Resorts World Casino New York City Improves Surveillance with JVC Cameras
JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., today announced 
Resorts World Casino New York City, located at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, is using almost 200 JVC IP-based HD security cameras as part of its expansive security camera network.
From parking areas to gaming areas, from documenting transactions to documenting medical incidents, video cameras keep watch over more than 3,000 slot games and 5,000 electronic table games at Resorts World Casino New York City. The facility attracts about 20,000 visitors per day and up to 30,000 per day on weekends. All video surveillance is operated through a Synetics VMS system, and the JVC cameras are connected using the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) specification.
Jason Arnett, assistant director of surveillance, said that the casino environment is challenging for video surveillance efforts, because video slot machines and electronic table games feature lighting and imagery that is constantly changing. “The contrast between the light and the dark raises havoc on the cameras,” he explained.
"Resorts World Casino New York City has the added issue of windows across the track side of the facility, which changes the light in the facility throughout the day. The JVC cameras, however, deliver 30 fps imagery with almost unnoticeable imaging issues," Arnett said.
In the money cage, images from the JVC HD cameras are so sharp you can read the denominations on the bills, which was not possible with previous security cameras. “The color quality is spot on,” noted Sandy Moss, lead surveillance technician. “They provide very, very high-quality images.”
Although the casino opened in 2011 with Sanyo cameras exclusively, the casino chose to expand its surveillance efforts over the past year with JVC cameras. Arnett was impressed with JVC’s image quality, but the test area for the first few cameras featured some unique lighting that was creating very red video imagery. To resolve the issue, JVC engineers produced external software tools to allow the casino to adjust settings for lighting, color adjustments, backlight, and more.
Like many casinos, Resorts World Casino New York City has an IP-based infrastructure built around multiple virtual LANs. The new JVC tools also allow the surveillance team to adjust camera parameters across the various virtual LANs, which saves a great deal of time.
“JVC also set up presets for us that are really designed for the casino environment,” Arnett added. “The engineers were great. They worked with us to build these new tools, and we’ve been having great success with them ever since.”
The casino has installed a combination of JVC VN-H657WPU outdoor PTZ dome cameras and VN-H257U indoor dome cameras. Both cameras feature True Day/Night performance, JVC’s Super LoLux HD technology for superior low-light color reproduction, and 1920x1080, full-HD imagery. The VN-H657WPU also includes 360-degree endless PTZ functionality and a newly-developed Direct Drive Motor for quieter, more accurate pan/tilt operation.
After almost a year in service, there have been no major problems with any of the JVC cameras. In fact, Moss said the JVC cameras have been so successful that the company has already begun using them at other properties, including Resorts World Bimini Bahamas and Bimini SuperFast, a ship that transports up to 1,500 passengers from Miami to the island casino resort.
“Our successful installation at Resorts World Casino New York City is a great example of why JVC is a strong player in casino security,” said Masafumi (Masa) Nakano, vice president, JVC Security Division. “Our cameras deliver the reliable performance and outstanding imagery required in extreme casino environments.”