Resources
Discover tips, resources, and case studies that help you plan better, work smarter, and get the most from your Blackbox systems. Our Resource Hub brings together practical guidance, expert insights, and real-world project examples to support your team at every stage, from choosing the right solution to optimising performance on site.
What Interval Works Best?
Why We Capture Every 4 Minutes: The Optimal Interval for Project Documentation After more than 15 years of capturing construction projects across Australia, Blackbox has refined its approach to time-lapse photography to deliver the clearest, most accurate record of site activity. Through thousands of deployments and millions of images, we’ve found the optimal balance: capturing an image every four minutes. This interval isn’t arbitrary; it’s the result of extensive real-world experience and ongoing feedback from project managers, contractors, and stakeholders who rely on accurate visual documentation. A Clear, Consistent Record of Daily Activity A 4-minute interval provides a reliable, detailed visual timeline of your project’s day-to-day progress. It captures enough activity to show meaningful change without overwhelming the system with redundant images. This ensures: Smooth, cohesive time-lapse sequences Accurate documentation of milestones Clear visibility of workflow and site movements Whether it's steel installation, demolition, facade work, or large-scale pours, the interval is frequent enough to capture each key moment without gaps. The Right Balance of Detail and Efficiency Capturing images too frequently creates unnecessary data and bloated storage. Capturing too infrequently risks missing important events. A 4-minute interval strikes the perfect balance, offering: High-resolution detail Efficient data management Cost-effective long-term storage Lower system load and increased reliability This allows long-term projects, sometimes spanning years, to be captured smoothly and professionally without compromise.
Can I Use Cameras on Site?
1. Privacy and Consent In Australia, privacy laws vary slightly between states and territories, but most are guided by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and related surveillance legislation. Generally, you cannot record people in a way that intrudes on their privacy — for example, in bathrooms, lunchrooms, or private offices. On active work sites, video surveillance for safety and security is typically allowed, but transparency is key. - Always inform workers, contractors, and visitors that they are being recorded. - Clearly explain why the surveillance is in place (e.g. safety, security, or monitoring site activity). - Avoid using surveillance for any reason other than the purpose stated. 2. Signage Requirements All surveillance cameras should be accompanied by clear and visible signage at site entry points. This signage should indicate that CCTV or monitoring systems are in operation. Include the purpose of the recording (e.g. “for safety and security monitoring”). Identify who is responsible for the data collection (such as the site operator or contractor in this case, Blackbox). Proper signage not only supports compliance but also serves as a deterrent for theft and vandalism, reinforcing your site’s security posture. 3. Data Storage and Retention Once footage is captured, it becomes personal information under privacy law if individuals can be identified. That means it must be stored and managed securely. To stay compliant: - Restrict access to authorised personnel only. - Store footage securely, using encrypted systems. - Set retention policies to keep recordings only for as long as they are needed for their intended purpose (for example, 30–90 days, unless required for an investigation). 4. Audio Recording In most Australian jurisdictions, recording audio without consent is illegal under the Surveillance Devices Acts. Unless there is a specific operational need and consent has been obtained, video-only recording should be used on construction sites.
Operation Osprey
When renowned designer and presenter Jamie Durie approached us during filming for his new TV series Growing Home, he had an urgent and unusual request. An osprey had built a nest on top of a tower crane on site and was preparing to lay eggs. With only a few days before the first egg was due, Jamie wanted a way to safely monitor and live stream this rare moment so the community could follow the journey from egg to fledgling. With the clock ticking, Blackbox Labs moved quickly. Our team designed and built a completely customised camera system capable of being mounted high on the tower crane, providing a stable, close-up view of the osprey nest. The system was engineered to withstand wind, height, and constant outdoor exposure while delivering reliable 24/7 live streaming. In just a matter of days, we deployed the solution and established a continuous YouTube live stream, giving the public the ability to watch the ospreys lay their eggs, hatch, grow, and eventually leave the nest.
Do I Need Back to Base Monitoring?
Managing remote or high-value sites comes with constant challenges, asset theft, safety incidents, compliance pressures, and operational inefficiencies. Traditional security measures like on-site guards or basic CCTV often fall short, especially across multiple sites or harsh environments. Back-to-base monitoring addresses these challenges by connecting cameras, sensors, and alarms to a central monitoring hub, providing 24/7 professional oversight, instant alerts, and rapid incident response. At Blackbox, our solutions are designed for construction sites and powered by solar and battery systems, making them ideal for remote or challenging locations. The NX Dashboard consolidates live feeds, historical footage, and alerts into one intuitive platform, giving managers real-time visibility and peace of mind. With trained operators monitoring sites around the clock, incidents are detected early, allowing faster response times and reducing risk across your projects. Back-to-base monitoring not only protects assets but also improves operational efficiency, ensures compliance, and provides transparent reporting for stakeholders. For construction, mining, and government projects, it’s a proactive, scalable solution that saves time, reduces costs, and strengthens oversight, helping your team focus on getting the job done safely and on schedule.
Why a Block and Pole Is Better
Blackbox’s concrete blocks and poles provide a durable and reliable solution for securing cameras, signage, or other equipment on-site. Their robust construction ensures stability in a variety of conditions, keeping systems upright and secure even in high winds or busy areas. Designed with forklift slots, the blocks are easy to move and reposition, offering flexibility for temporary or changing site layouts without the need for permanent foundations. This reduces installation time and maintenance while providing a solid, dependable base that protects both equipment and personnel. With their strength, versatility, and ease of relocation, these blocks and poles support safer, more efficient, and adaptable site management across any project.
