Media Metastasis announced that David Begent & Company would begin beta testing a new set of security products based on the ZyGoVideo codec on upcoming bio-tech construction projects. The ID Maker system is on the Mac platform, and the codec is a QuickTime component.
ZyGoVideo is a codec for QuickTime and QuickTime Pro that compresses and decompresses video files to deliver broadcast-quality video at lower transmission speeds. It can compress smooth running video at 28.8 kbps and 56 kbps in real-time.
“ZyGovideo rivals Windows Media and Real quality at streaming rates without dropping frames,” Rod Sheffield, president and CEO of Media Metastasis, said. “Version 1.2 [released earlier this month] is more stable during playback, especially for multiple videos played at once. ZyGoVideo Pro Version 1.2 is also designed for a smaller memory footprint. Changes made for Version 1.2 improve compression and playback speed, allowing less powerful machines to compress video content in real time, and less powerful machines to play back larger bitrate videos.”
Nstant ID Maker will be used to create photo IDs of the construction site personnel and to group personnel working with sensitive bio-tech materials. ID SpotChecker, a companion tool running on Palm devices, will allow construction site security to verify the photo ID’s and check that the person wearing the ID is in the appropriate work area. The information gathered by ID SpotChecker, will be used to provide required government reports at the end of the construction project.
“We are excited about the creation and use of more applications using ZyGoVideo compression, especially for handheld devices,” Sheffield said. “True Image began to see tremendous interest in their school products once they could hold a student database of 4,000 with photos (roughly twice the number as compared to a Photo JPEG compression) on a standard 8MB Handspring Visor. We expect to see the same level of interest in the commercial world by using ZyGoVideo compression to hold thousands of photos for site security checks.”
What’s more, the use of user-defined groups to hold personnel allows a simple form of data entry to document traffic within security zones, he added. This method should provide for quick and reliable means to create reports at the end of construction projects or for consolidated security briefings, Sheffield said.
“Using ZyGoVideo for photo compression also allows for ID validation using existing technology and techniques without adding in expensive biometric measurements,” he added.
Nstant ID Maker creates photo IDs using FireWire cameras and computer equipment. A laminator is used to provide IDs lasting a year in a construction or school environment. ID SpotChecker is based on the True Image Tracker and Seeker products in use in nearly 30 Los Angeles area and Florida, middle and high schools.
Nstant ID Maker and ID SpotChecker software will be sold on the ZyGoVideo Web site. Tracker and Seeker product descriptions and sales information is available online.