Technical Articles

Technical Information About Network Attached Security Systems

Want to know how the IP camera works, or the advantages of network-attached IP door access control systems, or how to install the IP intercom and emergency paging systems? Here’s everything you need to know about the latest network-attached technology. Learn how the technology works and how to make use of it.

Many of these articles are from our Newsletter. Take a look at a sample of out Technology Notes Newsletter, and If you want to receive a copy just fill out the contact form. More technical information and application notes are available in our blogs and videos.

The easiest way to assure you get the right system is to let us help. We have a lot of experience so we can help you select the right system for your application. Not only do we provide the best pricing, but our technical support is also free. Just contact us for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started With Your IP Camera System

How to Install Your IP Camera System
This article describes how to install your IP camera system. It reviews all the steps required to mount the cameras, install it on the network, and connect it to your video recording system.

Surveillance and Security Objectives
Before purchasing anything, you need to establish what you would like to accomplish.

Understanding the IP Camera
How the IP camera works includes a great tutorial video.

IP Camera Systems – The Complete Reference Guide
This article provides everything you wanted to know about the IP camera system. It describes everything from how the IP camera works to the best way to record the video.

IP Surveillance Systems compared to CCTV Systems
What’s better? IP camera systems are replacing the older CCTV analog camera systems. IP cameras offer major benefits over the older systems. Here is a review of the differences between the technologies.

IP Camera System Troubleshooting
We are frequently asked to help correct problems with IP camera systems. Troubleshooting the surveillance camera system can be challenging. Here is a list of things that could help.

Selecting the Right Camera System
By answering all the questions in this article, you will have all the information you need to define the exact system for your application.

Complete Surveillance System
A complete Surveillance system consists of IP cameras, software, and video storage. In this article, we put it all together. We create a real-life requirement and then assemble a complete surveillance system. Everything is included from the cameras and lenses to the mounting brackets and power supplies.

Specifications for IP Cameras
Before purchasing your IP Cameras, it’s best to understand the specifications. Specifications to consider include the resolution, lens, light sensitivity, and dynamic range.

Determine the Right Lens and Resolution
required for Your IP Cameras. The resolution of the camera and the lens define what you will see. The resolution of the camera defines what detail you will see while the lens will determine how far away the image is from the camera and how wide an area (the Field of View) you can see.

What are Video Servers, NVR, and DVRs
Video Server, Network Video Recorder, Digital Video Recorder, all three devices will record and store your video but exactly how do they differ? This article describes the pros and cons of each type of system.

Detection, Recognition, Identification: The New Criteria
We use the Johnson criterion to predict how far away we can see something using a specific camera and lens. The criteria define the threshold for detection, recognition, and identification (DRI). The industry has used this criterion since World War II. It has not been updated to reflect today’s technology and resolution requirements.

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IP Camera Buyers Guides and Reviews

Comparison of PTZ Cameras
What is the best PTZ camera? It depends on your application. The article reviews how to select the right PTZ camera. We provided several of the best IP PTZ cameras available.

IP Camera Systems – Professional Versus Consumer Systems
You can find IP cameras starting at under $40, but are these IP cameras right for your business, school, hospital, government organization, or commercial organization?

Buyers Review and Guide to IP Camera Systems
In this second review, we tested Axis, Sony, Canon, and Hikvision to determine if they met their published specifications and how they performed against each other.

Bullets, Domes, and PTZ Cameras
What is the Best IP Camera for Your Application: This article compares the different IP cameras and describes the Pros and Cons, and the best place to use each type of camera.

IP Camera Systems for all Occasions
These days, IP camera systems can be used in many different applications and environments. It’s not just to determine who robbed the bank. IP camera systems are more than just recording the video. They include sophisticated intelligence that can notify us of real-time alarm conditions.

The Evolution of IP Camera Systems
This article provides a review of the changes in IP camera technology and how the increased capability can enhance your security.

How to Select the Right IP Camera System
Yes, it takes some work to select the right IP camera for the area, but it will make the difference between security and uncertainty.

This article describes the process you can use to choose your camera and video recording software.

The Best IP camera for Your Application
There are many IP cameras available. Some are very inexpensive, while others cost a lot. Why the price difference? It mainly depends on the performance and quality. The first thing to consider is what you want to accomplish, and then use the following guide to select the right IP camera.

Selecting the Right IP Camera System
An IP Camera System is a complete solution that includes the camera, the software and the network. The best system meets your objectives. This article reviews the best system solution for specific applications.

