National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico renews its video surveillance system with Panasonic

El MNA ha llevado a cabo un proyecto tecnológico de seguridad preventiva basado en un sistema en red. This is made up of 273 Cameras, with 4K Ultra HD resolution, 360o coverage and infrared technology; six NVRs of 24 TB and eight LED TH-49LF80U monitors 49 Inch.

To the National Museum of Anthropology (Mna) Mexico City comes thousands of people every year to visit the more than 90.000 square meters of surface that occupies this historic enclosure.

Preserving its integrity and safeguarding cultural heritage pose a major challenge of preventive security. To respond to this challenge and be prepared for the future, MNA authorities and their Board of Trustees have renewed their video surveillance system with Panasonic's technology and solutions.

"The National Museum of Anthropology is a reference point, a very important space for the arts, one of the most accomplished architectural expressions of the 20th century. From 2010, was declared an artistic monument, to which is added the value that its collections confer, everyday activities and being in the shadow of a recognized architectural work with an artistic value that is important to preserve", explains Antonio Saborit, director of the MNA.

The museum, located in the Chapultepec Forest, in Mexico City, receives annually more than 2,3 millions of people, from school groups and tourists, even scientific researchers, in addition to temporary employees and collaborators.

Within his 93.000 square meters of surface, the museum integrates 22 showrooms, an auditorium and the National Library of Anthropology and History. It also has work areas for researchers, cellars and vaults, workshops and offices. Added to this are the outdoor spaces, from courtyards and gardens, to the perimeter that surrounds it through the streets of Paseo de la Reforma and Circuito Gandhi.

The combination of a wide operating hours, visitors and staff; a complex and very large building, with areas open to the public, operational areas and vaults with restricted access; requires the museum to have a preventive security system ready to operate 24/7, with full coverage, real-time monitoring and storage of video files available for review at any time.

The MNA and its Board of Trustees, MNA's sub-direction of Security and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), decided to renew the analog video security system by one of digital technology.

Digital video security

Panasonic presented a technological proposal that included the design and integration services of the video security solution, in addition to equipment and software.

To cover the entire area of the museum, Panasonic designed a networked solution, where different types of cameras were combined, from 4K Ultra HD resolution and models for 360o coverage, up to infrared technology for low-light areas. High-performance NVR video-servers were also included, in addition to Led monitors.

With this solution, not only were cameras and analog equipment replaced, by digital systems, but less equipment was used to achieve the coverage goal, monitoring and availability of video files.

The new video surveillance system consists of 273 Cameras. The vast majority are WV-S2131L and WV-SFV130 models, Dome type with Full HD Super Dynamic resolution and high sensitivity to capture the best image no matter the light conditions. Many of it are used in vaults, where parts that are sheltered are protected, because of its preservation method, remain stored under an environment of very low or no lighting.

At the accesses to the building, Panasonic installed more than fifteen WV-SF438 cameras with 360o coverage capacity, making these areas of high flow of visitors well covered, with more display and tracking options for monitoring operators.

More than a dozen 4K Ultra HD cameras are used to monitor outdoor areas, courtyards and gardens, where there is a constant transit of people. In these areas, it is necessary to fully identify the face of a particular subject or action, so the WV-SFV781L cameras, anti-vandálica dome type, and the WV-SPV781L, weatherproof, offer the picture, performance and robustness needed.

At last, the courtyards, gardens and staff accesses are guarded with WV-S1531LN Full HD cameras, with weatherproof design.

At the control and monitoring center, a video file recording and storage solution has been chosen with an arrangement of six Network Video Recorders (Nvr) with the capacity to 24 TB each. Connected to the security system network, use the Video Insight Software Suite for configuration and operation. Thanks to these video-servers, it is possible to review the recording of any of the 273 cameras at all times.

The images captured by the cameras are displayed through a wall of eight LED TH-49LF80U monitors 49 inches that, because of its high level of brightness and great contrast ratio, make it easy to see from anywhere.

The renewal of the video surveillance system is part of the work that the MNA carries out for its modernization and adaptation to the new times. In the opinion of its directors, the museum should be seen as a living ente, that requires transforming into many aspects.

"Museums have changed radically, are very different nowadays. This is not the same as it does 54 Years, when it was opened. Its nature is diverse, its potential as a research center and information space is enormous. Its potential as a playful space for the visit must also grow. In addition, we have to go for new audiences, the museum needs to attract them and build them from the young population of our country", points to the immediate future its director, Antonio Saborit.

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