Shopping Mall Migrates To IP Video

Meadowhall Shopping Center in the United Kingdom is using IP video technology to replace its obsolete DVR based CCTV recording system. Located in Sheffield, Meadowhall is one of the UK’s largest shopping malls with hundred’s of retail outlets and requires high quality CCTV surveillance to ensure safety and security inside and outside of the mall.

MITIE Security Systems designed and installed the IndigoVision system having worked closely with the mall to select the best solution to replace the aging DVR recording system. Meadowhall’s IT department wanted a scalable, modular and flexible solution to replace proprietary “black box” DVR technology that was difficult and costly to develop further.

It was important that the new system could be supported by its own IT department and that standard network attached storage, such as NVRs, could be used.

The flexibility of IndigoVision’s IP video technology allows ‘hybrid’ analog and digital systems to be easily developed. This means ageing analog systems can be updated or expanded with IP-based digital technology, whilst maintaining much of the original investment in CCTV equipment.

In the mall’s case, this was achieved by replacing the old DVR equipment with 12 IndigoVision standalone NVRs. The original 120 cameras, analog matrix and control room monitors were all kept. More than 120 IndigoVision 8000 modules, configured in 12, 10-channel racks, were connected to each of the camera feeds.

The 8000 converts the analog signal into MPEG-4, full framerate digital video for recording onto the NVRs. ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s IP Video and alarm management software, provides a suite of tools that allows the operators to quickly analyze and retrieve recorded footage. Tamper-proof, high-quality video clips can be easily exported for the police for evidential purposes should the need arise. The 12 NVRs provide the mall with more than 30 days of recording. The upgrade was achieved in less than a week with both recording systems running in parallel ensuring zero-downtime during the migration.

Meadowhall is now trialing standalone 8000 modules with separate analog cameras and IndigoVision’s IP cameras connected directly to the existing corporate IP network in remote parts of the mall. This is the next logical step in the migration process to a full IP solution. IndigoVision’s compression technology ensures the highest-quality video can be transmitted around the network with minimal impact on the available bandwidth.

Meadowhall officials see this as a strategic phased approach to replacing the current analog CCTV system while taking advantage of existing IT infrastructure.

“Meadowhall was one of the first shopping malls to install site wide data network infrastructure to utilize building control systems,” said Mark Higgins of Meadowhall. “We are now pleased to use it for delivering high quality CCTV without the need for an additional communication network. Our IT department has more control and knowledge than ever before for the delivery and support of CCTV across the site and this has utilized our in house skills further, providing increased service for the center.”

IndigoVision’s IP video solution can also be used to provide benefits beyond store security. Many retailers are accessing in-store footage to help analyze merchandising, in-store promotions and footfall trends. This can be achieved locally and nationally, with central marketing teams accessing live and recorded video from any store at any location across their corporate networks.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.