Monmouth Junction, NJ-October 3, 2005, When the transit authority for one of the largest cities in the US decided to upgrade their video surveillance systems, they knew it would be difficult to get the superior features and performance they needed with the minimal budget dollars available. They would be upgrading from an assortment of old black-and-white and color fixed cameras, and a few PTZ domes, to sophisticated, high resolution day/night PTZ cameras with advanced automation features. They carefully examined all major brands available and were quickly convinced that Infinova’s 1700 Series SuperDome cameras offered the best combination of performance and value, beating out the likes of Pelco, Vicon and other major brands.

A key factor was the availability of an Up-the-Coax version of the Domes that allowed them to upgrade the cameras without the huge expense of running new lines for PTZ data. Instead, the control signals are carried on the existing coax cable, along with video.

In the first phase of the installation, more than 400 Infinova SuperDomes were to be installed across the four major transit systems operated by the MTA, including light rail and subway. Nearly 300,000 riders per day are served by the systems. With a staff of less than 40 monitoring the entire system 24/7 (about 8 staffers at any given time), the MTA knew it would have to take advantage of whatever automated features it could to extend the capabilities of its thinly stretched monitoring staff. Infinova SuperDomes deliver with numerous pre-sets, patterns and other features.

In a second phase, 105 additional Infinova SuperDomes would be installed for the system’s Rapid Bus Line.

The MTA planned to incorporate a different brand of DVR, which had been selected prior to evaluation of Infinova products. However, there was no difficulty interfacing with Infinova’s SuperDomes because they feature Universal Protocol Compatibility, meaning they can communicate with most major brands, including Pelco, GE Kalatel, Vicon, Bosch, American Dynamics and others.

Still, another problem was posed by the DVR selected, a problem completely unrelated to Infinova or its products. Unfortunately the DVRs did not feature video looping, so video amplifiers were required to allow the MTA to make multiple use of the video signals. Although the problem was not related to its products, Infinova stepped up by providing dozens of its video amplifiers for its standard restocking charge only, until the DVR manufacturer was able to provide a permanent solution.

Infinova was also able to act quickly to meet the MTA’s aggressive installation schedule. From the time they initially began considering the SuperDomes to the date of the first delivery was just three weeks, and all domes for the first phase were delivered in less than two months.

With worldwide experience in mass transit systems, including the Shanghai Subway and others, its renowned flexibility in accommodating its customers, and its problem solving acumen, it’s no wonder that Infinova was able to beat out other major brands and deliver just what was needed for the MTA.

Infinova designs and manufactures a full line analog and digital/IP CCTV products including PTZ dome cameras, fixed cameras and lenses, monitors, DVRs, matrix switchers, controllers and accessories, fiber optics for video, audio and data, and integration management software. Infinova provides consultants; integrators, electrical contractors and installers with engineering design assistance and customized systems.