Pembroke College

The College was operating an analogue CCTV system consisting of hard-wired cameras that recorded onto two separate hard disk recorders in the main lodge. The cameras were connected to the internal IT network and images were being viewed through PC software. When the new accommodation block was being planned, it was decided to install an Internet Protocol (IP) CCTV system in it. The entire system was then to be upgraded to digital at a later date.

Steve Capper, Head Porter at Pembroke College, comments: “CCTV technology has moved on in leaps and bounds since our original system was installed. We wanted to improve security across our sites, the quality of images and ease of use of the system. We have a long-standing relationship with Chris Lewis Fire & Security and value their knowledge and experience, so turned to them for advice on an IP solution.”

The first phase of the project was completed in 2010 and involved installing a digital CCTV system in the new accommodation block. Chris Lewis Group engineers worked with the College to design a system that would initially cover the new building and could later be extended when the College was ready to upgrade its existing analogue system.

The main challenge was to interface the IP system with the College’s existing analogue fire and CCTV system. Phase two of the project involved replacing the existing analogue cameras with high-definition (HD) megapixel technology cameras. On completion, the system included 22 IP cameras covering the main site and car park, and the external accommodation block.

The new system uses the Milestone Video management IP CCTV system, which allows for high-definition cameras to be centrally recorded with images available across the College network.

Steve Capper adds: “We value the flexibility of Chris Lewis’ engineers’ service. They work with us in response to our needs and demands which is crucial in a busy academic environment.”

Pembroke College’s new IP CCTV system delivers high-definition live and playback images, superior speed of search and export, and improved display options. Images can be viewed from any location using the College’s network, providing authorised users with far greater flexibility.

Steve Capper concludes: “I can’t sing the praises of our new IP CCTV system highly enough. It’s made our College far more secure, it’s incredibly easy to manage and extremely quick to retrieve and rewind relevant footage. The image quality is also of a much higher spec. We now have facial recognition from over a large distance and the night footage has much more clarity.”