Europe UK : Tyco Traffic & Transportation is using Traffex to launch a new handheld mobile CCTV solution that delivers live video such as traffic flow or incident images direct to mobile users using a handheld PDA, notebook or desktop PC. The system is ideal for personnel who need to access video including PTZ camera control while on the move to provide a faster response to events or emergencies etc. It also frees up personnel from being tied to a control room or desktop PC.

A major benefit is that the system uses existing GPRS or 3G mobile data networks which already have broad coverage so no expensive new infra-structure is required.

The system features an encoder capable of producing useable video images over very low bandwidth data links between 9.6 and 256kp/s. The quality of the images produced at 9.6kb/s allows monitoring of traffic flows while with faster 3G services and data rates to 70 kb/s it also allows incident monitoring and management. Video can be encoded from an existing CCTV system and transmitted to the remote devices, or it can be transmitted directly from remote cameras.

According to Tyco's Account Manager, Adrian Ford, "It is ideal for rapid deployment of CCTV or for extending CCTV monitoring beyond the limit of existing infrastructures enabling viewing of live video feeds directly from moving vehicles or vehicles parked at the scene of an incident. The system uses the latest mobile technology to allow staff to be fully mobile while still having instant access to live video."

Users can connect from any handheld PDA, laptop or desktop PC connected to the internet via an existing radio network or via a hard-wired internet connection. Access to the images is controlled via the server with user and group authentication for security.

According to Tyco, the latency of the video is very low, typically less than 1 second (over a standard GPRS link) which allows full PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) control of remote cameras directly from the mobile user.

The system is also highly extendable and only limited by the available bandwidth either at the camera site, the server or the user. This allows significant numbers of mobile cameras to be connected to a single system.

Tyco sees the system as being especially attractive for traffic and incident management - but it can also be used to provide many other types of users with greater mobility while still being able to access video images.

About Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions

Tyco Traffic & Transportation is part of Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions - a leading international company that designs, installs and services fire detection, protection and suppression systems, integrated access control and CCTV surveillance systems and other integrated solutions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 6,400 employees, Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions provides these leading products and solutions to the Oil & Gas, Marine, Traffic & Transportation, Commercial, Education, Healthcare and many other industries.