Comparison of Commercial IP Camera Systems and Home Cameras
What’s the difference between a home surveillance camera and a commercial IP camera system used in schools, office buildings, and hospitals? Home IP Cameras cost between $20 and $100, while the professional IP cameras range from $150 to over $2,000. There is a difference. This article compares the capability you should expect from a home camera versus a commercial surveillance IP camera system.

What is the Best Camera for Your IP Camera System
Do you want to know when a person steals the laptop from the desk or leaves an unattended package, or do you need to record what happens in the parking lot? This article suggests the right surveillance camera for your IP camera system.

Long Range Camera Systems – Custom Vs. Off-the-Shelf
While custom-made cameras are best for very long-range applications, the latest off-the-shelf cameras provide some of the same capability for less money.

What is the Best IP Camera?
The answer is, it depends. It depends on what you want to do. This article reviews the important features for different applications.

What is the Best 4K IP Camera?
We reviewed 4K cameras from Axis, Hikvision, Samsung, and Sony. We tested resolution, low light capability and other features of these very high-resolution cameras.

What is the Best Price for Your IP Camera System
The other day I was walking down a street in Manhattan and I saw a guy selling watches. There was one watch that looked just like an expensive Rolex but cost only $50. What a deal, I thought. We consistently try and find the best deal, but sometimes forget that “you get what you pay for”. I know I do. How many times have we gotten burned by this? I’m not sure how to tell if the watch is worth $50, but I can provide some guidance about what to consider when purchasing an IP surveillance camera system.

Buyers guide and comparison chart for IP Camera Recording Systems
We compared Video Management Software (VMS) to NVRs and Cloud video recording services.

Thermal versus Optical IP Cameras
Thermal and optical IP cameras use different technologies to capture video. Each type of camera system provides a unique role in an IP video surveillance system.

IP Cameras Price Versus Performance
How much should you expect to pay for your IP camera? Do you need a camera for a small room or an outdoor camera that can recognize a person over 300 ft. away? This article compares the price to the performance of IP cameras

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Understanding the IP Camera Technology

Articles about AI-Enhanced IP Camera Systems

IP Camera Systems with AI Improve Perimeter Awareness:
This article describes how the new EV-EDGE AI Software can enhance IP Camera Systems and improve perimeter security and situational awareness.

IP Camera Systems With AI Protect People
This article describes how the latest Scy-AI software can detect objects like guns in a person’s hand or a criminal in a crowd, intrusion into a perimeter, detect and count vehicles, enhance safety in parking areas, and recognize behavior anomalies.

Detecting Threats using AI and IP Camera Systems
This article describes how the latest AI software can help increase safety by analyzing many threats, such as detecting a person with a gun entering your facility, or notifying security if someone falls.

Articles about IP Camera Systems

How Low-Light Sensitivity Works in an IP Cameras
The low-light capability of IP cameras has gotten much better over the last few years. We used to be happy with cameras that could see at 0.1 lux in color, but now we have IP cameras (like the PNO-A6081R) that have low-light sensitivity in color at 0.007 Lux. The camera can see at night when the stars are shining. This article reviews the technology behind very low-light IP cameras.

How the CMOS Video Sensor Works in IP Cameras
This article describes how the CMOS sensor in IP camera systems converts the visual world into digital signals.

Explosion-Proof IP Camera Systems
This article reviews the certifications and standards that define what type of explosion-proof camera system should be used.

How the IP Camera Works
This article describes all the components of an IP camera. To better understand how the IP camera works, let’s start with the old analog film camera. This camera has three fundamental parts, the lens, the shutter, and the film.

Camera, Sound, Action on the Network
Adding sound to security systems increased our safety. The sound provided better clues about what we were seeing. For example, if we saw two people together, we would react differently if we heard laughing or yelling.

IP Camera System Site Survey
This article helps you understand how to get the best coverage for your IP camera system. It describes how to develop your site survey, select the correct cameras, resolution, lens, and location.

The Evolution of the PTZ Camera
This article describes the evolution of the PTZ cameras from coax connected analog cameras to network-attached digital cameras with much greater capability.

IP Camera Systems Are Getting Smarter
The latest IP cameras are getting very smart. Smart enough to recognize different objects, such as people, vehicles, and animals. Intelligent enough to reduce false alarms, increase awareness and response time, and even deliver information for demographics (Business Intelligence) purposes.

Requirements for Long-Range PTZ Cameras
If we want to detect an object that is miles away, is the magnification of the lens the most important, or is it the camera resolution? It turns out that many factors determine the effectiveness of a long-range camera.

The things that determine the performance of a long-range camera system include the magnification provided by the lens, motion of the object, camera resolution, atmospheric clarity, lighting, and contrast. All these variables are inter-related.

