VISITORS saw a bunch of new product and technology at ASIS 2013. In my opinion, the market remains slow on the draw when it comes new gear but there are some positive signs.
At ASIS 2013, Arecont Vision demonstrated its new SurroundVideo omni cameras, which feature 4 multi-megapixel sensors that can be individually adjusted to capture different fields of view within a full 360-degree range. The new SurroundVideo Omni cameras will be available in 5-megapixel (MP), 8MP, 12MP and 20MP configurations, plus will have multiple lens options available from 2.8mm up to 16mm. I’ve not seen footage or a live view of one of these cameras yet but for topical applications, it seems they would be a powerful solution, ideal for large open sites.
Something really interesting from D-Link was the DCS-2136L day/night camera which is claimed by the company to be the world’s first IP camera with wireless 802.11ac support Wi-Fi support. Single link 802.11ac offers 500Mbps throughput, which is a hell of a lot. I like secure Wi-Fi for surveillance cameras and I think we’re going to see a wave of it in the future. Whether this D-Link camera can act as a node in a 1Gbps mesh/network, I’m not sure, but the potential is obviously there.
Something else D-Link was skiting about at ASIS was ‘colour night vision’, a new ‘technology’ which uses an integrated white LED to allow the DCS-2136L camera to generate colour images in complete darkness. There’s something delightfully paradoxical about a camera with an integrated light that can see in complete darkness.
Unsurprisingly, D-Link DCS-2136L is strong on simple installation and integration into existing networks via mydlink portal to view streaming video from a PC, notebook, iPhone, iPad or Android device, as well as enhanced remote capabilities via the mydlink+ and free mydlink Lite app.
At ASIS, Genetec announced the Smart Analogue Package for analogue users looking to upgrade to more versatile IP-based video surveillance capabilities while still leveraging existing infrastructure. The package will be broadly available to all Genetec Certified channel partners through Ingram Micro for a limited time, with orders accepted the first week of October and ending March 31, 2014.
The promotion will initially be introduced to the United States and Canadian markets via a special bundle that includes Genetec’s latest Security Center 5.2 platform with 1-year software support and maintenance, and the VIP X16 XF E — a 16-channel video encoder from Bosch Security Systems.
What’s interesting about this to me is its recognition that many users are not shifting from still functional analogue cameras and coaxial networks, despite the performance advantages of HD cameras. I think this recognises too, that for end users in many countries, especially in government, there is simply no budget for new tech.
Meanwhile, HID Global showed the iCLASS Seos credential, which is part of the iCLASS SE platform. The standards-based technology manages and authenticates identities, delivering maximum interoperability by supporting current, emerging, and future technologies, such as NFC-enabled smartphones.
To support contactless communications, iCLASS Seos provides data integrity and privacy protection by leveraging industry-standard cryptographic algorithms. The credential can be securely embedded on NFC smartphones for physical access control, computer logon, biometrics, and other applications. HID’s iClass Seos is a technology whose time is coming.
Panasonic showed its WV-ASR500 software recording solution as an expandable Windows server-based video recorder. Given Panasonic is not known for developing VMS solutions, this is an interesting release. The solution provides customers with the flexibility required to build a powerful surveillance recording and monitoring installation around a single scalable software-based platform.
In addition to the high capacity and field extendable core recording capability, the ASR500 features include multi-camera-time-synchronized playback, event- and time-based search and multiple video export and archiving functions. In addition, when coupled with Panasonic ASM200 or ASM970 client applications, the ASR500 system serves as a complete video management solution (VMS) featuring broad support for IP cameras and encoders as well as integration with third-party security hardware and access control systems from a wide range of leading manufacturers.
Sony Electronics showed its IPELA Engine Pro camera lineup with 4 rapid dome IP cameras, including the new W Series cameras feature the highest-rated optical zoom, fastest pan speed, highest frame rate and widest dynamic range of any full HD camera on the market. The W Series is the first full HD camera to feature 130dB of wide dynamic range, giving solid performance in strong backlit environments.
Having seen demos, I can say that Sony’s latest creation works very well. The SNC-WR630 and SNC-WR600 are rated for indoor use with full HD and HD resolution. The SNC-WR632 and SNC-WR602 unitized models are IP66 rated for outdoor use with full HD and HD resolution. It goes without saying that SEN is keen to review this camera.
Mobotix showed the M15 camera platform based on the company’s new Mobotix 5MP technology we all saw in Sydney. The camera includes 2 exchangeable sensor modules and further builds on the camera platform concept and decentralized approach to surveillance pioneered by the company. As the modules can be easily exchanged, users will have access to an up-to-date surveillance system for their specific application.
Mobotix’ new 5MP sensors allow users to gain more than 4x better light sensitivity in all conditions. The new sensor technology offers a frame rate of up to 30 frames per second and zoom capabilities are increased by 27 per cent in colour and by more than 200 per cent in black-and-white.
