April 2012


Contents 7 Editorial


Manufacturers must be careful when shifting outdated stock, or ill will could be the end result!


8 Get the Specs


Benchmark is trialing a new option to allow readers to download, save and share product specifications


10 Trending


A look at the latest influential products and technologies that could have an impact on installers and integrators


12 Group Test – Hybrid Video Recorders (Part 2) Few end users will be happy to tear out legacy systems to switch to IP. Benchmark looks at hybrid video recorders, with models from Dedicated Micros and Genie CCTV


20 Alternatives Editor


Pete Conway Tel: 020 8295 8303


E-mail: pete.conway@benchmarkmagazine.co.uk


Design & Production Matt Jarvis


Tel: 020 8295 8304 Fax: 0870 4292015 E-mail: matt.jarvis@proactivpubs.co.uk


Advertisement Manager Wendy Thomas Tel: 020 8295 8305


E-mail: wendy.thomas@proactivpubs.co.uk


Advertisement Director David Lewis


Tel: 020 8295 8309 Fax: 01689 826594 E-mail: david.lewis@proactivpubs.co.uk


Administration Director Margaret Holden Tel: 020 8295 8301 Fax: 01322 551869 E-mail: margaret@proactivpubs.co.uk


A look at some alternative hybrid units tested in the last issue of Benchmark, with models from Bosch Security, Synectics and Luxrite


22 Softly Softly


Should manufacturers help us specify their products? A jaundiced view from Benchmark’s Test Ape


24 Benchmark Guide to HD Video Surveillance Make sure you read the definitive guide to using HD technology as a surveillance tool


27 Professional Test – Iluminar WL436-60-24 An in-depth assessment of the latest white light illuminator from Iluminar


30 Group Test – Ethernet over Coax Benchmark considers the potential on offer from Ethernet over coax, testing products from Muxlab, NVT, Veracity and Comnet


37 Ten to Try: VMS ISSN: 1750-1040


Editorial and Advertisement Office PO Box 332 Dartford DA1 9FF


© Pro-Activ Publications Ltd 2012


All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.


Benchmark reserves the right to alter, abridge or edit any submissions prior to publication. The views published in Benchmark are not necessarily those of the publisher.


While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of material included in Benchmark, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein, or any consequence arising from it. In the case of all product reviews, tests and assessments, judgements have been made in the context of the equipment supplied at the time of the review. Any judgements are based upon situations relevant at the time of writing, and comments relating to cost are based upon published prices available from major distributors. Comments are based upon products and systems currently available in the UK market-place.


Benchmark looks at ten leading options for those seeking VMS-based solutions


42 www.benchmarkmagazine.com Ensure that you are kept up to date with the latest test results and data from Benchmark


45 Professional Test – Teleeye GX Recording Server


Teleeye offers the GX recording server for end-to-end HD video systems, but does it deliver the goods?


48 Under the Skin – Paxton PaxLock Benchmark takes a closer look at the PaxLock device from Paxton to see what it offers


50 Group Test – Biometric Readers (Part 2) Biomentric fingerprint readers are increasingly of interest of mainstream applications. Benchmark assess the performance of units from Virdi, Anviz, Ievo and Samsung


55 IFSEC 2012


Benchmark provides a guide to some of the planned exhibits at this year’s show


66 The Last Word


Another issue of Benchmark published, and what have we learned?


www.benchmarkmagazine.com 5


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