Westlake, Ohio - Western DataCom (WDC) in a unique partnership with industry leading technology vendors demonstrated the first rugged DVR to Cook County - Chicago, IL. Using a custom extended 14-slot extrusion Western DataCom integrated the necessary hardware components to demonstrate digital video recording via wireless communications (802.11g). The software portion, a Linux based, custom developed application was used to view live video on a laptop computer using a web interface. Recording was triggered using several sensors tied into the system (emergency lights, siren, etc.).

The successful demonstration has lead to a pilot program and formal productization of the mobile video recorder for official acceptance into the Cook County Shield program. The three major components router, DVR and software were pulled together in a short time and integrated to provide all the necessary functionality in addition to hardening the product to be suitable for use in a wide range of temperature scenarios (-40C to +85C). Official product release is planned for July 4th with first customer shipments occurring later that same month. Our goal was to be fielding product prior to the upcoming NACO (National Association of Counties) convention being held in Chicago in August. A fully operational system will be on demonstration at the Cisco and IBM booths.

The Mobile Video Recorder gives law enforcement agencies the ability to monitor all critical areas of the daily duties police officers encounter while on patrol. Video is recorded and stored on board of all activities that are deemed necessary, maintaining constant communications is another key aspect of the MVR. Utilizing wireless hotspots and cellular data services the patrol vehicle is in continuous communications with headquarters.

“The ruggedness and flexibility of PC/104 has allowed WDC to provide a certain level of customization available to its end users”, said Jeff Sweitzer, VP of Sales for Western DataCom. “The ability to tailor not only hardware but software allows us to fit the solution to the customer and their budget.” “It’s an extraordinary teaming arrangement.”