When Altronix designed their HubWay UTP Transceivers, the objective was to provide an integrated system solution to send high quality video over long distances via structured cable. These key attributes and HubWay’s overall versatile capabilities were what M&R Electronic Systems Inc. were looking for when designing the video surveillance system for Centrum Properties Roosevelt Collection project, a luxury urban residential, retail, entertainment complex in Chicago’s South Loop district. According to Richard Superfine, president of M&R Electronic Systems, Altronix’s HubWay UTP Transceivers were the perfect fit for the application.

The Roosevelt Collection comprises two eight-story 342-unit residential lofts, a two level retail plaza, a 16-screen movie cinema and an enclosed 1,500 vehicle three-level parking garage. M&R Electronic Systems was the winning bidder for the video surveillance and security (i.e., card access, alarm, etc.) system, which called for approximately 100 cameras to be installed throughout the two-block city square complex covering approximately 1.3 million square feet.

Commonly with many new residential construction projects, Superfine explained, local area network (LAN) systems are typically provisioned after construction is complete. Security and video surveillance systems however, are expected to be in place and operational prior to or coinciding with the opening of a building.

“The long cable distances and the absence of a building-wide local area network prohibited us from using IP-based cameras, and due to the significant number of cameras being deployed, installing individual coax and power cables for each analog camera would have been very expensive and labor intensive,” said Chuck Augello, senior project manager, M&R Electronic Systems. “By using HubWay UTP Transceivers from Altronix, we significantly reduced the installation and cabling costs without sacrificing video quality.”

Superfine related, “We bid and secured the project within the budgeted amount based on our design submission employing analog cameras. There were very few utility closets and we had only a few collecting points to which we could bring the cabling back. That’s why the combination of Altronix HubWay UTP Transceiver Hubs and HubSat Power Injectors worked so well. We wired the HubSat Power Injectors in the IDF closets that were available to power the cameras, and then transmit video and data signals to the HubWay UTP Transceiver Hubs at the MDF.”

Altronix HubWay UTP Transceivers transmit high quality video up to a mile with several units that also provide camera power. HubWay UTP Transceivers support 16 and 32 cameras with features like auto picture and gain control, and compensation for video polarity. The units are designed in a compact 1U 19-inch EIA rack that can also be wall or shelf mounted.

In addition to the CCTV system, M&R Electronic Systems provided and installed access control systems, fire/voice alarm systems, intercom systems, voice, data and video wiring, sound systems and emergency response systems for Roosevelt Collection. M&R has designated Altronix products as the standard for their card access and video surveillance installations because of their reliability and proven performance, the company said.