From September to October last year GIT-SECURITY.com did ask your opinion about Network Video Surveillance Systems in a Sanyo Sponsored Online Survey. We have now discussed the results and the responses to the questions in the survey with David Hammond, European Sales Manager at Sanyo's video surveillance division.

A network based video surveillance system has substantial advantages compared to traditionally installed analogue based systems. Does the survey reflect this?

David Hammond: Yes, and there are two statistics which particularly stand out. One is that almost 70 % of respondents said they were more likely in the next twelve months to promote a Video over IP solution in preference to an analogue based system. In fact, only 8.5 % said they would not, with 22 % declaring the question was not relevant to them. This is a vote of confidence in IP Network based security solutions and indicative of the fact that increasingly installers and system integrators are acquiring the expertise needed  to install and support a Video over IP system.

Another question was, wether the respondents have installed Full HD cameras in the last twelve months. What was the result?

David Hammond: 54 % of respondents said they had installed Full HD cameras in the last twelve months. This reflects the dramatic sales growth Sanyo has experienced in the last two years and in the last six months in particular. Bearing in mind the superb quality of the images captured by Full HD cameras and that quite often, depending on the field of view, they can do the job of 4/5 standard cameras, it should not perhaps be surprise that they are proving so popular among installers and system integrators. They are certainly being accepted as main stream products at a far faster rate compared to other new technologies introduced in the past into the security market e.g.  when DVRs were introduced as an alternative to VCRs.

About 60 % of the respondents said that their expectation of the price that an end-user should pay for a Full HD camera is between € 700 and 800. Another 25 % expect the price range to be between € 800 to € 900. What do you think is the reason that customers value Full HD cameras that much?

David Hammond: As mentioned, the fact that they can do the job of 4 to 5 standard cameras is important. With its multi-streaming capabilities, Full HD cameras are able to deliver real-life operational benefits when installed as part of an IP network based video surveillance system. The positive response highlighted in point one is therefore very good news in respect of the prospect of further strong growth in the sales of Full HD cameras during 2012 and beyond. In a tough economic environment, any product or service that is valued that much by the customers and which can help build on relationships with existing clients and open doors to new business, must be a welcome addition to any installer's portfolio.