New Video Surveillance Calculator

March 11, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

Whether you’re calculating IP camera bandwidth and storage or customizing an IP camera lens selection to meet the challenges of your application, you’d like to know what the end result is going to look like first before making a decision on the products and hardware you’ll be using.

Now, thanks to Gish Technology’s vsCalc you can “instantly calculate Field of View, Angle of View and Focal Length based on the Object of Interest, Visual Acuity Index and Target Distance” for your video surveillance project.

Available for $9.95 from the Apple App Store, the vsCalc™ is capable of determining how sharp the cameras images from a desired scene will be based on objects of interest such as face, license plate, or vehicle.

It provides a reference for identifying usable or unusable image quality based on detection, recognition, and identification.

From Deborah L. O’Mara’s article at SecurityInfoWatch.com:

Want to avoid that glazed-over look when trying to explain pixels per foot on target to potential customers? A new software application offers hope.

End users need to know exactly what they will be getting, aka, what the specification will ‘look’ like, with their camera installation but explaining it can be a challenge. A new visual acuity software application from Gish Technology Inc., Indianapolis, a video surveillance consulting and software company, has been about 12 months in the making and now just released.

World’s Smallest PTZ IP Camera From Axis

March 10, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

Axis M50 PTZ

Axis Communications, via BusinessWire.com, is rolling out the world’s smallest PTZ IP Camera for discreet surveillance:

With a sleek and compact design, AXIS M50 cameras are only 5.1″ wide and 2.2″ high, enabling high-quality 360° surveillance (±180˚ pan, 90° tilt and 3x digital zoom) with HDTV 720p resolution in a package smaller than the average hand (see video). As a complement to its intelligent motion detection capabilities, a built-in microphone also enables audio detection that monitors for unusual noises during off-hours to trigger a security alarm that is sent to the business owner and/or security personnel.

The mini PTZ dome cameras are easy to install on soft and hard ceilings as well as on walls, and can cover an area of up to 4,300 sq. ft. With an IP51 rating, the cameras are dustproof and protected from dripping water, enabling video to be taken even when a sprinkler system is activated. The cameras are powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE IEEE 802.3af), which simplifies installation since a standard network cable – when connected to a switch with PoE support – will carry power, video and PTZ controls.

Youtube Clip
Axis M50 PTZ Resources

World’s Smallest PTZ IP Camera From Axis

Axis M50 PTZ

Axis Communications, via BusinessWire.com, is rolling out the world’s smallest PTZ IP Camera for discreet surveillance:

With a sleek and compact design, AXIS M50 cameras are only 5.1″ wide and 2.2″ high, enabling high-quality 360° surveillance (±180˚ pan, 90° tilt and 3x digital zoom) with HDTV 720p resolution in a package smaller than the average hand (see video). As a complement to its intelligent motion detection capabilities, a built-in microphone also enables audio detection that monitors for unusual noises during off-hours to trigger a security alarm that is sent to the business owner and/or security personnel.

The mini PTZ dome cameras are easy to install on soft and hard ceilings as well as on walls, and can cover an area of up to 4,300 sq. ft. With an IP51 rating, the cameras are dustproof and protected from dripping water, enabling video to be taken even when a sprinkler system is activated. The cameras are powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE IEEE 802.3af), which simplifies installation since a standard network cable – when connected to a switch with PoE support – will carry power, video and PTZ controls.

Youtube Clip

Axis M50 PTZ Resources

 

Designing and Implementing an IP Paging System – Legacy Paging Systems (3 of 4)

Note: This is the 3rd installment of a four part series detailing the design and implementation of an IP paging (paging over VoIP) system. Click here for  Part 1, Part 2, and Part 4.

More often than not, a customer will say to me, Chris we are implementing this brand new IP PBX and IP phones and we currently have an existing analog based paging system in place we wish to incorporate into the new VoIP solution, how can we accomplish this?

The costs of replacing this equipment may be high (since IP paging equipment is somewhat costly) and the overhead of installing this new equipment may require:

  • New cable runs
  • New mounting hardware
  • Possible modifications to electrical runs

These additions and modifications may not be possible so incorporating existing paging systems into new IP Based solutions is a must.

Lucky for you, Cyberdata offers a few legacy-based paging devices that will help address this need.

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Security Door Camera – The Mobotix T24

March 4, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

The Mobotix T24 Door Station IP Camera is a unique product.  Fully weatherproof and rated for outdoor use, this IP camera acts like a sentry to guard and grant access to your entrance way and you don’t even need to physically be there to monitor or interact with people.

Because it’s IP-based and the way it’s designed, you can access the T24’s functions from anywhere you are with a video phone, a computer, or a tablet/iPad.

And with its hemispheric lens that captures a 180 degree, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic view, no one can sneak by without you seeing them plus:

  • Two-way video conversation from anywhere in the world.
  • Record with sound.
  • Keyless entry option and remotely open doors.

For a great write-up and detailed review of this door camera I urge you to check out Chris Jager’s post, Mobotix unveils security door camera that can be accessed anywhere in the world, on PC & Tech Authority:

[The Mobotix T24] comes equipped with an integrated doorbell and light-up buttons, is weather-proof and conforms to the international video telephony standard VoIP/SIP and H.264. The door station works in conjunction with an IP video phone, which controls the camera, door locks, lights and video recordings.

When the doorbell rings, an encrypted network connection is established with a VoIP video phone, PC or tablet device; allowing the owner to interact with the person on ther doorstep from anywhere in the world.

