With Disruption as the primary differentiator in Media today, the need for understanding Workflow Methods is more important than ever. Join SMPTE & MaestroVision in a discussion on how to move forward when choosing when, how and what methodology is best to start a successful Workflow engagement!
As a court professional, the last thing you want to deal with are hiccups when it comes to dealing with your recording technology. At MaestroVision, our team of broadcast experts has spent dozens of years perfecting their craft at developing the highest quality recording systems on the market today.
We asked multiple Court Clerks, Managers and Admins, what they dislike about their court recording system; here are their most common answers:
1. Software is hard to use – inability to find specific recordings or operate the system.
2. Sound issues
Disruptions, poor acoustics, inability to isolate audio tracks.
3. Unreliability
Recordings stopping suddenly or not recording at all.
4. Antiquated hardware
No longer under warranty and insufficient support.
As a court professional, the last thing you want to deal with are hiccups when it comes to dealing with your recording technology. At MaestroVision, our team of broadcast experts has spent dozens of years perfecting their craft at developing the highest quality recording systems on the market today. Here are our solutions to your common court recording pain points.
With a customizable interface and metadata fields, MaestroVision’s audio and video recording software can display the buttons/features that are most important to you. Our integrated media library can index and search for any metadata keywords you utilize to organize your recordings. Additional time-saving features include: the ability to import your daily court docket, integrate a start/stop button and indicator light, add bookmarks and metadata information to index and search for specific recordings, ability to share recordings via a weblink, HTML link, mp4, and more. Training with our software takes little to no time as it’s developed to be as simple to use as web conferencing technology like Zoom.
MaestroVision’s audio application, KEYSERV AUDIO is ASIO compatible. ASIO uses digital multi-track technology, which is a separate recording of multiple sound sources that allows users to isolate the sound from a single microphone and record it on a single track. A singular achievement that guarantees optimal recording quality every time!
In the music industry, this technology was developed to allow studio engineers to record all the instruments and vocals for a piece of music separately. Before, all singers and musicians in a band had to sing and play together. Recordings were done on one track and could not be isolated. If a musician played a part wrong, the recording had to be redone entirely.
Now, each component is recorded separately and can be edited on its own. Engineers can adjust the levels and tones of each individual track, and if necessary, redo certain tracks to get a better take.
Another way to ensure that audio tracks are isolated is to install a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) using a proprietary network called DANTE (Digital Audio Network through Ethernet). We propose a solution where audio capturing is achieved using multiple microphones connected to a DSP. The DSP will process the audio from the microphones in real-time, and then send it to the recording computer using the DANTE network. This way, it will be possible to isolate each audio track during replay. The advantage of a DANTE system is the fact it is a standalone component that doesn’t require a windows driver and it can be configured remotely from your Hall of Justice administration.
Many courts are utilizing providers that offer surveillance systems with IP cameras. IP cameras are best suited for surveillance but are ineffective for start/stop recordings. Our solutions provide perfect synchronization of audio with video, using HD-SDI (High Definition-Serial Digital Interface) technology.
We don’t offer systems with IP cameras because it’s not possible for an IP camera to offer a perfect synchronization of the audio with the video.
As we can see in the figure above, in an installation with IP cameras, the cameras are connected to the network. The video is not sent in real-time to the computer for capture, but rather in packets which are then decoded by the software in the computer. This transmission takes from one to two seconds and varies depending on whether the network is busy or not. The audio signal is transmitted in real-time, with no variation to the computer. Its transmission time is practically zero seconds. Resellers of IP solutions can put a delay to the audio signal to synchronize with the video, but as video transport does not take place in real-time and depends on the network, the transmission of the video is always variable so impossible to be synchronized with the audio.
Most other court recording providers offer a 5-year warranty on hardware on their software and a brief window for hardware support (if any at all). This leaves many courthouses with no choice but to ditch their system and set out on a search for an entirely new one. This leaves courts in the unfortunate position of having to courts have to continue using the system with issues if they don’t yet have the funds. This is why MaestroVision offers a lifetime warranty and 24-hour support on all of their systems. The warranty covers software updates, hardware replacements and more. You can read more about it by visiting our warranty page.
The Association of Municipal Court Clerks of Quebec brings together the vast majority of municipal court clerks in Quebec, as well as their assistants.
From October 5 to 7, 2022
Hotel Delta – Conference Center
1620 Rue Notre Dame Center,
Trois-Rivieres, QC G9A 6E5
Read More eCourts is designed to feature education sessions with the most in-depth and current information that address the technology needs of judges, court managers, technologists, and other court professionals. eCourts also has earned a reputation for hosting one of the most effective exhibit shows available.
Dates
December 5-7, 2022
Booth
230
Click here to learn about the conference.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
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.
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!
1905 1st Ave N, Pell City, AL 35125,
Phone: +1 205-884-3334
Website:https://pell-city.com/police-department/
3900 11th Ave SE, Minot, ND 58701
Phone: +1 701-852-2258
courage4change.org
2022 IACP Annual Conference and Exposition
October 15-18, 2022
Stand #5205
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Dallas Convention Center
650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202
eCourts 2022 Las Vegas
December 5-7, 2022
Stand #230
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
3799 Las Vegas Strip,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
FPCA Mid-Winter Training Conference & Exposition
January 8-11, 2022
Stand #131
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
National Sheriff’s Association Winter Conference
February 4-8, 2022
Stand #61
J.W. Marriott Washington DC
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
California Police Chief’s Association Conference
February 7-10, 2022
Stand #340
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
2022 IACP TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
May 24-26, 2022
Stand #206
Wisconsin Center
400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA
160 Rue Caouette O,
Thetford Mines, QC G6G 7M7
(418) 338-0111
www.villethetford.ca
CFB – Garnison Saint-Jean
Québec, J3B 2X8
(450) 358-7099
forces.ca
1202 4e Avenue Painchaud,
La Pocatière, QC G0R 1Z0
(418) 856-5540
www.la-traversee.ca
When: May 31st to June 2nd
Where: Hotel Universel
311, boul. Hotel-de-Ville Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec, G5R 5S4 CA
Tel. 855-213-0582
Booth: #67
For more information, visit: https://www.adpq.qc.ca/
When: June 14-16
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Québec Resort
7900, Marigot Street, Québec (QC) G1G 6T8
Booth: #4
For more information, visit this link
When: August 7-9
Where: Hotel Hilton Québec
1100 Bd René-Lévesque E, Québec, QC G1R 4P3
Tel. 418-647-2411
Booth: #406
For more information, visit: this link
When: October 5-7
Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott Trois Rivieres Conference Centre
1620 Rue Notre Dame Centre, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 6E5
Tel. 819- 376-1991
Booth: in the hall
For more information, visit: http://www.agcmq.qc.ca/
MaestroVision is now offering one (1) on-site preventative maintenance check per year to all current TCP customers.
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.
We are proud to welcome our new VP Sales for the United States, Mr. Ted Pezzelli.
The Association of Municipal Court Clerks of Quebec brings together the vast majority of municipal court clerks in Quebec, as well as their assistants.
From October 5 to 7, 2022
Hotel Delta – Conference Center
1620 Rue Notre Dame Center,
Trois-Rivieres, QC G9A 6E5
Read More 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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The result is a perfectly clean audio signal, destitute of any electromagnetic induction.
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%.
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.
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.
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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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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