The preparations for the soccer World Cup in South Africa are in full swing. One of the most crucial aspects with such a major event is guaranteeing the safety and security of the thousands of visitors. The Soccer City as well as the Coca-Cola Park Stadium have therefore fundamentally modernised their respective video surveillance systems. They both now rely on a consistent IP solution supplied by German manufacturer Dallmeier.

The most important stadium throughout the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa will be the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. This is where the opening and closing soccer matches will be staged. Steeped in history, the stadium was built in 1987 as the country's first national stadium. Apart from unforgettable soccer matches the stadium has also been used for many other large-scale events such as in 1990, when Nelson Mandela held his first mass rally there after his release from prison.

However, until the opening match of the World Cup, major reconstruction and modernisation works will have to be completed at Soccer City. The building works are so comprehensive that they practically equal a new construction from the bottom up. Once completed, the stadium will accommodate approximately 95,000 spectators. Ninety-nine VIP lounges, 6,000 business seats and exclusive restaurants provide top-class convenience at the largest of the World Cup stadiums. Besides its size Soccer City primarily impresses with its extraordinary architecture. Its façade is reminiscent of a calabash, a traditional African clay pot. Furthermore, the stadium houses a museum dedicated to the history of South African football. Right next to the building are the headquarters of South Africa's football association SAFA, which will also accommodate the FIFA offices for the duration of the World Cup.

On the occasion of the soccer World Cup 2010, the Coca-Cola Park Stadium in Johannesburg, which was originally built in 1928 under the name "Ellis Park" as a rugby stadium, has also expanded its seating capacities. Now, a total of 70,000 enthusiastic fans can be seated at the stadium. The necessary reconstruction works have already been completed and so the stadium could already be used during the FIFA Confederation Cup in 2009.
The additional numbers of cheering fans though also consequently increases the risk for potentially dangerous situations. Uncontrolled crowds, a tight squeeze, or physical fights between different fan groups are probably among the scenarios most feared by security staff. In order to be able to prevent any such escalations in the first place a sophisticated video security system by German manufacturer Dallmeier and local system integrator Engineered Systems Solutions, who was subsequently also responsible for the installation and commissioning of the system, provides for the necessary overview. Jose de Oliveira, Manager at Engineered Systems Solutions, explains: „We rely on Dallmeier products because the technology is highly reliable and, yet, at the same time, easy to use for the security operator."

"Besides providing for increased safety and security for the visitors the new CCTV/IP systems also offer the stadiums a clear financial benefit. Considering the numerous international fans it‘s an advantage that the system can help to rebut potential foreign legal claims in case anything should happen", says Frank Oetjen, who is the responsible Sales Manager at Dallmeier.

Highly Detailed Images Owing to Cam_inPIX
When it came to choosing the cameras, it was decided to go with Dallmeier network cameras. The system now includes both fixed dome and Domera high-speed PTZ cameras. The IP cameras are equipped with the tried and trusted Cam_inPIX technology, which allows for the recording of clear, high-contrast images, even under the most difficult lighting conditions. Those include frequent changes between shadows and lights as they occur in sports stadiums. Individual persons‘ faces can also be clearly identified at great distances.

Reliable Recording
The camera images are recorded on Dallmeier DMS 240 IPS recorders. These video network systems of the „In Memory of Leonardo" series, with up to 24 IP-based video channels, support MPEG-4, MJPEG, and H.264 compression methods. The integrated PentaplexPlus functionality far exceeds the usual five Pentaplex standards. The DMS 240 IPS allows simultaneous recording, streaming, backup, live display and playback at the recorder or via a network. Additionally, remote network access for configuration and transcoding via a network is also possible. Every channel can be recorded with a frame rate of up to 25 fps. The Linux operating system on Flash memory guarantees highest reliability and three high-performance fans, with automatic revolution adjustment, provide for optimal ventilation. In the case of a hard disk failure the Easy-Change functionality of the exchangeable hard disks located at the front side of the device ensures for highest possible maintenance-friendliness.