Keyways install Talk Talk's CCTV System   -   29 May 2010
Posted by: Keyways Security Systems

TalkTalk took ownership of the new premises as part of a change in the company structure. With a planned de-merger from mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse and takeover of Tiscali, has resulted in TalkTalk needing to move 850 personnel to the building situated in Evesham Street, close to the BBC's White City centre.

 

 

Michael Greaves, Director of Altrincham Security firm Keyways, explains that the new CCTV system is a great success story, despite the challenges presented by the layout of the building. "The building is extensively glazed and we therefore needed to select cameras with powerful back light compensation capabilities to be able to deliver high resolution colour images even on the sunniest of days."

 

Keyways research into appropriate products resulted in all the cameras being sourced from Samsung. "We chose the SID-560 fixed dome camera to solve the particular problem of direct sunlight as well as reflections. The SID-560 has a colour resolution specification of 560TV lines but most importantly, it has an impressive Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) function which performs very well with challenging back light conditions."

 

Where back-light compensation was necessary, SID-560s were installed. In all there were six of these cutting edge cameras, all installed in areas with extensive glazing.

 

 

In addition to these, there are nineteen Samsung SID-370 dome cameras installed throughout the building to provide sufficient coverage. The Samsung SID-370 CCTV Camera has true day/night capability and the fixed dome format with 37x zoom makes it versatile and more than up to the task.

 

To ensure complete camera coverage, the fire door areas were covered by two Samsung SIR-60 CCTV cameras. Keyways selected these due to their built-in IR LED lighting to provide surveillance throughout the night in the dark staircases.

 

"An additional problem for us was one of aesthetics," added Michael. "As it is their head office building, TalkTalk quite rightly wanted to see a very neat installation with no unsightly cable runs. The challenge for us was that there are no false ceilings where cables can be concealed. Fortunately the Samsung cameras can be fitted with galvanized back boxes which can be installed into ceilings and walls. It meant a lot of work for our installation team but resulted in a completed system that looks and performs very well."

 

 

Video footage taken by all of the cameras is monitored twenty-four hours a day. The monitors are manned by Talktalk's own security personnel at the reception within the building. For the purposes of evidence, video footage is stored on two separate Samsung SVR-1645 Digital Video Recorders. These have the ability to record at 4-CIF resolution. The other advantage of the SVR-1645 DVR is that it has the option of simultaneously recording audio on all sixteen input channels, as well as audio triggering of the recording. This means that the device not only activates on visual input, but can be configured to trigger at specific levels of sound input.

 

Samsung use their unique algorithms within the SVR-1645 to allow multi-stream, real-time monitoring of footage over a network. The CMS (Centralised Management Software) which Samsung supply with the DVR's gives network capability out-of-the-box for all Samsung products connected to the system.

 

 

Once the CCTV system was installed, Talk Talk's Regional Facilities Manager Jill Tucker commented on its quality, "We wanted a high performance CCTV system that could provide our on-site security personnel with a valuable tool in their efforts to create a safe environment for our staff as well as to protect our assets. I am pleased to say that the equipment recommended and installed by Keyways is certainly performing well against the agreed criteria."

 

As part of the installation, Keyways integrated CCTV system with a Mifare access control system. This ensures that authorised staff and visitors can be quickly and immediately identified, allowing them access to the right areas of the building, while unauthorised access is prevented, with unwanted visitors being stopped at the building's reception.

 

 

Want to see more about Keyways work?

 

Take a look at more detailed information about the security solutions we have provided for industry leaders. We have an unrivalled amount of experience in the installation field. Take a look at our commercial case studies page.