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pureSilicon adds 256GB model to new Renegade R2 SSD range
pureSilicon's original Renegade family just started shipping in Q1 of this year, but as it looks to stay one step ahead of the competition (and provide us all with a version big enough to hold all of our, um, family photos), the company is already introducing its Renegade R2 family. Designed to meet MIL-STD-810F standards while still offering 255MB/sec sequential read rates and 180MB/sec sequential write rates, these low-height (9.5 millimeter) 2.5-inch SSDs should fit perfectly within the bulk of laptops on the market today. The crew -- which is comprised of 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models -- will soon be joined by PATA and 1.8-inch siblings. If you're looking to get your hands on one, most all of 'em are shipping today, though the 256GB flavor and encrypted models won't leave the dock until Q1 of next year.
Tachyon XC 3D helmet cam hands-on
If you're the sort who does interesting things whilst wearing a helmet, things that you might like to capture on video for friends, family, or strangers to watch, it's an awfully good time to be a gadget lover. There have never been more helmet camera options than there are today, and one of the most interesting we've yet had the opportunity to affix to our lid is the Tachyon XC 3D. It's a pair of generally pedestrian cameras that, when joined at the hip, combine Voltron-like to do something rather more interesting: capture 3D renderings of your extreme endeavors. But, is an extra dimension worth the $380 price of admission? Read on to find out, and to experience the depth for yourself. %Gallery-74426%
All Weather Cellular Camera is an all weather cellular camera
Looking to bolster your home surveillance setup with something sure to survive power outages, harsh weather conditions and / or zombie invasions? Then you may want to accept no less than this new All Weather Cellular Camera now available from Brickhouse Security, which promises to provide just about everything you'd expect from a surveillance system in an entirely self-contained unit. That includes a PIR body heat-activated nightvision camera (just 1.3-megapixels, but you can't be too picky in these cases), 50 infrared flash bulbs, a built-in tactical laser to ensure it's pointing at just the right spot, a CompactFlash card slot to store images in case the cellular network goes down, and a 6V battery that promises to last for four to six weeks (which can be doubled with an optional second battery), to name but a few features. Naturally, none of that comes cheap and, at $599, you may want to consider a second camera to keep an eye on the first.
Archerfish home security camera system does video analysis for you
Internet-enabled security cameras are nothing new, but Cernium's Archerfish system mixes in some smart video-analysis software and Sling-style placeshifting to make monitoring your home from afar a little easier. Up to four cameras can feed 352 x 240 resolution video into the $1000 box, which contains a TI DaVinci chip powerful enough to intelligently analyze the video for people and vehicles, encode it to H.264, and send it to wherever you are, along with text and email alerts if so desired. Of course, it wouldn't be 2009 if there wasn't a monthly fee for cloud-based hosting, and Archerfish is no exception -- you don't log in to your own box, you have to shell out $20/mo to access the MyArcherfish dashboard to review your footage. Of course. It's all on sale soon, including a $1,500 two camera bundle.[Via Zatz Not Funny!]
TRENDnet rolls out 7-inch digital photo frame / camera monitor
Well, it looks like the ol' softies and TRENDnet have finally found a way to liven up the family photo slideshow a bit: 'round the clock security camera footage! To make that possible, the company's new 7-inch TV-M7 photo frame connects to your home network and is able to detect any wireless TRENDnet security cameras also connected to the network, which can be displayed on their own or four at a time on the screen. Otherwise, the device looks to be a fairly standard photo frame, with it packing 512MB of built-in storage and a memory card slot for further expansion, along with a remote control, a built-in speaker, and all the usual media playback functionality. As you might expect, however, you won't get this one for the price of your usual 7-inch photo frame, with it running a somewhat hefty $262.99.[Via Chip Chick]
Scallop Imaging wide-angle security cams look to the sea for inspiration
We're not too sure what's up with New England-based institutions and inspiration from the depths, but the two seem to have some kind of intrinsic connection. The latest company to prove such a wacky assertion true is Boston's own Scallop Imaging, a Tenebraex subsidiary that has developed a "low-cost" security camera that sees 180 degrees of view without fisheye distortion or the lag present in pan-and-tilt alternatives. Additionally, the multi-eyed cam automatically stitches and downsamples images, and can capture a new 7-megapixel still to transmit over Ethernet "every second or two." It's small enough to be placed into a light socket-sized hole, and it's powered by the same Ethernet cable that links it into a building's surveillance system. Of course, the fun won't stop there, as the outfit is already looking at automotive applications of the Digital Window, including "distortion-free backup cameras for the rear ends" of vehicles.
Mobotix Q22 security camera offers 360-degrees of vision
It looks like Mobotix has a solution for those wishing their security cameras were a bit more all-seeing, with its new Q22 model promising to deliver a full 360-degrees of vision. That's done with the use of a hemispheric lens, which eliminates the need for any moving parts and lets the Big Brother in question digitally flatten, pan, tilt or zoom any image. As if that wasn't enough, the Q22 can also be run entirely over Power over Ethernet (or PoE), and it boasts a built-in speaker and microphone to allow for some two-way communication. Otherwise, you can expect a decent enough 3.1-megapixel resolution, along with SIP support, accommodations for various CCTV management platforms, and Mobotix's own MxControlCenter video management software. As you might expect, however, all that doesn't exactly come cheap, with the basic model running you €498 (or $776), and the premium version demanding €648 (or just over $1,000).[Via BIOS]
Security cameras and a mobile phone help man track down mysterious house guest
Look, we're just as down on crazy Japanese stereotypes as the next guy. We watched Lost in Translation. We're with it. We know it's not all cosplay and weird game shows (but seriously, that human Tetris one? Awesome) and people dressing up as vending machines (pictured). That said, this story isn't doing Japan any favors. A homeless woman was recently arrested in Tokyo after living undetected in a man's closet for a year and sneaking food out of his kitchen. It was the missing food that tipped him off, so he installed some security cameras in his home to transmit images to his phone. Some motion was detected, so he called the police, and soon enough they spotted her in the closet -- where she had planted a mattress. Moral of the story? Move to Japan. Better cellphones and bigger closets. You can't lose. [Via ixplora]
DIY IR headgear repels security cameras, attracts "security"
It's not the first method we've seen for blinding security cameras, but this new DIY / art project from the folks at Oberwelt e.V. looks to be one of the simplest, and one of the few that could conceivably be used on an everyday basis. Dubbed the I-R.A.S.C. (for "infra-redlight against surveillance camera"), the device apparently consists simply of a series of infrared lights connected to a battery, which combine to blot out your face with a slightly unnerving glow. Needless to say, while it appears to hide your identity quite effectively, it doesn't exactly scream subtlety, so you'd best think of some excuses to explain yourself if you actually plan on trying this thing out in public.[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Build your own "witness camera;" Felix's fishnapping days are numbered
Everybody knows that if you've got real criminals to deal worry about, you buy a gun or a katana. That's why we're planning on pointing this "witness camera" DIY project at those little household criminals, like Felix. The project involves a few cheap-as-free components like a VGA CMOS color camera, PIR movement sensor, ATmega32 processor and a 1GB SD card. Oddly enough, the box looks like a regular alarm detector, which seems it'd be the first thing a burglar -- or a diabolical cat that likes to hold hapless fish ransom for unreasonable quantities of catnip -- would try to disable, but we suppose the whole point of DIY is that you can hide the setup in whatever you please.[Via MAKE]
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]
