StarWitness Info

2011-12-22T11:27:00.001-08:00

2011-11-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Webinar Registration: December 6

2011-11-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

Interviewer Webinar Registration

2011-11-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your interest in our webinar.

We have the following dates available:

Webinar Registration: December 13

2011-11-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

2011-02-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

An up-to-the-moment look at the ever-shifting world of video evidence. That means everything. How it’s being used to catch criminals, new video forensic tools and tricks to keep agencies sharp, potential controversies, and product-release or training announcements for StarWitness.

Check it out at StarWitnessWeekly.com.

Community: YourStarWitness.com

2011-02-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

We’ve got your back.

It’s called Your StarWitness because it really is YOURS. Your forums, tips and tricks for you, and in-depth resource on the latest in video forensics. The site is also designed to be easily shaped by your interests–your photos, status, videos. All in one place.

And if you’ve got questions, you can believe that this site has answers: User manuals, video tutorials and an archive of online user forums.

Check it out at YourStarWitness.com.

StarWitness Interviewer

2011-01-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks for your interest in our new product -- StarWitness Interviewer. Please sign up below for occasional email updates on the product.

Has This Happened to You?

2010-01-29T08:39:00.000-08:00

Our products make sure DVRs won't be able to withhold video evidence crucial to your cases. Check out the StarWitness Field Unit products, designed to collect video evidence in the field, and make sure the DVRs on the scene are giving you all the video you need to catch the bad guys!

From the latest issue of Video Scene Magazine

2009-11-17T07:58:00.001-08:00

Our latest issue of Video Scene Magazine provides several articles that give more insight into how video evidence is making out in the fight against crime. In addition, we’ve developed a survey that will give us all some additional insight. Please participate in the survey at VideoSceneMagazineSurvey.com. We’ll publish the results in our next issue. Let’s all learn something from each other. It may help us find ways to improve how we use video evidence to fight crime.

StarWitness Strikes Again!

2009-05-29T06:20:00.001-07:00

We always love hearing that our products are helping put criminals behind bars. That's why we were thrilled when we found that one of our customers recently used StarWitness Freeze Frame to help solve a crime. Detective J.C. Blankenship of Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office sent us the following email about the case:

"In August and September of 2008 our region had a series of attempted and completed sexual assaults on hotel workers. Two of these incidents occurred in our county. In August a cleaning lady was sexually assaulted while she was cleaning a room. In September another cleaning lady at a different hotel was approached and the suspect attempted to assault her but she screamed and he fled. In the first Incident Detective Robin Kocher collected DNA evidence that later linked the suspect to the crime. In the second incident in September all we had was poor video footage and a witness account of the incident. Using the Star Witness Freeze Frame I was able to enhance images of the vehicle and suspect.
The images showed the suspect wearing his black skull cap and showed the Tattoo on his arm.

After the second incident we received a DNA hit. We set up surveillance on the suspect’s residence and took him into custody on the first incident. Photos were taken of his vehicle, tattoo, and skull cap. Both victims identified him in photo line ups. The images captured using the Star Witness Freeze Frame were used as evidence during a jury trial. On 4-14-09 a Jury found Derrick R. Gosnell guilty and sentenced him to 86 years in prison. He also faces charges in neighboring jurisdiction for a similar incident. The DNA evidence and the video enhancement sealed this case shut. "

Thanks again.

Detective J.C. Blankenship CFCE, CCE, CCFT Certified Forensic Computer Examiner Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office

Detective Blankenship also directed us to this article containing more details about the case and sent us some of the images that helped to break the case.

2009-05-28T08:22:00.001-07:00

Case Closed.

StarWitness Field Agent. The new digital video evidence kit that goes with you.

YouCrime.com

2009-05-28T08:21:00.001-07:00

A look at how social and video sharing sites are becoming critical tools for police.

It’s no secret that video evidence has had a huge impact on the Law Enforcement community in the past couple of decades. Digital and Analog video recordings captured from surveillance systems at the scene of the crime have revolutionized the way police approach evidence collection. But it seems that there’s a new way of finding and using video evidence, one that has become more and more popular over that past few years with the increased popularity of online networking.

In early 2005, YouTube.com was launched, allowing users to upload, view and share video clips on the Internet. YouTube quickly grew to a reported 65,000 video uploads per day by July of 2006 and paved the way for similar video sharing sites such as Liveleak and Google Video. The public jumped at the chance to post videos with content ranging from clips of television shows to personal videos of themselves and friends. It didn’t take long for the Law Enforcement community to see the value of people posting videos of their actions–particularly when these actions are in some cases self incriminating. And especially considering that many people don’t realize they can and will be held accountable for what they do in these posted videos.

In addition to the rise of video posting sites, there is the ever-growing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Facebook especially has been gaining momentum over the years (150 million active users worldwide to date). A Facebook account allows the user to enter personal information about themselves, post and create picture albums, upload or link videos and create a social network. Ultimately, Facebook enables people from all over the planet to communicate, connect and share videos quickly and easily.

Recent news reports illustrate how online video posting and social networking have been useful tools for Law Enforcement officers to help solve crimes around the world.

Police use posted videos

The most obvious way police have utilized video posting and social networking is by allowing Internet users to incriminate themselves. There have been multiple cases of Police officers finding videos of crimes posted on YouTube or Facebook and tracing it back to and charging the poster.

For example, in March 2008, in a suburb near New York City, three Ossining High School students attacked an 18 year old in a church parking lot. One of the students recorded the attack on his cell phone, including imagery of his friends punching, kicking and cutting the victim with a pocketknife. The assailants then posted the clip, about a minute in length, on YouTube for anyone to see.

While interviewing students at Ossining High on an unrelated case, the police were informed of the video. The clip ultimately led to the arrest of the assailants on charges of first-degree gang assault. Without the incriminating video being circulated on YouTube, authorities would have had a more difficult job ahead.

Another example of using online networking was more recently presented in Indiana, PA right after the 2009 Super Bowl. The streets of the town were flooded after the game with 2000 rioters celebrating the Steelers’ victory. Several fires were reported and Philadelphia Street was temporarily shut down. During the riots, police were consumed with controlling the crowd and R were not able to make arrests on crimes being committed in the area. But the following week, a police officer in a neighboring town found YouTube videos and pictures on Facebook of two men setting fire to a couch during the riots. Using information on the user’s Facebook page, Indiana Police were able to identify the two men and ultimately file arson charges against them.

Police post videos

In New Zealand, police are using online social networking and video posting to their advantage in a different way. Instead of looking to the Internet to find incriminating videos, Queenstown police has taken advantage of the Facebook social network to circulate evidence by creating a user group titled “Queenstown Police”. They’ve posted multiple pictures and videos of local crimes in an attempt to get the public’s help in finding suspects, and have so far had at least one success.

In early January 2009, a young man attempted to break into a safe in a local tavern. During the robbery, the suspect apparently got hot, removing a balaclava he was using to cover his face for relief. A hidden security camera got a shot of this. Police then took the footage, including screenshots of the suspect’s face, and posted them on their Facebook group. The public was soon able to help authorities identify the suspect, ultimately leading to his arrest.

Though Queenstown’s use of Facebook may seem unique, their success could inspire others to start using social networking to help find criminals.

Concerned citizens post crimes

Police aren’t the only ones hoping to find value in YouTube and Facebook in the fight against crime. Citizens are trying to help the authorities by filming and posting crimes they’ve witnessed.

In fact, last Spring a woman living near downtown Seattle attempted to use YouTube to get the attention of local authorities. From her third-floor balcony, the woman was witnessing a number of crimes–drug use, prostitution and fighting, just to name a few. Though she attempted to report the crimes to the police, they were not responding. So she decided to take matters into her own hands, recording the criminal activities happening all around her. She then posted the videos on YouTube, giving them names like “Bums smoking crack in the afternoon” and “Crackhead makes a pipe out of a can while wearing a sombrero”.

