HD Camera / Face Rec / Door Controller All-in-One

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Apr 30, 2014

Is it a security camera, face recognition reader, or a door controller?

Stand aside people: BioCam 300 claims to be all three, and more.

Should you consider this device for your systems? What are the downsides?

We take a look at the key features, pricing and competitive positioning inside.

** ** * ******** camera,*************** ******, ** * door **********?

***** ***** ******: ****** 300 ****** ** ** all *****, *** ****.

****** *** ******** **** device *** **** *******? What *** *** *********?

** **** * **** at *** *** ********, pricing *** *********** *********** inside.

[***************]

********

********* [**** ** ****** available] ****** ** ** "the *****'* ***** ** ** camera **** ******** ****** recognition *** ******* ** a ****** ****" *** if *** ****, ********* has *** **** ****** equals. *** ~*"**"**" **** essentially is * *****-****** ******-***** camera, **** ***** ** LED ****, *** * 7" *** ******* ******* underneath: 

*** ************* ****** ****** to ***** ************ ******, * face-rec ****** ******, * public **** *******, *** a ********** **** ********** in * ****** ****. When *** ***** **** to ***** ******, *** camera ******** ************ ****** in *** ***** 

*** ********

  • **** ******: *** **** ** designed ** ** ******* near ***** ** ** can ******* ******** ** faces, *** **** ******* those ***** ******* *** database ** '****** ********' individuals. ** ** *** users *** ** ****** in *** **** (** templates *** ****), ***** it ****** ** ***** and ******** ** **** than * *******. *** unit ****** ** *** scan ** ** ** feet ****, *** *** included ** **** ********* lighting **** ** **** locations.
  • ** ************ ******: *** **** **** includes * **** ****, 30 ***, ***/***** ****** that ******** *****. *** unit *** ** ********** to ****** ** ****** locally ** *** ******, includes ********/******, ***** *** **********, and **** *.***.
  • **** **********: ******, *** **** coordinates ******** ** *** door, *** *************** ***** *** ***** readers, *******, ** *** devices. ********* ** ******** to **** ** * 'standalone' ****** ******, *** while **** ********* *** credentials *** ** ****** internally, *** **** ****** be ********** **** ****** 3rd ***** ****** *********.
  • *** ***: ***********, **** *** the ******* ******** ** one ****, ** **** not *** ***** **** ethernet, *** ******* ******** a ***** @ *.** power ******.

****

***** *** ****** *** is ***, ** ** expected ** **** * ~$1,300 ****** *****. *** manufacturer********** ******** *** ****** to *** *********, *** the ******* *** ********** be ********* ***** ********* names, *** ********************.

*** * **** **** biometrics, ***** *** ****** control, *** ***** ** relatively ********** ****** ***** its **** ** ***********, one ** ****** ** more ** * ***** alone **** ***** ******. On *** ******** / residential ****, ******* ** '***' - * **** recognition / ******** *******.

***************

***** *** **** ** features ** ****** ***** long, ** **** *** mean *** ****** **** to *** *** ***. Absent ** ****** ******* and ************ ** *******, potential ****** ****** ** wary ** ***** ******:

  • *****:******* *** *********, *** the ************ ******** ***** under ********** ******* ***** [link ** ****** *********] *** either ******* * ** 'Archieved **************'. ***** *** risk **** ***** ******, one ****** ******** ***** the ********* ** * surveillance ****** **** *******.
  • **** *** ********:*****, ******* ******* *** unit *** **************************** *** *****, ****** claims ** **** ***** is *******. ***** ******* documentation **** *********** ****** at *** ***** ** less, ***** ** ** indication ** *** ******** these ******** *** **** even * *** *****.
  • ******* ***********:***** ********* ** ***** like * ****, **** aluminum ******** *** ***** size, ** ** ******* outdoor *****, ***** *********, nor ****** ***** *****. Apart **** ****, ************** on ********** ********** ** not ********, *** ** one **** **** ***, the ****** ****** **** be ********.

