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IACP_2022

We’re exhibiting at the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) Annual Conference

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About the conference

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition is the largest and most impactful law enforcement event of the year – more than 16,000 public safety professionals come to learn new techniques, advance their knowledge and careers, and equip their department for ongoing success.

Dates

October 15-18, 2022

Booth

5205

Click here to learn about the conference.

 

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IACP-TECH_2022

We’re exhibiting at the NHIA (National Homicide Investigators Association) Conference

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About the conference

The annual National Homicide Investigators Association conference was created to expose all investigators, detectives, crime scene investigators, and medical examiner investigators to a wide variety of interesting and unusual cases.

Dates

November 14-18, 2022

Click here to learn about the conference.

 

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MID-YEAR PRESS RELEASE 2022

This year has been yet another working through a worldwide pandemic. We are grateful to be alive and well, and hope that you’ve all enjoyed a healthy year. We want to give thanks, again this year, for our dedicated front workers, especially our healthcare workers who dedicate their life to protect us.

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That being said, we are proud of our achievements throughout these challenging times, and we wish to share some of our highlights that remind us that what we do brings great value to our customers.

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NEW CUSTOMERS

We are happy to announce that the following police departments have trusted us with managing their police interrogation recording and media library management as well as providing turnkey solutions for interrogation rooms.

We value their essential work and are continuously striving to provide great customer and technical support to ensure all of their procedures are optimal!

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NEW CUSTOMERS IN 2022

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Pell City Police Department – Alabama – 1 interview room

1905 1st Ave N, Pell City, AL 35125,
Phone:  +1 205-884-3334
Website:https://pell-city.com/police-department/

dvcc
Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) – North Dakota – 1 interview room

3900 11th Ave SE, Minot, ND 58701
Phone: +1 701-852-2258
courage4change.org

US EVENTS

2022 UPCOMING EVENTS

2022 PAST EVENTS

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NEW CUSTOMERS IN 2022

police de thetford mines
Service de Police de Thetford Mines – Québec – 1 interview room

160 Rue Caouette O,
Thetford Mines, QC G6G 7M7
(418) 338-0111
www.villethetford.ca

military police
Military Police St-Jean-sur-Richelieu – Québec – 3 interview rooms

CFB – Garnison Saint-Jean
Québec, J3B 2X8
(450) 358-7099
forces.ca

La-Traversée-logo-cercle-300x265
La Traversée – Association Kamouraskoise en santé mentale – 2 interview rooms

1202 4e Avenue Painchaud,
La Pocatière, QC G0R 1Z0
(418) 856-5540
www.la-traversee.ca

Thank you for trusting our recording solutions!

CANADA EVENTS

2022 PAST EVENTS

2022 UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW FEATURES

New Warranty Benefit for Total Care Plus Customers

MaestroVision is now offering one (1) on-site preventative maintenance check per year to all current TCP customers.

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We are now ASIO compliant!

Audio Stream Input/Output is a computer sound card driver protocol for digital audio specified by Steinberg, providing a low-latency and high fidelity interface between a software application and a computer’s sound card.

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NEW EMPLOYEES

Our team is growing! We are happy to announce our new additions to our family!

We are proud to welcome our new VP Sales for the United States, Mr. Ted Pezzelli.

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Look out for our next company update at the end of the year!

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AGCMQ_2022_en

Come Visit Us at AGCMQ! We’re Exhibiting at their Annual Conference on October 5th to 7th, 2022 at Trois-Rivières.

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About the AGCMQ

The Association of Municipal Court Clerks of Quebec brings together the vast majority of municipal court clerks in Quebec, as well as their assistants.

Read more…

Dates

From October 5 to 7, 2022

Location

Hotel Delta – Conference Center

1620 Rue Notre Dame Center,

Trois-Rivieres, QC G9A 6E5

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maestrovision_clear_audi_certification

MaestroVision’s Clear Audio Certification

When evaluating a professional recording product, we tend to focus more on video specifications, however, audio is much more important when looking for a perfect recording.

When evaluating a professional recording product, we tend to focus more on video specifications, however, audio is much more important when looking for a perfect recording.

Either interview recording, courtroom recording, council meeting recording or classroom recording it is nice to view the person who’s talking, but in the end, what is more important is to clearly hear the conversation without desynchronized audio & video and background noise.