The videos caught the attention of a local Seattle news blog, multiple TV stations and newspapers including the Seattle Times. The police were made aware of the videos–and many Seattle citizens were made aware of the potential value of posting videos online.

Security systems. Cell phones. Video cameras. There are more and more ways that every action around us can be captured on video. And Law Enforcement and private citizens alike are learning that simply posting this footage online can be a huge step toward solving a crime.

2009-05-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

How sharp is

your eye?

From our latest issue of Video Scene Magazine...

Any little detail could be case-breaking evidence. So peel your eyes and take a look at the two images below. There are SEVEN differences. Can you spot them?

Check out the Video Scene Magazine site to see the puzzle answers.

2009-01-31T09:07:00.000-08:00

Introducing

Video Scene Magazine

View the first issue >>

StarWitness Year in Review

2009-01-26T16:37:00.001-08:00

Another year has come to a close, and what a year it was! Between tradeshows, training classes and software releases this year was very busy! As you all know, our main goal as StarWitness is to help you catch criminals with video. This year was better than ever to help that happen.

One of the tools we were proud to offer to the law enforcement community during 2008 was our Recovery and Analysis of Video Evidence training class. We held the class twice in 2008 with great success. The training class is a combined effort from us here at StarWitness and Dorothy Stout of Resolution Video. The week long training class provides everything you need to know to catch bad guys with video.

In addition to all the time spent learning the curriculum in class, we also like to get to know the trainees. Wednesday night is typically dinner out together. We aim to make the training a memorable and educational experience for all! With two successful classes this past year we are looking forward to 2009 with two more classes. The first class will be held in Phoenix, Arizona in February and the second in September in Cary, North Carolina. (Please check out our five minute course preview if you want to learn more.)

Another great accomplishment of 2008 was the launch of Video Scene Magazine. Each issue of this magazine offers unique, expert insight and interviews about the latest opinions, gadgets and innovations surrounding forensic video and video surveillance technology. Every article is designed to be both informative and objective as we discuss the most critical issues in our field today. It's a must read for anyone committed to catching criminals with video. Set up your own free subscription and get a look at the first issue at videoscenemagazine.com.

Another way that we love to get out and stay involved in the law enforcement community is through tradeshows and conferences. We participated in many shows this year. One that stands out is the National Technical Innvestigators' Association Annual Training Conference and Technology Exhibition. Last year NATIA was hosted in San Jose, CA and proved to be a great opportunity for us. Not only did we connect with our customers but we were also able to educate those who have not heard about what is going on in the world of video evidence.

Any chance we get to educate people about the usefulness of video evidence is an automatic win. And if we have to organize a Nerf dart gun shoot off to help do that, we will! You heard us correctly. Every year at NATIA we use reception time to organize a fun game with t-shirt giveaways for everyone who participates. This year the big game was a Nerf gun shooting contest. Though there is no photographic proof of the great success, you'll have to take our word that the line wrapped around the aisles and the free t-shirts were a huge hit!

It is always a thrill to get face to face with the community at shows, but we have also been keeping busy making sure customers get the most out of our software. With the introduction of Field Agent, our new on-the-go video collection and analysis kit, we also released an updated version of Freezeframe. Freezeframe version 1.5 added the ability to work from an external hard drive in order to provide more case storage space as well as including important bug fixes. We also released an update for Video Pro which added a new spotlight/blotout filter as well as new sample graphs showcasing the filter. Since we believe in constantly improving our software to make it easier to use and to add new capabilities you can look forward to more releases in 2009!

And there you have it! It was a great year for StarWitness, but we couldn't have done it without the support of the community! So thanks to everyone who helped make 2008 such a great success.

Compare Specs

2009-01-25T17:28:00.003-08:00

	Agent	Tech Agent	Analyst
StarWitness Software	FreezeFrame	FreezeFrame	FreezeFrame
	Soundbite	Soundbite	Soundbite
		Video Pro	Video Pro
		Filter Pro	Filter Pro
		DVR Pro	DVR Pro
			Editor LE
			Audio
Video Editing Software		Sony Vegas Pro 9	Sony Vegas Pro 9
DVD Playback	PowerDVD	PowerDVD	PowerDVD
Backup Software	Roxio BackOnTrack	Roxio BackOnTrack	Roxio BackOnTrack
Monitor	24" HP LCD	24" HP LCD	30" HP LCD
Processor	Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz (dual core)	Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz (quad core)	Intel Core i7-920 2.66ghz (quad core)
Memory	2GB DDR3 (dual channel)	2GB DDR3 (dual channel)	3GB DDR3 (triple channel)
Primary Drive	160GB	160GB	160GB
Video Drives	2x 500GB (RAID 0)	2x 500GB (RAID 0)	2x 500GB (RAID 0)
Backup Hard Drive	1TB (Internal)	1TB (Internal)	1TB (Internal)
Video Capture Card	Osprey 240e	Osprey 240e	Osprey 240e
S-VHS VCR	JVC SR-MV45U	JVC SR-MV45U	JVC SR-MV45U
Printer	Canon Pixma MP640	Canon Pixma MP640
Speakers		Studiophile AV30	Studiophile AV30
Headphones	Sony MDR-V700DJ	Sony MDR-V700DJ	Sony MDR-V700DJ

2009-01-25T17:28:00.001-08:00

	Agent	Tech Agent	Analyst
StarWitness Software	FreezeFrame	FreezeFrame	FreezeFrame
	Soundbite	Soundbite	Soundbite
		Video Pro	Video Pro
		DVR Pro	DVR Pro
		Filter Pro	Filter Pro
			Editor LE
			Audio
Video Editing Software		Sony Vegas Pro 8	Sony Vegas Pro 8
DVD Playback	PowerDVD	PowerDVD	PowerDVD
Backup Software	Roxio BackOnTrack	Roxio BackOnTrack	Roxio BackOnTrack
Monitor	23" Apple LCD	23" Apple LCD	30" Apple LCD
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 3.16 GHz	Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5 GHz
Memory	2GB DDR2	2GB DDR2	4GB DDR3
Primary Drive	160GB	160GB	160GB
Video Drives	2x500GB	2x500GB	2x500GB
Backup Hard Drive	1TB (Internal)	1TB (Internal)	1TB (Internal)
Video Capture Card	Osprey 300	Osprey 300	Osprey 300
S-VHS VCR	JVC SR-MV45U	JVC SR-MV45U	JVC SR-MV45U
Printer	Canon Pixma MP610	Canon Pixma MP610
Speakers		Studiophile AV30	Studiophile AV30
Headphones	Sony MDR-V700DJ	Sony MDR-V700DJ	Sony MDR-V700DJ

Try our software

2009-01-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

The StarWitness software demo will allow you to process those videos laying on your desk. Maybe you'll even catch a criminal. Call us to get a demo 888-685-2100.

Or contact your representative directly:

Sara Baker
National Sales Manager
919-610-4465
sara.baker@signalscape.com

Software Registration

2009-01-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

About Us

2009-01-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

Our focus has always been to help law enforcement utilize video evidence to catch criminals. Some of our initial products were created specifically for the federal government. That was more than 10 years ago, and since then we’ve earned the trust and respect of law enforcement agencies of all sizes, all over the world, because we offer a unique blend of technology shaped around your needs and an intense commitment to support and training.

We recognized something along the way, though. Providing help to the law enforcement community didn’t always mean providing products. It means being a resource for knowledge and expertise in a constantly evolving industry.

That’s why today people interested in forensic video can subscribe, free, to our Video Scene Magazine. We’re proud that it’s become a destination for the latest info and expert insights.

We also created StarWitness Forums so that users can have a place to exchange ideas about StarWitness products. It’s a reservoir of advice and engineering savvy–open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

And for users who want insights on forensic video best practices and product news delivered straight to them, we created our free weekly email newsletter, StarWitness Weekly.

