High Definition

Just some thoughts based on a local breaking story from tonight's news.  I just can't understand what the insurance industry is thinking.  They should be requiring higher definition cameras in banks and convenience stores.  Yep, the story was about a robbery.



The story caught my attention because it happened in a small village that I frequently go to for ATM banking and gas, on the way to or from work.  Not that it surprises me that it happened in a small village, just that it was closer than most.


So what  has gotten me going on this is the fact that most cell phones can take a picture at a resolution of at least 5MP but cameras in banks and convenience stores are all really low resolution.  The anchor said that the photo was a really good picture.  I have to admit that it was better than most but it looked more like it was less than 1MP with a digital zoom.  Why is that the case?  There is no reason for it with the low cost of high resolution cameras.  And to top that off they could put so many cameras in the foyer that it would be nearly impossible for someone to leave without getting a fairly good picture.  And by good I don't mean one where they have to blow it up digitally so that it is nearly impossible to tell who it is.  But make it better with a microphone at the teller window to get a voice to go with the face.  All of this is really cheap as is the software and storage that is needed with it.  Or better yet, include it int he cost of the security contract!


I'm glad the banks and convenience stores have put their customer's safety in front of their profit margin and give the money to the thief to get them out the door without loss of life but they need to rethink the security that they have.  These robberies cost everyone money because the banks are going to just pass the additional cost of insurance on to the customer in the form of fees and lower interest rates on your savings accounts.