SURVEYOR CORP. AND REARDEN TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCE AFFORDABLE PAN & TILT
WEBCAM MOVEMENT FOR THE MAC
— New Webcam Package Brings Low-Cost, Interactive Technology to the
Macintosh Market —
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 27, 1999– Webcam industry
leaders, Surveyor Corp. and Rearden Technology, have released
SiteCam-Transit, the first interactive Webcam package priced under $500 for
the Macintosh.
Surveyor provides affordable Webcam innovations for business and lifestyle
enhancement. Rearden Technology serves Webcam needs for networks,
worldwide, with its innovative line of software and camera systems.
SiteCam-Transit includes Rearden’s SiteCam Webcam software designed for
Macintosh platforms and Surveyor’s camera mount (TransitRCM), which allows
users to move their Webcam in any direction with live video through the
Internet. SiteCam-Transit can also snap pictures from preset positions and
broadcast (FTP) them on a Web site.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer TransitRCM to Macintosh users,” noted
Rearden Technology CEO, Brad Lowe. “SiteCam-Transit lets users attach
their own camera to a versatile pan/tilt system at a low cost that can be
accessed live over the Internet.”
“SiteCam-Transit further underscores the leadership role Webcams have
taken in the growth of the Internet,” added Surveyor CEO, Howard Gordon.
“Macintosh users now have affordable access to technology that can
completely change their Webcam experience.”
About SiteCam-Transit
SiteCam is a full-featured Webcam application for the Mac that features
video capture, FTP, image archiving, motion detection, and QuickTime
Time-lapse movies. SiteCam includes a powerful Web server that features
live streaming video to any Internet browser.
SiteCam-Transit adds complete support for Surveyor’s TransitRCM pan/tilt,
including presets, automatic camera control and Web access. With
SiteCam-Transit it is easy to have a Mac take pictures from several
pan/tilt positions, uploading them to the Internet and archiving them with
preset names.
When used with a dedicated Internet connection (e.g. ISDN, cable modem, or
DSL), SiteCam-Transit can allow users from anywhere on the Internet to see
the live streaming video and exclusively control the camera’s pan and tilt
position. Passwords can be added to limit access. Pan/tilt limits can also
be set to keep the camera within a predefined range.
The Growing Use of Webcams
Gordon cites the following examples of Webcam use and interactivity:
Families and Home Life
1. Webcams in daycare centers so working parents can check-up on their kids
from the office
2. Webcams by backyard pools for monitoring play activity from inside the house
Adding Webcam interactivity lets parents move the camera in any direction
their children may run, creating a safer environment.
Business and Corporate Settings
1. Webcams at resorts so tourists can check out accommodations before
making reservations
Adding Webcam interactivity allows tourists to see the full scope of a
resort, and give them a perspective on how it is situated in relationship
to the ocean, woods, etc.
2. Webcams in manufacturing plants to monitor progress
Interactivity also gives plant managers the ability to monitor progress in
any part of a plant, creating a more efficient system for quality assurance.
Communities and Cities
1. Webcams on highways so commuters can see how traffic is moving before
leaving the house
Adding Webcam interactivity lets commuters move the camera to see where
traffic has originated, helping them to select a different route.
2. Webcams in high-crime areas, giving police more eyes and video evidence
of illegal acts
Interactivity also allows police to move their surveillance cameras so they
are positioned right on the disturbance in progress.
System Requirements
Hardware: MacOS (PowerPC preferred, 68020 or better) 32Mb RAM Network: Open
Transport (preferred) Disk space: 2mb plus storage for any number of
historical images System Software: System 7.6 or higher, QuickTime 4.0
recommended Video Input: any QuickTime compliant video source, including
any multimedia-enhanced Apple Macintosh or QuickCam SiteCam-Transit
requires an available serial port
Pricing and Availability
Available today, the SiteCam-Transit bundle (TransitRCM, cables, power
supply and software) can be purchased online from Rearden Technology
(www.rearden.com/transit) for $495. A full-featured evaluation copy of
SiteCam software is available for immediate download and a live demo of
TransitRCM technology is available from Surveyor Corp.
(www.surveyorcorp.com).
Rearden Company Background
Rearden Technology is the leader in Web Cam technology for the Macintosh.
Located in Alameda, Calif., Rearden is a privately held company serving Web
Cam and custom video needs for Internet sites and intranets worldwide. More
information on Rearden Technology or SiteCam can be found at
(http://www.rearden.com)
For additional information, contact Rearden Technology, 1901 Shoreline
Drive, Suite 304, Alameda, Calif. 94501, Ph: 510/523-2267; Fax:
510/864-0820, For further information, contact (mailto:info@rearden.com).
Surveyor Company Background
Founded in June 1998 by Howard Gordon (founder of Xing Technology Corp.,
1990, recently sold to Real Networks), Surveyor followed-up its industry
launch of affordable pan and tilt technology with the acquisition of
award-winning, Webcam32 software. Webcam32 is the dominant PC-based, Webcam
software.
The company also owns five Webcam-oriented Internet sites including CamCity
(www.camcity.com), The Webcam Resource (www.webcamresource.com), Webcam
World (www.webcamworld.com), Camcities (www.camcities.com) and Live WebCams
Ring (webring.webcamworld.com). These sites work as search engines for
finding and linking to other Web sites that offer live video and snapshot
feeds, as well as information resources for Web site developers utilizing
Webcam technology.
Surveyor (www.surveyorcorp.com) develops intelligent video processing and
compression technologies for Internet-connected cameras (“Webcams”).
Surveyor’s technologies promise to extend, enhance, or replace human vision
in remote sensing applications.
For additional information, contact: Surveyor Corp., 4501 Orcutt Road, San
Luis Obispo, Calif. 93401. Phone: 805/784-9000. Fax: 805/784-9601. E-mail:
(mailto:info@surveyorcorp.com).