Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK has enhanced student security and simplified operations with the adoption of the latest IP video technology from IndigoVision to provide integrated CCTV surveillance across its four campuses.
The IP-networked digital solution was designed and installed by IndigoVision partner CDS. Replacing an aging analogue system, it allows monitoring and control across all campuses from multiple control points, while maintaining local recording capabilities. The university's main security control area uses ‘Control Center', IndigoVision's Video Management Software. Further workstation PCs have been installed at the other campuses, allowing operators to view, control and interrogate all cameras from any site and at any time.The 90 existing analogue cameras have been upgraded to allow remote operation and monitoring with IndigoVision encoders. These are being replaced over time with a mix of IndigoVision IP cameras.
CDS also utilised the university's existing IT network to keep costs to a minimum. The University can easily expand the system as it grows.
Andrew West, Facilities Manager reports, “The central monitoring capability of the IndigoVision solution has improved security across all of our campuses, without costing too much for our budget, and we know we can expand the system when we need to. The improved resilience, scalability and ease of use of the IndigoVision solution all make this a very positive step for Cardiff Metropolitan University.”
13 IndigoVision 10 channel transmitter racks convert camera signals to digital video for transmission over the IP network. All cameras record 24/7 on seven IndigoVision Network Video Recorders (NVRs) for 31 days. The storage capacity required is reduced compared to other IP Video systems because of IndigoVision's advanced compression technology and the use of the unique Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) feature, built into the IP cameras and transmitters. ACF controls the framerate of the video stream based on the amount of motion in the scene. This reduces the bandwidth and NVR storage requirement for cameras monitoring generally static scenes or during quiet periods.