The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has selected Canon network cameras. The museum sought video security that could monitor the safety of visitors and exhibits. Some 66 Canon cameras are already in use there, including 14 VB-H630D and 52 VB-H730F. The V&A plans to expand this number exponentially in the next few years.
The V&A is one the most iconic museums in London, and is thought to be the world’s largest museum of art and design, with 145 galleries covering 12.5 acres. The museum has showcased treasures from the art and design world, including recent exhibitions such as the Bejewelled Treasures of Indian jewellery, which was the first exhibition to be protected by Canon network cameras. As the jewellery was best showcased in a darkened room, with each piece illuminated by spotlights, the cameras had to perform in low and difficult light. After this installation, The V&A plans to roll out the manufacturer’s cameras across the whole museum over the next three years, including areas not open to the public, as well as the perimeter and roof.
Erik Vieira, Senior Security Manager at the V&A, says: “Our old analogue system was not capable of providing the high definition surveillance we needed, so we were keen to move across to an IP system. Having conducted a trial with just three cameras on the roof of the museum, the Canon cameras offered a huge improvement in image quality and we’ve been so impressed that we’re continuing to explore what else is possible with the cameras’ in-built analytics and with VMS solutions provided by Wavestore further down the line, for example to monitor how many people are visiting an exhibition and how they move around the gallery space to help improve our visitor experience
“Canon has supported us every step of the way, offering excellent support with frequent site visits to ensure the whole upgrade process is running smoothly. Canon’s understanding of our complex requirements has proved them to be the real experts in this area, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with Canon as we complete our system upgrade throughout the museum.” The VB-H630D and VB-H730F used in the installation can cover a large area thanks to their wide angled lenses, the makers say. This is already saving the museum money by reducing the number of cameras needed to cover the same area, and the security department aims to reduce the total number of cameras used by a quarter, without losing any visibility.
Joe White, Business Development Manager at Canon UK, adds: “We are thrilled by how successful the installation has been so far. Already, the cameras have been used to detect petty theft outside the museum and provide a clear image of the perpetrator for the police. This is just one example of how the solution has proved invaluable, and we are excited to consider the possibilities, even beyond security, as we continue the installation.”
Pictured is an exhibit from the V&A’s current exhibition Undressed, running to March 2017.
