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The principle functional difference is the ability for a Security VCR to record for at least a 24 hour period. This is achieved as information is taped periodically rather than continuously (as in domestic recordings). Ultimately, this allows your VCR to step camera recordings (using standard video cassettes) over much longer periods of time. This has been proven as an extremely successful method of surveillance monitoring, both in terms of required footage, albeit that there is a trade-off between the requirement for extended recording, and cost efficiency.

The way in which timelapse recording works in practice is best explained by example. a standard domestic VCR records continuously in realtime, with 25 frames per second, 2 fields per frame (a total of 50 images in all). An industrial machine, on the other hand, has selectable recording intervals, allowing you to reduce the amount of information you tape depending on your requirements. If the record rate is dropped to 8.33 frames per second (16.66 images in total), for example the VCR can span recordings to 24 hours worth of information. In this instance the VCR is said to be running in 24 hour timelapse mode.

As the recordings in the timelapse mode are periodic rather than continuous, there is a loss in the information taped in any single sequence (dependant on the settings), what can give a stroboscopic effect on replay. Consequently, the configuration of timelapse recording is very much dependant on the practical needs of the particular security installation.

Things to Consider

VCRs like cars need regular servicing. But also like cars, this servicing is an additional expense! Servicing is an integral part of any security installation. Failure to follow recommended service intervals for VCRs can have a number of effects: it can significantly reduce the quality of recorded images (which massively impacts on the clarity and credibility of recorded evidence) and can, in some cases, invalidate the warranties on your products.

Other frequently overlooked considerations in security VCR recording are the management of VCR tapes, the quality of videotapes and the number of times the tape is actually used. Timelapse recording naturally stretches tapes, which vastly reduce the quality of recording that could result in the tape being unusable.

There is a frequent need for archiving tapes for historical or evidential reasons and this requires a properly managed storage system.

Email: Info@Securasound.co.uk T 01948 667600