In this brief interview, Tim Biddulph, Product Manager for the Security Solution division of Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd, explains the thinking behind the company’s decision to invest in the development of a new generation of analogue cameras and recorders.
Q: Tim, at a time when IP network based video surveillance solutions are increasingly being specified for projects of all sizes, why has Samsung Techwin made what many will think is a surprising decision to introduce a new range of analogue products?
A: The widespread adoption of IP is inevitable and at Samsung Techwin we have been developing our open Platform WiseNetIII 1.3MP, 2MP and 3MP camera range, as well as our ‘zero configuration’ NVRs that are changing the way we all work with IP based video surveillance.
There is nevertheless an almost countless number of existing analogue CCTV systems. These maybe working well but the users may now wish to upgrade to achieve improved identification grade images, which their existing analogue cameras cannot deliver; and the users are not ready for various reasons to migrate to a network based solution.
We have therefore introduced our new Beyond 1280H series of analogue cameras (1000TVL) and DVRs that are interoperable with the many thousands of existing analogue CCTV systems across Europe.
Q: Where do you think they are likely to be installed?
A: Anywhere there is a need for a highly competitively priced video monitoring solution but where the user does not wish to compromise on quality or functionality. Collectively the first eight new models are in fact designed to offer solutions for a wide range of application, and environments from offices, retail stores, schools, hospitals and warehouses, to more challenging environments such as airports, ports, transport facilities, car parks and town centres.
Q: Do you think the Beyond series is likely to be specified for new installations?
A: Although we have introduced the new cameras and domes with legacy systems in mind, we believe that the new cameras and DVRs will prove to be very popular with installers who are not as confident with network based solutions and where their customers do not at this time wish to invest in an IP infrastructure.
Q: What is so special about the Beyond analogue series?
A: Primarily it is the fact that they incorporate 1280H technology which offers users the opportunity to capture and record very high quality images at 1000TV lines. Equally important, the eight new cameras and domes are equipped as standard with innovative and technically advanced features which until now, users might have only expected to see built into IP network cameras.
Q: Can you give some examples of this?
A: Many of the new highly competitively priced models feature enhanced Wide Dynamic Range which, with performance greater than 120dB, can accurately produce images in scenes that simultaneously contain very bright and very dark areas, such as reception areas. They are also equipped with SSNR IV, Samsung Techwin’s new generation of noise reduction technology, to deliver high resolution images in night time conditions without any smear or “ghosting”. Other key features include various forms of video analytics, and defog which can improve the clarity of images captured in poor weather conditions such as rain, smoke or fog.
Q: Are the new cameras and DVRs compatible with all existing analogue systems?
A: Yes, the good news is that the Beyond series is fully interoperable with current, and legacy analogue systems.
Q: With so many already on the market, was it really necessary for Samsung Techwin to introduce some new DVRs?
A: We did so to ensure that customers can gain maximum benefit from the outstanding quality images captured by the new eight Beyond models and by this I mean that the new high performance 4, 8 and 16 channel Beyond DVRs can simultaneously record 1000 TV lines images in real time across all their channels.
We have also taken the opportunity to make the new DVRs are user friendly as possible. For example, they offer the flexibility to separately configure each of their channels to make best use of the available storage capacity by enabling users to set the specific image quality/resolution required for each camera location. They also have an individual camera loop-through feature and a simple HDD upgrade facility.
They also benefit from a new ultra user friendly GUI (Graphical User Interface) and offer authorised users the option to remotely view live or recorded video from a PC or any Android or IOS supported smartphone or tablet via Samsung Techwin’s license-free SSM, SmartViewer or iPOLiS Mobile monitoring software. A built-in web viewer offers enhanced compatibility via Chrome, Explorer and Safari.
Visit www.samsungsecurity.co.uk.
