Following a competitive analysis of IP Video systems, IndigoVision was chosen to provide Network Video Recorders (NVRs) to replace the existing VCRs as part of a phased project starting with the 200 camera system in North Woolwich. As budgets become available Newham Council want to replace all of the existing video recording with IndigoVision NVRs for their entire 800+ cameras.

"The flexibility of configuration, particularly with multi-casting, superior image quality, analytics and compression technology were all reasons why IndigoVision came out ahead in our evaluation of competing systems," explains Garry Hobbs, principal electrical services engineer with Newham Council, "However, it was not just the technology that impressed us but also the company's commitment to continued technical development and hands-on approach to working with the Council."

Ten fault-tolerant standalone NVRs were installed by IndigoVision's Authorised Partner Cartel Security in the main concierge building located at Queensland House. The recorded video can be viewed and analysed by operators in the Borough's main CCTV control room at Folkestone Road using 'Control Center', IndigoVision's IP Video and alarm management software. This provides Newham Council with a local virtual matrix that acts as a level 2 resilient control medium for the primary analogue matrix. Should the main control room become inoperative CCTV surveillance can be transferred to the local virtual matrices. This configuration also provides the platform for the eventual migration to a total IP Video solution, replacing the analogue matrices with a more flexible and scalable solution.

The NVRs record each camera continuously at 6.5fps, with spot feeds at 25fps selected by the operators, for 31 days. The image quality of the recorded video is vastly superior compared to the original VCR and 'Control Center' provides a range of tools to allow fast search and analysis of the recorded footage. Video clips are frequently exported to the police for evidential purposes.

This project demonstrates the flexibility of IP Video to integrate with existing analogue CCTV systems and provide a simple, cost-effective migration path to a fully digital solution. Newham Council will eventually have a complete digital CCTV system that will be implemented at a pace consistent with their requirements and budgets.