PUMA 4 - our most advanced recorder for law enforcement

PUMA 4 Police Digital Recorders

Versatile Information Products Inc. announces the release of the new PUMA 4 Digital Voice Recorder, the newest version of the #1 selling digital recorder for law enforcement. The new PUMA 4 recorder is our finest yet, providing more storage space and greater sound quality than ever before. 

The PUMA 4 builds upon our fine reputation of designing digital recorders for law enforcement. It is lightweight, easy to operate, durable, and provides crystal clear recordings of interview, contacts, or other reports.

“These new PUMA 4 digital recorders have increased on-board memory and expandable memory with media cards to make it easier for officer to record public contact with more security,” said Larry Houston, President of Versatile Information products Inc., “The PUMA 4 is our most advanced recorder for law enforcement and one of the best tools an officer can carry.” 

The PUMA 4 delivers many of the same features that have made PUMA Recorders the preferred recorder for law enforcement. One button recording, secure and non-editable recording modes, metal construction for higher durability, standard .WMA audio format, and a custom designed KYDEX holster are included in with the new recorder. In addition the PUMA 4 recorder features 2Gb internal memory and expandable with a microSD card to up to 16GB for extended recording. Capturing every detail is simple with the new built-in stereo microphone. PUMA 4 has an incredible 51 hours of battery life with two AAA batteries.

The PUMA 4 comes with a range of high-quality accessories to create our law enforcement package. The package includes a custom designed KYDEX holster available in basket weave, nylon, or smooth leather, a tie clip microphone, telephone recording device or pen microphone, and our PUMA Basic Management Software the only file management software for audio recordings designed for law enforcement available today.

With the new PUMA 4 recorder, Versatile Information Products Inc. has once again set the standard for portable audio recording products for law enforcement agencies. 

PUMA Recorders are used by over 200 agencies 

"PUMA Recorders are one of the best weapons we have right now" - Oxnard PD

After reviewing digital recording systems of numerous vendors and suppliers we found that the only product that met all our desired specifications is the PUMA Digital Recorder and Software Management System which was specifically designed for law enforcement use. - Ontario PD

The ability to record official encounters with the PUMA Digital Recorder will have a significant impact on successful criminal prosecutions and can reduce the amount of time to investigate frivolous personnel complaints. - Manhattan Beach PD

The U.S. Department of Justice, which funds our Domestic Violence Program believes strongly that Digital recorded interviews leads to more successful prosecutions. - Westminster PD

PUMA Recorders used by our field officers will provide an accurate accounting of all conversations during citizen contacts. Digital recordings will protect the officer and the City against malicious litigation. Digital recordings maintained in the PUMA Management System can be retrieved for court purposes or act as an aid in recalling an incident. - Costa Mesa PD

After some extensive research and field testing, the Sheriff’s Department chose the PUMA digital recorder as a replacement for our traditional cassette recording system because it’s geared specifically for law enforcement needs. PUMA Recorders will provide more recording time, superior sound quality and trial acceptable digital files. -Pima County Sheriff’s Department

The only product to met all of our specifications is Versatile information Products, Inc. PUMA Software application. -Huntington Beach PD

There was one way we could improve PUMA… Expand it!

Significant advances in digital photography have created unique opportunities for law enforcement agencies to more accurately document incidents and increase officer productivity. It has also produced a greater need for agencies to find a better way manage their fast-growing digital photo collection.

PUMA DPM is a powerful, secure, and easy to use digital photo management software designed for Law enforcement agencies. With PUMA DPM, officers and investigators can easily download their digital photos, add annotations to the images to point out details, and store the photos securely. Individual photos or photo projects can easily be retrieved with flexible search options such as case number, officer name, description, or subject matter.

Taking Photos, Further

Having well-cataloged digital photos gives law enforcement a powerful tool to fight crime and improve departmental efficiency, but PUMA DPM doesn’t stop there. PUMA DPM provides the security that will stand up to challenges in court, which centers on file security and chain of custody. Building the Case for PUMA DPM From crime scenes, auto accidents, booking or gang-related photos, PUMA DPM management software provides management, storage and access to all your department’s digital images. Once again, PUMA worked with recommendations from local law enforcement agencies to find out what practices they found most useful when dealing with their digital-image management workflow.

