In-car video systems now available to law enforcement agencies offer screens embedded in rear-view mirrors, solid-state hard drives, improved viewing angles, wireless file transfer, and other features. View these seven systems available from Digital Ally, Federal Signal, Kustom Signals, L-3 Mobile-Vision, Panasonic, Patrol Witness, and WatchGuard.
In-Car Video: 2011
Kustom Signals continues to enhance its flagship G3 Vision in-car video system. The Fleet Manager utility allows for hands-free updating of in-car software from the PC. Wireless transfer utilizing 802.11n Wi-Fi equipment is optimized for simultaneous video file transfers, so files are transferred in minutes. The Expanse DSS mic provides wireless audio with a 2,500-foot range and 15 hours of talk time on a single charge.
The Panasonic Toughbook Arbitrator 360 is an in-car digital video system that can support up to six cameras in one law enforcement vehicle for comprehensive evidence capture. Built with Toughbook reliability, this fully integrated system offers excellent video capture (up to 360 degrees), storage, and transfer, and is designed to work with back-end software for seamless video management, including archiving and retrieving.
L-3 Mobile-Vision's Flashback2 uses CompactFlash solid state flash memory so it can absorb great shock and vibration, and the recording unit is small enough to fit in a glove box. It captures video from two sources, audio from three sources, and metadata. Its a forward-facing color camera has 12x optical zoom and digital zoom.
PWLite from Patrol Witness features fanless operation, ultra-low power consumption, extended operating temperature ranges, and a high level of security encryption to preserve the integrity of recorded evidence. The system is simple to install, easy to operate, and is backed with a one-year warranty. It's also upgradable to PW-III, which includes HandsFree wireless upload, redundant video storage, and a three-year warranty.
Federal Signal's DTX digital in-car video system provides for easy capture of critical events. DTX records activity to the front of the vehicle and the rear seat. Wireless microphones record inside the vehicle and up to 1,500 feet of sight range. DTX allows for live video streaming, remote viewing, and automated video download.
Priced at only $1,895, Digital Ally: DVM-100's is a high-quality digital in-car video system for budget-constrained law enforcement agencies. It is incorporated into a rear-view mirror to maximize ease of use with space requirements. The system offers pre-event recording, covert mode, metadata, remote wireless microphone, integrated microphone, USB download or removable SD card, back office software, and more.
WatchGuard's DV-1 in-car video system burns digital files in real time to a rewriteable DVD that can be played on any DVD player and holds eight hours of video. You don't need back-end equipment; just store the DVD. An optional hybrid system uses WatchGuard's Evidence Library Software to track the storage of video files. The DV-1 comes with a 22x optical zoom, high-resolution color camera with automatic night view mode.