Industry News

Thailand Flood Causes Hard Drive Shortage
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If you’re looking to buy a Network Video Recorder (NVR) or especially a configurable NVR like those with QNAP that offer your choice of storage, there may be a shipment delay due to flooding in Thailand that is affecting hard drive production.

The damage from flooding could keep factories closed for months so manufacturers who have an immediate hard drive need are stocking up quickly.  The last few months of 2011 are expected to be tight and Q1 2012 could be slow when the true impact of this disaster is felt.

If you’re looking into buying an NVR or anything else with a hard drive, sooner rather than later may be the best option as there’s no telling how long the wait could be.…

5 Reasons Surveillance In the Cloud Makes Sense
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One huge advantage of an IP camera based surveillance system over their analog, coaxial cousins is vastly better image quality.

So why are so many analog cameras still in use? 

Dragging Surveillance Into the Digital Age

Matt Krebs at TechNewsWorld asks, “In a world where HDTVs, Blu-ray and 3D IMAX features dominate the entertainment landscape, how can video from surveillance cameras be so poor?”

Cost is always factor but the gradual shift to higher quality, full-featured IP cameras can also be attributed to surveillance systems that haven’t broken down yet.  Many systems still employ analog components that have not out-lived their usefulness on fully functioning infrastructure that was expensive to install.

That may now change with surveillance in the Cloud.

Hosted Video Partnership 

Krebs …

Surveillance Robot Granted FCC Waiver for Video Transmissions
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There’s a small two-wheeled surveillance robot that’s been used by the military in combat zones called the Throwbot made by Recon Robotics.

The name implies that you can physically hurl this device wherever it’s needed and that’s true. Check out the video for a demonstration.

Matthew Lasar’s article Army sruveillance bot approved for use by police, fireman at Ars Technica explains that while military tools are often just as useful to local law enforcement and fire departments, the problem Recon Robotics had with putting the Throwbot into domestic use was getting permission from the FCC to allow live video feed transmission from the device.

Emergency responders urged the FCC to allow them use of the Throwbot as a “life saving tool” that would help …

Go Green – Self-Powered Surveillance Solutions
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By now I’m sure you’ve noticed solar powered parking ticket machines, lights, and signs on the side of the road or on highways.  Solar powered ticket machineSeems like a great way to save on energy costs and place a display anwhere it’s needed without the constraint of running wires.

What about doing the same for IP cameras that are needed in remote areas or in places where running lines for power just isn’t an economical option?

SentryView Systems provides a remote IP surveillance solution that can utilize both solar and wind power with SentryPost™

The system is designed to operate with solar & wind power generation as either the primary power supply for off-grid installations, or as a backup to mains power to keep the surveillance system operational …

Axis Unveils Dual-Lens IP Camera with Panoramic View
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Available in July, Axis has just introduced the P5544 PTZ dual-lens IP camera.  Similar to the Mobotix DualDome D12 series this Axis camera has two different lenses for two different functions.  Unlike the Mobotix DualDome D12 series which offers 180° recording,  the Axis P5544 offers a complete 360° field of view.

One lens is for panoramic views and the other provides mechanical pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) functionality.  This camera is advertised as ideal for wide surveillance overviews and detailed zoomed-in views for identification in applications such as:Axis P5544 provides 360 degree panoramic view and fast PTZ controls with 18x zoom in HDTV 720p

  • Airports
  • Train stations
  • Logistics centers
  • Shopping centers

The Axis P5544 supports 720p HDTV with 1280 x 720 resolution with H.264 compression to limit bandwidth and storage loads.  With an IP51 rated casing for water and dust protection, this …

Mobotix Highlights Hemispheric Technology
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With Mobotix announcing a 50% year-over-year revenue growth in the America’s, it wants to continue that growth by focusing on their hemispheric technology.

Specifically, in addition to their full line that offers high-resolution capabilities, Mobotix is looking to Mobotix Q24expand their market with unique offereings such as:

Mobotix expects a strong year and has stated that these cameras are “in high demand due Mobotix T24to the products’ superior image quality, decentralized infrastructure, low upfront cost and long-term return-on-investment.”

With their decentralized approach Mobotix IP Cameras also utilize the following advantages:

  • High-speed computer and internal flash memory card (SD/MicroSD card) to enable all recording and storage to occur within the camera.
  • Reduced need for a
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Industry’s First HD WDR Video Surveillance Chipset
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Altera Corporation, a semiconductor device manufacturer, has announced the development of the industry’s first HD WDR video surveillance chipset:

Government, municipalities, financial institutions, and businesses are driving new uses for video surveillance technologies beyond crime prevention or security into applications such as asset management, risk mitigation, and safety.

The challenge for camera manufacturers, however, is developing “smarter” cameras at lower price points. More and more, digital high-definition (HD) Internet protocol surveillance cameras are replacing analog cameras because of lower installation costs, scalability, and the ability to add intelligence.

Recognizing camera manufacturer challenges and surveillance market demands Altera has enlisted CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors into their design to help power the next generation of IP cameras.  And for good reason because CMOS …

Microcopter Surveillance
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Rising from the ground using eight rotors, a micro-helicopter goes undetected to transmit GPS coordinates and images of sensitive locations to soldiers or SWAT team members ready to strike.

If you think that microcopter surveillance in this age of UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles) being used by the Air Force and Navy doesn’t sound far-fetched, you’d be right.

A graduate student at Florida Tech is working on just that for his master’s degree project.…

Axis IP Cameras and the Japanese Disaster
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Axis has issued a press release with their comments regarding the situation in Japan:

With reference to the catastrophic earthquake in Japan, Axis Communications hereby announces that the company has secured product supplies and does not currently see any immediate shortages in the supply of components in the near-term.

There may be some delivery issues in the next few quarters due to components shortages however, the 10 employees in the Axis Toyko office were not directly affected.

Full story here. 


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Expert Says Video Surveillance Critical for Data Centers
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Latest news from BCS reports that video surveillance is an integral part of data centers high-security operations to augment existing electronic access control security measures:

Tom Reeve, editor of SecurityNewsDesk.com, has explained that data centres inherently have to be a ‘very high-security operation’.

‘In addition to the normal access control and electronic security you would expect in a data centre, a good CCTV system can help back up the essential audit trails you need in order to determine who’s been coming and going, for example,’ he commented.

‘Certainly CCTV [is] essential in a high-security operation like that, where you’re depending on it 99.9 per cent of the time.’

Integrating IP surveillance into your businesses existing systems gives you greater control, options, and flexibility. 

There’s …