Outdoor speed dome cameras

	Taiwan's Video Security Inc. has an IR speed dome camera with 360deg face recognition auto-tracking capability.

Amid prevalent function convergence, makers offer flexibility and savings. Feature options are available.

Buyers can expect more security product enhancements in 2009, with stability, reliability and function integration topping makers’ product development agenda.

Intelligent functions and outdoor application still remain the priorities in surveillance and monitoring. There are now a greater number of products featuring auto tracking from Taiwan-based makers. There are also more units that can tolerate extreme outdoor conditions because of the temperature tests and cooling/warming processes developed by suppliers. These products are expected to have wider adoption in 2009.

Access control devices used to be mere hardware terminals for entrance/exit or for checking people coming in and out. There have been concrete steps taken to incorporate access control systems into total security system solutions. The bulk of new releases in South Korea consist of products that use RFID in combination with any of the biometrics technologies such as fingerprint, iris, vein or face recognition.

Among non-biometric access control products, the new releases are capable of reading multiple or higher frequency bands. While the mainstream frequency is 125kHz, the new multi-frequency models support 13.56MHz and 900MHz frequencies. The color TFT-LCD screen, considered a high-end feature of access control systems in 2008, is now widely used and expected to become a mainstream feature in 2009, to totally dethrone the traditional b/w screens.

Intruder alarm and detector systems used for home security in Hong Kong SAR are offered with value-added auto dialers and intelligent alarms. Multifunction sensors combined with other electronic/security products such as digital cameras and/or DVRs are uniquely offered in upcoming systems. Also on next year’s lineup are a few energy-saving home automation devices and starter kits that utilize motion sensors and other detectors.

In the car safety and security sector, mainland China makers are increasingly developing RFID car alarms and RFID keyless entry. The development and improvement of GSM and GPS functions will extend into 2009, while cosmetic designs will adopt compact and simpler styles.

The day/night IP speed dome camera model Ai-SD73 from Acumen Int. Corp. has intelligent auto tracking capability and supports zone (overstep) tracking, time tracking, alarm tracking, active detection and manual/auto tracking. The model is equipped with a 1/4in Sony Super HAD CCD with 520 TVL resolution. It compresses files in MPEG-4 format and has a multilanguage feature. The product supports 10/100Base-T Ethernet for LAN/WAN.

Acumen subjects its CCTV cameras to stringent tests to determine temperature tolerance. Products are usually placed inside a thermo-chamber to find out its maximum operating temperature. The chamber can reach a temperature of more than 400ºC (725ºF). External high-speed dome camera models Ai-SD85 and Ai-SD27, the all-weather camera Ai-IR59, the bullet camera Ai-BU45S and the 19in monitor Ai-ML198N all passed this test.

There are also models subjected to freezing and extremely low-temperature tests when buyers request it.

Video Security Inc. will market the IP auto-tracking series of IR speed dome cameras that feature 360º face recognition auto tracking. The IP IR speed dome camera’s solid metal case is aimed at vandalism protection. Its design allows it to contain pressurized dry nitrogen gas for cooling. The model adopts a 1/4in Sony EXview HAD CCD with a resolution of 480 TVL in color versions and 520 TVL in b/w units. It has 28 pieces of IR LED for night vision and low-light surveillance. It also uses an IR cut filter to correct color distortion. The camera comes with an IP server for network connection via Ethernet or PPPoE. It is housed in an aluminum alloy, baked casing to prevent corrosion.

Suprema Corp. is developing a total security solution using its fingerprint access control technology. On top of the integrated system, the terminals will be supporting IP networking so that installations will not require additional designated network lines for the system. The company is planning to expand its business to government and public agencies and facilities. It aims to offer electronic passports, national ID cards, fingerprint immigration checkpoints or automated fingerprint identification systems to these market segments.

To penetrate the consumer market, Jiris Co. Ltd’s iris recognition device JPC1000 was developed to cost only a tenth of the average price of iris recognition devices while still offering the same image quality as most popular products. The model uses a CMOS sensor based on Jiris’ in-house designed algorithm.

The FaceKey XL 200 500 from Korea Identification Inc. provides an IR light to enhance the product’s recognition capability in low-light environments, and consequently reduce FAR and FRR. The model also automatically corrects contrast by improving the matching algorithm between the camera and actual face and producing a clearer image.

	Lelux's hybrid DVR and motion sensor model 820R from Hong Kong has a PC Webcam function and 14in LCD.

Home automation solutions provider Insteon will have its share of new releases next year, which includes the 2420m Insteon wireless motion sensor, to be offered by Capital Prospect Ltd. The energy-saving device automatically turns on/off lights when the homeowner is detected. It can be disabled during the day with a built-in photocell sensor, and is powered by a 9V battery. The product also features an off countdown timer delay, 50m wireless range, night-only mode, adjustable motion sensitivity and a pivoting mounting bracket.

The motion sensor’s surface can be painted to blend with the home’s overall motif. With the use of additional Insteon software and automation controller, the 2420m functions as a dusk/dawn sensor for triggering events such as turning on/off lights and appliances.

A wide range of starter kits will also be released in 2009. One of them will be Sun Fu Cheong Electronics Co. Ltd’s MA-8088 magnetic sensor alarm. Key features of the product include a digital keypad for setting the security code, exit delay, entry delay and auto shutoff time; a low battery indicator; and a 30cm cable that connects the alarm unit to the sensors.

	Function integration is the trend in car security products, such as Supa's AVTS-1500, a basic telematics solution designed for fleet management.

A standout among the multifunction motion sensors of 2009 is Protronic (Far East) Ltd’s PVR1000, a digital clock with built-in PIR motion sensor, digital video camera and SD card recorder. It features a b/w LCD for time and date display, MPEG-4 video compression, and QVGA 15fps recording on a maximum 2GB flash memory. The model is also equipped with a 1.4in CSTN LCD screen, IR LEDs and a 300,000-pixel/1.3MP CMOS image sensor.

Another product to watch is Lelux Electronics Ltd’s 820R, a hybrid DVR and wireless motion sensor that adopts a 300,000-pixel CMOS image sensor. The model has a 14-digit LCD with function icons, a built-in flash memory for system data and IR LEDs. It is compatible with up to 12 wireless motion detectors/sensors and eight wireless remote controls. It also features 128MB SD card storage and PC Web camera function.

Integration is the main theme of product development in rearview systems. Steelmate Co. Ltd recently released a high-end product that integrates rearview camera, parking sensor, GPS navigation, Bluetooth handsfree communication and tire pressure monitoring function.

Huper Laboratories Co. Ltd’s DSS Server Board is a PC-based DVR DSS server board compatible with hybrid systems and ready for IP connectivity. It is designed exclusively for use in security surveillance. Up to 16 realtime video capture chips are embedded seamlessly on the board. It comes with an intelligent surveillance software suite. The board allows installers to customize recording speeds from the software settings to fulfill various market demands. It supports H.264 and MPEG-4 software compression, and 16ch D1 raw data capture/display at 480fps/400fps frame rates.

Auto dialers packed with value-added features are among the major intruder detector and alarm products to watch in 2009. The T068SR from Lelux is a GSM/PSTN auto dialer for a wireless security alarm system. It supports GSM/PSTN auto selection with quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM frequency autoscan. The product stores five emergency numbers, with programmable SMS and two-way voice communication. The system can be armed or disarmed remotely by telephone or SMS. A 105dB alarm with programmable alarm on/off is integrated. The unit sports a two-line interactive LCD with setup menu and date/time display, as well as a lighted keypad.