“Single link 802.11ac offers 500Mbps throughput, which is a hell of a lot. I like secure Wi-Fi for surveillance cameras and I think we’re going to see a wave of it in the future”
Meanwhile, Avigilon showed its new Light Catcher camera which is designed for hotels, restaurants, bars and other dim locations. Apparently, these cameras can capture colours in a way that others can’t in darkness or low light. The camera works by increasing the amount of light and detail captured by the camera and decreasing the noise in the image. How this technology impacts on bandwidth, aperture, shutter speed and frame rate I can’t say, having not demoed Light Catcher but the word at ASIS was that performance is good.
Samsung Techwin displayed the latest addition to its WiseNetIII camera line. The SNV-6012M mobile flat camera is IP66-rated and equipped with a rugged M12 connector to withstand vibration and harsh weather environments. Utilizing H.264 compression along with the option to use MJPEG compression, the SNV-6012M can capture high quality colour images with a lighting level as low as 0.03 lux, with a frame rate of 60fps at 1080p. The 2MP, full HD (1080P) vandal-resistant camera is fully mobile and has been designed to meet the challenging conditions for surveillance aboard trains, buses and other modes of public transport.
ComNet expanded its line of wireless Ethernet transmission products, including NetWave, a commercial grade and industrially hardened point-to-point kits, as well as point-to-multipoint models. The NetWave NWK-1, available exclusively as a kit, contains all the components needed to transmit a single Ethernet stream between a remote location and an access point. All NetWave products feature LED arrays that assist installers in aligning antennas for optimal performance.
There was a new NVR from Honeywell, the Maxpro NVR/VMS2.5, which provides enhanced productivity through better search capabilities and reduced false alarms. The system also supports integration of Honeywell access control. Situational awareness is provided in a 360-degree immersive experience for increased coverage with fewer cameras. The unit’s open architecture gives increased flexibility and greater freedom of choice with support for ONVIF Profile S compliant devices, in addition to PSIA and RTSP.
Interlogix has expanded its TruVision camera range, including IP models offering high performance at prices competitive with analogue units and the company was directly pushing IP’s ease of installation when compared with analogue. The 29 new TruVision IP cameras include resolutions from 1.3 to 3 megapixels; indoor and outdoor models; bullet, wedge and dome form factors; pan-tilt-zooms (PTZs); and up to 25-meter infrared (IR) range for low-light use. The outdoor models are enclosed in metal, vandal-resistant enclosures. All models support open standards by ONVIF and PSIA. Interlogix also showed a line of high resolution analogue cameras featuring 960H technology.
FLIR was showing its FC-Series S camera, as well as Cameleon, its adaptive command solution, and Skywatch, a manned mobile surveillance tower. Samsung was showing the SNP-6200RH PTZ dome spider camera. It has 20x optical zoom, full HD image capture, and built-in IR LEDs for night-time viewing at distances up to 100m along with a host of advanced built-in analytics for advanced system operation. We’ve seen this camera before – I think at Security 2012 – which is interesting.
The 2013 ASIS Accolades winners were recognized as offering the industry’s most innovative new products, services and solutions. Winners included Axis Communications with the neat P12 network camera, DAQ Electronics for the gorgeous looking EntroWatch access control system, FST21 for the Digital Doorman access control solution, HID Global for iCLASS SE platform and Medeco Security Locks for M100 iClassAperio eCylinder.
Samsung Techwin America got a win for its Network Spider Cam, Sargent Manufacturing Co and Corbin Russwin scored with IN120 WiFi Lock, Securitron Magnalock Corp impressed with the R100 Surface Mounted Wireless Reader, while SRI International Sarnoff won with the IOM PassThru Drive-up Biometric System. The other winner was Thermal Imaging Radar with the Thermal Radar LWIR Camera.
IQinVision’s showed its CCTV app for Google Glass – which is the latest alignment of security and consumer electronics. According to IQinVision, these apps will ease the video installation process for integrators and give security personnel yet another tool to remotely tap into and view surveillance footage.
Further, rather than having to coordinate an installation through a cumbersome process of aligning and realigning a camera’s focus with someone watching the feed at another location, integrators who have Google Glass will be able focus cameras more easily on their own without the need for additional aid.
My own best product choices would have included Sony’s W Series PTZ, Flir’s FC-Series S thermal camera and definitely Axis’ new IP-based access control solution. If Samsung’s Spider gets a guernsey you have to recognise nifty solutions like Salto Clay and Honeywell’s latest-gen intrusion alarm/automation panels. I’d also have pinned a star on the ONVIF people, whose Profile C standard for networking physical access control might well generate seismic innovation in the industry.
Profile C will give systems integrators, specifiers and consultants the ability to deploy an integrated IP-based video and access control solution from a variety of different video and access control providers. The idea is that compatibility between edge devices and clients will simplify installation and user training by reducing the need for multiple proprietary monitoring systems to handle different PACS devices.
It sounds simple typed out like that but open architecture won’t be easy to facilitate across existing access control platforms. That’s why I think the new Axis A1001 IP-based access controller, with its open architecture for integration of IP video or intrusion detection systems, as well as automatic synchronization and data storage capabilities, deserved best new product in show at ASIS 2013.
