Archive for May, 2008
One of the key benefits of IP video surveillance is the ability to take advantage of unique features embedded in the IP camera processor. Motion detection, region of interest, cropping and masking zones, network auto-discovery, and analytics, are all examples of features being added to the processors in various IP cameras. Utilizing these features at the edge results in higher optimization and system performance than with the old method of handling all of that functionality in the computer’s CPU.
The exacqVision architecture maximizes use of IP camera features at the edge. By utilizing motion detection at the camera end, the exacqVision software gets the most optimized and accurate algorithms for motion detection for a given camera. By offloading that processing work to the camera edge, the server CPU requirements are minimal. This enables us to connect large numbers of megapixel cameras while still maintaining very low processor usage. That means less expensive systems, higher reliability, greater performance, and vast scalability.
IQinvision makes a full line of megapixel IP cameras and have been a leader in implementing unique features at the camera end. To promote those features, IQinvision recently did their own evaluation of several NVR software packages and assembled a Supported Features Matrix. Of the seven major NVR software products they reviewed, exacqVision lead the list by supporting 14 unique IQinvision camera features. Down the list was Milestone/OnSSI with 11 features supported, and Genetec’s Omnicast with only 5 features supported.
Our thanks to IQinvision for assembling this data. You can view the IQeye Supported Features Matrix here, or click on the image below.
May 23rd, 2008
Version 3.0 of exacqVision has just been released. This latest release, compatible with all exacqVision Hybrid and IP video surveillance systems, incorporates a number of major new features and enhancements.
Version 3.0 is available for download here. Key features in the 3.0 Release:
- Mac Client – Native support for Mac OS X!
- Web Viewer – Support for all browsers, desktop and mobile
- New Cameras – New IP cameras from Sony, Panasonic and Vivotek
- Export Enhancements – Windows ePlayer embedded in all Mac & Linux video exports
- Masking Enhancements – Improved, easy interface for creating motion masks, video masks, cropping masks
- Enhanced Client Performance – Optimized support for the latest Intel processors
Here are some of the features in detail:
exacqVision Mac Client
Video Surveillance for the Mac is finally here! The new exacqVision Mac client is now here, and is identical in functionality and performance to the Windows and Linux counterparts. The exacqVision Mac client is freely distributable, and completely coexists with Windows and Linux exacqVision servers and clients. You can have any combination of Windows and Linux servers, with any number and combination of Windows, Linux and Mac clients connected.
The exacqVision Mac client has been highly requested by the education market, among others. Full administration, control and viewing of exacqVision video surveillance systems is now available on a Mac. No need to purchase additional Windows computers just to administer the security system. Use existing Mac computers for lower deployment costs and more widespread usage.
The exacqVision Mac client can be downloaded separately here.
exacqVision Browser Viewer
View all exacqVision cameras through web browsers, both desktop and mobile! Immediately assess alarm conditions from any computer or mobile device. Provide public law enforcement officials access to school video systems utilizing the standard equipment in their vehicles. Security personnel can assess alarms anywhere, any time, without requiring a site or office visit.
Desktop browsers: Using full-function Javascript-capable desktop browsers (IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, others), as well as the Safari browser on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, the exacqVision web viewer functions similar to the desktop client: choose from a variety of multi-camera views for live video viewing. Best of all, you get multi-camera viewing and no ActiveX controls are required. As such, any browser can be used. It can safely be used with public-access computers. It can be used by law enforcement officials. You can even give select viewing access to employees, clients and customers.
Mobile Phone browsers: The exacqVision web viewer also works with ANY mobile phone browser. The user selects individual cameras to view from a list of available cameras. Resolution, quality, and refresh rate are easily adjustable. Set up exacqVision systems to generate a text message with a link on specified alarm events. The recipient can then immediately view the associated cameras on their mobile device and assess the alarm.
New IP Camera Support
Support for a number of new IP cameras has been added, including the third-generation Sony IP cameras RX570 and RX530, the new Panasonic WV-NF302, and new models from Axis, Vivotek, and ACTi. The full list of supported IP cameras is here.
Export Enhancements
The exacqVision Windows ePlayer, which mimics the client, is now embedded with video exports from the Linux and Mac clients as well as from Windows clients. Video exports from any platform can now be easily viewed on any Windows computer. Export to a flash drive or CD, and view on any computer.
Masking Enhancements
Motion Mask, Video Mask, and Megapixel IP Camera Cropping now all utilize the same intuitive mouse-drawn rectangles to set their parameters.
Client Performance Enhancements
Version 3.0 incorporates optimizations for the latest Intel processors via the newest version of the Intel Integrated Performance Primitives.
Recent Releases
We’ve been making rapid advances with exacqVision, with incremental releases hitting about every 2 months. You can see the details of all of the the past year’s releases here.
As always, the latest versions of exacqVision client and server software can easily and quickly be copied over existing versions while retaining all user settings. The latest versions can always be downloaded from our Downloads page, or you can click on ‘Check for Updates‘ within the ‘About‘ box in the exacqVision software.
May 21st, 2008
We are pleased to announce that Doug Porter has joined Exacq Technologies as one of our Senior Software Engineers.