Cameras for Extreme Environments
How do you prevent an explosion? What camera can you use on an oil rig or in a coal mine where the gases or dust could cause an explosion? How about a camera that can view the scorching gases of a rocket launching into outer space? These are not your standard CCTV surveillance cameras.

IP Camera System Installation
This article reviews the things that are part of an IP Camera system installation. We review the packaging, remote setup capability, and software management tools that reduce the time to install your IP camera system.

IP Camera Systems – The Complete Reference Guide
This technical summary provides the information you need to make an informed purchase of your IP camera system.

How to Integrate Door Access Control and IP Camera Systems
When Door Access is integrated with IP cameras it provides increased security. The article reviews the best way to provide integration.

Mobile Panic Buttons
Panic buttons can be added to security systems to increase safety and security. It can be integrated into a security system such as surveillance camera systems, Paging systems, and door access control systems.

The Intelligent IP Camera
Intelligent IP cameras are providing advanced detection capability. These advanced cameras can tell you if someone has taken your laptop or if someone is screaming in the lobby.

Extreme Environment IP Camera Enclosure Systems
Do you need to view a rocket launch or the inside of a blast furnace? This article describes how high-temperature camera enclosures are made.

How Surge Protectors Work
or the Lightning’s Thief
Surges caused by lightning and other power disruptions can damage cameras as well as network switches and computers. This article describes how these surge protectors work and where to use them.

Understanding Camera Specifications
IP camera specifications include resolution, low light sensitivity, wide dynamic range, signal to noise, etc. What do all the specifications mean in real-world application? This article reviews what specifications are important for your specific application.

Defining the Low Light Sensitivity of IP Cameras
The low light sensitivity of an IP camera is a very important specification. It will determine if we can use the camera at night or in a dark room. Here’s how to set up your camera for the best results in low light situations.

How ALPR Works
Learn how the automated license plate recognition systems work. Besides the analytic software that converts the image to computer characters, the system requires a good IP camera. It also requires proper lighting and the correct physical placement of the camera.

What is an Explosion Proof Camera?
An explosion-proof camera is one that can be used in a hazardous potentially explosive environment. This means that the camera system will not cause an explosion, rather than survive an explosion outside the enclosure.

Understanding IP Camera Resolution Specifications
High-Resolution Mega-pixel Cameras are Not all Alike. This high resolution allows you to zoom in on portions of the video and still have enough resolution to identify a person’s face or license plate number. You can even zoom in on the stored video, providing a distinct advantage over manual PTZ cameras. Cameras are available with 5 or more megapixels of resolution. But how much resolution is required?

Seeing in the Dark
Can you see as well as an Owl? Many of the cameras can.
There are choices of cameras available ranging from low light, IR sensitive and thermal imaging types. This article describes the differences in low-light technology.

What is Bandwidth and how much is Required
Are you having trouble with your cable connection? Are there problems with your telephone system? This article introduces you to the concept and helps you determine what Internet bandwidth is needed for sending video and audio.

Viewing Your IP Camera from the Cloud
Cloud recording services can be used to provide remote recording and viewing of your IP surveillance camera system. It replaces the local video recording system, but does it actually work? This article reviews the technology and what you can and can’t do with a remote server and your mobile smart cellphone device.

Wireless IP Cameras
There are a number of ways to create a wireless network for your IP camera. Some cameras have built-in wireless radios while other systems rely on separate radios. Which is better?
Here’s a review of the wireless technology.

How Face Recognition Works in a Crowd
Facial recognition used to identify a person’s face in a crowd is different than biometric access control systems. They have different requirements and challenges.

IP Camera Motion Stabilization
When you are using a long-distance lens (higher focal point), it is hard to keep the camera steady. This article describes the various mechanisms used to stabilize an IP surveillance camera.

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IP Camera Recording Systems

There are three types of recording systems: Video Management Software, Network Video Recorders (NVR), and Cloud service systems. Each one provides some unique capability. We provided a summary of video recording systems available on our web page, and these articles provide more details about this important video recording function.

IP Camera Systems – Professional Versus Consumer Systems
Consumer IP cameras start at under $40, but are these IP cameras right for your business, school, hospital, government organization, or commercial organization? This article compares consumer and professional IP cameras.

The Best Camera Video Recording System
What is the best video management System? This article reviews several video recording systems for IP camera systems.

Buyers Guide and Comparison Chart of IP Camera Recording Systems
We compared Video Management Software (VMS) to NVRs and Cloud video recording services.