As the world of forensic video changes, we’ll continue to pioneer innovative solutions, like our portable ‘lab in a box’– StarWitness Field Agent. And we’ll continue to forge new avenues to give enforcement agencies an edge in their pursuit of criminals.

Feel free to contact us with any questions. StarWitness products are developed, produced and sold by Signalscape, Inc. Any ideas you may have for our products, training, or anything StarWitness can be submitted at the StarWitness Voice website.

Products

2009-01-23T06:12:00.000-08:00

Our products make life miserable for criminals everywhere. We have created a line of video forensic products that law enforcement can actually use. State-of-the-art technology that we developed, now available to the people who can use it most. You.

StarWitness Agent: A “video lab-in-a-box”, end to end turn-key video processing system that comes standard with computer, LCD monitor, VCR, and color printer.

StarWitness Tech Agent: A “video lab-in-a-box” with more advanced video clarification capabilities. This end-to-end turn-key video processing system comes standard with computer, LCD monitor, VCR, and color printer.

StarWitness Analyst: A forensic video system built for the analyst including a 30" wide screen LCD monitor. Includes our entire suite of forensic video and audio analysis software.

StarWitness Field Kit: It's the digital video evidence recovery kit that goes with you. It contains everything you need to perform successful recoveries from digital CCTV surveillance systems-right at the scene of the crime. Includes a three day training course.

StarWitness Field Agent: We've configured our Freezeframe software on a high-performance laptop system and packaged it with everything you'll need to collect and analyze video evidence in the field. Digital or analog - you'll be ready for anything.

Audio analysis add-ons

StarWitness SOUNDBITE: Sound Bite packages the processing power of the StarWitness Audio toolkit into an easy-to-use media player.

StarWitness Audio: StarWitness Audio is our premier audio forensics software product. It gives you the ability to eliminate, in real-time or post processing, the noises that prevent voice clarity.

StarWitness Agent

2009-01-23T06:11:00.000-08:00

You need pictures of bad guys–not videotapes, CDs and DVDs piled on your desk.

StarWitness Agent is a ‘forensics lab in-a-box’. Simply set up the system and you are ready to start clarifying video and catching criminals. Turn your piles of videotapes and digital video CDs/DVDs into usable evidence – quickly and easily.

The StarWitness Agent system includes StarWitness Freezeframe – the powerful, easy-to-use video capture and clarification software – and StarWitness SOUND BITE software for audio clarification.

Manage your caseload

Displays cases in a ‘storyboard’ – emulating the way you work cases
Saves time by allowing one or more agents to utilize the system
Case management set up is quick and easy
Automatic filing of cases once data is captured or imported
Exit the case at any point and easily pick up exactly where you left off later
Cases can be backed up, archived, searched, restored and more

Capture your videos

“It’s so easy you can literally record and import anything. I was viewing a .DAT file through some awful viewer. The screen recorder, after setting the area to record, recorded the file and saved it.”
– Detective Robert Woardell, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County, NJ

Work with all digital video formats
Import a variety of compressed video formats directly into your case
Unique ‘screen record’ utility lets you easily capture ‘proprietary formats’
Captures video and sorts the cameras all in one step
Works with videos that are multiplexed, quad, timelapsed
Simply play the VCR, watch the TV-screen and click record–the video ends up directly in your case
Preserves the original videotape evidence for archival purposes

Clarify your videos

Easy ‘double click’ to begin
Adjust brightness and contrast
Sharpen video
Deinterlace for clarity
Zoom in and spotlight
One-click printing of selected images
No waiting, rendering or confusion–it’s all in your case file

Demultiplex Your Videos

“A very user friendly system with a short learning curve. Using the Freezeframe filters is a true point and click operation. The Freezeframe product has saved me a lot of time processing video. Freezeframe has helped especially with the multiplexed videos.”
–Tim Martin, Stafford Police Department, Stafford, Virginia

Easy and accurate demultiplexing
Removed ‘flashing effect’ from multiplexed tapes
Examine each camera separately for easy identification
No need to pause or watch tapes in slow motion, which degrades critical evidence
Once incident is selected, simply press ‘record’ to capture video into your case

Included in the box

StarWitness Agent turnkey-PC system
23" wide screen LCD monitor
Professional Video Cassette Recorder

Canon Pixma printer
Install/restore CDs
Keyboard and mouse

Working with audio

StarWitness Agent includes SOUNDBITE - a feature-enhanced audio application that allows you to view and listen to recorded audio and to process the audio with specific enhancement filters. Learn more about StarWitness SOUNDBITE >>

Next steps

Get a software demo >>

Compare system specs >>

View Full System Specs>>

Learn more about system options

StarWitness Audio software can be added to the StarWitness Agent system to an unparalleled ability to virtually eliminate, in real time or in post processing, the noises that prevent voice clarity. Learn more about StarWitness Audio >>

StarWitness Tech Agent

2009-01-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

You need something to help you analyze those videos. Something both efficient and powerful. You need a video and audio analysis system that gives you quick information for investigations and the capabilities to go all the way on those big cases.

StarWitness Tech Agent is a ‘forensics lab in-a-box’. Simply set up the system and you are ready to start clarifying video and catching criminals. Turn your piles of videotapes and digital video CDs/DVDs into usable evidence – quickly and easily.

The StarWitness Tech Agent system includes StarWitness Freezeframe – the powerful, easy-to-use video capture and clarification software – StarWitness Video Pro and Filter Pro – powerful and flexible software designed with a full range of video clarification capabilities. Tech Agent also has Sony Vegas FULL’s video editing capabilities and StarWitness SOUND BITE’s forensic audio clarification tools.

Manage your caseload

Displays cases in a ‘storyboard’ – emulating the way you work cases
Saves time by allowing one or more agents to utilize the system
Case management set up is quick and easy
Automatic filing of cases once data is captured or imported
Exit the case at any point and easily pick up exactly where you left off later
Cases can be backed up, archived, searched, restored and more

Capture your videos

“It’s so easy you can literally record and import anything. I was viewing a .DAT file through some awful viewer. The screen recorder, after setting the area to record, recorded the file and saved it.”
– Detective Robert Woardell, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County, NJ

Work with all digital video formats
Import a variety of compressed video formats directly into your caseUnique ‘screen record’ utility lets you easily capture ‘proprietary formats’
Captures video and sorts the cameras all in one step
Works with videos that are multiplexed, quad, timelapsed
Simply play the VCR, watch the TV-screen and click record–the video ends up directly in your case
Preserves the original videotape evidence for archival purposes

Demultiplex Your Videos

“A very user friendly system with a short learning curve. Using the Freezeframe filters is a true point and click operation. The Freezeframe product has saved me a lot of time processing video. Freezeframe has helped especially with the multiplexed videos.”
–Tim Martin, Stafford Police Department, Stafford, Virginia

Easy and accurate demultiplexing
Removed ‘flashing effect’ from multiplexed tapes
Examine each camera separately for easy identification
No need to pause or watch tapes in slow motion, which degrades critical evidence
Once incident is selected, simply press ‘record’ to capture video into your case

Clarify your videos

Easy ‘double click’ to begin
Adjust brightness and contrast of video
Increase sharpness of video
Apply frame averaging to a number of frames ranging from 2, 3, 4 ... 60, all
Apply frame averaging to a selected time segment of video, based on user set mark points
Stabilize 'shaky' video
Draw spotlight on video
'Zoom in' on video up to 600% and move around to find subject of interest
Deinterlace video choosing even field or odd field
Utilize intelligent deinterlacing method for multiplexed video
Step through video frame by frame
Scrub through video to quickly find incident of interest
Play/stop/rewind/ffwd video
Set playback mark points to limit section of video playback
Loop play on selected section of video
Convert timelapse by controlling playback speed from 1% to 500%
Export an uncompressed AVI format (an interoperable video file format)
Save an image file directly from the processed video view (.bmp or .jpg formats)
Print an image directly from the processed video view
Zoom in using linear interpolation technique (100% to 600%)
Trim a video based upon mark points
Automatically insert trimmed video into case
View start and end frames before trimming
Jump to beginning/end of video