For that purpose, MaestroVision’s broadcast engineers adopted a “Clear Audio Certification” utilizing the following steps…

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1. Utilizing a balanced audio cable in our recording systems

To properly capture the human voice, it is important to obtain all the bandwidth frequencies that are emitted by the person’s voice to better understand how frequency bandwidth affects the quality of the audio. For example, take an interview done by a radio presenter, there is a significant difference in the sound quality if the interviewee is in the studio versus over the phone. The audio bandwidth of a phone is significantly lower than a microphone, creating that difference. You may notice sometimes that you have difficulties recognizing someone over the phone. This is created by the low audio bandwidth of a phone line.

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Balanced audio cable
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Unbalanced audio Cable

It’s important to understand that an audio cable acts as an antenna. Our environment is invaded by electromagnetic frequencies coming from power supplies, transformers, neon lights and so on, that are induced into the audio wires, producing a background noise as can be seen on figure 3. This noise negatively impacts the bandwidth of the audio signal and makes a poor audio recording.

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Figure 3. Unbalanced audio signal

In the case of balanced audio, instead of having a single wire to drive the audio, there are two. The audio signal is transmitted on two wires, which have a phase shift of 180 degrees between them. The two wires are “twisted” together to ensure that the same noise will be induced in both wires at the same time.

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Figure 4. Balanced audio signal

In figure 5, we have represented noises by small waves for explanation purposes. Note that the small waves are in phase for both A+ and A- sides while the audio signals are out of phase relative to each other.

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Figure 5. Example of balanced audio signal with noise

What happens when we subtract the signal (+ A) and the signal (- A)? Concerning the audio signal, subtracting one signal from another corresponds to adding them if we shift (-A) signal of 180 degrees. Therefore (+A) – (-A), becomes (+A) + (+A) which results in an increased double A signal, as shown in figure 6. In regards to the noise signals, given that both signals are absolutely identical when you do the subtraction between the two, they cancel out one another completely.

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Figure 6. Result when we subtract: (+A) - (-A)

The result is a perfectly clean audio signal, destitute of any electromagnetic induction.

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Figure 7 - Result when we subtract: (+A) - (-A)

It is essential to have an audio signal without induced noise. Since noises mainly affect high frequencies, a reduction in the high frequencies will make it difficult to distinguish between the “S” and “F”. This will make virtually incomprehensible records where the suspect does not speak well.
Another consideration is the difference in amplitude signals between balanced and unbalanced cables. The amplitude of a balanced signal is 4 volts while the amplitude of an unbalanced signal is 1 volt. The loss in amplitude in an audio cable is in volt per length. In a twenty-foot cable, the loss averages .5 volts. At the end of a twenty-foot balanced audio cable, you will lose .5 volts on 4 volts; equaling a loss of 12.5 %. The loss of an unbalanced audio cable is .5 volts on 1 volt which is a loss of 50%.

MaestroVision uses a balanced audio cable in all of our recording solutions so you can ensure your audio signal is always clear and free of induced noise.

2. Implementing ASIO technology

It is important to provide multi track recording of audio in order to isolate individual audio tracks. However, multitrack audio recording has its challenges. Apple is a preferred platform for music specialists because it offers synchronized multitrack recording. It is possible to record multitrack with a PC, but it consists of multiple stereo tracks that are not synchronized with each other. The desynchronization between audio tracks is not perceptible if each track is totally isolated with one another. But in a courtroom, where a microphone records the person talking on the microphone beside the other, the small amount of audio recorded will create an echo while playing back.

There is a technology that provides a solution to make all audio channels perfectly synchronized on a PC called ASIO. ASIO, Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) is a computer sound card driver protocol for digital audio specified by Steinberg, providing a low-latency and high fidelity interface between a software application and a computer’s sound card.
ASIO bypasses the normal audio path from a software application through layers of intermediary Windows operating system software. That application connects directly to the sound card hardware. Each layer that is bypassed means a reduction in latency (the delay between an application sending audio information and it being reproduced by the sound card, or input signals from the sound card being available to the application). In this way, ASIO offers a relatively simple way of accessing multiple audio inputs and outputs independently and perfectly synchronized.