Real-time IP Camera Systems
Many video recording systems support general alarms from the IP cameras, but only a few are able to identify each type of alarm and then react to the specific threat. For example, you may detect that a box was left in the lobby.

How to Ensure Video Chain of Evidence
It is important that video digital evidence follows the rules for the chain of evidence so it will be acceptable by the courts. It must be treated just like fingerprints, confiscated weapons, and other physical objects that need to be authenticated in court.

What is the Best IP Camera Recording System
There are NVRs and VMS systems, but what is best for you?

Software for Your IP Cameras
There are a number of different video management system solutions available. This article reviews a number of different VMS products available, Your application will determine the best product for your IP camera system.

Real-Time IP Camera Systems
This article describes the newest way that IP camera systems are adding real-time functionality that handles the uncertainty of real-time security.

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About the Lens for IP Cameras

The lens is one of the most important components of the IP camera system. The right lens allows you to see exactly what you want to see (field of view), with the clarity (resolution) you require. Take a look at our white paper about Selecting the Right Lens, and also read the following articles for more comprehensive information about the lens.

Selecting the Right Lens and Resolution
The resolution of the camera and the lens define what you will see. The resolution of the camera defines what detail you will see while the lens will determine how far away the image is from the camera and how wide an area (the Field of View) you can see.

Calculating the Angle of the Lens
How to calculate the viewing angle of the lens is important so you can know the maximum distance and field of view to expect.

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Applications that use IP Camera Systems

How IP Cameras, Access Control, and Intercoms Enhance Security

What is the best way to use access control, IP camera systems, and intercoms to create lines of defense against intrusions. Surveillance cameras provided by IP camera systems have helped catch the criminals, but what can we do to prevent the intrusions. This article describes the proactive measures we can take to make life safer. Read more…

Recent Crime Wave Emphasizes the Need for Better IP Camera Systems
This article reviews the basic requirements for providing good video evidence. It examines the IP Camera, the Video Recording Systems, and the installation of the IP camera system.

Technology Review of 2021
New IP cameras included advanced intelligence that improved camera performance, enhanced object detection and notified the user about alarm conditions.

How Technology Helps Hospitals
IP surveillance, intercoms, and door access control have been used to control how people move through all areas of hospitals. This article describes how technology is being used to help hospitals and other healthcare organizations meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panic Button and Other Security Systems for Schools
Security devices such as IP cameras, paging systems, metal detectors, door access control, and panic buttons can be used to help control emergency situations. This article provides a summary of the safety and security systems.

PoE for Network-Attached Devices
This article describes how access control systems, IP Camera Systems, and IP paging systems utilize power over Ethernet (PoE)

IP Cameras in Action: Fighting Fires with Technology
How the University of Montana College of Forestry uses the IP camera system

Can Drones Help Firefighters contain Wildfires?
Due to the prolonged drought in California, the number of wildfires in that state alone is 123% of the state’s average. The National Guard launched a Predator Drone to aid firefighters by using infrared sensors to detect hot spots along the fire’s perimeters or in isolated spots.

Creating Safe Environments with IP Access Control, IP Cameras, and IP Paging
Providing a safe environment is as old as the days when people lived in fortress enclosed towns. Today we can use technology instead of sentries on the ramparts. We can provide the three basic elements required for a safe haven: Create a barrier that prevents unauthorized people from entering; situational awareness; and third, alarms and notification to allow the proper response to situations.

How to Answer Your Door with Your Mobile Device
Now it’s easy to get a notification on your smartphone that someone is at your door. You can then see who it is and talk to them, and finally unlock the door. It’s all done with your mobile smartphone.

IP Camera Systems and the Police
As police come to depend more and more on the forensic assistance IP camera systems can give, they are also becoming increasingly frustrated when a video is of such poor quality that it cannot be used to furnish positive identification of a suspect.

How Syracuse, NY is Using IP Cameras

This report from the field describes how Syracuse added their surveillance camera system. The police call their camera network the Criminal Observation and Protection System, or COPS for short. Believing in transparency, the city lists the location of all its cameras on a special COPS Cameras map.

Integration of Mobile Smart Devices and Door Control
Convergence is a word that means many things to many people; just try Googling it. But when applied to ConvergenceTP LLC, a company specializing in IP appliance connectivity to video management systems, Merriam-Webster.com has the best definition The merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole. ConvergenceTP designed their Event Streaming Engine (ESE) to add value to the world of IP cameras that use video management software (VMS). It makes it possible to wed video surveillance to access control.

Integration of IP Cameras, IP Audio Systems, And Door Control Increase Security
When we integrate IP cameras with other network-attached devices such as intercoms, paging systems, and door control we can create a physical security system that increases your safety.