Standard Video Pro Filters

Deinterlace–removes interlaced motion artifacts visible on displayed interlaced video content or from still images captured from interlaced content
Async Security Demux–extracts a single camera view from a sequence of multiplexed views
Image Stablilization–adjusts frame position to reduce the effects of small camera movements and jiggle
Frame Median–reduces drop-out effects or impulse noise effects due to poor tape or recorder quality
Frame Average–removes noise in videos where the scene is stationary or stablized
Edge Contrast–increases contrast near edges in an image (to enhance a tattoo to better see its shape, for example, or enhancing an emblem or text on a license plate)
Deblur–reduces the effect of blur caused by linear motion, out-of-focus optics, etc.
Sharpen–enhances edges, textures and other high-frequency details
Brightness/Contrast–controls lightness/darkness and range of contrast
Zoom–magnifies a selected area
Interactive Video Renderer–outputs a video stream to be shown in a display window

Advanced Video Pro Filters

Advanced Processing Filters in Video Pro

2D Bandstop
2D Convolution
2D Derivatives
2D Exp
2D FFT Display
2D Highpass
2D Ln
2D Lowpass
2D Median
2D Multiplier
2D Notch
2D Summer
Async Deinterlace
Crop/Resize
FFT Zonal Mask
Gaussian Blur
Histogram
Mean
Rotate/Flip
Security Demux
Tee
Threshold

Converters

Color to B/W
DIB2SSVideo
SSVideo2DIB
YUV to RGB

File Output/Input

Image file source
Image file writer

StarWitness Tech Agent turnkey-PC system
23" wide screen LCD monitor
Professional Video Cassette Recorder

Canon Pixma printer
Install/restore CDs
Keyboard and mouse

Working with Audio

StarWitness Tech Agent includes SOUNDBITE - a feature-enhanced audio application that allows you to view and listen to recorded audio and to process the audio with specific enhancement filters.
Learn more about StarWitness SOUNDBITE >>

Next steps

Get a software demo >>

Compare system specs >>

View Full System Specs>>

Learn more about system options

StarWitness Audio software can be added to the StarWitness Agent system to an unparalleled ability to virtually eliminate, in real time or in post processing, the noises that prevent voice clarity. Learn more about StarWitness Audio >>

StarWitness Analyst

2009-01-23T06:09:00.000-08:00

Leave No Stone Unturned

You need to make sure you analyze every video to its fullest. As a result, you continually add to the capabilities of your lab and you're always looking for that next generation video and audio analysis workhorse that will give you accuracy and efficiency. Well, you just found it.

StarWitness Analyst is a ‘forensics lab in-a-box’. Simply set up the system and you are ready to start clarifying video and catching criminals. Turn your piles of videotapes and digital video CDs/DVDs into usable evidence – quickly and easily.

The StarWitness Analyst system includes StarWitness Freezeframe – the powerful, easy-to-use video capture and clarification software – StarWitness Video Pro and Filter Pro – powerful and flexible software designed with a full range of video clarification capabilities. Tech Agent also has Sony Vegas FULL’s video editing capabilities and StarWitness Audio’s and StarWitness SOUND BITE’s forensic audio clarification tools.

Manage your caseload

Displays cases in a ‘storyboard’ – emulating the way you work cases
Saves time by allowing one or more agents to utilize the system
Case management set up is quick and easy
Automatic filing of cases once data is captured or imported
Exit the case at any point and easily pick up exactly where you left off later
Cases can be backed up, archived, searched, restored and more

Capture your videos

Work with all digital video formats
Import a variety of compressed video formats directly into your case
Unique ‘screen record’ utility lets you easily capture ‘proprietary formats’
Captures video and sorts the cameras all in one step
Works with videos that are multiplexed, quad, timelapsed
Simply play the VCR, watch the TV-screen and click record–the video ends up directly in your case
Preserves the original videotape evidence for archival purposes

“It’s so easy you can literally record and import anything. I was viewing a .DAT file through some awful viewer. The screen recorder, after setting the area to record, recorded the file and saved it.”
– Detective Robert Woardell, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County, NJ

Demultiplex Your Videos

Easy and accurate demultiplexing
Removed ‘flashing effect’ from multiplexed tapes
Examine each camera separately for easy identification
No need to pause or watch tapes in slow motion, which degrades critical evidence
Once incident is selected, simply press ‘record’ to capture video into your case

“A very user friendly system with a short learning curve. Using the Freezeframe filters is a true point and click operation. The Freezeframe product has saved me a lot of time processing video. Freezeframe has helped especially with the multiplexed videos.”
–Tim Martin, Stafford Police Department, Stafford, Virginia

Clarify your videos

Easy ‘double click’ to begin
Adjust brightness and contrast of video
Increase sharpness of video
Apply frame averaging to a number of frames ranging from 2, 3, 4 ... 60, all
Apply frame averaging to a selected time segment of video, based on user set mark points
Stabilize 'shaky' video
Draw spotlight on video
'Zoom in' on video up to 600% and move around to find subject of interest
Deinterlace video choosing even field or odd field
Utilize intelligent deinterlacing method for multiplexed video
Step through video frame by frame
Scrub through video to quickly find incident of interest
Play/stop/rewind/ffwd video
Set playback mark points to limit section of video playback
Loop play on selected section of video
Convert timelapse by controlling playback speed from 1% to 500%
Export an uncompressed AVI format (an interoperable video file format)
Save an image file directly from the processed video view (.bmp or .jpg formats)
Print an image directly from the processed video view
Zoom in using linear interpolation technique (100% to 600%)
Trim a video based upon mark points
Automatically insert trimmed video into case
View start and end frames before trimming
Jump to beginning/end of video

Standard Video Pro Filters

Deinterlace–removes interlaced motion artifacts visible on displayed interlaced video content or from still images captured from interlaced content
Async Security Demux–extracts a single camera view from a sequence of multiplexed views
Image Stablilization–adjusts frame position to reduce the effects of small camera movements and jiggle
Frame Median–reduces drop-out effects or impulse noise effects due to poor tape or recorder quality
Frame Average–removes noise in videos where the scene is stationary or stablized
Edge Contrast–increases contrast near edges in an image (to enhance a tattoo to better see its shape, for example, or enhancing an emblem or text on a license plate)
Deblur–reduces the effect of blur caused by linear motion, out-of-focus optics, etc.
Sharpen–enhances edges, textures and other high-frequency details
Brightness/Contrast–controls lightness/darkness and range of contrast
Zoom–magnifies a selected area
Interactive Video Renderer–outputs a video stream to be shown in a display window

Advanced Video Pro Filters

Advanced Processing Filters in Video Pro

2D Bandstop
2D Convolution
2D Derivatives
2D Exp
2D FFT Display
2D Highpass
2D Ln
2D Lowpass
2D Median
2D Multiplier
2D Notch
2D Summer
Async Deinterlace
Crop/Resize
FFT Zonal Mask
Gaussian Blur
Histogram
Mean
Rotate/Flip
Security Demux
Tee
Threshold

Converters

Color to B/W
DIB2SSVideo
SSVideo2DIB
YUV to RGB

File Output/Input

Image file source
Image file writer

For more details on Advanced Video Pro Filter’s capabilities, download this PDF

Video editing

Sony Vegas FULL version is included on the system to provide video editing capabilities. Learn more about Sony Vegas at Sony Vegas

Working with audio

StarWitness Analyst includes SOUNDBITE - a feature-enhanced audio application that allows you to view and listen to recorded audio and to process the audio with specific enhancement filters. Learn more about StarWitness SOUNDBITE >>

StarWitness Analyst also includes Audio Pro which provides an unparalleled ability to virtually eliminate, in real time or in post processing, the noises that prevent voice clarity.
Learn more about StarWitness Audio >>

Included in the box

StarWitness Analyst turnkey-PC system
30" wide screen LCD monitor
Professional Video Cassette Recorder
Headphones

Stereo Speakers
Install/restore CDs
Keyboard and mouse

Next Steps

Get a software demo >>

Compare system specs >>

View Full System Specs>>

StarWitness SOUNDBITE

2009-01-23T06:08:00.001-08:00

Power and simplicity

StarWitness SOUNDBITE is the latest product developed by Signalscape's audio engineers. SOUNDBITE packages the processing power of the StarWitness Audio toolkit into an easy-to-use media player. With a single click, a preconfigured processing graph is loaded and applied to your audio. Each processing graph, or "filter," is developed to perform a specific noise-reduction operation.