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ResKeyserveAudio_512x512

MaestroVision’s KEYSERV AUDIO recording application has been certified with ASIO technology to allow synchronized multitrack recording.

MaestroVision’s implementation of balanced audio cables and ASIO technology has allowed us to offer a one-of-a-kind solution that is unrivaled by other recording providers on the market.

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On-Premises vs. Cloud Storage: Which Method is Best for Storing Interview Recordings?

We compare the two storage solutions with their pros and cons in order to determine which solution is best for you, On-Premises or Cloud Storage.

Which Method is Best for Your Interview Recordings?

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This is a question that IT administrators need to address. Cloud storage is becoming the norm, but is it really the best solution for law enforcement? Let us compare both solutions with their pros and cons in order to determine which solution is best for you.

To start, there are no differences, software and application-wise, between an on-premises and cloud-based solution. Both solutions offer the same metadata information, the same media files compatibility, the same annotation features, and the same security characteristics. So, what is the difference between the two? Cost-wise, based on a five-year period, both solutions are very similar. The on-premises solution will cost more to start, but after five years, the cloud solution will become more expensive.

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On-Premises Video Library

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An on-premises video library is an application installed at your location. It involves your computers and hardware storage. Normally, your Information Technology specialist (IT) will install a “Virtual Server” on your existing hardware including an SQL application and video library application. Subsequently, if your IT specialist configures the library correctly, it becomes a corporate cloud application. Cost-wise, normally on-premises applications are purchased and owned, with ongoing annual fees for updates and maintenance.

The Pros

The pros mainly concern security. Many law enforcement entities are reluctant to have sensitive information outside of their physical control. Cloud applications are secure, but there are ongoing fees to consider. In the long term, an in-house facility is less expensive.

The Cons

The short term is more expensive as all hardware and software needs to be procured as well as ongoing maintenance costs. Finally, there is a question of Internet access. If you always access the library from your internal Ethernet network, all is good. But if you require investigators to access the database from outside your internal network, the Internet connection will need updating to a much higher upload speed, to allow many users access to the video library at the same time.

Cloud Video Library

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The cloud has the same features as an on-premises installation except the application is based outside your locations in a “Data Center”. The Data Center is not your provider, it is a service purchased by your provider. Your provider rents rack space in the Data Center where the hardware is installed. The provider also rents a huge upload Internet connection allowing them to service many customers at the same time. The benefits of the Data Center are the enormous pipeline of data it can provide, and the high levels of security to access the environment.

The cloud service is generally offered on a monthly payment program. Naturally, the provider will require a signed contract and will charge for configuration and installation.

The Pros

Short term it is less expensive, as there is no need to purchase equipment and staff-time to implement the solution. The connection to the library will be much faster and accessible worldwide by many users simultaneously.

The Cons

The solution will cost more on a long-term basis. Even though the solution is very safe, there is a security issue perception, due to the fact that people other than your own staff are in charge of the hardware.

Did you know our VEOTEK Media Library offers both on-premise and cloud-based storage options?

Complete the form below to sign up for a demo today!

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Come see us at Québec’s Aboriginal Chiefs of Police 13th Annual Meeting! We are exhibiting from June 14 to 16, 2022 in Québec City.

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About the conference of the Association of Native Police Directors of Quebec

The 13th Annual meeting of Québec’s Aboriginal Chiefs of Police will take place from June 14th to 16th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Québec Resort in Québec city.

At this event, police officers who have reached 15, 20, 30 or 40 years of service are honored for their dedication to Indigenous communities during a medal ceremony.

Dates

June 14 to 16, 2022

Location

DoubleTree by Hilton Québec Resort 
7900, Marigot street
Québec (Québec)  G1G 6T8
Phone : 418 627-8008

 

 

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The Pell City Police Department, in Alabama, has acquired our technology.

The Pell City Police Department, in Alabama,  furnishes their interview room with MaestroVision’s technology, including our Recording System and Video Library.

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In a constant effort to improve its productivity, the Pell City Police Department has just acquired a filmed interview room solution including MaestroVision’s Interview Recording System (KEYSERV), the Video Library (VEOTEK)  and a custom-designed desk to fit ergonomically all the recording equipment.

MaestroVision’s complete solutions provide all you need to manage your evidence. From recording, cataloguing, storing, indexing and retrieval of all digital evidence available.