Using an IP Camera with Audio
IP cameras are getting more and more sophisticated. Many of the newer cameras include two-way audio that can be used with an intercom.

License Plate Recognition
A twenty-first-century Fact of Life. How it works. You may not have realized it, but Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology is all around us. It is used for toll collecting, to control access to parking lots and even to capture criminals. The technology has improved over the years and has become more economical.

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About IP Network Attached Access Control Systems

The latest door access control readers connect directly to the network. The Isonas controller is built into the reader so you don’t need an additional control panel. The enterprise access control system uses a separate controller located at the door and provides greater flexibility. The biometric door reader/controllers provide increased security. All these systems dramatically reduce installation time and cost. Here are a number of articles that explain the latest IP door control technology.

Touchless Door Entry Control
One way to control the spread of disease is to reduce the amount of surface contact. Biometric systems that use fingerprints, palm recognition, or finger-vein are being replaced by face recognition. This has the advantage of providing contactless or touchless door entry control. This article reviews several new products that use face recognition to control door entry.

Thermal Body Temperature Screening Cameras
This article reviews the various technologies used to measure a person’s body temperature, and how they can help monitor people as they enter a secure area.

Access Controller Comparison

The brain of a door access control system is the controller or access control panel. One or more door readers connect to a controller. The access controller receives the person’s ID number from the door reader, matches the credential to the list of approved users, and then opens the electric lock.

This article compares the different types of access controllers or control panels.

How Access Control Works

The access control system ensures that only registered people can enter the organization. It provides four essential functions:

It identifies who can enter
Determines what door a person can use
Defines when they can enter
It maintains a record of everyone who is registered and keeps a list of who goes in and out

This article describes the components of an access control system.

Door Readers for Everyone

We have come a long way since the early magnetic stripe cards. The new door readers can read RFID card credentials, mobile phone credentials, and biometric credentials. Some of the door readers are combinations of a reader and a controller. This means that all the intelligence is built into the reader at the door. This reader-controller connects to the network. Read more…

Multi-Tenant Visitor Access Control Intercom
Monitoring visitors in large organizations is a continuing challenge. The pandemic of 2021 increased our need to improve entry control to multi-tenant buildings and apartment houses. Not only do we want to know who would like to enter, but we also want to know if they are healthy. This article describes how the multi-tenant wireless intercom works.

How to Choose the Best Access Control System
This article reviews how to select the right access control system.

We discuss the features, security requirements, the type of hardware required, the installation, credentials, and management software. And we compare the cost of ownership for several access control systems.

Door Access and Other Security Systems After the Disruption
Access control, IP camera systems, intercoms, and paging systems were used to mitigate the disruption. This article describes how the Pandemic caused an upheaval in access control and other technologies that will stay with us into the future.

Scalable Door Access Control
This article reviews the incremental capability of these new IP access control systems. The new IP Reader-Controllers connect to the network and are intelligent. One of the most significant advantages is the ability to install one door at a time.

Access Control Locks FAQ – Fail-Secure or Fail-Safe
Configuring the electric lock is an essential part of your access control system installation. The electric lock can be configured for Fail-safe or Fail-secure. What is better? The answer is not that simple. Here are some of the frequently asked questions that we received. The answers will help you decide how to configure your door access control system.

IP Physical Security Systems
When we provide interaction or cooperation between two or more devices or agents, we produce a combined effect more significant than the sum of their parts. That’s synergy. And that’s what we get when we integrate IP camera systems, IP door access control systems, and paging and intercom systems.

Benefits of a Door Access Control System
One of the key motivators in business is the return-on-investment (ROI). We will invest in marketing if it increases sales. We will purchase new machinery if it increases production. We will select the access control system if it meets our security requirements.

Door Access Control – Commercial Versus Residential Systems
Both the residential and commercial access control systems have all the same components, yet they have very different capabilities. This article compares the difference between commercial enterprise and residential access control systems.

Door Access Control – After the Pandemic
The need for security had been growing over the last few years, but when COVID hit, access control became more important. Since many people were working from home, empty office spaces needed to be protected. Visitors needed to be monitored, and temperature screening became essential.

Access Control Systems Good Practices
There are several things to consider when selecting and installing a door access control system. These safer practices increase the overall security of the system.

Door Access Control and Visitor Management Integration
The combination of access control, temperature scanning, contact tracing, and access to control databases has increased security and health. This article reviews the new technology advances in visitor management and the integration of door access control and other technologies.