StarWitness SOUNDBITE allows you to:

Open and play audio files
View the audio stream as either a time-domain waveform or a spectrogram
Apply one or more filters to the input stream and listen to the processed output
Selectively apply one or more filters to only a portion of the audio stream
Save processed output to file
View property pages and fine-tune each filter
Control adaptive filter coefficients using freeze and reset operations
Modify playback rate, subject to a constant-pitch algorithm
Receive warnings if non-optimal filter order is chosen
Store and retrieve filter "profiles" containing property and coefficient values
Capture audio from sound card

How Does It Work?

StarWitness Sound Bite is a feature-enhanced audio application that allows you to view and listen to recorded audio and to process the audio with specific enhancement filters. In addition, you may save the processed audio to disk.

After opening an audio file, the waveform display and spectograph provide a visual representation of the file's data stream. The standard multimedia buttons like Play, Stop, Repeat, and Pause are readily available at the bottom of the toolbar.

With a file opened, you can simply clean it up by adding sequential filters, for eliminating the steady humming noise of a fan.

You can limit a filter to a particular region of the input signal as well. By simply clicking View -> Regions from the toolbar, you can adjust how long and at what point in time the filter takes effect.

When you get your signal almost perfect, you can do some fine-tuning by selecting the Filter Properties of each filter.

With a little practice, you will be able to bring your original audio file to crystal clarity.

StarWitness Field Agent

2009-01-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

"We got a call from a local agency wondering if we could try to get some video off of a DVR at a hotel where a very violent crime was committed. This agency advised me that several other agencies with competing products attempted to recover this video and were unsuccessful. We went to the hotel and in a little under two hours we had recovered some great quality video!! The suspects' pictures were then printed, disseminated and identified two hours later. Thanks for this great tool!!!!"
Detective Joseph Fazio, Will County Sheriff’s Police

StarWitness Field Agent includes everything you need to collect and analyze video evidence in the field. A high-performance laptop with StarWitness Freezeframe - the powerful easy-to-use video capture and clarification software along with every device needed to collect video evidence in any form.

Difficult digital videos

Burn CDs of video files, download media on to an external hard drive or capture video directly using an s-video or composite video connection
Recovered video can be quickly examined in the field to ensure you have everything you need
Analyze the video in the field or return to the station for review

Manage your caseload

Displays cases in a ‘storyboard’ – emulating the way you work cases
Saves time by allowing one or more agents to utilize the system
Case management set up is quick and easy
Automatic filing of cases once data is captured or imported
Exit the case at any point and easily pick up exactly where you left off later
Cases can be backed up, archived, searched, restored and more

Clarify your videos

Easy ‘double click’ to begin
Adjust brightness and contrast
Sharpen video
Deinterlace for clarity
Zoom in and spotlight
One-click printing of selected images
No waiting, rendering or confusion–it’s all in your case file!

Easily handle hard-to-deal-with video formats

An easy-to-use solution for dealing with DVR files of all formats is integrated into the Freezeframe system.
A variety of compressed video formats can be imported directly into your case
Proprietary’ formats are easily captured using the screen record utility

Capture video from videotapes and sort the cameras all in one step

Includes videos that are multiplexed, quad or timelapsed
Simply play the VCR, watch the TV-screen and click record to store the video directly in your case.
Preserve the original videotape evidence for archival purposes

Working with audio

Next steps

Get a software demo >>

Compare system specs >>

Learn more about system options

StarWitness Audio software can be added to the StarWitness Agent system to an unparalleled ability to virtually eliminate, in real time or in post processing, the noises that prevent voice clarity. Learn more about StarWitness Audio >>

StarWitness Audio

2009-01-23T06:07:00.000-08:00

Premier audio forensics software

GETS RID OF THE NOISE. SO YOU CAN GET THE EVIDENCE.

Whether it’s live or from a recording, background noise often mars your ability to uncover the crucial audio data you need to solve cases. StarWitness Audio gives you an unparalleled ability to virtually eliminate, in real time or in post processing, the noises that prevent voice clarity. Used and trusted for over a decade by the US government, this audio surveillance software is now available for law enforcement.

StarWitness Audio allows you to:

Reduce background noises
Increase voice clarity
Provide fixed and adaptive filters to your sound source
Enhance multiple audio channels simultaneously
Process in sync with video
Operate in real-time

Technical Specifications

FILTERS AND OPERATORS

Dynamic Range Control: AGC, Limiter, Compressor, Expander, Noise Gate
Delay Line
Fixed Filters (FIR): Bandpass, Bandstop, Lowpass, Highpass, Fixed Comb, Mean, Median, Graphic EQ
Adaptive Filters: DRC, LMS, Spectral EQ
Gated Amplifier
Level Detector

INSTRUMENTS AND DISPLAYS

Spectrogram
Spectrum Analyzer

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Intel Pentium Processor
Windows 2000 Professional/Windows XP Professional
CD-ROM Drive
VGA Display
High quality, DirectX-compatible sound card
Reduces background noises
Increases voice clarity
Provides fixed and adaptive filters
Enhances multiple audio channels simultaneously
Processes in sync with video
Operates in real time

Support

2009-01-20T20:06:00.001-08:00

International Calls: 919-674-3031
Toll Free in USA: 877-674-3031
Email: tech_support@signalscape.com

StarWitness Forums

Access information that can help you solve cases 24/7 on our StarWitness user's forums. Our forums include posts from other users and directly from personnel in our organization - support personnel, engineers... In addition our forum includes cheat sheets. When you don't have the time to read the manual try the cheat sheets: they give you what you need to know in a step-by-step format.

To join email: forums@starwitnessforums.com

Call or email us for support

Customer support is available between the hours of 9AM to 6PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United States to answer all customer questions on set-up, installation, and use of the StarWitness products. Engineers have developed all StarWitness products in house. Our engineers are readily available to assist. No third party companies or suppliers are involved. Resolution of difficult questions or problems usually takes less than 24 hours.

To assist us in being better prepared to help you, please provide - when emailing - or have available - when calling - the following information:

Name of the organization that purchased the product
Approximate date of purchase
Description of product
If software, version number and CD serial number

Contact Us

2009-01-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

Sales inquiries

Want to purchase or have questions about StarWitness products or training? Call 888-685-2100.

Or contact your representative directly:

Sara Baker
National Sales Manager
919-610-4465
sara.baker@signalscape.com

Technical Support

If you're looking for support please see Technical Support for more info or call toll free in the USA: 1-877-674-3031.

If you have one of our products, please take advantage of our StarWitness Forums.

Product Suggestions

Any ideas you may have for our products, training, or anything StarWitness can be submitted at our StarWitness Voice website.

Try StarWitness Field Agent

2009-01-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

We field tested StarWitness Field Agent, now here's your chance. Try it for yourself - for FREE. We'll send you a StarWitness Field Agent to use for a trial period so you can see first hand how effective digital video evidence can be in your fight against crime.

Just fill out the form below indicating your interested in Field Agent. We'll follow up with you to make the arangements.