Doug comes to us from Humanizing Technologies, where he was a lead software developer. Doug is a Linux guru, with extensive Linux distribution and development background, which will be a great asset here at Exacq. He is now part the team working on our exacqVision Client SDK, which is our development environment for integration of exacqVision with access control systems and other third-party systems and applications.
We’re continuing to expand the functionality of the Client SDK for our various integration partners and projects, and Doug will be adding some specific functionality in preparation for an upcoming SDK update, including features required for integration with the DSX access control system.
Welcome aboard, Doug!
May 12th, 2008
We’ve just returned from PSA-TEC, the annual technology conference and expo put on by the PSA Security Network for their members and vendors. This is a week-long conference of extensive technical courses, networking sessions, and a vendor expo.
We’ve had a great relationship with PSA and its members since we wereaccepted as a vendor member early last year. A rapidly-growing number of PSA members are actively selling our exacqVision product line. Over the last year we’ve been involved in many exacqVision IP and Hybrid video surveillance installations in schools, hospitals, sports arenas, manufacturing facilities, financial institutions, and more with several PSA integrator members. At this year’s show, some of the latest features, such as the native Mac client and the mobile browser client attracted a great deal of attention.
On Wednesday evening, at the PSA Vendor Appreciation Dinner, Exacq Technologies was presented with the "Outstanding New Vendor" award. Dave Underwood, President of Exacq, accepted the award presented by PSA’s Jennifer Martin Anderson, VP of Vendor Technology & Education, and Bill Bozeman, President and CEO.
Our sincere thanks to Bill, Jennifer and the entire PSA organization and members for this award, for the enthusiastic reception to our product line, and for once again putting on a great member education conference.
Update 5-12-08: Our thanks to Greg McConnell, associate editor of Security Dealer & Integrator magazine, for the nice mention in his review of PSA-TEC:
Some vendors went above and beyond to answer questions for potential (or even current) customers. Exacq Technologies, for instance, had TJ Johnson, manager of software engineering, on hand at the booth to take tech questions (and suggestions) about their software. If a change were to be made to Exacq’s software, he’d be the one to do it.
Here are some pictures from this year’s PSA-TEC:
May 9th, 2008
With every exacqVision system or software order we include a detailed Quick Start Guide specific to that model. We have just updated all of the quick start guides, as well as added guides for some of the newer configurations, like the 4U Hybrid Servers and the 4U IP Servers.
All of the quick start guides are available on our Downloads page, or you can view them individually here:
exacqVision 2U Hybrid Server Quick Start Guide
exacqVision 2U IP Server Quick Start Guide
exacqVision 4U Hybrid Server Quick Start Guide
exacqVision 4U IP Server Quick Start Guide
exacqVision Desktop 16-input Hybrid Server Quick Start Guide
exacqVision Desktop 4-input Hybrid Server Quick Start Guide
exacqVision Desktop IP Server Quick Start Guide
May 7th, 2008
We were once again at Interop Las Vegas, which concluded yesterday. This conference is a natural fit for us. Physical security is rapidly moving into the IT market with the advent of IP cameras and IP access control systems, and we saw significantly more interest and involvement from the IT integrators this year in IP video surveillance.
We had a stand in the IP Physical Security Pavilion, run by our friends at IPVS Magazine, where we showed the latest features of our exacqVision IP video surveillance software. In addition, Dan Rittman, the Director of Engineering for Exacq, participated in a panel discussion in the Physical Security Conference Track entitled "Implementation: Best Practices in Physical Security." Keven Marier of IPVS Magazine, Fredrik Nilsson of Axis Communications, and Dan all gave case studies in the use of IP video surveillance.
Keven’s presentation focused on the Retail sector, citing a case study of a large retailer that made the cost justification for going all-IP, with implementation numbers of almost 135,000 cameras over 2000 stores.
Fredrik’s presentation focused on the Transportation sector, and how – outside of airports – this is an under served market for IP video surveillance. He cited the Stockholm bus system, where Axis 209FD-R cameras have been widely deployed (video story here).
Dan’s presentation focused on the Education sector, with case studies from various school systems that have installed IP video surveillance systems: the case for it, the results our customers have seen, the cost justification, the network issues, the storage requirements, and the increasing requirements for Mac capability for video viewing. The PowerPoint presentation Dan used is embedded below.
Our thanks to Keven and the IPVS Magazine crew for doing another great job with the IP Physical Security Pavilion.
May 2nd, 2008
There is a new exacqVision price list. Dated May 1, 2008, this 11-page price list incorporates new system configurations, options, and has significant price reductions on some models.
Things of note in the May 1, 2008 price list:
- Price Reductions – due to increased volume, we are able to pass along significant price reductions on Hybrid Servers of 1TB storage and above.
- New Configurations – New system configurations with RAID-1 redundancy for OS and VMS software, designed for connection to iSCSI and Fibre Channel storage systems.
- Software Subscription Agreement – Simplified SSA pricing.
All exacqVision resellers will receive a copy of this price list via e-mail.
May 1st, 2008