Sony’s high definition (HD) CCTV solution enhances stadium security at the Rose Bowl

Sony SNC-RH164 HD pan-tilt zoom camera

Sony specialist dealer Heston Apex Europe Limited announced that The Rose Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket, will introduce a sophisticated end-to-end HD, IP video security system as part of its 48 million pound stadium refurbishment. The Rose Bowl will be equipped with 14 Sony SNC-RH164 HD pan-tilt zoom cameras and 8 fixed HD Sony SNC-CH140s, which monitor the internal and external grounds around the stadium. Over the past 12 months Sony has been working closely with The Rose Bowl to develop a complete digital solution for the stadium from digital signage right through to a dedicated HD production gallery. Sony's understanding of the total solution meant they were perfectly positioned to create a tailored CCTV proposition which was a natural fit for the grounds.

In addition to providing high definition image capture and IP networking, the new Sony cameras are equipped with advanced Sony DEPA intelligent video analytics technology. The Sony DEPA enabled cameras are capable of detecting and pro-actively alerting officials to possible safety issues, such as crowd congregation and suspicious loitering. By serving security staff with timely video security information in real-time, rather than asking them to constantly seek it out, potential threats to crowd safety can be swiftly managed before they escalate.

The Sony video security cameras are designed to deliver real-time HD image capture at 30 fps

Robert De'Antiquis, Managing Director of Heston Apex Europe Limited commented on the installation: "The Rose Bowl has capacity for over 20,000 cricket fans on any given match day, which means that crowd safety is our top priority. Monitoring a busy stadium can be incredibly time consuming, which is why an HD IP video security infrastructure seemed like a natural fit for the project. Not only can the security staff at The Rose Bowl better interrogate their crowd footage, thanks to sharper HD images, but footage can be better streamlined over the IP infrastructure to the control room. Better yet, using cameras equipped with Sony's DEPA intelligent video analysis security professionals at The Rose Bowl are pro-actively alerted to possible security threats helping them respond far quicker to possible security issues."

Chris Egelstaff, Operations Director at The Rose Bowl, reflected on the success of the installation so far: "We have been very happy with the quality of images captured on the new Sony HD video security system. In a crowded environment like The Rose Bowl it's vital that our security staff can really interrogate an image to identify possible security threats and the advanced video analytics take a lot of the leg work out of security breach identification, freeing up our security teams to deal with any problems that occur as quickly and efficiently as possible."

Mike Cole, Video Security Sales Director, Sony Professional elaborated on the project: "We have worked with Heston Apex Europe Limited for over 17 years tailoring bespoke security solutions. The Rose Bowl is an incredibly exciting project, the team needed to revolutionise its security infrastructure with a complete end-to-end HD solution, from HD video capture, through to HD recording and display. High quality image capture and display is at the heart of Sony product development and the new PTZ and fixed HD security cameras were the perfect fit for this installation."

Both the fixed Sony SNC-CH140 and PTZ SNC-RH164 video security cameras are designed to deliver real-time High Definition image capture at 30 frames per second and come equipped with state-of-the art image enhancement technologies to ensure high quality image capture even in low light or high contrast lighting environments.

To learn more about Sony's range of HD video security cameras please visit the Sony Video Security Pro Lounge webpage.