Easy to Use

PUMA DPM is easy to use. Officers and investigators can easily transfer their photo from any camera to the PUMA DPM System. Once the images are transferred, key information about the photos can be added. Allowing patrol officer, investigators, CSI or SIU agents to transfer their own digital photos will produce more accurate accounts and documentation of the images.

Manage and Control

PUMA DPM provides desktop photo management capabilities from any PC in the department, which provides officers, investigators and others, better access to images to aid in investigations. When viewing images, PUMA DPM has tools that allow the user to zoom-in, magnify rotate and print images. Images can be burn to a CD or sent to the District Attorney or Prosecutor.

File and System Security

With departments having different access/security concerns, PUMA DPM has designed multiple security levels and user group permissions to access information. A detailed audit log will provide a full chain of custody. PUMA DPM also includes technical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to data such as, file and password encryption (256 bit), secure data transfer using FTP protocol and file and directory protection.


Features and Benefits

Upload digital images from any camera, media card or PC folder.
Easy to use photo uploading process.
Accepts all digital image formats.
Flexible search option such as date, case number or detail description.
Annotate images with key information.
Attach digital photos to audio files when available.
Acquires all data related to the image. Exif data - includes camera make/model, image resolution, color representation and date picture taken.
Flexible security levels and access rights to view images.
Detailed audit trail and file encryption with 256-bit AES encryption.
Password protected.

PUMA RECORDERS WEBINAR

Gun, Vest, Recorder!

VIP discusses how Portable Digital Recorders help to protect your officers.

Presented by: Josh Shepard, Versatile Information Products Inc.
Date: October 28, 2010, 11 AM Pacific (45 minutes)
Hosted by: HigherGround

This webinar spotlights the impact and advantages of Portable Digital Recording Technology in Law Enforcement. Learn how recorders can:

• Provide an unbiased and reliable witness
• Increase conviction rates
• Reduce complaints and law suits
• Help to better your officers

We will also focus on what to look for when selecting a recorder and how to manage digital recordings/evidence.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/921390465

New PUMA 3 Law Enforcement Digital Recorder

Versatile Information Products Inc. announced today the release of the new PUMA 3 Digital Voice Recorder, the newest version of the #1 selling digital recorder for law enforcement. The new PUMA 3 recorder is our finest yet, providing more storage space and greater sound quality than ever before.

The PUMA 3 builds upon our fine reputation as specialists in digital recorders for law enforcement. It is lightweight, easy to operate, durable, and provides crystal clear recordings of interview, contacts, or other reports.

“These new PUMA 3 digital recorders have increased on-board memory and expandable memory with media cards to make it easier for officers to record public contact with more security,” said Larry Houston, President of Versatile Information products Inc., “The PUMA 3 is our most advanced recorder for law enforcement and one of the best tools an officer can carry.”

The PUMA 3 delivers many of the same features that have made PUMA Recorders the preferred recorder for law enforcement. One button recording, secure and non-editable recording modes, metal construction for higher durability, standard .WMA audio format, and a custom designed KYDEX holster are included in with the new recorder. In addition the PUMA 3 recorder features 2Gb internal memory and expandable with a microSD card to up to 16GB for extended recording. Capturing every detail is simple with the new built-in stereo noise canceling microphone. PUMA 3 has an incredible 51 hours of battery life with two AAA batteries.

The PUMA 3 comes with a range of high-quality accessories to create our law enforcement package. The package includes a custom designed KYDEX holster available in basket weave, nylon, or smooth leather, a tie clip microphone, telephone recording device or pen microphone, and our PUMA Basic Management Software the only file management software for audio recordings designed for law enforcement available today.

With the new PUMA 3 recorder, Versatile Information Products Inc. has once again set the standard for portable audio recording products for law enforcement agencies.


Main features PUMA 3

• Ease of use: One-Button Recording
• Recessed rubberized navigation buttons
• High storage capacities (built-in): 2GB, over 500 hrs of record time
• MicroSD/microSDHC card slot for extendable memory
• Versatile recording quality options:
- Mono: LP, SP, HQ
- Stereo: STSP, STHQ, STXQ
• Customized firmware designed for law enforcement
• Stereo low noise designed microphones
• Longer lasting: two AAA batteries provide over 51 hours’ recording time in LP mode
• Fast-transfer ready: move files to or from PC via a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable
• More possibilities: a number of accessories are available

PUMA DVR is a small body worn digital video and audio recorder for law enforcement

The Evidence Speaks for itself

For good reason, law enforcement agencies are embracing video technology as the future of policing. In-car video has become a valuable tool benefiting officers, agencies, and the communities they serve. However, the majority of what police do is away from the car.