Video Evidence Training

2009-01-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

Product Training Courses
StarWitness Agent
StarWitness Tech Agent
StarWitness Analyst
StarWitness Field Agent
StarWitness Video Pro
Online Product Training

Advanced Training Courses
Video Evidence Training
Product Certification Video Training
Product Certification Audio Training

More Info
Training Calendar
Instructor Biographies
Travel Information

Recovery and Analysis of Video Evidence

Reserve your seat now for our next class
September 13th to 17th, 2010
Contact training@signalscape.com to reserve your seat.

The course provided valuable information on a level that allowed me to grasp the concepts being taught. As an instructor for multiple agencies within the area, I was impressed with the organization and teaching techniques of both instructors.

- Jim Young
Detective, Cary Police Department, North Carolina

View the PDF flyer for the training class:
Training flyer

Class overview

Our world is relentlessly being recorded. So it’s no surprise that video evidence of crime and criminals abounds. The challenge today is turning that pile of videotapes and CDs on your desk into actual, usable evidence. For that, you need to know how to properly retrieve, process and analyze this critical video data. Which means you need an understanding of video technology and the best practices for cutting-edge forensic video analysis, including proper evidence handling.

The Recovery and Analysis of Video Evidence course will help you do all this. Through interactive training and hands-on exercises you will learn proper evidence handling procedures, the ins and outs of video technology and the tools available for video analysis. Whether it's analog or digital, you'll be ready to deal with it: in-car, personal video recorders, VHS CCTV, DVRs, DCCTV. You will return to your agency empowered with the best practices for collecting and analyzing video evidence, as well as implementing standard operating procedures.

Instructors

Dorothy Stout
Owner, Resolution Video, Inc.

Dorothy Stout’s company, Resolution Video, is an industry leader in forensic video analysis training and services for the examination and analysis of video evidence. Since 1998, she has playing a critical role in helping federal entities with forensic video analysis. She has worked with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and performed as a forensic video analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense Computer Forensic Laboratory (DCFL). She has also worked with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) as a forensic video/digital video technical consultant. Ms. Stout has been qualified as an expert and testified at all levels of the United States Courts and continues to offer expert testimony in civil and criminal cases involving video evidence. She teaches at the George Washington University, in Washington, DC and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, in Vancouver, Canada. She is also an Adjunct Professor with the University of Indianapolis and an instructor for the Law Enforcement Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) forensic video analysis and the law classes. Ms. Stout holds a Masters Degree in Forensic Science and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.

Sam Burgiss
Director of Products, Signalscape, Inc.

Upon joining Signalscape in 2000, Sam Burgiss began collaborating with federal agencies to develop forensic video applications. He has since consulted with numerous law enforcement agencies on cases involving video evidence. Mr. Burgiss' background is in Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in Computer Vision and Video Processing. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a BS in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Class agenda

This one week training course will be held each February in Phoenix, Arizona and each September in Cary, North Carolina.

Monday (9:00AM to 5:00PM)

Intro to the field of Forensic Video Analysis
Background on analog and digital video
In depth background on analog CCTV including multiplexing, time lapse...
In depth background on digital CCTV
Networking session

Tuesday (9:00AM to 5:00PM)

Retrieval of analog video
Retrieval of digital video including downloading, hookups, analog outputs...
Video evidence handling concepts including chain of custody, no harm, evidence archival...
Writing video evidence SOP's etc.

Wednesday (9:00AM to 5:00PM)

Analog video capture
Analog video assessment
Analog video processing techniques: deinterlacing, demultiplexing, zoom, brightness, contrast...
Putting it all together: working real cases
Evening networking event

Thursday (9:00AM to 5:00PM)

Digital video assessment
Digital video capture
Digital video processing techniques: deinterlacing, resize, contrast, brightness...
Putting it all together
Review for test

Friday (9:00AM to 2:00PM)

Test
Open feedback session -- We want your feedback.
Graduation
Discussion and introduction to Video Analyst Training course (optional)

Class price

$954 per person

Training location in Cary, NC (September 13th to 17th, 2010)

StarWitness training facility at Signalscape, Inc.
200 Regency Forest Drive
Suite 150
Cary, NC 27518

A map can be found at Map to Office

Suggested Accommodations:

La Quinta Inn and Suites
191 Crescent Commons
Cary, North Carolina 27518
Phone: (919) 851-2850
Fax: (919) 851-0728

Comfort Inn & Suites
350 Asheville Avenue
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 852-4318

Hampton Inn
201 Asheville Lane
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 859-5559

Courtyard by Marriott
102 Edinburgh Drive South
Cary, North Carolina 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9666
Fax: (919) 919-460-0380

Instructor Biographies

2009-01-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

Instructor Bios:

Sam Burgiss - Director of Products, Signalscape, Inc.

Upon joining Signalscape in 2000, Sam Burgiss began collaborating with federal agencies to develop forensic video applications. He has since consulted with numerous law enforcement agencies on cases involving video evidence. Mr. Burgiss' background is in Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in Computer Vision and Video Processing. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a BS in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Dorothy Stout - Owner, Resolution Video, Inc.

Dorothy Stout’s company, Resolution Video, is an industry leader in forensic video analysis training and services for the examination and analysis of video evidence. Since 1998, she has playing a critical role in helping federal entities with forensic video analysis. She has worked with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and performed as a forensic video analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense Computer Forensic Laboratory (DCFL). She has also worked with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) as a forensic video/digital video technical consultant. Ms. Stout has been qualified as an expert and testified at all levels of the United States Courts and continues to offer expert testimony in civil and criminal cases involving video evidence. She teaches at the George Washington University, in Washington, DC and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, in Vancouver, Canada. She is also an Adjunct Professor with the University of Indianapolis and an instructor for the Law Enforcement Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) forensic video analysis and the law classes. Ms. Stout holds a Masters Degree in Forensic Science and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.

Training Calendar

2009-01-08T06:35:00.001-08:00

2011 Training Schedule

Product Training

All product training classes are held at our corporate headquarters in Cary, North Carolina. There are several hotels and restaurants listed on our travel info for Cary office page.

Training begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. All products are covered during the week of training including: Field Kit, Field Agent, Agent, Tech Agent and Analyst. Please schedule your training with us by emailing training@signalscape.com. We'll coordinate the correct days for you to attend.

February 6 - 9, 2012 - Cary, NC
April 16 - 20, 2012 - Cary, NC
June 4 - 8, 2012 - Cary, NC
September 10 - 14, 2012 - Cary, NC
December 3 - 7, 2012 - Cary, NC

Jumpstart StarWitness: Online training for video collection, FreezeFrame, Video Pro, Sound Bite and Audio

Do you need to understand the basics of video evidence? Do you want that video evidence to make an impact on investigations immediately? Attend the Jumpstart StarWitness webinar and find out what you need to know to collect, examine, and derive results today. Dorothy Stout, from Resolution Video, will be leading a Webinar that details a step-by-step approach for working with video evidence utilizing the StarWitness products.
11:00 a.m. EST - 12:00 a.m. EST Retrieving Digital Video with Field Agent
1:00 p.m. EST - 2:00 p.m. EST Examining Video with FreezeFrame
3:00 p.m. EST - 4:00 p.m. EST Analyzing Video with Video Pro
Please contact us at training@signalscape.com to register for online training.