Time Lapse Vs Security
What Camera is Best for my Site and Why? When it comes to monitoring a construction site, timelapse and security cameras are often mentioned in the same breath, but they serve very different purposes. While both bring significant value, understanding their distinct roles helps project teams choose the right solution for visibility, communication, and safety. Security Cameras: Real-Time Protection and Incident Response Security cameras are designed to monitor what’s happening right now. Their primary purpose is to: Protect high-value assets Detect suspicious activity Improve site security Support compliance and investigations These systems are strategically positioned to cover critical areas, including: Laydown and storage areas Site sheds and offices Entry and exit gates Machinery and plant Containers and equipment zones With features like motion alerts, AI detection, live monitoring, and back-to-base escalation, security cameras help teams respond quickly to incidents and reduce risk across the site. They play an essential role in prevention, deterrence, and evidence capture. Timelapse Cameras: Documenting Progress and Telling the Project Story While security focuses on the moment, timelapse focuses on the journey. Timelapse cameras capture consistent, scheduled images over weeks, months, or years to build a visual record of project progress. Typically positioned to capture wide hero shots, rooftop angles, or long-term static viewpoints, timelapse cameras support: Progress tracking Workflow review Stakeholder engagement Marketing and communications Reporting and milestone documentation This gives project teams historical context and high-level visibility that security cameras are not designed to capture. Timelapse footage also becomes a powerful asset for client presentations, community updates, social content, tender submissions, and end-of-project storytelling. Different Tools, Different Purposes, But Highly Complementary Although timelapse and security cameras serve different functions, they work best when used together. Security cameras Respond to events in real time and help protect the site day-to-day. Timelapse cameras Provide long-term insight and document the bigger picture without interfering with operations. Combined, they give teams the ability to: Review daily activity Analyse trends Track milestones Protect assets Manage risk Communicate progress confidently It’s the blend of immediate response and long-term visibility that makes both technologies essential on modern construction projects.
Why Camera Placement Matters More Than You Think
The Importance of Time-Lapse Camera Placement: Getting the Right View from Day One Time-lapse photography is one of the most powerful tools for documenting progress, engaging stakeholders, and showcasing the story of a construction project. But even the best camera can only perform as well as the location it’s placed in. Choosing the right position and the right mounting option is critical to capturing high-quality imagery that is both visually compelling and operationally useful. At Blackbox, we’ve spent more than 15 years refining camera placement strategies to ensure every project is captured clearly, accurately, and safely. Here’s what matters most. 1. How Placement Shapes the Entire Story Time-lapse relies on consistency. Once the camera is installed, it may stay in the same position for months or even years. That means the first decision — where to place the camera determines the entire outcome. A strong placement balances: Aesthetics for marketing, stakeholder engagement, and project storytelling Practical visibility for progress tracking and workflow review Coverage for safety, compliance, and dispute resolution Longevity, positioned in a way that won’t be obstructed as the project evolves Selecting the wrong location can result in restricted visibility, blocked lines of sight, poor lighting conditions, or missed milestones, issues that can undermine years of documentation. 2. Choosing the Right Mounting Solution Every site is different, and the best placements often depend on the mounting systems available. Blackbox offers a wide range of engineered mounting options designed to simplify installation and ensure stability, no matter the environment. Block & Pole System A 1.2-tonne concrete base with a 5m steel winch pole provides exceptional stability and height. Ideal for open sites, long-term projects, or locations without existing infrastructure. Best for: Major infrastructure, large construction zones, outdoor works. Roof-Mounted Solutions Multiple configurations allow safe and secure mounting to parapets, plant decks, walls, or structural elements. Best for: Urban projects, high vantage points, aesthetic wide-angle hero shots. Internal Mounting Options Magnetic mounts, fixed brackets, and other internal systems support controlled environments like fitouts and refurbishments. Best for: Interiors, office builds, hospitals, and heritage-sensitive locations. Shipping Container Mounts A versatile solution that takes advantage of on-site container storage. Best for: Temporary works, short-term vantage points, flexible positioning. Portable Masts Rapid-deploy masts ideal for remote, off-grid, or large-scale rural projects where infrastructure is limited. Best for: Solar farms, mining operations, civil works. In-Ground Footing Cages A permanent option for long-duration projects requiring maximum stability and height. Best for: Multi-year builds, infrastructure, or environments with strong winds. Extension Sleeves When extra height is needed to clear obstacles or achieve a better angle, our 2m extension sleeves provide the elevation advantage. Best for: Dense city sites, tall hoardings, or evolving vertical works. 3. Balancing Aesthetics and Practicality A well-chosen placement must meet two essential needs: For Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement Clean, unobstructed hero angles Wide framing to capture the full story Dramatic vantage points for early, mid, and late project updates Consistent lighting and minimal glare For Operational Documentation Clear visibility of work zones Evidence for safety investigations Transparent record for dispute resolution Capturing sequence and workflow Oversight of critical project stages The best placements strike a balance, creating beautiful visuals without compromising the practical value of the footage.