For access control jobs, a single person can be the difference between finishing a job, costing thousands in extra dollars, and being profitable and safe for all. That person carries the title 'Authority Having Jurisdiction', commonly just 'AHJ' (...
By Brian Rhodes - 22 days ago
Technicians encounter multiple hazards when running wires and installing security devices. Wearing personal protective equipment, or PPE, helps protect against these hazards and mitigate the chance and severity of injuries. Enforcing a strict PPE ...
By Ari Erenthal - about 1 month ago
2Gig is one of the most widely used intrusion systems, with two product lines that are the main offering of many alarm companies, huge national installers and small mom & pop shops alike. In this dual-test, IPVM bought both variants of this a...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
ONVIF has been one of the most debated aspects of the video surveillance industry. On the one hand, its aim to increase interoperability has been widely applauded. On the other, many have criticized ONVIF for not working well enough or fully deliv...
By Brian Karas - 5 months ago
While alarm systems are popular, balancing between the right level of protection, the appropriate components and an acceptable price can be very challenging. This in-depth tutorial explains each fundamental element, offering guidance on the pros a...
By Ari Erenthal - 6 months ago
ONVIF is well known within the surveillance industry as an interface to connect IP cameras and VMS systems but: Is ONVIF a 'Standard'? Why ONVIF? What does ONVIF do? What does it consist of? Who supports ONVIF? What does that mean? What are...
By IPVM Team - 6 months ago
While Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are key to 'open' platforms, they are frequently misunderstood and over-hyped in physical security. While APIs can provide great benefits, using them is much more complex than often mentioned in sale...
By John Honovich - 6 months ago
Simplisafe, the upstart DIY intrusion alarm system, is increasingly Public Enemy Number One in the alarm business. Recently, Security Sales ran an article from Jeff Zwirn ripping SimpliSafe apart and concluding that essentially no one should use ...
By Ari Erenthal - 6 months ago
Finding applicable codes for security work can be a costly task, with printed books and pdf downloads costing hundreds or thousands. However, a number of widely referenced codes are avavailable free online if you know the right places to search. ...
By Brian Rhodes - 7 months ago
If you are a fan of HD analog, stock up now. Axis says the popular low-cost architecture is going to reverse course and die out in the next couple of years. Axis has moved from misunderstanding HD analog, to creative positioning against HD analo...
By Brian Karas - 7 months ago
ONVIF Profile S does not support H.265. And Profile S is what literally every ONVIF device supports today for video. So what happens to H.265 cameras? In this note, we explain ONVIF Media2 service and ONVIF Profile T, how they impact H.265, the...
By Ethan Ace - 9 months ago
Many often ask about running Ethernet beyond its standard distance of 100 meters for UTP, especially when cameras are 400', 500' or more away. Will it fail? How We Tested We tested lengths of Category 6 and 5e cables starting at 1000' (~300m),...
By John Scanlan - 10 months ago
IPVM went to numerous locations and measured the lux readings / light levels at each one. Here is an example of the approach we took and output created: Many surveillance professionals know that knowing light levels is important but tend not t...
By John Scanlan - 11 months ago
Dealing with fragmented local codes is one of the most frustrating parts of electronic access control design. However, the 'International Code Council' writes the most widely adopted set of building codes, yet many EAC designers are unaware when a...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
An ongoing debate rages about how the IP camera cables should be terminated. This argument surrounds two common options: 'Direct Attached', where the first terminates the field cabling with an RJ45 modular plug, and connects it directly to the...
By Brian Rhodes - over 1 year ago
In this 14 page guide, we teach the fundamentals of network cabling for video surveillance networks, how they should be installed, and the differences in testing them for production networks. Specifically, we examine: Cat 5e vs. Cat 6a vs Cat ...
By Brian Rhodes - over 1 year ago
Few access topics are as complicated as contactless credentials. Chosing the correct one can be the difference between a secure facility and wasting big money. Understanding how they operate and what their specifications mean is a big challenge. ...
By Brian Rhodes - almost 2 years ago
A fascinating question: Can you trust salesman? Posed SourceSecurity. Unfortunately and ironically, the ONVIF chairman shows you why should not.
By John Honovich - almost 2 years ago
Proper cable installation is key to trouble-free surveillance systems. However, testing is often an afterthought, with problems only discovered when cameras have problems, resulting in increased troubleshooting, or even worse, reinstallation. Sim...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
Spend enough time around networks and eventually someone will mention BICSI, the oft-referenced but only vaguely known standards body prevalent in the IT world. The question is: how do BICSI and their guidelines practically affect your surveillanc...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
ONVIF is gearing up to release a new profile, called Q. They market it as providing "quick configuration and installation, providing innate discoverability and reliable device monitoring and event management capabilities." However, How is Pro...
By John Honovich - over 2 years ago
This guide provides comprehensive explanations of the elements in selecting, using Power Over Ethernet with IP cameras, covering: PoE vs Low Voltage When to Use PoE, When Not PoE Classes 802.3af vs 802.3at vs 802.3bt Nonstandard PoE Impleme...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
We continue our industry first installation labor standards result with a look at Video Management System setup, adding to the camera installation and cabling installation entries. These standards help integrators improve the accuracy and efficie...
By Brian Rhodes - over 2 years ago
Adding to our Camera Install Labor Standards, IPVM has established standards for the following two common scenarios: "How many manhours would you estimate to: Configure an uninstalled camera, ie: IP addressing, firmware updates, basic image set...
By Brian Rhodes - over 2 years ago
IPVM is proud to release the first ever surveillance camera labor estimation standards. These standards help integrators improve the accuracy and efficiency of their installations, reducing risks and cost. Global Survey We developed these stand...
By Brian Rhodes - over 2 years ago