April 5, 2012 - Online training
August 16, 2012 - Online training
December 20, 2012 - Online training

Product Certification: Video

April 30 - May 4, 2012 - Cary, NC
October 1 - 5, 2012 - Cary, NC

StarWitness Video Pro Training

2009-01-07T19:45:00.003-08:00

StarWitness Video Pro

Duration: 3 days
Course fee: $750
Location: Cary, North Carolina Signalscape Office

Course Description

In this course you will learn how video cameras work and how analog video is created including single camera, multiplexed and quad videos. You will learn how DVR's and digital video work and what video compression is and why it's used. In addition, you'll learn common types of video compression. You will be introduced to NewTek's Video Toaster hardware and software through discussion and hands on exercises. You will learn Capturing of single camera and multiplexed video, trimming video clips, rendering to .AVI and other formats, combining multiple clips into one and capturing audio with or without video using the Video Toaster. Once and understanding ofVideo Toaster is established you will be introduced to StarWitness Video Pro software. You will discuss the software and then perform hands on use of standard Video Pro processing filters. You will discuss which filters are best used in different situations and also be shown helpful websites, codec appliances and best practices. You will then be introduced to DVR Pro including hands on use of the software to capture and convert proprietary video into uncompressed .AVI files. You will discuss Audio Pro including information on the importance of proper recording levels and how sound is captured, compressed and stored. You will gain hands on exprience of Audio Pros standard processing filters and controls using sample audio files and processing graphs. As with all of our training classes, the floor is always open to questions.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity

Essential Material Covered in Course

Effective use of StarWitness Video Pro system hardware and software.
Understanding of video compression and codecs.
Understanding of forensic multimedia best practices.
Understanding of analog and digital media.
Understanding of standard and proprietary digital video formats.
Understanding the importance of and how to perform regular system backups.

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

StarWitness Field Agent Training

2009-01-07T19:45:00.001-08:00

StarWitness Field Agent

Duration: 2 days
Course fee: $600 per person
Location: Cary, North Carolina Signalscape Office

Course Description

In this course you will learn how video cameras work and how analog video is created including single camera, multiplexed and quad videos. You will learn how DVR's and digital video work and what video compression is and why it's used. In addition, you'll learn common types of video compression. You'll be introduced to StarWitness Freezeframe including a review of Freezeframe controls and features and discussion of what controls to use in various situations. In addition you'll do plenty of hands on work of with real world analog (single camera and multiplexed) and digital video cases. We'll discuss helpful websites, codec appliances and best practices. We'll also introduce StarWitness Soundbite and provide a review of Soundbite's controls, features and sample audio files. On the second day of this two day course you will begin with a review of FreezeFrame filters and controls. We will then discuss and perform hands on exercises using StarWitness Soundbite. We will discuss principles of using the collection kit components and perform hands on, scenario based collection examples simulating real world / on site collection situations using DVR's, VCR's and various components of the collectionkit.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity

Essential Material Covered in Course

Effective use of StarWitness Field Agent system hardware and software.
Understanding of video compression and codecs.
Understanding of forensic multimedia best practices.
Understanding of analog and digital media.
Understanding of standard and proprietary digital video formats.
Understanding of the collection kit components and usage.
Understanding the importance of and how to perform regular system backups.

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

StarWitness Analyst Training

2009-01-07T19:44:00.000-08:00

StarWitness Analyst

Duration: 3 days
Course fee: $900 per person
Location: Cary, North Carolina Signalscape Office

Course Description

In this course you will learn how video cameras work and how analog video is created including single camera, multiplexed and quad videos. You will learn how DVR's and digital video work and what video compression is and why it's used. In addition, you'll learn common types of video compression. You'll be introduced to StarWitness Freezeframe including a review of Freezeframe controls and features and discussion of what controls to use in various situations. In addition you'll do plenty of hands on work with real world analog (single camera and multiplexed) and digital video cases. We'll discuss helpful websites, codec appliances and best practices. We'll also introduce StarWitness Soundbite and provide a review of Soundbite's controls, features and sample audio files. You will participate in instructor led demonstrations and hands on use of StarWitness Video Pro, Filter Pro, Audio Pro and DVR Pro. You will also be led through hands on use of the Sony Vegas software application. We will discuss how to use Sony Vegas for video capture, clip splicing and video exporting perspectives. You will gain an understanding of processing techniques and principles necessary to effectively use your system when you get back to your unit. As with all of our training classes, the floor is always open for questions.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity

Essential Material Covered in Course

Effective use of StarWitness Analyst system hardware and software.
Understanding of video compression and codecs.
Understanding of forensic multimedia best practices.
Understanding of analog and digital media.
Understanding of standard and proprietary digital video formats.
Understanding the importance of and how to perform regular system backups.

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

StarWitness Agent Training

2009-01-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

StarWitness Agent

Duration: 1 day
Course fee: $300 per person
Location: Cary, North Carolina Signalscape Office

Course Description

In this course you will learn how video cameras work and how analog video is created including single camera, multiplexed and quad videos. You will learn how DVR's and digital video work and what video compression is and why it's used. In addition, you'll learn common types of video compression. You'll be introduced to StarWitness Freezeframe including a review of Freezeframe controls and features, discussion of what controls to use in various situations. In addition you'll do plenty of hands on work of with real world analog (single camera and multiplexed) and digital video cases. We'll discuss helpful websites, codec appliances and best practices. We'll also introduce StarWitness Soundbite and provide a review of Soundbite's controls, features and sample audio files. As with all of our training classes, the floor is always open for questions.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity

Essential Material Covered in Course

Effective use of StarWitness Agent system hardware and software.
Understanding of video compression and codecs.
Understanding of forensic multimedia best practices.
Understanding of analog and digital media.
Understanding of standard and proprietary digital video formats.

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

StarWitness Tech Agent Training

2009-01-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

StarWitness Tech Agent

Duration: 2 days
Course fee: $600 per person
Location: Cary, North Carolina Signalscape Office

Course Description

In this course you will learn how video cameras work and how analog video is created including single camera, multiplexed and quad videos. You will learn how DVR's and digital video work and what video compression is and why it's used. In addition, you'll learn common types of video compression. You'll be introduced to StarWitness Freezeframe including a review of Freezeframe controls and features and discussion of what controls to use in various situations. In addition you'll do plenty of hands on work with real world analog (single camera and multiplexed) and digital video cases. We'll discuss helpful websites, codec appliances and best practices. We'll also introduce StarWitness Soundbite and provide a review of Soundbite's controls, features and sample audio files. As the last part of the class you will participate in instructor led demonstrations and hands on use of StarWitness Video Pro, Filter Pro and DVR Pro. You will also be introduced to Sony Vegas, a professional video editing/ production application. You will gain the understanding of processing techniques and principles necessary to effectively use your system when you get back to your unit. As with all of our training classes, the floor is always open for questions.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity

Essential Material Covered in Course

Effective use of StarWitness Tech Agent system hardware and software.
Understanding of video compression and codecs.
Understanding of forensic multimedia best practices.
Understanding of analog and digital media.
Understanding of standard and proprietary digital video formats.
Understanding of the importance of how to perform regular system backups

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

StarWitness Product Certification: Video

2009-01-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

StarWitness Product Certification: Video

Duration: 5 days
Location: Cary, North Carolina Signalscape Office
Cost: $1,500 per person

Course Description

Day One

During the first day we cover concepts of analog video, digital video and digital CCTV. We then cover all basic operations of StarWitness forensic video software including Freezeframe and Video Pro. We then discuss computer components of the StarWitness desktop systems such as the CPU, the RAM, the HD's, RAID systems, video cards and monitors. We will also discuss why the StarWitness systems are put together the way they are. We will discuss the Field Agent laptop and contents for the Field Kit including how and when to use each component of the kit.

Day Two

Day two will introduce you to Direct Show technology and how StarWitness operates with Direct Show. We will also discuss Windows media player, Codec Appliances, why we use Codecs and the pros and cons of Codecs and compression. We will then dissect what goes on under the covers of our software, what the software does to the video and how the filters change the information. We will then begin with discussion and hands on use of StarWitness Video Pro and StarWitness Freeze Frame. This will consist of a comprehensive overview of all the filters and how they clarify video.

Day Three

Day three will continue discussion on StarWitness Video Pro and Freeze Frame clarification techniques focusing on advanced enhancement techniques.

Day Four

The fourth day will provide a full hand-on experience working video evidence from beginning to end. You will work video evidence from both analog VHS tapes and from digital DVRs. You will work with evidence and present your final results.

