Logistics companies face many surveillance challenges at their distribution centres: notably harsh lighting conditions, abrupt changes in ambient light and dealing with the issue of capturing clear images while allowing for vehicle headlights and reflections. Crucially for this type of environment, the Xvision dome cameras can be adjusted for headlight compensation and number plate recognition at a distance of up to 12 metres.

DPD wanted a CCTV solution with excellent low-light performance, high resolution and no latency; so they opted for Xvision’s full HD (1080P) vandal-resistant domes with wide dynamic range (WDR). The camera was specified to meet these needs and also to provide 40 metres of smart IR night vision. The camera’s versatility allows DPD to use the same model throughout the site, across packing areas, warehouse space, loading bays and administration offices.

DPD is a 24/7 operation and managers needed a camera capable of switching automatically from colour to monochrome using energy-efficient integrated infrared LEDs. The company’s chosen camera, the XHC1080VV-G professional hybrid IR vandal-resistant dome, has a SONY 2.43 megapixel sensor that provides exceptional image quality, day or night. The camera improves images in real-time through a DSP chip set that minimises pixelation and noise in low-light conditions, producing a smooth image with an even spread of illumination.

Used by DPD at 1080P resolution, this is a dual output camera that can also produce images at 960H (960 x 480) in applications where image quality is important, but not at a premium – and where storage capacity may be limited.

As the installers, AVS Services were working to a limited budget, but were able to save considerable installation costs by avoiding the use of RG-59 coax and designing the project to operate from existing Cat5e structured cable, with baluns used to preserve signal quality across long runs. This gives DPD a single infrastructure for CCTV and its IT system, all across one manageable network and without the need for additional cabling.

The images at the depot are recorded on Xvision’s XHR1080D16 hybrid DVR, which can record sixteen 1080P cameras simultaneously at 15 FPS, full HD. In applications with a mixture of camera resolutions, the DVR can even sense alternative formats (such as 720P) automatically. Using P2P technology, the DVR connects seamlessly to the network with a free smartphone/tablet app that allows remote users to receive video clips and push video notifications triggered by motion detection.

Raj Bhudia, Y3K’s Xvision Product Specialist, said: “AVS Services is a premium installer that came up with a practical solution at a demanding location. Using AHD2.0 analogue cameras across existing twisted pair cabling reduced disruption at this busy logistics hub. The client can now use the same infrastructure for surveillance, data and telephony.”