Unit *********** / *********** ********

*******, ** ****** *** effectiveness ** ********** ** the *******, *** ******* weakness ** *** **** responsibility ** *** ********* to *******: ******** ********. 

*** *******'***************** *** ******** ********** below:

*** ****** **** ** mounted *** ****** **** it ******** **** ****** of *****, *** **** may ***** ** ********** to ********* ** *****. Other ************* **********, **** the ******** ** *** sun ** ***** ******* accessories **** ****** ** hats *** ********************* **** **********. ******* ******** ******** ** the ********* **** ** the **** ****** **** wiring ********** ** ******* tampering, ******* **** ********.

*** **** ** ***** in ********'* ********* ********* *****? ****, *** ********* ******* ** looking ****** ***** ******* could *********** **** ** user ******. ******** * badge ** ******** ** a *** *** *** be ****, *** ** remains ********* ** ***** your **** ** ******** over *** ****** ** front ** *** ***** using **.

Comments (10)

Avatar

Skip Cusack

04/30/14 01:17pm

If the system is running in a verification mode (1:1) as it should for access control applications, then the number of faces in the database will have no bearing on matching accuracy and false alarm rates.

Rukmini Wilson

In reply to Skip Cusack | 04/30/14 04:27pm

... the number of faces in the database will have no bearing on matching accuracy and false alarm rates.

So are you saying if it doesn't work with ~400 faces don't expect it to work any better with ~40? That's too bad because the latter is probably closer to the SOHO sweetspot...

Avatar

Skip Cusack

04/30/14 05:37pm

I may have expressed myself poorly. While running in verification mode the number of users enrolled in the database will have no bearing on 1:1 verification matching performance, because the user presumably asserts his/her identity and the live image(s) is compared to the database image(s) corresponding to that user only. The number of images captured during runtime and enrollment for each user will likely have a bearing on matching accuracy. However, the technical matching performance for each user may either improve or degrade with the nature and number of images used depending on how the system makes use of them.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Skip Cusack | 08/08/15 03:54am

Skip - I'm not sure I totally follow your post. Are you saying that facial ID should be used as a sort of secondary verification mechanism, instead of being the primary/only verification mechanism?

Avatar

Skip Cusack

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/07/15 08:19pm

With regards to FR accuracy: The product does have provision for wiegand inputs, so it could run in a two factor verification mode: User asserts identity with a possession factor (e.g., card) and FR camera verifies identity with biometrics (1:1 match). The accuracy of this mode will be much higher than identification mode (1:Many). In ID mode, the user looks at the camera, and his/her face is compared to every other image in the database (up to 400 users @ several images / user). Achieving good technical performance in this mode requires much stronger biometric performance as the probability for false match is much higher.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Skip Cusack | 08/07/15 08:41pm

What I don't get about the recent burst of face-recognition access control products is where the real application is.

It seems like there are two primary cases:

1) Face-as-credential. This one still seems way to prone to false reads and delays, negating the ease-of-use factor when users get locked out or spend 10+ seconds at the door trying to get through.

2) Face-as-secondary credential. This one seems more practical because you're comparing the face read at the door to a known set of profile images, but it's still generally more costly and time consuming that something like an iris scan or fingerprint scan. The hardware is also bulky and ugly (for a door ornament) relative to other options.

I can't help but feel like facial recognition access control and 3D printers have a lot in common as that "gee whiz" thing that just can't really find a feasible fit in the marketplace just yet. This limits it to novelty and niche applications, which slows down overall adoption and R&D.

Are you seeing facial recognition applications that are truly viable and practical for a mainstream deployment?

Avatar

Patrick Hart

IPVMU Certified | 05/01/14 01:55pm

Shouldn't the door controller be on the secure side of the door?

kenneth macphee

05/01/14 04:15pm

What if I take a full sized picture of an authorized person and hold it up in front of my face? At least it would be cleaner than chopping their head off!

Avatar

Lynn Harold

In reply to kenneth macphee | 08/07/15 11:27pm

Ken - I actually tried that, didn't work. I am guessing the facial geometry stored as the credential doesn't work when you have a flat 2D image.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Lynn Harold | 08/08/15 06:00am

What if the spoofed face was 3d?

