- Detroit Schools to Employ Security Scanners
Students returning to classes next week will be scanned by the systems at each campus.
The walk-through detectors use advanced magnetic technology to pinpoint threatening objects while ignoring common items such as coins, body piercings and small keys, said a UPI report.
The Detroit schools system spent $534,000 to buy and install 60 units in its 32 high schools, the report said.
via Detroit Schools to Employ Security Scanners | 2011-08-29 | Security Magazine.
- NVT Ethernet Over Coax Transmitter
Network Video Technologies (NVT) of Menlo Park, Calif., releases the NV-EC1701, an Ethernet over Coax (EoC) transmitter, which is positioned to support coax-based legacy CCTV installations that are migrating to IP.
A compact media converter, the product allows 10/100 BaseT Ethernet and power over Ethernet (PoE) power to be transmitted up to 5,000 feet using new or existing coax cable. Transceivers may be linked together using BNC "T" adaptors, forming a bus-architected network that supports up to four EoC transceivers and IP/megapixel cameras.
via NVT Ethernet Over Coax Transmitter - Product - Security Sales & Integration Magazine.
- Offering Biometric Solutions to Meet Customers Security Needs
Do you count yourself among the legions of security professionals who have long been leery of biometrics? While institutional misgivings about biometrics are certainly not unfounded, technological advances have allowed these devices to enter mainstream application with ease.
Today, biometrics that are simple to administer are commonly being implemented across a range of market niches. Hand geometry readers, for instance, are especially easy to install and maintain. In many cases, replacing card readers is simply an unplug-plug-and-play operation.
These devices get people into buildings and rooms quickly and can include a variety of options, such as letting an employee quickly check accrued vacation time. Plus, threshold levels are easy to control; think tightening access control in a nuclear power plant while loosening the level at a spa.
Around the world, hundreds of thousands of biometric hand geometry readers are in use, thanks to trusted reliability and convenience.
Lets take a look at the product types available to installing security contractors, and the many increased business efficiencies and benefits end-user customers can realize.
- Fort Lauderdale Unveils Surveillance Truck
Fort Lauderdale unveiled a new video surveillance vehicle dubbed “The Peacemaker.” The truck, formerly a Brinks armored vehicle, was acquired by the police department for $10 on what is being termed a “strategic partnership” with Brinks and will provide 24-hour video recording capabilities.
“The purpose of The Peacemaker is to enhance the police presence in high-crime areas throughout the city," Fort Lauderdale Detective Travis Mandell told the Broward Palm Beach New Times. “Whereas standard patrol vehicles can only drive through neighborhoods, The Peacemaker can be stationed in front of suspected drug houses, nuisance properties, and other problem areas throughout the city.”
via Fort Lauderdale Unveils Surveillance Truck | 2011-08-24 | Security Magazine.
- Candlestick Park Security to be Increased
After violence marred a preseason game against the archrival Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers moved Monday to strengthen security at Candlestick Park by banning tailgating after kickoff and warning fans that rowdy behavior won't be tolerated.
In addition, 49ers CEO Jed York said he will recommend to the NFL that the annual preseason battle between the Niners and Raiders be put off next year.
"This is a game where you have a rivalry situation, and unfortunately, you have the worst segment from a very small segment of both fan bases that come and brings about this type of event," York said at the stadium.
via Candlestick Park Security to be Increased | 2011-08-23 | Security Magazine.
- OT Systems ET1100V Ethernet Extender
OT Systems of Oswego, Ill., offers the ET1100V Series high speed Ethernet extender, which connects Ethernet technology to existing coaxial installations.
Designed to work in pairs, the product provides 10/100Base-TX connectivity for 2,600 meters up to 85Mbps using coaxial cables. The extender supports 10/100Mbps at full-duplex, auto-negotiation, and auto-MDI/MDX in system communications. Its operating temperature is in the range of 14° F to 140° F. With wall-mount and DIN-rail brackets, the ET1100V will fit in most installation environments, according to the company.
via OT Systems ET1100V Ethernet Extender - Product - Security Sales & Integration Magazine.
