The end of Analog and Rise of Digital Security Technology

The recreational and gaming industry has gained a reputation of deploying up to date surveillance technology and procedure for many years now. That reputation was very accurate and truthful for quite some time. In fact numerous stories have been told about how these security devices have done a terrific job in correcting wrongs and preventing potential evil doers from committing any crime.

Many individuals in today's world are very curious about the security surveillance features found in the industry of gaming and recreation. The surveillance devices of these recreational facilities are so fascinating to the extent the many documentaries air regularly, advertizing the sophistication behind these advanced surveillance devices. The excitement with casino security departments is so gripping that a popular and well known news channel has established a weekly, hour-long drama now entering its fourth season primarily dealing with and revolving around this subject.

Although the entertainment and gaming industry in general has successfully gained the reputation of having state-of-the-art security apparatus, the truth of the matter is that close to ninety percent of all gaming facilities in the United States today still utilize analog security technology that is more than two decades old. After one realizes this strange and unexpected fact he will have the urge to ask and wonder what deters casinos, prized security clients, from embracing the benefits this technology offers especially with such a security industry filled up with technological abundant enhancements. The truth of the matter is that this question is not always that easy to address.

Searching for the Answer
Practically Millions of dollars have been invested by the recreational industry in what only six years ago was regarded as the most dependable surveillance technology in store. However, the reality of the matter is that, as in the case of most emergent technologies, the first-generation breakthroughs are the most risky investments that anybody can make. And this is precisely that case when the already existing technologies are perceived efficient. As the old saying goes, why fix something when it is not even broken.

The surveillance and security of gaming and entertainment facilities, regardless of whether correct or incorrect, is still regarded as one of the most sophisticated and efficient settings for commercial visual security. Administrative corporations who supervise the day-to-day entertainment and gaming procedures see what they feel are sufficiently efficient, loss prevention security interfaces at work, however those on the marketing side of the industry see massive opportunity for development. On the other hand, those on the buying side, specifically the recreational management corporation, see an existing product that is practical.

The sluggish development of gaming industry towards digital security systems has confounded and frustrated many in the security industry. Especially due to the fact that many assume that money is no object for the gaming industry and that financial assets are not the problem hindering them from making this move.

The only thing that is really certain is the fact that gaming is driven by earnings, similar to any other firm. Regardless of the fact that massive effort is expended in establishing an image of wealth, these companies are not fuelled by egos intent on gaining an advantage over a rival.

Many individuals and groups of people tend to believe that casino management firms and gaming firms in general filled up to their ears with profits and earnings. This is due to the fact that the average individual sees the prolific features provided by gaming casinos and resorts, but on the other hand does not take notice of the billions of dollars it cost to build and establish it. Not to mention that it literally takes billions of dollars to maintain such an establishment.

When all's said and done, net margins are comparative to the sum of money it takes to produce and maintain day-to-day procedures. The expenditure of doing business, generally speaking, for a profitable gaming facility is massive. As a consequence of that, enormous amounts of money must be put aside for maintaining the image of lavishness that its high-profit customers have come to anticipate. Although visual security surveillance is a chief part of the daily business, it is not what attracts customers to the property.

Unfortunately, until today, most managers and owners of the gaming industry view video surveillance as simply, and possibly only, a shield to defend and protect their assets, crime detection and accountability device. And as a result of that, they refuse to invest more in their security since no real harm has been done their business in general, again, the same mentality of "why fix something that is not broken".

Making the transformation to digital technology
Despite the fact that technology has been significantly enhanced, many consider digital technology to still be in its early years of development. If the gaming industry and entertainment facilities invested in digital technology no farther back than two years ago, what they would have gotten at that time would have been very minimal and basic in comparison to what is present in today's security markets. On the other hand, even today's technology, though more advanced than current analog systems, is not really built to perform some of the most simple operations available with analog interfaces. As an example, the vast majority of the casino security departments can deal with and handle several hundred, and in some cases, several thousand cameras, all in one utility. This ability is considered by most directors of video surveillance within the gaming and entertainment business as critical.

Believe it or not, even the most enhanced digital systems fail to provide this capability at least in the same manner it is currently utilized by the gaming companies.

On the other hand, there is also the hurdle of recording numerous cameras at real-time frame intervals. Without doubt, there are countless systems that claim to provide this feature. Nevertheless, the reality of the matter is that doing it across several hundred surveillance cameras, and at a resolution that can effortlessly be replayed, is an entirely different story. The reality of the matter is that many security officials and administrators within the entertainment industry are reluctant to trade viewing full-screen visual footages, for 2 CIF, baseball card-size video clips, which is exactly what is provided with most real-time digital systems in our time. It is obvious that no body can blame them for their choice.

Adding on to that, on top of being able to capture and record video at real-time 30 fps, digital systems also need to be able to be reviewed and played back at analogous 4 CIF image dimensions. A very small number of digital systems today can perform at these standards. Another barrier for the entertainment and gaming companies might be the issue of familiarity and past operations. It might need to take this dependence into consideration in its future dealings.

Not to mention that the validation of price, and more particularly, benefit and return on investment, is a major obstruction. After all, why should the entertainment industry waste thousands of dollars on enhanced technology that can't do what some of its previous, conventional technology can now perform?

Undoubtedly, this presents a very true and legitimate concern served up by gaming industry administration.

As we can clearly see, this is exactly where manufactures of digital systems fail to shine. although it is true, that the current digital technology may not be in every case, or every way, advanced to existing standards for analog systems used in the entertainment and gaming business; though it is still far more competent of delivering the very-essential ROI, this is so critical to every business possession choice. This is predominantly true in certain regions of casino properties where traditional loss prevention and administration apparatus are required.

Additional deployments

Even though the main vicinity of a casino or entertainment property might require unique applications the present challenges and hurdles for video surveillance, several other premises of the facility operate as normally as many other properties. Parking lots, gift shops Restaurants, hotel floors, as well as customer service counters are all locations filled up with common challenges seen by any number of traditional companies. The Administrative apparatus offered today along with state-of-the-art digital video security interfaces, inclusive with technology that incorporates access management and point of sale systems entirely, have the potential of benefiting the casino management firms immensely.

These vicinities are exactly like any other business or company. They experience thievery from both patrons as well as workers. On top of that, they have a number of concerns dealing with employee training, customer service issues, vendor theft, productivity and even concerns about armed burglaries. These are only a few of the matters that plague casino properties just as much as any other commerce. These also are fields that traditional businesses with digital security apparatus are relatively successful at averting or managing its losses, however restoring large sums of money to their particular company still persists as something that casinos will have to persevere to attain.

The advantages available only with digital technologies are enhancing the productivity and efficiency of industry and consumers as well. For the entertainment t and gaming industry not deploying and benefiting the full advantage of digital video security technology is very analogous to any losing proposal. Digital Security Technology Analog surveillance visual procedures interfaces image management video crime detection device footage 2 CIF clips real-time fps CIF image dimensions systems ROI