Access Control Enhanced With Intercoms
An access control system allows people with a credential to enter, but what happens when a visitor comes to the door? One easy way to handle the visitor is to add an IP intercom. An IP camera, and some additional software, can be added to provide a safe way to allow visitors to enter. This article describes how you can enhance your access control system.

Integrating Access Control and Temperature Screening
Access control systems can be enhanced to increase safety by adding biometric (face and Palm) access credentials, temperature scanning, and mask detection. The biometric temperature scanning panels can be used by themselves or added to existing access control systems.

The Best Single-Door Access Control System
Today there are several ways to control a single door. There are single-door systems that use a keypad and IP door reader-controller systems that use card credentials or your smartphone for access.

This article compares the single-door access control systems that attach to the network.

How to Upgrade Your Access Control System
The latest access control panels provide improved functionality. By upgrading your access control panel, you can add many new functions. You can integrate IP cameras systems, elevator control, and other functions that will enhance safety and security.

What is the Best Access Control System
The best access control system depends on your requirements. To determine your requirements, you should answer a few questions.

What is Access Control
In the security world, we refer to access control as a combination of electric lock, a door reader, and a controller that is used to prevent unauthorized entry.

Comparison of Door Access Credentials
Door access control systems use various credentials to unlock the door. Credentials can include physical cards that we carry, a PIN number we enter, or even the physical aspect of a person (biometrics such as fingerprint or facial recognition). This article compares the credentials that we carry. They are sometimes called keycards, prox cards, or smartcards.

How Access Control Management Software Works
Most of the access management software available provides simple door reader management. You can control who, when, and where people can enter. What else do you need? It depends on your requirements.

IP Door Access Systems Wiring
The article reviews the wiring topography of various door access systems. We compared the different access control systems and the benefits and disadvantages of each system configuration.

Mobile Credentials the New Key for Door Access Control
A mobile credential is an authorization token much like a Prox card or keyfob. The ID number is held in your smartphone instead of a card. That’s why we call it a mobile credential. Just like other types of credentials, it contains a unique number that can be used as the electronic key to open a door with an electric lock.

What is the Best IP Door Access System for You?
We compared three access control systems, the Isonas reader/controller system, the Hartmann control system with a separate IP controller located at the door, and the Biometric IP readers.

Door Access Control – Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
FAQ about door access control. How does door access control work, what is the most secure access control system, and why do I need door access control management software are some of the questions and answers provided.

How Door Access Control Works
The RFID door readers use credentials that have embedded circuits and an antenna. The reader broadcasts a signal that is received by the credential antenna. The broadcasted electrical signal contains enough power to energize the circuit in the credential. This article describes how the technology works.

How to Increase Security in Apartment Buildings
Network-attached security devices can provide walls of defense that increase safety in apartment buildings. Door access control is one of the first lines of defense.

Automated Emergency Notification and Response
When seconds count, a single-button alert system is essential for your organization’s safety. Whether you need to establish a lockdown or let everyone know about a fire, the rapid notification capability is important.

Comparison of Security Provided by Door Access Systems
This article summarizes the various levels of electronic security provided by different door control systems. Level 1 provides the least overall security while level 4 provides the highest level of protection. We compared the cost to the effectiveness of each type of system.

The Evolution of Access Control
Remember when access control was limited to fitting a key into a lock and turning? Door control systems have come a long way, and now are easier to install and much more reliable.

How Long Range Access Control Readers Work
Long-range access control systems are primarily used to open a gate as you go into a parking area. This article describes how the long-range readers work.

Elevator Control Using Door Access Readers
Door access readers can be used to determine what floors a person can reach depending on their credential authorization. This article describes how we use access control readers along with a special relay control box and software to increase security in a high-rise building.

Comparison of Multimode Biometric Door Readers
Which door reader is best for your application. Take a look at this buyers guide. It provides the pros and cons of each type of reader. It includes a comparison of RFID readers, fingerprint, finger vein, facial recognition, and multimodal readers that read more than one physiological characteristic.

Security Provided by Access Control Systems
What can we do to increase our security? By integrating different security systems we increase our safety. IP door access prevents unauthorized access to our buildings, walk-through metal detectors prevent people from bringing in weapons and using campus-wide paging systems we keep everyone informed of any emergency. This article describes when and how to use these technologies.

Biometric Door Access Control
Biometrics provides one of the most secure ways of granting access. It authenticates the person rather than the card that they carry. Biometric identification includes fingerprint, handprint, and facial recognition. The latest technology includes both facial recognition plus body motion and shape. It is one of the more reliable biometric solutions available.

