Press Release

20 April 2002

Industry support for IP capability not evidenced in practice

The importance of IP (Internet Protocol) networks and associated technologies in dramatically improving the efficiency and effectiveness of modern CCTV installations is still going largely unheard and unnoticed - an industry seminar was told recently.

Despite wide industry recognition, and an understanding of its inherent advantages in terms of image quality and flexibility over existing technologies, this recognition was not being translated into practice. Some 99% of the world's camera systems still use 'traditional' communication networks, the seminar heard, and this was a situation that had to change.

Speaking at 'The Future of CCTV' seminar in April, Mike Holt, Chairman of the Seminar's organisers Sirrus was clear in the direction the industry had to take. "It is time to stop paying lip-service to IP and take action. Whilst 90% of networks are now IP-based, this capacity is not being exploited from a CCTV perspective.

"The internet is never going to be 'unplugged' but only get better and faster, paving the way for IP networks to blossom."

Mike especially highlighted the benefits of IP in recording and reserved particular criticism for the slow take-up of new recording technologies. He believes that the VCR is 'history' and a legacy that is long overdue for replacement.

"Recording directly to network storage is in its infancy but poised for rapid growth," he said.

"For example, one of our clients had 1,300 cameras at one very large site and wanted footage recorded, from each camera, fully live, 24 hours a day for a whole month. In VCR terms this is completely unthinkable - some 30,000 VHS tapes would have been needed - but with IP, it was condensed down to 120 Terabytes - that's 120 million megabytes - a lot of data, but able to be stored using an IBM LTO tape library system in just three 19" rack bay widths. "

"Access to the images is the other key - that system held more than 100 billion images, but network storage meant any of those could be accessed within just 30 seconds," he said.

Sharing the platform, IBM's Technical Consultant John Lymer agreed. He said there has been a quantum leap in the availability of low-cost IP storage that is simple to access.

"The technology around storage is growing at an alarming rate that a few years ago would have only ever be dreamed about. The BBC, for example, has upgraded all of its regional radio stations to IP networks because data is easy and quick to find. They can now access a specific voice clip in three seconds as opposed to having to re-interview the subject because they couldn't find the tape, as they were previously doing."

Sirrus is a UK manufacturer that specialises in the design and implementation of Remote Video Systems over IP. It produces a range of camera products and systems that work with computer networks and the internet to deliver quality moving pictures globally.

Sirrus' other partners at the conference, attended by some 150 delegates from the security and IT arena, included Axis and Vision Factory.

Notes for Editors

About Sirrus

Sirrus is a British company that specialises in the design and implementation of Remote Vision Systems over IP networks (corporate data networks and/or the Internet). They produce a range of camera products and systems that work with computer networks and the Internet to deliver quality moving pictures globally.

For further information contact:

Janet Goddard
Marketing Manager
Sirrus Group
Allen House
Station Road
Egham
Surrey
TW20 9NT

Tel: 07000-SIRRUS (07000-747787)
Fax: 07000-744788
Email: janetg@sirrus.co.uk