Mobile Video and Audio Recorder

PUMA DVR is a small body worn digital video and audio recorder for law enforcement and is the latest addition to the PUMA line-up.

Designed for Police Officers

With the press of a single button, officers can easily activate the PUMA DVR which provides up to 2 hours of seamless, 30 FPS video and crystal clear audio on a single charge of the built-in Li-ion Battery. All this in a device that easily fits in a uniform pocket.

Easy to use

After recording, your PUMA DVR is simple to download to your PC via Micro SD card reader or supplied USB cable and your video can easily be viewed on any Windows Media Player.

Building the case for mobile video recorders

Record video and audio evidence where ever you go

Mobile video provides the benefits of an in-car video system in your uniform pocket. It can be used to record an officer approaching or entering a resident or building and what transpires. It can record what and officer sees inside a car while talking to the driver. It can record the events that lead up to an arrest and most importantly it can record what an officer saw that caused him to pull his weapon.

Protecting officers and agencies

Video evidence can protect agencies against false accusations. In most cases, once the complainant is made aware that the stop or contact was recorded, the complaint is withdrawn. And a significant amount of time is saved in conducting investigations of frivolous personnel complaints when a videotape of the incident is available.

Increased Successful Prosecutions

Prosecutors have rated video evidence as an effective tool in successful prosecutions. According to prosecutors, the greatest value of video evidence is its ability to refresh the officer’s memory on the facts, circumstances and sequence of events. The video evidence also serves to verify the accuracy of written reports and statements surrounding the incident. Video evidence also reduces court time for officers because defendants are unwilling to dispute charges when faced with taped evidence.

For more information please visit our web page at www.pumarecorders/puma_dvr.htm

The PUMA Advanatage

Are you evaluating the purchase of Digital Recorders or perhaps writing a staff report for your department? Please let us tell you the top reasons why law enforcement agencies have made PUMA II Police Special Digital Recorders their #1 choice when purchasing a Digital Recorder.

PUMA II Digital Recorders are encased in Metal. This provides the durability needed for a law enforcement recorder. Consumer grade recorders are often made entirely of plastic that does not hold up well for police use. PUMA II recorders have a less than 1% return rate due to physical damage.

PUMA II Digital Recorders use custom fit, Recessed Navigation Controls. Recessed Controls prevent accidental or unwanted pressing of the control buttons. Consumer grade models have raised buttons that are often accidentally hit by an officer when using the recorder in a top pocket or in a holster. This can cause unwanted playback while in the field, accidental erasing a file or the recording to be stopped.

PUMA II Digital Recorders are the only recorders that offer a custom fit, Leather or Nylon, Kydex Holster. The PUMA-II Holster is designed exclusively for the PUMA-II recorder. The only buttons exposed when used with our holster are the Record and Stop buttons. Often times, officers that use consumer grade models use ammunition holsters for their recorders. This leads to the officer having to remove the unit from the holster every time they need to make a recording. Ultimately, this creates a system that is more difficult to use and results in officers using their recorders less frequently. This scenario has played out with many agencies. The PUMA Holster has also been designed to allow an officer to view his Record Indicator light while keeping it hidden from any possible suspect, interviewee or contact.

PUMA II Digital Recorders are compatible with the Remote Start/Stop Switch. The Remote Start/Stop Switch allows the officer to position the recorder’s controls anywhere on their uniform. Not all consumer grade models have the necessary components within the microphone jack to be compatible with the Remote Start/Stop Switch.

PUMA II Digital Recorders are packaged with a Lapel Microphone. Lapel Microphones are instrumental in Law Enforcement recording to help officers create clear and clean recordings. This device is commonly used by agencies that have used Digital Recorders in the past. Each PUMA II Recorder is packaged with a Lapel Microphone at no extra cost.

PUMA II Software offers a Noise Cancellation feature. The Noise Cancellation feature can reduce background noise, while maintaining the integrity of the original recording. Most consumer grade models do not offer Noise Cancellation.

PUMA II Digital Recorders offer One Button Recording. Officers can easily activate the PUMA II Recorders without losing focus of the situation at hand. Consumer grade models often require a three step process for activating a recording. This can cause serious problems for an officer in the field. For example, an officer might forget to select the 'New' button. When the officer hits record again, the recording will continue where it left off. This will result in one large audio file for the officer’s entire day. The PUMA II Recorder starts a new recording each time the officer pushes Record, making an individual file for each contact, interview, report, etc.
PUMA II Digital Recorders offer the Largest Record Button.

