Derek Rice

PTZs: Valuable Tool or Obsolete Technology?

As megapixel cameras’ performance and quality continue to improve, are they pushing PTZs out to pasture?

September 28, 2018

Recently, some research and anecdotal evidence have suggested a decline in the use of pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras compared with fixed megapixel cameras, which seems on its face to make sense.

Recording Technologies Give RMR a Boost

Greater product choice can complicate product evaluation, but the rewards are there for the taking for integrators who put in the work.

Derek Rice

August 1, 2016

The steady advance of technology in the security industry means that in general there is a larger variety of DVRs and NVRs available today — and every day from here on — than ever before.

Growth in Mobile and Transportation Surveillance

Derek Rice

March 4, 2016

Public awareness, end user demand and the availability ofgovernment funding are driving rapid growth in mobile and transportation surveillance.

Evaluating Camera Performance in Challenging Lighting Situations

Evaluating camera performance in challenging lighting requires much more than a specification sheet can provide.

Derek Rice

September 10, 2014

Another trend in the lighting space is to maintain a low-noise color image in low light rather than switching to black-and-white or changing to an IR illuminator setting. One way this is made possible is with better sensors, specifically larger sensors with more pixels.

An Integrator’s Guide to Pricing and Selling Cloud Video Storage

Storage in the cloud comes with its own set of challenges. SDM investigates options and developing best practices for this growing opportunity.

Derek Rice

August 14, 2014

Regardless of the basis on which cloud storage is charged for, remembering the basic model is perhaps the most important factor.

The Next Big Thing in Video Compression for Security

The next wave of video compression will be led by High Efficiency Video Coding, or H.265, which handles the demands of 4K video.

Derek Rice

July 15, 2014

Even with its advanced compression ability, HEVC will still need a help from cameras themselves using video analytics to make transmitting 4K video across networks as efficient and manageable as possible, Edulbehram says.

Hybrid Recorders Can Be a Revenue Source for Installers & Integrators

Whether gradually migrating a customer from analog to IP or simply getting the two to ‘play nicely’ in the same system, hybrid recorders can be a revenue source for installers and integrators.

Derek Rice

June 9, 2014

In determining whether a hybrid recorder is right for a situation or evaluating multiple options, there are a number of factors that go into making the best decision. Naturally, the first is what the end user is looking for with their system.

The Emergence of 4K at ISC West

4K is making the leap from the consumer space to the security industry, bringing with it the promise of higher resolution, greater detail and better overall video.

Derek Rice

May 20, 2014

It seemed that the biggest buzzword to come out of this year’s ISC West was 4K — just as it was the biggest buzzword to come out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2012.

How Audio & Video Technologies Combine for More Proactive Surveillance

A powerful 1-2 punch

Derek Rice

May 20, 2014

How audio and video technologies combine for more proactive surveillance.

ADI Departs from ‘Business as Usual’ With Smaller Branch Location

While there’s usually nothing out of the ordinary about a grand opening of an ADI branch, that’s definitely not the case for its La Vista, Neb., location, which will officially open on May 1.

Derek Rice

April 29, 2014

Serving the greater Omaha market, the new branch is the 100th for Melville, N.Y.-based ADI, which itself is a significant milestone. But more importantly, it marks a new direction of sorts for the company as the first of what CEO Michael Flink says is a different style of branch for the distributor called ADI Express