Panasonic System Networks Company of America has enhanced the intelligent functionality of the i-PRO SmartHD WJ-NV200 Network Disk Recorder with an expansion kit that adds age and gender estimation, visitor counting, and other functions to the NVR's embedded face matching technology. The i-PRO SmartHD WJ-NVF20 advanced intelligence expansion kit enables new security and business management functionality to be added to installed WJ-NV200 recorders using a firmware update based on an installation key number. In new deployments, the combination of the WJ-NV200 NVR and WJ-NVF20 expansion kit offers a powerful range of intelligent video functionality at a cost roughly equivalent to competitors' standard 16-input DVRs or NVRs.
The WJ-NV200's embedded real-time face matching technology eliminates the use and added expense of external software. The unit connects and records up to 16 network cameras and provides a Real-Time Face Matching function to match registered face images with a face displayed on a live camera feed. A face matching alarm notification can be sent by e-mail, Panasonic system alarm, terminal output, buzzer or indicator. Designed as a security solution for small retail environments, the new network recorder complements Panasonic cameras that support face detection functions.
The new WJ-NVF20 expansion kit also provides approximate age and gender estimation, time of visit, and total count of visitors to a facility where face matching has been configured. Age and gender estimations, visit times, and visitor count information can be compiled as color-coded demographics, with weekly reports generated (as charts or graphs) to notify system users of a business's demographic activity. In addition to security benefits, the WJ-NVF20 expansion kit provides added functionality for retail locations as it can be used to compare transactions and measure how many customers made purchases. Age and gender estimations can help managers determine buying trends and preferences allowing for educated customisation of in-store merchandising and advertising. Relative time of visit and visitor count metrics enable managers to understand busy or slow times in order to accurately schedule employee shifts.
"In addition to delivering outstanding recording performance, our new NVR with embedded real-time face matching capability now also includes even more advanced functions which assist in intelligent security monitoring," said Bill Taylor, President, Panasonic System Networks Company of America. "While providing more functionality that is easy to implement and operate, this NVR reaffirms Panasonic's commitment to providing system solutions that deliver lower total cost of ownership without compromise. The benefits of this system expand far beyond security to provide a valuable business management tool."
The new WJ-NV200 i-PRO SmartHD Network Disk Recorder uses H.264/MPEG-4 and JPEG formats and can simultaneously display live images from up to 16 cameras. The network disk recorder supports the full high definition (HD) output to display recorded and live images in high definition. Automatic camera detection ensures quick setup, and a simple setup wizard does not require use of a PC. Available recording days are calculated automatically based on frame rate, image quality and hard-disk capacity.
A new graphical user interface (GUI) provides simple mouse operation without the use of a PC. The intuitive search feature quickly reviews video based on a calendar and timeline. Flexible playback controls include "Go To Date" (jump to specific time/date) and "Go To Last" (jump to 30 seconds before the end of recording). Filtered searches can target time and date, event type, camera number or timeline.
Featuring automatic backlight control of Panasonic widescreen LCD monitors, the WJ-NV200 can reduce power consumption for monitors up to 30 to 60 percent during normal use*. Audio from i-PRO network cameras can easily be recorded and played back. The camera controls include pan/tilt, zoom, focus, brightness, preset position and auto mode (depending on camera model). Scheduled or event (pre/post) recording modes are provided. Flexible alarm actions include alarm recording, e-mail notification, alarm message, camera positioning, terminal output, Panasonic alarm protocol output, buzzer and indicator.
Recorded images can be downloaded to a PC with downloadable viewer software. User authentication includes three user levels, and up to 16 user registrations can manage access to cameras. In addition, the WJ-NV200 supports Open Network Video Interface (ONVIF).
