security camera
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San Francisco security cameras ineffective due to poor framerates
We're not huge fans of overzealous security camera deployment, but if you're going to spend taxpayer money deploying nannycams, at least make sure they're capturing more than one frame every two seconds -- the rate at which San Francisco's $900,000 system is running. A study of the city's 68 cameras found that the system has only led to one arrest in two and a half years of operation, and the main reason for the failure is uselessly slow video -- which is grainy, to boot. Compare that to Chicago's much-hated (but effective) system, which runs at 30fps, and it's obvious why the president of San Francisco's Police Commission said the city was "throwing money away." There's no word on how or when the issue might be resolved, but the city is due to review the system and issue a determination soon. Check the read link for a video of the system in (in)action.[Thanks, Paul B.]
NEC shows off fluorescent light-powered wireless camera
It looks like those looking to put together a quick and easy surveillance system for spying on their employees could soon find their solution courtesy of NEC, which is set to debut a new security cam that draws all its power from a standard fluorescent light. But that's not all, the camera also boasts some built-in 802.11b WiFi capabilities to stream all that video (or, more specifically, an image every ten seconds) back to a PC, which can presumably be used to monitor dozens of these little all-seeing wonders. No word on a price or release date, but NEC will apparently have more to say about it at the iExpo2007 conference that gets underway in Tokyo on December 5th.
SingTel offers cellphone controlled spycam
Yeah, yeah, the caption reads "watch over your loved ones wirelessly..." but we know by "watch over" they mean spy. With SingTel's dubious intentions aside, the Mobile LIVEcam looks to be a reasonably inexpensive and capable -- albeit optically challenged -- 0.3 megapixel remote camera. For only $240 upfront and about $6 month in service costs you get a 3G SIM card and the camera which can pan, tilt, zoom, and even record video onto a microSD card. If your preferred recording location is a bit dark, the camera features an infrared recording mode to help get the dirtiest of dirt ensure your family's safety. The LIVEcam is controlled via SMS commands or through a web interface -- also accessible by up to 20 others via password control -- on your mobile phone, and with a touted 300 hours standby time, should give you enough time to capture the perfect shots. Yep, anti-privacy never looked so fun.
SMS-activated laser hack blinds security cameras
We'll be straight with you: under no circumstances should you give this villainous "hack" a go outside of one serious round of perfectly legal Capture The Flag. That said, a Hollywood-inspired individual figured that he'd rig up the next great security camera deactivation scheme for the 007 writers the world over to take note of, and if you've got a scope, a laser, a spare cellphone (and quick thumbs for SMS-ing), and a bit of wiring knowledge, you too can piece together a dubious hack that you'll likely never utilize. 'Course, if even this seems daedal to you, there's always the tried and true MacGyver method.[Via Hack A Day]
Canon's VB-C300 PTZ security camera and PIXMA iP3300, iP1800, and iP90v
And finally, bringing up the rear is Canon's new VB-C300 PTZ pan-tilt-zoom security camera (and a coupla printers, too). A little high end for home users, the camera starts at a grand and the VK-64 / VK-16 Version 1.3 Network Video Recording Software will run you either $2.5k or another grand, respectively. Also announced are Canon's PIXMA iP3300, iP1800, and iP90v. The first two appear to be boring loss-leader photo printer cartridge sellers which will go for $80 and $40, and print 8 x 11 and 4 x 6, respectively. No, the interesting one here is the iP90v, the $250 portable photo printer that can run off prints up to 8.5 x 11 at up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. It even comes with built in infrared and has a Bluetooth option for another $80.Read - VB-C300 PTZ cameraRead - PIXMA iP3300 and iP1800Read - PIXMA iP90v%Gallery-1754%
D-Link launches 3G Securicam DCS-2120 wireless internet camera
D-Link's got a new weapon for anyone looking to keep an eye on burglars and other unwanted trespassers on their premises, the Securicam DCS-2120, a wireless security camera with 3G mobile video support. So now you'll be able to obsessively peep what's going on at your home or business from just about anywhere (with 3G service, that is) via your 3G-equipped phone or PDA. And if that's not enough for ya, the camera also has its own CPU and web server, which'll throw up a live feed that you can access from any web browser, as well as built-in 802.11g for additional networking options, including using multiple cameras. The specs for the camera itself are otherwise pretty standard, with a 640 x 480 resolution capturing video at "up to" 30 frames per second. D-Link's press release says the camera will launch in the U.K. sometime in July for £179.97, but it looks like it's already on sale over here for about $300 US.[Via Tech Digest]
