Subscriber Discussion

Rapid Deployment Camera - Feedback Please

DB
Danny Barr
Jun 13, 2015

Hi All, We are a security integrator based in Ireland and have developed our own semi covert Rapid Deployment Camera, we currently provide a rental service to government bodies to detect/deter illegal dumping/anti social behaviour and help in private investigations.

I'd love some feedback from fellow members as were looking to start selling our unit as a ready to go system.

It is basically a pole mounted, battery operated camera system with 1 x general overview and 1 x LPR (Raytec invisible IR included). It has a 1-week battery which we usually change every week for 2 or 3 weeks (battery is lightweight lithium so can be carried up ladder by one installer).

It has a built-in NVR with removable SD card, we record constantly but are looking at VMD.

Below is a picture of the unit and some sample footage, any feedback/interest would be much appreciated...

Danny

E: danny@cinnte.ie

JH
John Honovich
Jun 13, 2015
IPVM

Hi Danny, It's not clear what type of feedback you want or if there is anything specific you want to improve, so it's hard to be precise.

Two things though came to mind:

(1) If you were interested in a smaller / more compact setup, perhaps you could use a high-end integrated IR camera, e.g., Axis Q1765-LE. You could even load different VMS software on it (Axis ACC, Exacq, e.g.). You could still capture license plates over a fairly long range without needing a separate IR illuminator or a separate NVR box. Related, it would significantly reduce power requirements.

(2) How does one access the video while the unit is deployed outside of removing the SD card? What about including a Cellular/4G router?

(2)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jun 13, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Hi Danny! Pictures look good. A couple of things come to mind.

The unit looks a bit vulnerable. What are the dimensions and the weight? Is that a smoked polycarbonate window? Why so big?

The raytec unit in particular looks like a easy target for vandals, as well as theives since those units are not cheap. Also its positioning provides a clue to where the cameras are looking.

Why not use cameras with built-in SD cards to record?

I assume the size of the box is due in part to the space that the battery requires, largely due to the illumination. One thought would be to use a seperate overview IR that would trigger the lpr illuminator only on motion, possibly saving a good deal of power.

What's the use case for the box? I would think that a temp deployment scenario would often require live monitoring for sitiuational awareness, not a 'check on incident' model. Do you have plans to add remote capabilities?

(2)
DB
Danny Barr
Jun 15, 2015

Thanks for the reply's, typical we use them to detect/prosecute illegal dumping.

John: You mentioned the Axis, do you think this would detect licence plates at night and also give you an overview, in my experience you would have to set the exposure too low to get both? Also our customers want them semi covert and i think the IR would glare with the smoked screen?

Its that size because of the battery (500mm high x 300 wide, circa 13 Kgs/30 lbs loaded), it is some what vulnerable but because its mounted quite high up we havnt had any issues. The remote transmission hasnt really been an issue as we process the footage after the event as its not time sensitive. We do have a builtin 3G router but unless the coverage is good its a waste of time and quite costly to stream on a 3G SIM.

We looked at two seperate cameras with builtin SD but the dual lens works well when processing the footage as you can see them side by side on playback and it makes it quicker to process.

Im just wondering if anyone uses something similar to do the same job or if there is a better solution? Do any integrators currently offer there customers this type of service? Would any integrators look at buying such a product?

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jun 15, 2015
IPVMU Certified

A couple of different options mentioned here: Does A Camera With Built-In Battery And Recording Exist?

JH
John Honovich
Jun 15, 2015
IPVM

"in my experience you would have to set the exposure too low to get both?"

Too fast? This depends on the speed of the vehicles being tracked. You do have IR integrated which certainly helps to offset this.

"Also our customers want them semi covert and i think the IR would glare with the smoked screen?"

With all the money you would save in this approach, I think you could rig a semicovert setup for this.

"Its that size because of the battery (500mm high x 300 wide, circa 13 Kgs/30 lbs loaded)"

Ergo the benefits of using a camera with on-board storage / VMS to reduce load.

"Im just wondering if anyone uses something similar to do the same job or if there is a better solution?"

I don't know of any productized offering that does what you do.

"Would any integrators look at buying such a product?"

Sure, the two big barriers I have seen in the past for offerings like this:

(1) Integrator will look at it and say, "Hey I can do this myself" even if he underestimates the challenge.

(2) Integrator will look at the price and say, "Hey I can get the parts myself for half the price."

(1)
New discussion

Ask questions and get answers to your physical security questions from IPVM team members and fellow subscribers.

Newest discussions