We define archival information storage as a mechanism for writing data that can’t be modified or erased, storing information for a very long time (over 50 years), and providing easy retrieval. Information archiving has evolved over the last century; from paper to microfilm, and then to optical discs in jukebox libraries.
Optical discs were introduced in the early 1980s. The Write Once Read Many (WORM) 12-inch discs, introduced by Sony and other companies, provided archiving media that allowed organizations to archive their paper information to optical storage.
CD-ROM discs were introduced by Philips and Sony in 1985. A couple of years later Sony introduced DVD-discs and Magneto-Optical discs. Jukeboxes or Libraries were designed to handle over 500 discs, creating a complete archiving storage system. Blu-ray discs were introduced by Sony in 2003, and became the archiving media standard.
There are two types of intercoms. The first type connects many intercoms to a number of central computer stations, while the second type connects one intercom to many smartphones or VoIP phones.
In general, IP intercoms can be used to notify you that someone is at the door or provide communication between many locations (like schoolrooms) and a central office. The intercoms are all wired to the local area network.
These complete systems enhance your total security, assuring a safe environment in this uncertain world. Here is a comparison of the different systems available.
How to Protect Your IP Security Systems from Power Transients
Surge protectors protect network-attached devices from power transients. Lightning is only one of the many power disturbances that can damage these IP devices.
There are a number of surge protectors available that can be used to minimize the damage from these power transients.
Surge protectors protect network-attached devices from power transients. Lightning is only one of the many power disturbances that can damage these IP devices. There are a number of surge protectors available that can be used to minimize the damage from these power transients.
Anything that’s attached to your network, can be affected by power surges. For example, your computer, door access system, IP camera, network switch, and router can be affected if there is a power spike. Transients can occur not only on the power lines but also on the data connections. Surge protectors, from Ditek, are used to suppress the effect of these power spikes.
Here’s a summary of the surges and spikes that can occur, and how you can protect your equipment.
Smart IP intercom devices are making it easier to control access to your home, business, school, or any other organization. They use your smartphone to see the person at the door, talk to them, and allow entry (or not).
There are single-button intercoms and multi-tenant intercoms. Both versions have built-in IP cameras. The IP intercom systems can use local intercom servers as well as remote cloud servers to provide the communication path between the intercom and the smartphone. These systems utilize various protocols such as VoIP SIP protocol, audio over IP, IP video, or other protocols to establish the connection between all the devices.
Smart IP intercom devices are making it easier to control access to your home, business, school, or any other organization. They use your smartphone to see the person at the door, talk to them, and allow entry (or not).
There are single-button intercoms and multi-tenant intercoms. Both versions have built-in IP cameras. The IP intercom systems can use local intercom servers as well as remote cloud servers to provide the communication path between the intercom and the smartphone. These systems utilize various protocols such as VoIP SIP protocol, audio over IP, IP video, or other protocols to establish the connection between all the devices.
2016 will probably be known as the year of the 4K IP cameras. A number of manufacturers introduced these very high-resolution cameras.
Besides the increased camera resolution, new compression schemes were introduced that reduced bandwidth and storage requirements. The latest network-attached door readers are now controlled through the cloud.
The readers also include Bluetooth connections that allow your smartphone to be used as the credential. Video management software was integrated with other devices like door access control and digital cash registers, increasing total security. Here’s a review of the technology introduced in 2016.
Fingerprint readers scan the features of a person’s finger and create a digital code that can be used as a unique digital template. That’s the concept, but how do fingerprint readers actually work?
There are a number of different technologies used to scan the features of a fingerprint. The engineering challenge is to reliably read the ridges and valleys on the fingerprint so that it can be converted to a digital image.
This article reviews the most popular technologies that use Optical, Ultrasonic and Capacitive sensors.
Fingerprint readers scan the features of a person’s finger and create a digital code that can be used as a unique digital template. That’s the concept, but how do fingerprint readers actually work?
There are a number of different technologies used to scan the features of a fingerprint. The engineering challenge is to reliably read the ridges and valleys on the fingerprint so that it can be converted to a digital image.
This article reviews the most popular technologies that use Optical, Ultrasonic and Capacitive sensors.
How important is your paging system? Is it critical that it continues to work reliably? Well, if your answer is yes, then paging over IP is a good choice for you.
What does IP Paging do that the older analog paging systems can’t do? It provides increased reliability and redundancy.
What happens if your analog amplifier stops working? Well, your paging system is down and out. There’s no easy recovery except to replace the amplifier. With a network attached IP paging system, all the amplifiers are decentralized, and the paging console station can be redundant, providing a much more reliable system. Here’s why IP paging systems are more reliable.
There was a break-in at your warehouse, but, you were prepared. Last month you installed a complete IP camera system. Now you have evidence you can share with the police.
Uh oh! You can’t identify their faces. There are two people in the warehouse, but you can’t tell who they are. Ugh! What did you do wrong? You have just discovered that having a surveillance camera, is not enough. You have to have the right resolution camera and the right lens.
This article reviews what you need to assure you meet your security objective.
Door access control systems have become much more sophisticated, and easier to integrate with other security systems. These new IP door readers integrate with IP video systems, and IP intercoms, providing a much more secure environment.
The door access systems changed over 10 years ago with the introduction of IP door readers from Isonas. These new readers dramatically lowered installation costs and made it much easier to self-install these systems. This was a dramatic improvement over the older systems that used complex wiring harnesses to a central control panel.
There are new IP door readers that use cloud-based access control software. Now you can manage your door access from your mobile device. The latest door readers not only read the RFID card credentials, but they also recognize your fingerprint or face. They include multiple types of biometric keys that make them more reliable and secure. All these door access control systems can easily be integrated with IP camera systems and IP intercoms.
Here is a summary of the latest developments in door access control and how it integrates with other systems.
Resolution, Low Light, and Wide Dynamic Range Test and Shoot-out of 4K IP Cameras
By Francisco Gutierrez-Guerra
We tested and compared 4K IP cameras from Axis, Hikvision, Samsung, and Sony.
We tested the Axis P1428-E, the Hikvision DS-2CD4A85F-IZH, the Samsung PNO-9080R, and the Sony SNC-VM772R. We tested the resolution, low light capability, signal-to-noise, and wide dynamic range.
We also looked at the latest Sony SNC-VB770, which if you can afford it, is the best 4K IP camera we have seen. Here are the results of our testing.
