Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

Pro Video Catch ’em in the act! It seems these days it’s not enough to protect your property – if the b*****s want it enough, they’ll go to extraordinary lengths to steal it. What you need is the evidence to help catch them – and this could just do it for you! T he idea of recording intruders is not exactly new – it’s been around even before Adam bought Eve their first Betamax VCR. In recent times, VCRs have been replaced by DVRs, or Digital Video Recorders. The difference is that in a DVR, the image is recorded directly to a hard disk instead of going onto tape. The main advantage of this is that recording times can be very long indeed, limited only by the size of the hard disk drive (and these days, that’s huge!). DVRs also aren’t exactly the latest kid on the block – they’ve been around for a few years now. But this “ Wa t c h g u a r d ” DVR4ENTPACK system, submitted to us for evaluation from RhinoCo Technology, seemed to us to be the ideal security solution for two reasons: the quality of the images (how often have you seen almost unrecognisable CCTV images of crooks on TV?) but more importantly, everything comes in the box. When we say everything, we mean it: the 4-channel DVR (more on this in a moment) with 80GB hard disk drive. It also has four day/night weatherproof colour cameras (two with 15m range and two with 30m), two switch-mode power supplies (one for the DVR and one to power the cameras), four camera connection cables (2x 10m, 1x 20m and 1x 30m) a power split cable (allows all four cameras to run from one supply), a monitor connection cable, a network connection cable (more on this shortly, too!), a quick installation guide and a CD containing not only a more comprehensive instruction manual but the software you’ll need to drive the system. About the only thing that isn’t supplied is the video monitor - this can be a purpose-designed monitor or can be any TV with video inputs (as are about 101% of TVs on the market today). The DVR This, as we mentioned before, is 4-channel – that is, it is capable of recording all four camera inputs at once. It records with advanced MPEG4 Compression which not only gives high quality images but more importantly, small file sizes. At first glance, the control panel looks quite complex but after a few minutes it will be as easy to use as your home video. The video is capable of a number of modes of operation – manual, timed and also “intelligent motion” recording triggered by movement across one of the camera’s fields of vision. Once a recording is made, it can be searched and then viewed in slow motion and frame-by-frame. The DVR can also be connected to an IP-based network or to the internet for remote operation/viewing. This involves setting an IP address, configuring port forwarding and then running the appropriate (supplied) viewing software. Watchguard warn that this should be done by someone with networking/ internet experience. As supplied, the DVR is set for “CIF best quality”, at three frames per second per camera, at a resolution of 352 x 288 Everything you need is in the box – the digital video recorder, four cameras, camera mounts, two power supplies, all the cabling, instructions (both printed quick guide and full on disc) and the software you need to use the system on the ’net. 16  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au Security System . . . Review by Ross Tester The cameras Two long range and two short range colour cameras are supplied. All are weatherproof so can be used indoors or out. They use high quality CCD sensors (not CMOS) and all have infrared LEDs for illumination in total darkness (B&W mode). The long-range (30m) cameras have 24 LEDs while the 15m versions have 12 I-R LEDs. Both offer 420 lines vertical resolution, 520 x 582 pixels. The long-range models also include an adjustable sunshield (or bright light shield). The verdict pixels. This will give around four weeks of recording time. Using Video Motion Detection will obviously extend this. If you want higher resolution/more frames, you can set it to record up to 6.25 frames per second per camera in frame mode, 720 x 576 pixels, high resolution (MJPEG compression). You also have the option of continuous video at 25 frames per second in CIF mode (real time), MPEG4 compression, 352 x 288 pixels. NEW! CIRCUIT WIZARD A revolutionary new system that combines circuit design, PCB design, simulation & CAD/ CAM in one complete package for your pc. rsions click s’. IDEAL FOR Schools, TAFEs, Hobbyists & Business Circuit Wizard Standard – $202* & Circuit Wizard Pro – $390*post*incin GST Aust. 555Electronics Australia and New Zealand – for orders or more information, please contact McLaren Vale, SA 5171 Tel (08) 8323 8442 email: bwigley<at>senet.com.au www.555electronics.com.au siliconchip.com.au Semicondutors, Capacitors, Inductors, Relays, Switches Test Equipment, Tools, Fans, Computer Components, Power Supplies, Resistors, Plugs & sockets, Leads, Hardware, Opto Electronics, Fuses, Pots, Batteries, Terminals, Transformers, Fuses, Clips, Cables, etc. on ‘feature n Stand nces betwee differe To see the Rockby Electronics Components Est. 1987 30000 stock Products On-Line rom: f o m e d e a fre com Downloeawd-wave-concepts. www.n ssional ve ard & Profe Given that everything you need is supplied and also given its internet capability, this appears to be an ideal system for business or the home. Recommended retail price of the system is $1196 – available from Dick Smith Electronics or call 02 4577 4708 or visit www.watchguardalarms.com. au SC Web Address: www.rockby.com.au                                         Rockby Electronics Pty Showroom & Pick-up Orders:             Ltd         Mail Or der s To: P.O Box 1189 Huntingdale Victoria 3166 Email: salesdept<at>rockby.com.au July 2007  17