Biometric Door Control Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions about science and technology. One of the misconceptions is that biometric IP door readers store a picture of your fingerprint or face. Instead of storing a picture of our actual fingerprint or face, the biometric readers captures only a small subset of data and then convert these minutiae points to encrypted binary data.

Review of the Biometric Authentication
This document reviews a number of different biometric systems. It compares fingerprint authentication and facial recognition.

Advanced Door Access Control
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to push a button to initiate campus-wide lockdown? What about integrating IP door access with your IP surveillance system, or controlling what floor a person can go to in the elevator? Or, maybe you would like to use the access system as a visitor management system? Well, the latest network-attached access control systems provide these advanced features as well as many others that can make it easier to control security.

Access Control Software
Which is better, cloud subscription or on-site licensed software. This article describes the pros and cons of both access control software solutions.

How does Fingerprint Readers Work?
Fingerprint readers detect the features of a person’s fingerprint and create a digital code that is used as a unique digital template.

How Does Facial Recognition Work?
There are two primary methods for capturing and matching facial information. This article reviews the technology available.

Door Access Control Review
Remember when access control was limited to fitting a key into a lock and turning? Keys and keyholes may still be sufficient for residential use, but are all but obsolete at most workplaces, having been replaced by IP access cards and card readers. But cards, too, are going through a flux of change.

Access Control Software
Cloud versus on-premise software. What is best for you?

How to install an IP Door Control System
Everything you wanted to know about how to install and control a door from a remote location.

How to Integrate Door Control With Other IP Systems
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.

How to Answer Your Door From Your Mobile Device
Now it’s easy to get a notification on your smartphone that someone is at your door. You can then see who it is and talk to them, and finally unlock the door. It’s all done through your mobile smartphone.

Automated Emergency Notifications and Response
When seconds count, a single-button alert system is essential for your organization’s safety. Whether you need to establish a lockdown or let everyone know about a fire, the rapid notification capability is important.

Automated Digital Contact Tracing Resources

To learn more about Contact Tracing, read our articles

How Digital Contact Tracing Systems Work. The article describes what contact tracing is, and describes several ways to provide contact tracing automatically.

Automated Contact Tracing in a Pandemic describes how contact tracing is important in the pandemic.

Automatic Contact Tracing and Other Technologies for the Campus describes the products that can be used to make schools safer.

About IP Intercoms and Paging Over Networks

Classic paging systems utilize large amplifiers with wires radiating out to all the speakers in the building. But what do you do when you need to make announcements to many buildings in a campus. Network-attached intercoms and paging systems make it easy to make campus-wide announcements. Whether you need to make an emergency announcement or just communicate to one classroom or office the PA and intercoms over IP make it very easy to do.

The Best Apartment Intercoms
The latest IP apartment intercoms use wireless networks to communicate with the tenant. The new wireless multi-tenant intercoms allow you to contact the resident’s smartphone or standard phone to request entry into the building. The lobby intercom touchscreen display provides a list of all the tenants in the building. This article provides critical features and functions of the best apartment intercom systems.

Apartment Intercoms
The Latest Network-Attached Multi-Tenant Building Intercoms
An apartment intercom is a communication device located in the lobby or at the front entrance. This article provides information about the new IP apartment intercom systems.

Comparison of Apartment Intercom Systems
The latest intercom systems use smartphone apps and cloud servers to enable direct communication all over the world. This article provides the pros and cons of different intercom systems.

The article How Network-Attached Audio Works describes how network-attached paging systems work. It explains how the sound waves from someone talking or singing are picked up by a microphone and converted to analog electric signals. This electric signal can be sent to an amplifier and then to a speaker so that many people can hear the sound. When we convert the analog signal to a digital signal and connect to the IP network, we can send sound around the world.

Mass Emergency Notification Product Comparison
A Mass Emergency Notification System is a communication system that alerts people to a dangerous situation. The system includes software and hardware and uses multiple communication channels to provide the information necessary to facilitate an appropriate response and action to a situation that could be life-threatening. Though mass notification systems were created for time-sensitive emergencies, they can also be used to provide general information that can help manage large organizations.

IP Intercom Selection and Comparison
There are a variety of network-attached intercoms. Some connect to a central computer, while others connect to smartphone apps. The new IP intercoms use your network infrastructure, are powered over Ethernet (PoE), include IP cameras, and have great features and functions that were never available with the old analog intercoms. They can open doors, integrate with IP camera systems and door access control systems to provide a complete security system.

PA System Configurations
What is the best IP paging system? There are several configurations and implementations that can be used depending on your requirements.

