CohuHD Costar

Keeping an eye on everything. Clearly, the reason why video surveillance camera systems are indispensable in the security armor to protect vital assets and proactively prevent any untoward incidents. Even as the world is increasingly moving toward a scenario where a billion cameras are supposedly watching every nook and corner, the obvious question arises. Will the video surveillance camera systems be able to deliver superior video quality in the harshest—coldest, hottest, and the windiest—of operating environments? “With our high-end ruggedized security cameras, extreme conditions are no longer a limitation,” answers Doug Means, Senior VP and General Manager, CohuHD Costar.

CohuHD Costar prides itself in being one of the very few camera manufacturers that designs, develops, and assembles high-end ruggedized security cameras in the U.S. With 70 years of longevity in the video solutions industry, today the company’s rugged HD CCTV video surveillance cameras monitor the most critical, sensitive environments that include border security and transportation, specifically traffic Intelligent transport systems, defense, maritime ports, airports, and railways. “It is not the chamber of commerce weather but the toughest of the conditions when the need for visibility in terms of video quality and recognition that we provide is highest,” highlights Means.

CohuHD Costar provides a world-class product portfolio in terms of technical capability and performance complimented with a design element that successfully serves market segments with unique requirements. The company’s RISE platform representing Rugged Innovation for Superior Endurance has four families of products. Means draws attention to the RISE4260 Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera system with 360-degree view deployed in defense and critical infrastructure industry. The second product, RISE4290HD dual head camera, the latest addition to CohuHD’s RISE family of products, comes in various thermal lens configurations giving long- range vision in both day and night. And delivering unprecedented image quality and detail for long-range surveillance with visibility up to five miles is the company’s 8800HD series.

“We are vertically integrated in terms of our engineering disciplines with our design and development focused on the varied requirements of different market segments,” says Means. For example, the cameras deployed in maritime applications pass through thousands of hours of salt spray test to withstand conditions of high salinity. Likewise, the dual head cameras that are deployed on the bow or stern of vessels in military applications - to see potential man overboard emergencies whether it’s day or night - have the defog capability that is automatically deployed during fog conditions. “Whether it’s maritime or a border patrol project, the capability that we have in terms of being able to see the farthest with the best video quality is what we are recognized for,” points out Means.

What sets CohuHD Costar apart is the technology used in its video cameras. The company optimizes video viewability with edge-based image signal processing for low light conditions that uses video analytics. And has proprietary algorithms for video compression to reduce data on the network, as video consumes a lot of data. Moreover, the cameras are designed for seamless integration with various communication and radar equipment, network servers, and software applications.

In an implementation highlight, CohuHD’s dual head camera was deployed for perimeter security in the oil fields of a major oil company in Saudi Arabia. In another instance, CohuHD’s dual cameras monitor various ports throughout the UAE as part of border patrol for port security.

“Our competitive position in the marketplace is built not only on cutting edge products but superior customer service and competitive pricing alongside stability and longevity,” states Means. The company foresees investing in hardware and software capabilities particularly in terms of seamless integration with various networks. “We will continue investing in skill sets required to deliver as a customer-centric organization committed to providing excellent video for mission-critical and harsh environment applications,” concludes Means.