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Clubbing on camera

The latest newcomer to Manchester's renowned clubbing scene in the UK has installed a networked digital CCTV system to offer both top-of-the-range security coverage and live networked images of clubbers across the venue's three entertainment levels.

Lucid, a prestigious city centre nightclub and host to celebrity clientele including Westlife and Naomi Campbell, brings a unique 24/7 entertainment concept to Manchester and is backed by Richard Branson. Based in the Printworks entertainment complex, it is the largest nightclub in Manchester.

Stoke-on-Trent based system designers Security Design Services have installed two networked DS2 digital multiplex recorders from Dedicated Micros to allow the club to record and display images from across the venue on a number of massive 20 by 12 ft plasma screens.

The requirements

The club management had very specific requirements of the security system. Mike Pye of Security Design Services explains: "With such an upmarket clientele, top quality but discreet security is obviously a major requirement. But they also wanted to use the live camera images as an integral part of the on-site entertainment, with networked images of clubbers being relayed to 12 different plasma screens in different parts of the venue."

The solution

Two Dedicated Micros DS2 16-way digital multiplex recorders capture images from 31 cameras located over key entry and exit points, bar areas, dance floors and lifts. Crowd control cameras over the main entrance are networked - an alarm image will automatically appear on the screen in the DJ booth to alert him to any potential incidents, while doormen and security stewards can also view images from inside the club and around the DJ booth.

Lucid general manager, Paul McMichael, commented: "Security for our clientele is a number one priority at Lucid, which is why we have invested in the latest digital CCTV capability. As well as being simple to run, the system also offers us top quality images which we can use to keep any potential troublemakers away to maintain the exclusive and safe environment which our customers rightly expect."

Continuous digital images are recorded for up to 31 days on the DS2 internal 320 GB hard disks and archived onto a CD writer for evidential purposes. They can also be saved to PC and printed out on site. All hard disk recording has a digital signature applied and is accessible at the touch of a button via powerful GoTo and event preview facilities.

Direct telemetry control via the ergonomically designed keyboard and multidirectional joystick provides a zoom in/zoom out facility for swift, seamless control of 24 Sony internal colour domes and two high-resolution external domes. Future plans include live camera link-ups with other Lucid clubs currently under construction across the UK.

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