MaestroVision’s solutions will help the Pell City Police Department in fulfilling their mission, as they are “committed to the delivery of courteous, professional law enforcement and community services to the citizens of Pell City and providing professional police service, while maintaining our small town values and atmosphere.”

Pell City Police Department
1905 1st Ave N, Pell City, AL 35125, United States  

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Recording Workstation

 

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Interview Room

The investment in this new technology, designed and manufactured by MaestroVision, offers the possibility of indexing all notes with interrogations. This feature makes it possible to find and quickly review a specific moment in an interrogation, hence saving valuable time to the investigators. Moreover, this system is of a disconcerting simplicity. It is no longer necessary for an investigator to use the services of a technician to use the system.

For more information about our solutions, call us at 1-888-424-5505.

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What’s the difference between balanced and unbalanced audio?

Audio is more important than video. An interview is more about what the person says rather than their behavior in the interview room. For this reason, it is crucial that we put particular emphasis on the audio process.

Audio is more important than video. An interview is more about what the person says rather than their behavior in the interview room. For this reason, it is crucial that we put particular emphasis on the audio process. This article will delve into the definition of balanced and unbalanced audio.

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Balanced audio vs Unbalanced audio

To properly capture the human voice, it is important to obtain all the bandwidth frequencies that are emitted by the person’s voice. For this reason, it is imperative that all audio components, wirings and connections are in a balanced form and not unbalanced.

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Balanced audio cable
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Unbalanced audio Cable

It is important to understand that an audio cable acts as an antenna. Our environment is invaded by electromagnetic frequencies coming from power supplies, transformers, neon lights and so on, that are induced into the audio wires, producing a background noise as can be seen on figure 16.

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Unbalanced audio signal

In the case of balanced audio, instead of having a single wire to drive the audio, there are two. The audio signal is transmitted on two wires, which have a phase shift of 180 degrees between them. The two wires are “twisted” together to ensure that the same noise will be induced in both wires at the same time.

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Balanced audio signal

In the next image, we have represented noises by small waves for explanation purposes. Note that the small waves are in phase for both A+ and A- sides while the audio signals are out of phase relative to each other.

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Example of balanced audio signal with noise

What happens when we subtract the signal (+ A) and the signal (- A)? Concerning the audio signal, subtracting one signal from another, corresponds to adding them if we shift (-A) signal of 180 degrees. Therefore (+A) – (-A), becomes (+A) + (+A) which results in an increase double A signal, as shown in figure
19. In regards to the noise signal, given that both signals are absolutely identical when you do the subtraction between the two, they cancel out one another completely.

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Result when we subtract: (+A) - (-A)

The result is a perfectly clean audio signal, destitute of any electromagnetic induction.

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Result when we subtract: (+A) - (-A)

It is essential to have an audio signal without induced noise. Since noises mainly affect high frequencies, a reduction in the high frequencies will make it difficult to distinguish between the “S” and “F”. This will make virtually incomprehensible records where the suspect does not speak well.

Another consideration is the difference in amplitude signals between balanced and unbalanced cables. The amplitude of a balanced signal is 4 volts while the amplitude of an unbalanced signal is 1 volt. The loss in amplitude in an audio cable is in volt per length. In a twenty-foot cable, the loss averages .5 volt. At the end of a twenty-foot balanced audio cable, you will lose .5 volt on 4 volts that is a loss of 12.5 % while the loss of an unbalanced audio cable is .5 volt on 1 volt which is a loss of 50%.

Have any questions regarding balanced or unbalanced audio? Shoot us an email at info@maestrovision.com.

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Webinar: How to Upgrade Your Interview Room – Watch the Replay

 

MaestroVision’s CEO, Claude Turcotte has over 20 years of experience installing hundreds of interview recording systems for police departments and child advocacy centers in the US & Canada. He’s used his audio/video and broadcasting expertise to create this insightful (unbiased) presentation which will help you find the right interview recording system for your facility including:

1. How to select your equipment
2, What features to look for in your recording software
3. What security features are a must for protecting your recordings
4. What minimum capabilities should be required when submitting a bid for an interview room
5. How to detail the room to ensure optimal sound and video quality, and more!

(Useful for Police, Detectives, Investigators, Child Advocacy Centers, Victim Service Nonprofits, and more!)

 

 

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