ONVIF on Wikipedia

ONVIF - the industry forum that is developing a global open standard for the interface of network video products - recently created a page on Wikipedia. To learn more about ONVIF, check out the page on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ONVIF_(Open_Network_Video_Interface_Forum)

Making the Transition from POTS

SecurityInfoWatch.com recently posted an article on how the alarm industry is getting prepared for the transition to alternate forms of communication. The article indicates the industry is feeling added urgency due to AT&T's request to cease providing landline services:

"With the news that telecom giant AT&T has asked the federal government for permission to stop providing landline telephone services, also referred to as 'plain-old-telephone-service' or POTS, dealers and central stations must begin to focus on alternative communication platforms to use for alarm signal transmissions."

If you've traditionally relied on POTS as a primary means of alarm communication and are looking to learn about other forms of communication, check out the webinar we recently hosted with SecurityInfoWatch.

The webinar focuses on using corporate networks or the Internet for security systems and describes how upgrading intrusion and fire systems to communicate over this IP infrastructure can be as simple as installing a module to convert conventional control panels. Using IP for alarm communications delivers a number of benefits over POTS, including higher security, faster data transmissions and reduced costs. During the webinar, we also cover the various technology considerations for IP alarm communications, including the differences between IP and Voice over IP and the equipment needed.

Check it out at: http://www.securityinfowatch.com/webinars/single/1312434/A+Higher+Education+on+Alarm+over+IP+Solutions

The long road to IP video standards

Together with my european counterpart, Gerard Otterspeer, we wrote this article (http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Cover+Focus/the-long-road-ip-video-standards) for SecurityInfoWatch.com about the standards.

Simple plain English, and touches on both ONVIF and PSIA, as well as IP cameras, encoders and DVRs. The specifications themselves are technical and low-level, yet the benefits for the world are very high level and simple. In doing the research for this article I wanted to add something to the relative void of information in-between.

Reality Check for SecurityInfoWatch.com

I was asked by SIW to be blunt and contraversial. They didn't have to ask twice. Hope you enjoy this article as much as I did writing it.

http://cctv.boschsecuritynews.us/e_article001607911.cfm?x=bgkKsL0,b2pH22nP

Understanding RAID

I wrote this white paper to try and turn RAID mumbo-jumbo into plain English. It goes on to explain how Bosch's global storage partner, NetApp, does 'RAID 5' and 'RAID 6'. It's important to understand the differences, especially with RAID 6 (RAID DP in NetApp terminology) because without it you will start losing video as drives sizes continue to get bigger. Maybe RAID 5 is perfect for your needs, but it's always helpful to know what you're not getting by not upgrading one more level, especially when the disk array itself is the same cost.

http://cctv.boschsecuritynews.us/e_article001607916.cfm?x=bgkKsL0,b2pH22nP

Educational IP Video Webinars

We are launching a series of educational webinars that will address a variety of IP video surveillance topics. The sessions will provide objective information important for designing IP video systems regardless of the brand of products selected.

The first webinar, scheduled for November 17 at 2:00 pm ET, is titled “Learn Where Intelligent Digital Recording is Headed.” This online session will detail the evolution and applications of DVRs, NVRs and video storage area networks. During the session, Dr. Bob Banerjee will address topics such as hybrid DVRs, the popularity of DVRs and NVRs, and other options for video recording.

Future webinars will explain how attendees can take advantage of the benefits of IP connectivity while maximizing investments in analog technology. Scheduled topics will focus on video analytics, infrared for IP systems, and bandwidth and storage considerations.

To register for the first webinar, “Learn Where Intelligent Digital Recording is Headed,” visit http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=174874&s=1&k=6FBC093113B204379028A497F0DFAFB3.

King Tutankhamun

Summary of how the famous exhibit, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, including artifacts from King Tutankhamun tomb dating back to 1,500 years B.C., is being protected with a variety of techniques including video and RFID tags. Classic combination of FlexiDome IP cameras, some running IVA, recording to DiBos hybrid recorders. Elegantly simple.

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/print/4999