The Women’s Huron Valley Correctional facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan recently upgraded their security surveillance system with over 300 Astatic 210 line-level mics featuring built-in audio limiting along with Panasonic WV-NW502S IP dome cameras.
As Michigan’s only women’s prison, Huron Valley provides the complete reception center processing, which includes thirteen housing units for general population prisoners in level I, II, and IV, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment, Residential Treatment Program, Acute Care, Infirmary and Detention.
Combining the Astatic 210 microphone with the Panasonic camera gives the staff the ability to monitor video and audio over an IP network though out the facility. The camera has an unbalanced audio input combining the video and audio into a single data feed that is then streamed to the network.
For added flexibility, the 210 mic has an adjustable line-level output that easily connects to the WV-NW502S 1/8th-inch audio input cable located inside the housing of the camera. Unique to Astatic, the built-in limiting conditions the audio signal going into the camera.
“As you can imagine we have the potential of outbursts from our population,� says Building Construction Specialist Jim Mosher of the Central Office’s Physical Plant Division, “and obtaining clear, undistorted audio is essential when reviewing our records. The Astatic 210 allows us to set the camera’s audio input gain to a sensitive setting without overloading the camera’s audio input during audio spikes.�
The Huron Valley system is being installed by the facility staff with direction from Jeff Swinehart of the Mid-State Security Company in Grandville, Michigan.
The 210’s all-in-one design makes the microphone versatile for installation in many different places. As Mosher points out, “When we installed the cameras in a hallway, the microphone was easily placed in the center of the hallway to provide the best sound coverage for people coming and going. Plus the microphone’s all-metal body is easy to install in a ceiling tile or drywall and can’t be easily seen when installed in a white ceiling tile.�
Huron Valley Website – http://www.michigan.gov/corrections/0,1607,7-119-1381_1388-116930–,00.html
For more information about CAD Audio/Astatic Commercial, please call 800.762.9266 or visit www.cadmics.com.