The local government department responsible for the conservation of the Colosseum in Rome - Soprintendenza Archeologica - is using Canon VB network cameras in a new CCTV system.

The cameras are part of a project which upgraded the Colosseum’s analogue surveillance infrastructure to digital, to provide the security team with higher quality images and improve their ability to protect the world heritage site. The site poses some unique challenges for surveillance; while it requires a high level of security, there are strict limits on the size and number of cameras which can be installed.

The Canon VB model used has a Pan/Tilt/Zoom functionality, meaning that the viewing angle can be adjusted so that each camera covers a full 360° horizontal field of view, offering improved coverage with fewer devices. The cameras offer exceptional low-light performance, providing clear visibility of subjects and surroundings even in low-light conditions.

The cameras were provided and are maintained by Canon partner SN Tecnica, which created unobtrusive thermal housings to protect the cameras and electrical equipment from unfavourable weather conditions. The company also implemented an encrypted Wi-Fi bridge connection to enable remote data transmission of the footage.

The image quality of the solution has exceeded expectations and Soprintendenza Archeologica is considering using additional Canon network cameras to create an online virtual tour of the site.