PUMA II Recorders have the largest Record Button of any recorder its size. Consumer grade recorders often have small Record Buttons or Record Buttons that are located in hard-to-reach positions. This causes problems for an officer who is trying to activate the recorder on the fly or in high stress situations.

PUMA II Digital Audio Files CAN NOT be modified. PUMA II Recorders have no editing modes such as append, overwrite or insert in order to protect the integrity of the original recording. Several consumer grade models allow the ability to Over Record, Insert, or Append an audio file. Having these options will allow the recording to be contested in court. A PUMA II recording was contested in court. The department proved that the recordings could not be modified within the PUMA II Recorder. This led to an admissible recording and ultimately a conviction for the prosecution.

PUMA II Digital Recorders utilize an industry standard USB cable. This standard download cable can be used for multiple devices.

PUMA II Digital Recorders record in a .WMA format. WMA format is an industry standard and can be used with Voice Stress Analysis Software, played on any Windows media player, or copied to CD/DVD and played for court purposes. The size of a .WMA file is 1/8 the size of a .WAV file allowing for greater storage on PC’s or network servers. Consumer grade recorders record in various formats and often need to be converted prior to distribution.

PUMA II Digital Recorders have modified Firmware for easier use in Law Enforcement. PUMA II Recorders have been modified to eliminate unnecessary recorder options. PUMA II Recorders have eliminated the audible folder that on most consumer grade models still exists. The audible folder can create problems for an officer out in the field who is using the recorder for public contact recording. If an officer accidentally selects this folder, they would not be able to record audio, ultimately leading to missed recordings.

PUMA II Digital Recorders allow the insertion of an Officer ID, Name, or Badge Number. When added to a PUMA II Digital Record, an officer ID, Name or Badge Number is then transferred to the file name to quickly identify whose recording it is. Some consumer grade models do not allow adding any type of officer identifier.

PUMA is used in more Law Enforcement Agencies than any other consumer grade model. VIP has a long list of customers ranging from users who have just recently purchased PUMA to departments who implemented PUMA's 8 years ago. PUMA continues to prove itself, agency by agency and officer by officer.

Please refer to our PUMA User List for a current list of departments.

http://pumarecorders.com/PUMA_User_List_2_12_10.pdf

Recording Modes for PUMA II Digital Recorders

What is the correct “Recording Mode” for your PUMA II Police Special Digital Recorder?

To help answer that questions we meet with an Audio/Video Forensics lab, and it has come to our attention that some departments are choosing the ”LP” mode for everyday use. This mode will infact give you the largest number of hours of recording time and battery life, it will not and cannot give you the quality of evidence that the PUMA II is capable of producing. In other words, there may come a time when your Forensics Dept. informs you that even though you thought you recorded that confession in that noisy busy situation, your recording quality was so low that filtering for clarity is just not possible.

In order to understand the difference in recording modes and their effect on the end result, it is important to have a basic understanding of SAMPLE RATE. Sample rate is defined as follows;

The sampling rate, sample rate, or sampling frequency defines the number of samples per second (or per other unit) taken from a continuous signal to make a discrete signal

The greater your sample rate is, the higher quality your recording will be. Optimal quality is VERY important to You and your Forensics Team.

When viewing the following chart, please keep in mind that higher numbers are better for you.

Sampling frequency
HQ mode : 44.1 khz ……… CD quality Recommended
SP mode : 22.0 khz
LP mode : 8.0 khz ……… Very Minimum

Recording Time
HQ mode : 17 hours
SP mode : 33 hours
LP mode : 66 hours

Alkaline Battery Life
HQ mode : Approx. 24 hours
SP mode : Approx. 28 hours
LP mode : Approx. 32 hours

As you can see, when recording in HQ mode vs. LP mode the available hours and of recording and battery life is significantly reduced. However, when choosing a “Recording mode”, you should ask the following question

Why am I recording?
If your answer is… to better protect myself / the dept; this interview will be important evidence, etc. Then you should at least consider recording in HQ or at least SP. If you download your recordings at the end of EVERY shift, decreased recording time will never be a problem.

Please keep this in mind…. "If it’s important enough to record, it’s certainly important enough to record well ", it just might make your case.