Cameras Covering the Theatre

Cameras Covering the Theatre

Megapixel cameras provide comprehensive coverage at Montalbán facility

Cameras Covering the TheatreLocated in the heart of Hollywood, Calif., The Ricardo Montalbán Foundation Theatre, named after the late actor and performing arts patron, is a venue for diverse cultural events. The security system for the wellequipped 1,000-seat facility includes several 1.3-megapixel IP security cameras that are inside and outside the theatre.

"Security is a concern in any busy urban area, and when you’re moving large groups of people in and out, it’s paramount for maintaining the confidence of both patrons and staff,” said Gil Smith, chairman of the Montalbán Foundation Theatre. “We have an iconic 1926 Broadway-style theatre building, and graffiti and vandalism are continuing challenges. We want to maintain a positive environment here, and video surveillance provides documentation after the fact. If there’s an indication of some incident, you can go back and review the footage. This video information provides for better communication with both the community and the police.”

Veteran Los Angeles-area security equipment specialists Post Alarm Systems handled installation and integration of the Canon USA megapixel IP security cameras, including VB-M600VE fixed vandal-resistant dome cameras for the exterior of the building, VB-M600D indoor dome cameras, and VB-M700F “boxstyle” cameras. Plans call for a VB-M40 PTZ camera to also be mounted to the outside of the building for wide-angle street views captured with its built-in Genuine Canon 20x zoom lens. All Canon megapixel IP security cameras are ONVIF conformant to ensure network interoperability.

“My first concern in choosing security cameras was picture quality, and I knew of Canon’s reputation for digital technology in its consumer and professional products,” Smith recalled. “Canon is a world leader in optics and image-making, so my instinct was to look very seriously at their IP security cameras. I think it was a very good decision to go in that direction.”

From Dark to Bright

The cameras feature Canon optical zoom lenses, a 1.3-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS image sensor, and a sophisticated Canon DIGIC NET image processor for excellent low-light performance. A Smart Shade Control feature automatically adjusts the contrast between bright and dark areas of the image to enhance the detail display. A special night mode provides increased low-light sensitivity over the standard recording mode.

“The theatre presents a lot of challenges for maintaining good picture levels,” Smith said. “Conditions range from the dark on our theatre stage, to the bright outdoor sunlight. Our entry court has deep, dark corners that turn into bright sunlit areas as the day progresses. The dynamic range that I’m seeing from these Canon IP cameras—from highlights to shadows—is amazing. The edge control from the sharpness of the Canon lens, and the way the images are processed, is exactly what we needed at this facility.”

Remote Adjustment Function

In addition to their exceptional 1.3 megapixel imaging, the networked Canon IP security cameras at the Montalbán Theatre feature Canon’s remote adjustment function (RAF). This enables integrators and installers to change the viewpoint, zoom, and focus of these fixed cameras after installation from any Internet-connected PC, without removing the camera’s dome cover. Viewpoint adjustments to the image-capture area of these stationary cameras include their pan, tilt, and rotation angles. Access to the camera with a ladder or bucket truck becomes unnecessary, eliminating the time and expense of on-site adjustments involving labor, transportation, and equipment. This feature is convenient for large installations of multiple Canon IP security cameras.

“Using megapixel IP security cameras with the remote adjustment feature saved us a good several hours per camera,” said Rich Buchanan, account executive at Post Alarm Systems. “I can go down in front of a Web page and make some tweaks in 5 seconds that would have taken me at least an hour to do if I was already on-site.

“That’s a huge savings that adds up over and over again. The RAF is definitely going to equate to happier customers, and having a happy customer is definitely going to equate to more referrals and recommendations of products that we used.”

Another built-in feature of all Canon megapixel IP security cameras that the Montalbán Foundation Theatre also is taking full advantage of is video analytics, which helps detect abandoned, moving and removed objects. User-adjustable in terms of detection area, sensitivity and duration, these analytics can trigger alarms. In addition, camera analytics can alert for abnormal sound levels and tampering that may indicate a camera is being vandalized.

“The megapixel IP security cameras at the Montalbán Foundation Theatre are indispensable,” Smith said. “The image quality detail, color accuracy, corner-tocorner focus, and low-light performance they deliver are amazing. The system gives us the confidence that we can close the doors, walk away and know that at any moment we can access our servers and the images that we are capturing 24/7. Canon is at the center of the digital revolution, and it has made high-quality imaging far more accessible.”

This article originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.