IP Camera Systems and Surveillance Blog

How to Select the Best IP Intercom

Posted on July 12, 2016March 22, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

What are the features and functions to look for when selecting your IP intercom?

By Bob Mesnik

IP intercoms are simple in concept, but complex in practice. They are easy to install, but there are many options to consider. We have evaluated a number of different types of intercoms, and found that the more successful products are provided by those who understand the black art of audio, rather than science of networks.

What are the most important features and functions for an IP intercom system?

Of course, the sound quality of all the intercoms is one of the most important aspects to consider. Reliable communication is another important capability. After all, controlling a door is one aspect of your overall security. Many of the other features and functions depend on the application. For example, some intercoms just include two-way audio, while others also include video. Some can control an electric lock or interface to an IP door access control system. You may need a system that allows you to communicate with a Windows computer, or one that communicates with your smart phone. Here are the features and functions you should consider when selecting your IP intercom system.

Technical Jokes and Cartoons – 18

Posted on June 21, 2016March 24, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

Math and Science for Engineers, and Others:

As an engineer, I found that it was important to learn certain basic mathematical concepts. Since, you also may need to know about scientific things, I put together some examples. By the way, all these diagrams are from Instachaaz,

Probability Density Function: The probability histogram shows how likely it is for something to occur over time, or over some other variable. For example:

Detection, Recognition, and Identification – Thermal vs. Optical IP Camera

Posted on June 21, 2016March 22, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Resolution required for Recognition, Detection, Identification depends on the type of camera

By Bob Mesnik

There is some confusion in the industry about how much camera resolution is required to detect an object, recognize the type of object, or identify exactly what or who it is. The criteria are different between thermal and optical cameras. Resolution for thermal cameras and optical IP cameras are measured differently.

For example, when defining the performance of a thermal camera we use the Johnson Criteria of “detection”, “recognition” and “identification” (DRI).

On the other hand, IP camera resolution performance is usually defined by the number of pixels in the sensor, and we are usually interested in the ability to identify a person.

How much resolution do you need? This article compares how resolution is defined using thermal and optical technologies.

What IP Camera Resolution Do You Need?

Posted on June 20, 2016March 22, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

How to determine the resolution required for your IP camera system
By Bob Mesnik

How much resolution do you need? It depends on what you need to see. Do you want to identify who stole your car, or just see that there’s a dog in your yard again.

It’s very important to first determine exactly what you want to see, because it will affect how much your IP camera system costs.

This article reviews the amount of resolution required to recognize objects such as people, vehicles, license plates, or even a small crack in a wall.

Technical Jokes and Cartoons 17

Posted on May 18, 2016March 22, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Definition of an Engineer:
Someone who solves a problem you had no idea you had, and does it in a way you don’t understand.

Tech support Issues:

Helpdesk: What’s on your monitor now ma’am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket.

During a recent password audit, it was found that a blonde was using the following password:

How Power Over Ethernet Works

Posted on May 17, 2016March 21, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

PoE makes installation very easy

By Bob Mesnik

This article has been updated on 10/4/2018 to reflect the new PoE injectors available.

Many network-attached devices, such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, WiFi radios, and IP door readers use power over Ethernet (PoE). The single network cable transfers both data and power to the device making installation very simple. The data uses one set of wires, while the power uses another set of wires in the network cable.

Technical Jokes and Cartoons 16

Posted on April 18, 2016March 21, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

He who hesitates is probably right.

If you think there is good in everybody, you haven’t met everybody.

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.

An IP Prescription for Hospitals

Posted on April 18, 2016August 13, 2024 by Virginia Fair

How IP Camera Systems and IP Access Control Systems Increase Safety in Hospitals

By Virginia Fair

The following appeared on NBCLA.com, the website of the Los Angeles NBC affiliate station.

“A man who allegedly dressed as a nurse to fool security personnel was arrested for stealing medical supplies from a Fountain Valley Hospital, police announced Monday. The suspect is accused of stealing from Fountain Valley Regional Hospital three separate times since May.”

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital is not alone. According to the 2012 Crime and Security Trends Survey, underwritten by the Foundation of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS), the crime rate of hospitals rose by close to 37 percent in just two years, from slightly less than 15,000 in 2010 to over 20,500 in 2012. This increase occurred in all crime categories: larceny, theft, simple assault, vandalism, rape and sexual assault. The highest-ever number of homicides occurred, as well, with 8 reported by responding hospitals.

Technical Jokes and Cartoons 15

Posted on March 21, 2016March 22, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Zen Sarcasm

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either.
Just pretty much leave me the hell alone.

Challenging Real Time Applications for IP Cameras

Posted on March 12, 2016March 22, 2020 by Virginia Fair

Interview with Todd Vohs of Holstein AG Services About IP Camera with WDR

by Virginia Fair

In our thirty years of being, Kintronics has had the pleasure of doing business with the armed forces, the education sector, library systems, and businesses of every stripe and niche, not to mention quite a few enterprising individuals intent on monitoring such natural phenomena as:

salmon swimming upstream
seals in underground caves
eagles nesting in trees
Hawks perched in New York City’s famed Washington Square.

However, we rarely get a chance to see any of our IP cameras in action once they leave Kintronics. That was, until we had the pleasure of doing business with Todd Vohs of Holstein AG Services. He’d consulted with Keaton Baker, one of our sales engineers, in February, for suggestions about a camera that would help him overcome lighting problems he was encountering in monitoring his warehouse out in Iowa. Keaton recommended an IQ862, a camera with Wide Dynamic Range.