Eden Shopping Center, a large retail and entertainment complex in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, has taken the giant leap from an analog to an HD video surveillance system. Upgrading the recorders, matrix and priority cameras has provided the center with enhanced optical clarity, high-definition images and the flexibility of future-proofing the system – ready for technological advances.
Eden Shopping Center, a large retail and entertainment complex in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, has taken the giant leap from an analog to an HD video surveillance system. Upgrading the recorders, matrix and priority cameras has provided the center with enhanced optical clarity, high-definition images and the flexibility of future-proofing the system – ready for technological advances.
Together with UK systems integrator Link CCTV Systems, Eden Shopping Center opted for a new, IP-based video surveillance system from FLIR Systems to replace their obsolete system. Ryan Mitchinson, Head of Commercial Operations at Link CCTV Systems advised:“When we originally inherited Eden Shopping Center’s CCTV system, we were tasked with providing a solution to upgrade the existing analog platform with an HD solution that was not only capable of capturing and controlling CCTV cameras, but also of a multitude of modern functionalities that would enhance the security operation on site. We opted to install a FLIR Latitude virtual matrix and recording solution due to its flexibility and ongoing software upgrades that would allow various additional technologies to be integrated at a later date.”
The FLIR Quasar 4K cameras deliver four times more detail at full 30 fps than
today’sbest HD1080 cameras and depict more details than legacy 10-MP cameras.
Growing with the needs
The installation of this discreet innovative surveillance system has future-proofed and equipped the center to hold its promise of security for many years to come. “Security technology is constantly developing, so from the Center’s perspective it was imperative to develop a future-proof system, preventing the need for expensive replacements down the line,” said Paul Maddox, Security Manager at Eden Shopping Center. “In doing so we ensure amendments can be made with ease whether it’s an installation of additional equipment or software updates.”
Paul Maddox commented, “The easy-to-use client software has allowed
the center to easily hand over high quality evidence to the police
force in just a few clicks, which is exceptional.”
As security within shopping centers is turning toward bodycams, FLIR created the Truwitness software that allows remote guards to stream video directly to the control rooms monitor wall from anywhere within the center using their smart devices. This is a two-way communication which also allows the control room staff to transmit video streams to playback on their smart devices. The software can also track staff members, display their location on a map and program panic buttons to alert the control staff of any issues.
Ryan Mitchinson commented: “People counting software upgrades can also be integrated alongside ANPR, facial recognition and many more analytic packages. This flexibility coupled with the ongoing software upgrade package that FLIR provides allow Eden Shopping Center to always have the latest technology in use when required.”
Better images, better evidence
Prior to their system upgrade, the Eden Shopping Center was confronted with insufficient image quality from the surveillance cameras. In addition, the limited resolution of the obsolete camera technology resulted in the fact that not all critical areas were completely covered.
One of the new technologies that Link CCTV Systems brought into the Eden Shopping Center was the FLIR Quasar 4K (Ultra HD) mini-dome camera. The Quasar camera provided the center with broadcast quality video and multi-streaming at zero frame drops. Ryan Mitchinson confirmed this improvement, stating that “the Quasar 4K cameras have not only significantly improved the overall
image quality; thanks to their high resolution, they also cover twice as much floor space in comparison to the previous systems, so the evidentiary use of the video surveillance system has improved tremendously. Every critical square meter is now covered.”
Ray Walker, Center Manager at Eden Shopping Center, agreed that the upgraded system has had a considerable influence on the center: “We are very proud to have such an innovative and impressive surveillance system here at Eden. From the beginning we were excited with the image quality and our local police force has found the improvements invaluable, often requesting to share video evidence.
Overall we are delighted with the results and feel satisfied that Eden Shopping Center offers a highly effective and pioneering video surveillance system.” The center now has stunning forensic quality imaging and user-friendly operations (consisting of web-based and mobile client software).
All camera video feeds are terminated within
the center’s control room which is manned 24/7.
Easy to use
All camera video feeds are terminated within the center’s control room which is manned 24/7. Paul Maddox, Security Manager at Eden Shopping Center, said that the operators’ comments have been phenomenal so far. The innovative surveillance system has notably made a dramatic difference to the shopping center’s ability to gather evidence in case of an incident. Paul Maddox commented that “moving from an analog system to a digital system has had a positive reaction from the controllers using the equipment and also a very positive line of feedback from the local police that came to view the footage for various reasons. With everything being PC-based, it has become much easier to manage and monitor different video streams. The easy-to-use client software has allowed the center to easily hand over high-quality evidence to the police force in just a few clicks, which is exceptional.”
This virtual solution has provided Eden Shopping Center with an easy migration path between their obsolete legacy system and cutting-edge technology from FLIR. The center’s remarkable modern surveillance system has provided them with a future-proof, cost-effective solution that will keep them at the forefront of surveillance technology for years to come.