Panasonic i-Pro Camera Application

March 3, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

Panasonic WV-NW502S i-Pro CameraSourceSecurity.com has nice article outlining a real world application example for:

  • Panasonic i-Pro Cameras
  • Panasonic Network Video Recorders

From the article, “Panasonic i-Pro video surveillance system to enhance security at Clarion University“:

Clarion University depends on Panasonic i-PRO systems to provide IP-based video surveillance throughout its campus in the Appalachian Mountain region of northwestern Pennsylvania. The University’s systems integrator, The Protection Bureau, is enthusiastic about the benefits of Panasonic security systems to Clarion University.

“The proof is in the picture, bottom line; the other specs don’t matter,” said Bob Burket, Senior Security Consultant, The Protection Bureau. “For megapixel cameras, Panasonic has the best picture out there, particularly in low-light situations.”

Click on the link above for more detailed information about how they integrated Panasonic’s solution into their security system.

And if you’re interested in the products mentioned, please give us a call to discuss at 866-583-8915 and check them out for yourself:

  • Panasonic WV-NW502S Megapixel Vandal-Resistant IP Camera
  • Panasonic WJ-ND400 64-Channel Network Video Recorder
  • Panasonic WV-ASM100 Monitoring & Management Software for Panasonic NVR’s

IP Video Storage – RAID

March 2, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

I briefly touched on IP video surveillance storage options in a previous post.

Ronen Issac, over at the Security Info Watch Blog, has done a much better job, including some very useful graphics, at explaining the intricacies of the redundant storage system known as RAID.

From his post, Overview of RAID for IP Video Storage:

Storage is a big part of IP video security and so I thought I would start a small series of video storage starting with the basics. Today we will discuss RAID. RAID has been discussed many (x4) times throughout the years but I still get questions about it. What is it, what is the best choice for RAID for my VMS, etc. So here we go.

There are 4 major types of RAID 0, 1, 5 & 6. There are then combinations of two of the above like RAID 10, 50 & 60. We will discuss each briefly.

How Intelligent Video Detects Objects

Intelligent video applications work by:

  1. Detecting objects.
  2. Segmenting different shapes/objects into areas of interest.
  3. Classifying the objects by type (person, vehicle, object).
  4. Characterizing objects by color, size, direction of travel, or motion.

After this information has been processed, user defined rules can determine if a car is traveling the wrong way, someone is entering a prohibited area, or if an object is left behind (security threat). 

If these rules are broken, alerts and alarms can automatically notify you of an event taking place.

Below, I’ve outlined some of the advanced intelligent video applications.

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Benefits of AudioCodes Gateways

February 26, 2011 by Garrett Smith

Audiocodes VoIP Solutions is a field-proven and best-of-breed VoIP technology.  With AudioCodes offering solutions from a density of 4 ports all the way up 16 T1’s, it’s a no brainer that AudioCodes Gateways are a leader in the VoIP Gateway space. 

On top of that, AudioCodes is now able to connect to Skype and leverage existing TDM PBXs and Key Systems.  Interoperability with Skype for SIP means that,

“Small businesses can take advantage of the cost savings provided by Skype’s low-cost global calling rates when their employees call landlines and mobile phones around the world.”

Receive Inbound Skype Calls

A company can also receive inbound voice calls from,

“Any of the more than 521 million registered Skype users around the world via a global click-to-call button on its Web site. By certifying the AudioCodes Multi-Service Business Gateways with Skype for SIP, customers can benefit from interoperability with hundreds of TDM PBXs, Key Systems, and IP-PBXs that have not been able to connect to Skype so far.”

In addition, if a company buys and associates an online Skype number with their AudioCodes Mediant 1000 Multi-Service Business Gateway solution, it can then receive inbound calls via Skype from business contacts and customers calling from landline and mobile phones.

Leverage Existing Phone System

Needless to say, this is a huge win for customers that are trying to leverage their existing phone system and add the value of VoIP without a complete overhaul. To learn more about AudioCodes, please contact me directly:

Intelligent Video Advanced Applications

February 25, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

I’ve been posting about intelligent video lately and in lieu of yet another educational lecture (don’t be sad for too long, I’ll be returning to that soon) on the topic I thought a few article links about industry news and real world application examples would be helpful.

Smart Phones and Facial Recognition

Security Products Magazine takes a look at the emerging role that smart phones will play with intelligent video with the article, “Animetrics App Uses Facial Recognition to Secure Smartphones”:

FaceR CredentialME AppLock enables the Android smart phone user to use facial recognition as the biometric authentication to unlock any application installed on the user’s Android device. CME AppLock provides the options of using a password or letting the device camera automatically take a picture of your face and thereby verify the user via face recognition to secure the user’s choice of applications.

License Plate Recognition in Mere Milliseconds

Security Sales & Integration Magazine unveils the behind-the-scenes power of intelligent video with their article, “Algorithms Provide the Muscle Behind the Analytics”:

In order to power advanced image analytics, sophisticated algorithms have been developed that extend the software’s intelligence so that it more readily recognizes certain rules. A basic example of this is license plate recognition (LPR). License plates in some states and countries begin with a letter; algorithms are able to discern the letter B from the numeral 8. This is crucial when you have only milliseconds to execute the read.

Also from Security Sales & Integration, for more on license plate recognition check out “Integrated System Combines Vehicle Identification With Real-Time Video.”

Protection While Increasing Access and Mobility

From ASMAG.com, “Securing and Preserving Cultural Heritage“:

Until recently, wireless alarms were mostly called upon, hidden behind paintings or in exhibit cases, to protect collections. “But intelligent video can allow visitors to move freely within the space and alert the security personnel in the control room and the guard in the exhibit galleries only when someone attempts to touch or remove the protected object,” Lazuta said. “Protective zones are drawn around objects, and alerts can be sent also in the form of an e-mail or a text message.”

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