DIGITAL Vs VIDEOTAPE
 
Digital vs. Videotape Applications For Usage The Competition
Frequently Asked Questions View Catalog Pricing

The Digital Difference (Digital vs. Videotape)

Digital video recording (DVR) is the latest in surveillance technology that offers full digital recording,remote surveillance access, remote device controls and more. DVR is a computerized surveillance system that combines all the features of a traditional videotape system by integrating a color quad processor,motion sensors, multiplexer, pan & tilt controls, CCTV monitor, time lapse recorder and accessories into one unit.

Traditional videotape surveillance systems in the past required ongoing effort to make them workproperly. Your DVR system will run by itself without any assistance. Turn it on and forget about it. Say goodbye to videotapes forever!

Does this sound familiar?

  • "I forgot to put a tape in."
  • "The cabinets are getting pretty full of tapes these days."
  • "Did anyone press the record button?"
  • "Go to the store and buy some more tapes!"

Next to the cost and hassle of a videotape surveillance system, the picture quality hasn’t been the greatest. Picture quality on videotape is poor, in part, because tape systems share four or more pictures in one video frame. The picture quality on videotape also degrades each time it’s used due to head wear, tape stretch, and decomposition of the videotape coating. In other words, the videotape gets used over and over too many times. DVR on the other hand uses one picture per video frame, and all cameras can be viewed simultaneously with superior picture quality.

Locating footage on tape can also be time-consuming. Trying to find the image for printing by fast forwarding and reversing the control buttons requires a stroke of luck. More than likely the printed image will be blurry, fuzzy or unidentifiable. The DVR system uses a calendar-assisted search tool that allows fast and efficient searching by day, date or time. DVR images are stored on the computer’s hard drive rather than on videotape. This not only preserves the picture quality in its original state, but allows fast data retrieval. Locating requested video footage on DVR can be done in seconds, then saved as a JPG,

BMP or AVI file to floppy or CD.
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Features Overview
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Software incorporates a friendly, easy-to-use on-screen menu.

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Scheduled or continuous video recording by all cameras; or selected cameras set to activate upon motion detection.

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User may select specific areas of coverage to be recorded.

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Advanced video storage system that organizes the files and displays archived video footage with calendar-assisted search tool.

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Select the day and/or times for review and playback. Save as JPG images.

l All images are time and date stamped.
l Image speeds of 30, 50, 100, 120 and 200 FPS available.
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Remote surveillance monitoring and recording through network or dial-up access. Password authorization allows remote users to monitor, record or playback captured video. Server security access can be programmed to lock out remote recording features for remote users.

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Additional display and monitoring capabilities including composite video, or back up video to a time-lapse recorder.

l Instant E-Mail notification upon system alarm triggering.
l NTSC or PAL compatibility
l S/W MJPEG Codec or Wavelet Codec compression.
l Pan / Tilt / Zoom functions with supported PTZ cameras.
l Multiple camera switching methods for 4 or 16 cameras.
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Remote recording allows authorized users to record images to the client system.

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Access Control. Open and close gates or toggle lights on/off remotely.

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Remote Surveillance

DVR offers remote surveillance access. This enables your security cameras to be viewed from another remote computer anywhere in the world. Monitor your store, office, restaurant, parking lots or warehouse remotely. Supervise employees while away from your business. Watch your business activities from home. Access your DVR computer by a cable modem, phone line, DSL, T1, satellite, and wireless connection LAN, and WAN. Your DVR is equipped to connect remotely using any of these methods.

While you are logged in and viewing your security cameras, the DVR system is recording everything. The ability to simultaneously record to your local hard drive, while remotely connected is also available. Print still frames and recorded images from your DVR server and/or remote computer. Use your laptop on the road, or while traveling and check into your business.


Live Streaming Video
Competitive DVR systems claim to offer "live streaming video". Usually, these systems can only download one image at a time, and the results are slow, one frame-per-second video, or late still shots of something that already happened. Our systems download 30, 50, 100 or 120 frames per second. This produces live video footage that can be watched as it happens in real-time.
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Motion Detection
Motion detection records to the DVR system when the video frame changes. People walking or moving around activates video recording. Using motion detection with recording will conserve hard drive space. This is a software-based motion detection system and external motion sensors are not required.

3-Months Data Recording
Store your recorded video up to 3 months with motion detection recording, and scalable camera zone coverage. The scalable camera zone coverage allows unwanted areas of the picture to be blocked out and maximizes hard drive storage space.

Remote Device Controls
Open and close gates, or toggle lights or switches on and off remotely with an optional control unit. Watch your security cameras and control other devices from another remote location.
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Independent Camera Programming

Have direct control over each security camera and what it records. DVR let’s you decide which cameras record and for how long. Use the timed scheduling function and set specific cameras to record at certain times, and others to record continuously. Set the resolution, motion detection type, frame rate, labeling, contrast, and brightness for each camera’s needs.


Pan / Tilt / Zoom
Optional pan, tilt, and zoom supported cameras can be used with this system. Move cameras side to side, up and down, and zoom in from any remote location. This feature requires special "PTZ" cameras. Contact our sales office for more information.

High Speed Internet Access

High-speed DSL or faster internet access is recommended for remote viewing of your security cameras. Remote access will work with a standard 56k modem, but due to the size of common phone lines video images will be slower. The difference between DSL and 56K modem access is the size of the data pipe. A garden hose will push more water through it than a straw. The same principle applies to the movement of data. High-speed internet access uses larger data pipes resulting in faster video speeds for remote camera viewing. Contact our sales office for a recommendation on a DSL company.

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Simple To Use

Experienced and non-experienced computer users will discover how simple our DVR systems are to use. Plug in your security cameras and click the record button – it’s that simple! Reference your operating manual for descriptions on how each function works. Please feel free to contact our sales office with any product questions. Call Monday – Friday 9 AM to 4 PM CST 713-349-8810.


System Functions
Screen Monitoring

Multiple camera views are shown on the screen simultaneously with the choice of cameras. The display pattern can be changed from small to full screen viewing by clicking the mouse.


System Security

An innovative file system stores and makes available gigabytes of video using a calendar based search tool. Video playback is restricted to those authorized to make changes remotely. The main system menu can be password-protected to prevent unauthorized changes on the server.

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Camera Adjustments

Increase the storage capacity for the hard drive by adjusting the compression ratio and recording speed for each camera’s requirements.


Motion Detection

Motion detection is software based and no external sensors are needed. When the camera detects motion, recording begins. Motion, timing, and image area is adjustable for each camera.


Time-Based Recording

Each camera's recording can be initiated on a daily timed schedule to respond to the need for constant recording, motion detection, input alarm or passive monitoring periods.

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Playback And Image Retrieval

Recording for each camera by day, hour and minute is graphically displayed on the screen. Play, rewind, advance, freeze, print, or copy any video file by the click of the mouse.


Image Searching

Image search options include a speed and timeline search. Browse recorded video by date, time, and second.


DVR System Installation

BPS&I DVR Monitoring systems acts as prime on a large and small-scale integrated security system projects, the BPS&I Project Team has, as its prime responsibility, the coordination of all efforts required to provide the client with a complete, turnkey integrated security system solution. Our costing is based on a personal visit with a full written quotation at no obligation.

The Project Team manages system design, engineering, shop drawing production as required, equipment procurement, subcontractors, installation and training and production of as-built drawings.

Installation services are provided, in the Houston and the surrounding communities, by highly-trained BPS&I technicians, with quality as the prime motivation.

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