New York University Gets IP Video Education
Adelphi University in Long Island, N.Y., implemented a security system more than 50 IP video cameras that needed to be unobtrusive and state-of-the-art.
“This meant we had to man the job as dictated by many other trades, rather than our own schedule,” says Silver. “It meant periodic rushes as facilities became ready for our installations and prior to walls and ceilings closing, without delaying the overall construction. Between these rushes, we would work on the head-end fine-tuning frame rates and bandwidth usage, training the end user, and making the minor adjustments always required with a large installation.”
Idesco officially got the project underway in late spring.
Suppliers Solidify Solution
An IP video solution made the most sense based on the factors already mentioned as well as the distances between buildings, large number of cameras being added and need to improve the campus’ security capabilities. The camera brand of choice was Axis, with 26 IP indoor fixed mini domes, 13 outdoor fixed mini domes, eight pan/tilt/zoom (p/t/z) cameras and two 1.3-megapixel cameras being installed.
The Axis devices allowed Idesco to work with Adelphi’s Office of Information Technology and Resources to route cameras to the recording hardware in the most efficient manner, without suffering the bottlenecks inherent in running coax to a DVR. These cameras could also be managed on an individual basis to accommodate variations in network availability, such as a temporary offsite facility set up while renovations were being done.
“We were impressed with the power and quality of the Axis 233D p/t/z cameras in particular, and the quality of images from the Axis cameras in general,” says Hughes. “With the IP system, being able to mange the recorded images using digital zoom and other features makes our use of the system more efficient and more productive.&rdquo
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OnSSI’s NetDVMS IP network video recorder and camera management software suite was selected to serve as the “brains” of the solution. The video control platform gave the end user a single interface to the new system, enabling them to create and manage views as required. The interface brings images to a PC and large flat-screen monitor located in the Public Safety Booth where officers can quickly call up any camera or multiple of cameras.
“Being able to combine a large number of cameras on one large monitor, as opposed to smaller images on multiple monitors as with older systems, makes it faster and easier to zero-in on any area covered by the system using just a couple of mouse clicks,” adds Hughes. “We have found this system much easier to manage than our DVR systems. Searching is much faster and much simpler. Archiving is taken care of automatically. And it also requires a much smaller footprint for the head-end.”
When it was determined some analog cameras would also be needed for the project, Idesco and Adelphi opted for Pelco Spectra IV p/t/z domes. They were deployed in Adelphi’s parking structure, which is topped by a stadium-sized lacrosse/soccer field, because the cable runs were too long for Cat-5e in that they exceeded the 100-meter maximum for data transmission. Idesco used a Nitek hub to run UTP cable to the cameras and Axis IP encoders to integrate them into the OnSSI system.
The system relies on Pivot3’s Raige storage array to safely and securely retain up to 12TB of video surveillance data. Among the other components included in the package were Bosch license plate capture cameras and Honeywell indoor/outdoor mini domes.
Silver gives tremendous credit to the equipment suppliers involved in the Adelphi project. When a technical glitch arose while trying to interface an Axis device with one of the other manufacturer’s products, it only required one phone call to remedy. In another case, Pivot3’s storage was new to OnSSI, but the suppliers worked tirelessly together to bring the solution to fruition.
“As the ‘face’ of the system, an integrator like Idesco cannot ask for better support than we have received from OnSSI, Axis and Pivot3,” says Silver.
IT Considerations Prove Crucial
The most difficult aspect of the Adelphi installation actually arose before a contract was even drawn up. It’s an issue that was touched on at the outset of this article in the context of security integrators today needing to truly partner with end users in the best, long-term interests of clients’ security, safety, cost control, and optimizing general operations and efficiencies.
As physical security converges with logical security, more systems are running on the enterprise/facility/campus network. As a result, network administrators are becoming more involved in the security process. Although these IT professionals are becoming more comfortable with this scenario, security integrators and equipment manufacturers must keep learning how to “speak their language” and satisfy their requirements.
This dynamic played out in the Adelphi project since by its nature the IP video system needed to reside on the campus’ networked infrastructure. Sure enough, one of the most important facets of the job was making sure the university’s Office of Information Technology and Resources understood the IP security solution would have no negative impact on Adelphi’s network and that it would not impose onerous support requirements from an already busy staff.
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
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