark has enhanced its Vigilantern range by launching a stylish version with a stainless steel finish (MM40004). The Vigilantern is a decorative exterior lantern with a PIR containing a CCTV camera, offering a combination of discreet surveillance equipment and attractive lantern for those consumers who are looking for the protection of CCTV but don't want a camera on the exterior of their house.

The benefits of Vigilantern include:

• Ease of use. The Vigilantern plugs into the back of a TV, users just switch TV channel to view pictures
  
• The PIR automatically changes the channel on the TV for 15 seconds, or can be set to sound a buzzer
  
• 135 deg lateral and vertical camera adjustability to achieve the best viewing angle.
  
• High quality black & white pictures
  
• Weather resistance.

Product manager Bejul Shah commented: "The Vigilantern is still the only product of its kind in the marketplace. The existing range has proved popular because of the unbeatable combination of security and style, now this launch offers a more contemporary design."
Reader Service No 138

I spy
Also from Micromark comes a spy-hole CCTV camera, a covert camera disguised as a conventional spy-hole, making it suitable for discreet domestic security. The MM23255 is housed in a brass casing and enables users to view high quality black and white images on their TV.

The camera has a wide-angle lens to give viewers the best image of whoever is at the front door.

Adjustable to a door thickness of 35 – 50mm, the new camera is suitable for most wooden doors and comes with a choice of either brown or white cable.

It is easy to install – the kit comes with a 17mm drill bit and requires only five easy plug connections to set up.
Reader Service No 139

Rapid deployment
Weighing only 5.6kg, the Swift Solo camera system from Petards can be deployed as a single camera or multi-camera system, having up to a maximum of 13 Swift units transmitting at the same time, in the same area.

With simple plug-and-play operation, the Solo is deployed in minutes, making it ideal for gaining camera coverage in rapidly changing environments.

The system is compatible with existing control systems and recording equipment used by CCTV monitoring stations.

The camera also deploys an anti-vandal and anti-theft system, which can include external PIRs which will alert the receiving station operator of any movement within range of the camera.

Remote diagnostics via a PC download are available across the radio transmission, eliminating the need to retrieve the camera for fault diagnosis.
Reader Service No 140

Remote control upgrades
Baxall has upgraded its CDR range of remote control and configuration cameras to incorporate RS485 to allow for integration with third party pan, tilt and zoom controllers.

As with the former range, the CDRA cameras can still be controlled and configured from the convenience of the control room via Baxall coaxial telemetry. Both control options offer a reduction in installation time and minimal site disruption whenever a camera needs adjusting.

All CDRA cameras are highly featured and due to the remote control, easily configurable.

Features such as the advanced back light compensation and peak white inversion (for night-time automatic number plate recognition) complement the remote set-up as such features are scene dependent and so cannot be set at pre-build.

In addition, it is now possible for the camera to change configuration using an external switch such as a PIR or photocell.

Using this, a camera can be configured differently for night-time and day-time lighting.

The new CDRA range features four low voltage digital signal processing models to cover both mono and colour applications.

They are available in ½-inch and 1/3-inch high resolution and EXview variants, the latter being particularly useful for low light applications.
Reader Service No 141

Budget range
Vista has introduced its first range of budget cameras, the Vista Compact VC200 series. They have been designed to provide high performance images for budget plug-and-play installations, both internally and for external applications.

The series includes four models. All have a SonyHAD 1/3-inch CCD chip and operate on 12v DC with optional fitting of direct drive or electronic irises.

Other features include user selectable backlight compensation, electronic iris on/off and the colour variants include auto white balance.
Reader Service No 142

Setting the standard
Pelco's CC37010H-2 series camera is a fully-featured model which aims to set the standard of performance for general purpose cameras. It includes DSP, automatic gain control, line-lock with V-phase, outstanding colour imagery and convenient dip switch set up.
Reader Service No 143