Security Products: Technology Advances

As North Americans become increasingly worried about their vulnerability to terrorism and other threats, products are keeping pace. For example, manufacturers are developing highly sophisticated surveillance systems, to the point where a camera can automatically detect unusual human behaviour. Below are some of the most recent security products on the market.

CAMERAS

Loronix has two video detection systems that identify possible intrusions more precisely and mean that security personnel don’t have to spend hours watching uneventful scenes on monitors.

MotionTrack is for guarding long perimeter boundaries around facilities such as airports, water treatment plants, government buildings and prisons. Covering an expansive area from a single location, the system can be programmed to discern and sound the alarm at the movements of a possible human intruder, yet ignore other movement such as planes and traffic. The system will also filter out nuisance alarms such as those triggered by wind, rain, headlights or small animals.

BehaviorTrack works with the Loro nix Video Manager software and CCTVware to identify unusual movements or objects within a particular camera view. For example, the system can be programmed to signal an alert if someone is entering through an exit-only entrance, or if a vehicle is stationary for a suspicious length of time. 1-800-567-6649, www.loronix.com

Elmo Canada has two new cameras. The PTC-200C Supersmooth camera is an unobtrusive, pan/tilt and zoom, closed-circuit digital camera for a wide range of indoor monitoring. It has high-resolution (460 TVL) images, six pre-set modes, and operates under minimum illumination of 2 lux. The PTC-201C IP is an addressable camera that can be controlled from a remote location through a PC using standard web browsers.

Elmo’s new controller, the ESD-CC1 CCTV System Commander (photo above), supports 256 devices, including 223 cameras or receivers, 16 keyboards and 16 multiplexers plus a video matrix. A built-in RS-232 port allows the system to be customized, and with the latest firmware technology the commander can control every dome camera function, pan/tilt/zoom receivers, multiplexers and a video matrix on the control bus. 1-800-363-4059, www.elmocanada.com

Ademco Video Systems’ KSX3208L CCTV Matrix Switcher supports 32 total looping video inputs and eight video outputs. The switcher is configured with four serial and 1 x 10BaseT Ethernet ports. 1-877-234-7378, www.ademcovideo.com

Sony is producing a new HSR-X216/32 digital hard disc recorder with a built-in 16 channel multiplexer. Live and recorded images can be shown on a monitor in single-camera, four-camera, nine-camera or 16-camera displays. A large HDD of 320GB gives 2,686-hours (approximately 112 days) of recording at one picture per second in high quality mode. It uses Motion-JPEG compression format and users can remotely access, review and control the recorded information over a TCP/IP network.

Sony’s new SNC-RZ30N camera has pan/tilt/zoom capabilities and it can be controlled from any location through a web browser like Microsoft Internet Explorer without additional software or plug-ins. Installation and operation is based on a set-up menu and graphic user interface. The sleek, compact and lightweight design can be ceiling-mounted or placed on a flat surface. 416-499-1414, www. sony.ca

Panasonic Canada’s new WV-NP472 camera uses Panasonic’s Super Dynamic II technology that makes it sensitive enough for shooting in darkness and enables round the clock monitoring. The camera switches automatically or manually between colour and monochrome modes. When it senses motion in the viewing area, an alarm function is triggered to automatically record the image and send it to a designated ftp or mail server address.

The WV-NM100 is capable of producing colour images under dark conditions of a minimum illumination of 2 lux. It features a wide-angle pan/tilt function for both horizontal and vertical direction, and the camera angle can be arranged in up to eight chosen positions through a browser. 1-877-559-8473, www.panasonic.ca

ACCESS CONTROL

Northern Computers’ NStar NS2 is a cost-effective access control system intended for entry level users but capable of seamless expansion. It consists of the NS2 control panel and NStar access control software. The system’s controller is ideal for two-door applications, and its totally new architecture includes scalability and the Xport expansion port. Installation and set-up is done with quick start configuration wizards. It has user-defined control and viewing, and real-time monitoring. 1-800-323-4576, www.nciaccessworld.com

Delta Controls of Surrey, B.C. has introduced the ADM-2W704 Access 2 Door Module, an intelligent device for access control of either two single directional doors or one bi-directional door. It is used in conjunction with Delta’s BACNet controllers. Up to 12 door modules can be connected and remotely controlled through an Access System Manager via LINKnet. 604-574-9444. www.deltacontrols.com

Ademco manufactures the Symphony Touchscreen Interface for advanced residential security control. The sleek unit has graphics and a menu touchscreen allowing the user to arm and disarm, bypass zones and control lights and appliances. It allows users to check for e-mail and receive internet information such as stock quotes. And it acts as an alarm communicator to an AlarmNet Central Station, leaving the telephone free for back-up or alarm verification. 1-877-ADI-SERV, www.ademcovideo.com

SYSTEMS

GE Interlogix is producing the Diamond II integrated system of security management, access control and alarm monitoring. Formerly the InfoGraphic Systems line, Diamond II uses many Windows 2000 global enterprise applications. Features an open architecture, partitioned database, multi-server and redundancy options. Includes the ability to create photo badges and generate reports. Tel. 714-890-0083, www.infographicsystems.com

TAC Americas has released a Windows 2000-based version of its I/NET Seven. The I/NET is an open system with peer-to-peer architecture that allows any device to react with any other device in the system without depending on a host computer. With no server and access moved to the workstation level, the system has reduced vulnerability and lower maintenance and installation costs. Features include access-initiated control, reporting, scalable software, CCTV and video badging, and critical alarm monitoring. 972-323-1111, www.tac.com

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Choosing a Security Systems Integrator

Tom Giannini of SimplexGrinnell spoke at the ISC West Show in Las Vegas at the end of March on how to select a firm to design an integrated security system. He warned: “There’s a lot of money involved, the solution is technology oriented, and it’s a business decision that can’t quickly be reversed. So clients have to be careful about the approach they take.” He recommended obtaining the following information before making a decision:

Find out how long the integrator has been in business. Five years should be a minimum requirement.

Ask for the integrator’s customer list with contact information. Giannini suggests arranging face-to-face visits with customers if possible. “You should talk to security management, system operators and system administrators,” he says. “It’s important to determine the level of satisfaction with the integrator, the responsiveness of the support that’s been provided, and the quality of maintenance.”

Obtain a list of system platforms the integrator installs and services.

Find out the number of other clients who have the same system that will be installed at your location.

Ask what number of trained technical staff are in the integrator’s organization.