Shades of Brian's Frankenfinger...;)

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

2020 Access Control Book Released on Dec 19, 2019
This is the best, most comprehensive access control book in the world, based on our unprecedented research and testing has been significantly...
Designing Access Control Guide on Jan 30, 2019
Designing an access control solution requires decisions on 8 fundamental questions. This in-depth guide helps you understand the options and...
Startup GateKeeper Aims For Unified Physical / Logical Access Token on Apr 04, 2019
This startup's product claims to 'Kill the Password' you use to keep your computers safe. They have already released their Gatekeeper Halberd...
Spring 2019 50+ New Products Directory on Apr 08, 2019
We are compiling a list of new products for Spring 2019 and have over 50 already. Contrast to Fall 2018 New Products Directory and Spring 2018...
Facial Recognition Systems Fail Simple Liveness Detection Test on May 17, 2019
Facial recognition is being widely promoted as a solution to physical access control but we were able to simply spoof 3 systems because they had no...
How To Troubleshoot Wiegand Reader Problems - Inverted Wiring on Jul 16, 2019
Wiegand is the dominant method of connecting access readers, but problems can arise for installers. In fact, one of the most difficult reader...
ZK Teco Atlas Access Control Tested on Aug 20, 2019
Who needs access specialists? China-based ZKTeco claims its newest access panel 'makes it very easy for anyone to learn and install access control...
Access Control Mustering Guide on Sep 30, 2019
In emergencies, determining where employees are located can be critical for knowing whether they are in danger. Access systems can be used for...
Hidden Camera Detectors Tested on Nov 18, 2019
Hidden cameras are a growing problem as cameras become smaller, cheaper and easier to access. However, some companies claim to be able to detect...
IPVM Opens 12,000 Sqft Testing Facility on Dec 16, 2019
IPVM is proud to announce the opening of the world's first video surveillance testing facility that will allow us to significantly expand our...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Brivo Business Profile 2020 on Jan 27, 2020
Brivo has been doing cloud access for more than 20 years. Is the 2020s the decade that cloud access becomes the norm? CEO Steve Van Till recently...
Favorite VMS / NVR Manufacturers 2020 on Jan 27, 2020
In 2018, a new winner emerged and a former top choice declined. Now, there is a new #1, a new top 5 finisher and 2 major VMSes in decline. Our...
"Hikvision Football Arena" Lithuania Causes Controversy on Jan 24, 2020
Controversy has arisen in Lithuania over Hikvision becoming a soccer team's top sponsor and gaining naming rights to their arena, with one local MP...
Axis and Genetec Drop IFSEC 2020 on Jan 23, 2020
Two of the best-known video surveillance manufacturers are dropping IFSEC International 2020, joining Milestone who dropped IFSEC in 2019. The...
Multipoint Door Lock Tutorial on Jan 23, 2020
Despite widespread use, locked doors are notoriously weak at stopping entry, and thousands can be misspent on locks that leave doors quite...
Avigilon Shifts Cloud Strategy - Merges Blue and ACC on Jan 23, 2020
Avigilon is shifting its cloud strategy, phasing out its Blue web-managed surveillance platform as a stand-alone brand and merging it with its ACC...
Verkada Paying $100 For Referrals Just To Demo on Jan 22, 2020
Some companies pay for referrals when the referral becomes a customer. Verkada is taking it to the next level - paying $100 referrals fees simply...
Camera Analytics Shootout 2020 - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek on Jan 22, 2020
Analytics are hot again, thanks to a slew of AI-powered cameras, but whose analytics really work? And how do these new smart cameras compare to top...
Intersec 2020 Final Show Report on Jan 21, 2020
IPVM spent all 3 days at the Intersec 2020 show interviewing various companies and finding key trends. We cover: Middle East Enterprise...
Vehicle & Long Range Access Reader Tutorial on Jan 21, 2020
One of the classic challenges for access control are parking lots and garages, where the user's credential is far from the reader. With modern...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?