- Canon VB-M700F 1.3MP Fixed IP Camera
Canon USA of Lake Success, N.Y. releases the 1.3-megapixel VB-M700F fixed IP camera, which features built-in video analytics.
The ONVIF-compliant camera offers the company's 3x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 2.8 to 8.4mm and a 102.5° wide angle of view. The product also provides video data-streaming options that include simultaneous transmission of H.264 and Motion-JPEG in resolutions of 1,280 x 960, 640 x 480, and 320 x 240. Motion-JPEG can also be streamed at 160 x 120, according to the company.
via Canon VB-M700F 1.3MP Fixed IP Camera - Product - Security Sales & Integration Magazine.
- Study: More than 1 Million Shoplifters & Dishonest Employees Apprehended in 2010
Shoplifters and dishonest employees stole more than $7.0 billion in 2010 from just 23 major retailers, according to the 23rd Annual Retail Theft Survey by Jack L. Hayes International, the leading loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm. These 23 surveyed retailers apprehended over 1 million shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2010 and recovered more than $148 million from these thieves.
"For the first time in over 10 years, total shoplifter and dishonest employee apprehensions, and the dollars recovered from those apprehensions all declined from the previous year", said Mark R. Doyle, President of Jack L. Hayes International. "While surveyed retailers made almost a million shoplifting apprehensions, apprehended over 69,000 dishonest employees, and recovered over $148 million from these thieves in 2010, these numbers are all down slightly from the previous year. It appears the economy, fewer store employees, and less Loss Prevention staffing all played a role in these results." Mr. Doyle added, "Both shoplifting and employee theft continue to plague the retail industry, which results in higher prices to the consumer and can force companies to close unprofitable stores."
- Study: Network Video Product Sales to Surpass Analog in 2014
Sales in the global analog video products market dropped in 2010. One factor causing the decline is that the enterprise tier is switching to network video solutions. Increasing price competition in the mid to low tier in the analog market also plays a role in the decrease, the report notes.
In contrast, the network video market continues to grow thanks to government stimulus-funded projects. Increasing penetration of higher value network video products, such as high definition (HD) cameras, also contributes to the rise.
Despite this, IMS Research forecasts that in terms of shipments, analog cameras will continue to outsell network cameras in 2014.
- Determining a Camera’s Low Illumination Performance
How can you determine what type of image a camera will provide in a low light environment? After all, there is really no way that you can get your hands on the actual cameras and test them, one by one, in the field to determine which camera will perform best in a specific low illumination locale.
It's a major problem for most integrators, who typically are confronted with a wide selection of camera choices from a variety of manufacturers, all with contrary and confusing parameter specifications. For instance, most understand that the higher the megapixel count is, the smaller the pixel size will be. Smaller pixel sizes yield a smaller light gathering surface, which means less sensitivity to light. Nonetheless, it is virtually impossible to determine which camera will perform best by quickly comparing data sheets. So what can integrators, and their customers, do?
Good news! There is a way to measure a camera's performance in low-light conditions by analyzing the technical specifications. However, it is not a simply crosscheck of one data sheet with another.
If the sensitivities of Camera A and Camera B are 0.1 LUX and 0.05 LUX, would you assume that the low illumination performance of Camera B will be better? Many may be tempted to assume this but they would be wrong. If you judge only the sensitivity values, you easily can end up with the wrong camera.
Here's why: Yes, the parameter of 0.1 LUX means that Camera A can work in a 0.1 LUX illumination environment, but what is its output video in a low-light condition? Perhaps the camera's sensitivity is 0 LUX when disregarding infrared light imaging. Does this mean the camera can provide images when there is no light? Of course not! The images will be totally dark and useless.
Since both the testing condition and display results must be specified when describing the low illumination value of a camera, try using this formula for both color and black and white modes:
Color Mode: XXLUX @FX (X IRE, AGC XX)
B/W Mode: XXLUX @FX(X IRE, AGC XX)
As a result, your new value will be based on at least three parameters, the lens' F-stop value, the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) signal value and the camera's auto gain control (AGC) status. If these three parameters are provided (for day/night cameras, they are needed for both color and black and white mode), it's possible to determine which camera will be the best choice in low light.