January 25, 2012
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Question
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re: the video and audio - Visonic's "RealAlarm" article on November 16, 2011
What's the difference between this technology and "listen in" technology that been around for decades? Sonitrol has made an entire industry out of it.
Steve Sopkin
President
Mijac Alarm
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Answer
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I thought I would go right to the source for the best answer, so I asked Mark Ingram, president of Visonic Inc to answer the question. Here is his response:
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Hi Ken,
I read Steve Sopkin's question and I would like to provide answers;
Audio verification, such as the "Sonitrol" system is an excellent technology and is proven to be a system that results in a priority response and many captures by authorities. Typically these listen in/audio verification systems are deployed in commercial and industrial applications. I doubt there are many in residential applications.
Generically, "video verification" will provide actual images of the event on a timely basis to a central station. The operator then makes a decision based on the image and the condition and protocol (system was armed, middle of the day/night when most folks are not home or asleep, etc) and dispatch as a "priority response" needed. As we know, "a picture is worth 1,000 words". Municipalities country wide (most recently San Jose CA) are invoking the no response unless verified by video or audio.
Bottom line: Audio is noise and/or voice, video is image verification. The Visonic "RealAlarm" solution is primarily a video verification solution that is completely wireless and uses a very sophisticated RF transmission platform along with GPRS to transmit to the central station. While it is know as a video solution, keep in mind that the PIR Camera also has the capability of transmitting audio along with video. Fully programmable to avoid any issues where audio and video may be prohibited. http://www.visonic.com/alarm-verification-1
Thanks Ken as always for your emails! I have no idea how you keep up with the amount of work you do!
Mark Ingram, President
Visonic, Inc