(Students are encouraged to bring videos for this session of the training.)

Day Five

The fifth day of the course includes a written test and a practicum test.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity
Experience using a full or demo version of all StarWitness Software

Essential Material Covered in Course

Effective use of StarWitness system hardware and software.
Understanding of video compression and codecs.
Understanding of forensic multimedia best practices.
Understanding of analog and digital media.
Understanding of standard and proprietary digital video formats.
Understanding the importance of and how to perform regular system backups.

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

StarWitness Product Certification: Audio

2009-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

StarWitness Product Certification: Audio

Duration: 5 Days
Location: Cary, NC Signalscape Office
Cost: $1,500 per person

Course Description
The Product Certification Audio class will provide students with an in depth analysis of the StarWitness Audio products. Students will gain an understanding of the science of sound and an understanding of the dsp tools used in forensic audio enhancement, including analog and digital audio concepts. The class will also provide a comprehensive analysis of the filters used in Audio and Sound Bite and how to apply the filters to audio evidence.

Prerequisites for course

Solid understanding of Microsoft windows
Basic understanding of signal flow and connectivity
Experience using a full or demo version of all StarWitness Software

Course Materials
All course materials are provided including a handbook of all material covered during the class

Expectations

Students are encouraged to bring real world cases to work in class
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities
Students are expected to remain in non-secure area of building unless escorted by appropriate Signalscape staff.

Training

2009-01-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

Product Training Courses

“The training is excellent and you are able to process video using the system immediately.”

Chris Leonard, Lexington Police Department, North Carolina

Our product training gets you ready to hit-the-ground-running. When you return to your agency from training you will be ready to use your StarWitness product to turn that pile of video tapes on your desk into useful evidence. One product training class is included with each StarWitness product purchase.

Available courses:
StarWitness Agent
StarWitness Tech Agent
StarWitness Analyst
StarWitness Video Pro
StarWitness Field Agent

Advanced Training Courses

Our advanced training extends your knowledge and skills, taking you to the next level.

Available courses:
Recovery and Analysis of Video Evidence

Accommodations & Restaruants in Cary, NC

2009-01-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

Suggested Accommodations

Residence Inn
2900 Regency Parkway
Cary, NC 27518
Phone: (919)467-4080
Website

La Quinta Inn & Suites
191 Crescent Commons
Cary, NC 27518
Phone: (919)851-2850
Website

Comfort Inn & Suites
350 Asheville Avenue
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 852-4318
Website

Hampton Inn
201 Asheville Lane
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 859-5559
Website

Courtyard by Marriott
102 Edinburgh Drive South
Cary, North Carolina 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9666
Fax: (919) 919-460-0380
Website

Restaurants in the Area:

Jimmy V's Steak House and Tavern
107 Edinburgh South Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
(919)380-8210
Website

MacGregor Draft House
107 Edinburgh S. Dr
Cary, NC 27511
(919)461-1633
Website

Lucky 32
7307 Tryon Rd
Cary, NC 27518
(919)233-1632
Website

Danny's BBQ
311 Ashville Ave #G
Cary, NC 27518
(919)851-5541
Website

O'Charley's
101 Ashville Ave
Cary, NC 27518
(919)851-9777
Website

TGI Friday's
2002 Kildare Farm Rd
Cary, NC 27518
(919)233-8883
Website

StarWitness Field Kit

2009-01-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

At the scene of the crime, you need the right gear. A kit with everything required to catch criminals with video evidence.

StarWitness Field Kit is the digital video evidence recovery kit that goes with you. It contains everything you need to perform successful recoveries from digital CCTV surveillance systems-right at the scene of the crime.

No matter what the system throws at you. You'll be able to turn around solid original video evidence, video evidence that will help your investigations and court dates.

StarWitness Field Kit includes everything you need to recover digital video evidence in the field.

Flip guide makes work seamless at the scene

A specially developed flip guide gives you the 1-2-3 for every type of digital video evidence collection. Quickly and easily assess any DVR to decide what type of video evidence you'll be recovering - from a standard AVI file to those DVRs that only have one connector other than the power cord.

Once you determine the recovery method flip to the color-coded section of the flip guide, grab the corresponding colored bag and you're ready to go. Everything you need for that collection is in the bag.

Burn CDs and DVDs of video files.

Collect video on various types of flash media - Compact Flash Card and Secure Digital Media card.

Download video through USB or FireWire ports to flash drives and external hard drive.

Create a DVD from an output to an analog TV monitor or computer display.

Download video or images to a floppy drive.

Full training class included

Our world is relentlessly being recorded. So it’s no surprise that video evidence of crime and criminals abounds. The challenge today is keeping up with all the digital video evidence and best practices for recovering that evidence. For that, you need an understanding of video technology and the best practices for video evidence handling.

The two-day training course included with StarWitness Field Kit will help you do all this. Through interactive training and hands-on exercises, you will learn proper evidence handling procedures, the ins and outs of video technology and the tools available for video analysis. Whatever the format, you'll be ready to deal with it: in-car, personal video recorders, DVRs, DCCTV. You will return to your agency empowered with the best practices for recovering video evidence, as well as implementing standard operating procedures and some tools that can be used for video analysis.

Justice Assistance Grants through the Recovery Act

2009-01-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Deadline 8:00PM on May 18, 2009

Step 1 - Check your eligibility

To check your eligibility for the JAG Local Recovery Act Grants check the BJA map and click on your state.

Step 2 - Complete the application

Be sure and take a look at our customized instructions for grant application developed for us by Grants Office, LLC to help you apply for funding for video evidence equipment.

Also, we have developed some typical StarWitness configurations to help you with specifying equipment in your grant application.

The JAG Recovery Act FAQ document gives a lot of good guidance. Once you've covered the FAQ be sure and read over the entire JAG Local Recovery Act solicitation.

Step 3 - Navigate the grant process

Be sure you have a DUNS number.

From the JAG Recovery FAQ document...

How do I obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number?

Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization to identify your DUNS number. If your organization does not know its DUNS number or needs to register for one, visit Dun & Bradstreet at fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do. The federal government has adopted the use of DUNS numbers to track how federal grant money is allocated. DUNS numbers identify your organization. The time it takes to request and obtain a DUNS number is approximately one day.

Be sure and register with the Grants Management System which you will use to submit your application.

From the JAG Recovery FAQ document...

Applications for funding must be submitted via the online Grants Management System (GMS) within the prescribed application period. Detailed instructions on submitting an application, as well as guidance on managing your grant award, are available in the GMS computer-based training tool.

Fantisimo training

2008-12-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

"Fantisimo." That's how Larry Minton from Ozark Police Department in Alabama described our Recovery and Analysis of Video Evidence training class last week. We're not holding back on how big a compliment it is to have our class described as fantisimo.

From the evaluations, it seems the most fantisimo thing about the class was what the attendees took away: A complete picture of how to use video to capture bad guys. Not just an overview but really digging into the details. Dealing with all the problems of video evidence from analog to digital video systems (digital video was a big component of the class).

We were thrilled that everyone learned so much and found our instructors to be so informed.

"I very much enjoyed the class. The instructors were very knowledgeable and answered all questions. Dorothy's real-world experience was quite valuable. Sam's knowledge of StarWitness software was a perfect mix with his technical background."
Michael Connelly, Cleveland Police, Ohio

"The instructors were both outstanding."
Jose Diaz, Radford Police Department, Virginia

"The instructors were very helpful and well informed. They are two great people. The company is lucky to have them."
Frankey Peterman, Ozark Police Department, Alabama

Our next Recovery and Analysis of Video Evidence class will be next February in Phoenix. Please check out our five minute course preview to learn more. (Yes, it really takes just under five minutes.) This is the first time we’ve held the class out west, so if you're out there and have been waiting for the class to be closer to you, the time has come. Seats in the February training are filling up now. Please contact us for more information and to reserve your seat!

Email us at training@signalscape.com.