IP Paging and Automated Announcements
One of the most helpful features of an IP Paging system is its ability to make automated announcements. You can push a button and make a pre-recorded page, or automatically notify everyone about a weather emergency received from the national weather service.

IP Paging Systems Provide Advanced Functionality
This is Not Your Father’s Paging System
Paging systems have changed over the years. Remember the old days when the principal would make announcements on that old PA system. You were lucky to hear anything that was said.

IP Paging Systems for Schools
IP paging speaker placement and sound volume settings are key to providing clear sound in the school. Whether there is a general announcement or an emergency message, it’s important that the instructions can be heard and understood by everyone.

Paging and PA Over IP
You may have heard about Voice over IP or VoIP, well now it’s paging over IP. This new Public Address system provides Voice and Intercom over the network. But how does this all work?

Emergency IP Paging Using Panic Buttons,
This article describes how an IP PA system can increase safety and security.

Review and Comparison of the Classic Paging System to the New PA over IP Systems
This article compares the cost of installing a classic paging system versus the latest network-attached PA systems.

Integration of Audio and Video With IP Cameras
An intercom can be used to manually control a door. It can be used with an IP camera so you can talk and see who’s at the door.

How Network Attached IP Paging Systems Work,
You may have heard about Voice over IP or VoIP, well now it’s paging over IP. This new public address system provides voice and intercom over the network. But how does this all work? This article describes how this technology works.

Intercoms for IP Cameras
An intercom can be used to manually control a door. It can be used with an IP camera so you can talk and see who’s at the door.

What is the Best Sound Level for Your Speakers? or How Loud is Loud?
This article discusses how to determine how loud your PA system should be and how to specify the type of equipment you need.

How IP Powered Speakers Work:
IP powered speakers connect to the network and use PoE for power,

How to Design Your IP Paging System:
The secret to designing your sound system is to start at the ears.

Comparison of IP Intercoms
Pros and cons of different IP intercoms.

Let the Recorder Beware
Discusses the legal issues of recording audio.

Select the Right Speaker
How to get the best sound requires some planning. Understanding all the speaker specifications will help you make the right choice for each area.

How Loud is Loud, Selecting the Right Speaker
This article discusses how to determine how loud your PA system should be and how to specify the type of equipment you need.

About Panic Buttons and Emergency Notification

Mobile Panic Buttons for Business, Schools, and Healthcare
The latest mobile panic buttons are designed for business, education, healthcare, hotels, and other organizations. The mobile panic button provides advanced capability and operates through cell phone services so are not tethered to one location. They can be used anywhere there is a phone connection.

Panic Buttons and Security
Panic buttons can be added to security systems to increase safety and security. For example, these alarm buttons can be integrated into a security system such as surveillance camera systems, Paging systems, and door access control systems.

Emergency IP Paging Using Panic Buttons,
This article describes how an IP PA system can increase safety and security.

Panic Buttons and Other Security Systems for Schools
Security devices such as IP cameras, paging systems, metal detectors, door access control, and panic buttons can be used to help control emergency situations. This article provides a summary of the safety and security systems.

About Optical and Computer Storage

There are a number of ways to store information – including hard drives and RAM. One of the most archival or permanent storage systems is the optical disc. The latest Blu-ray optical discs are placed in a disc library or jukebox. You don’t have to worry about a disc crash since nothing touches the disc surface. Here are some articles that describe this technology and older DVD storage devices.

Review of the Current Optical Jukebox and Library Technology
Blu-ray wins the standards war and becomes the technology of choice.

How Blu-ray optical discs work
You may know about Blu-ray discs which are used for holding high-quality movies, but do you know how they are used by computers for holding lots of data.

How to handle all the Information that needs to be Archived
Meeting the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

About Malware Protected Computers

Protecting Your Computer from Malware
This article reviews how you can use modified hard drive systems that prevent data from being changed. These Write-once storage systems protect computers from viruses, ransomware, and other malware.

Blogs and Videos

Blog

The Kintronics blog includes articles that describe how the technology works, how it is used and even jokes and cartoons about the technology.

Videos Describing the Technology

These entertaining and informative videos can be found on our YouTube channel. Here are some examples:

Technical Support

IP camera systems, door access control systems, and Intercoms can be complex because they include many different components that have to work together. Kintronics is a resource for engineering and integration of all your security projects. We can design your complete system so don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.

After purchasing your system we make sure that it works exactly the way you expect. You can contact us for help with your installation and any technical support you may need.

We provide technical support and warranty support. Contact us at 1-800-431-1658 (in the USA) or 914-944-3425 (everywhere else) whenever you need assistance.