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Security software maker Vitamin D exits beta

The software, created by three former Palm executives, lets people use an ordinary Webcam as a security system.

Ina Fried Former Staff writer, CNET News
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Ina Fried

One of the strengths of Vitamin D Video, which exited beta on Monday, is its ability to pick out humans in surveillance video, allowing more easy scanning of hours of security camera footage. Vitamin D

Vitamin D, the start-up founded by three former Palm executives, said on Monday that it is ready with the final Version 1.0 of its software for Windows and Mac, which enables people to use a standard Webcam as a security system.

The company, which caught some interesting things on tape during beta testing, said that the single camera version of its software will continue to be free, as it was during beta testing. A version of Vitamin D Video that works with two cameras will cost $49, while a high-end edition that supports an unlimited number of cameras running off a single computer will cost $199.

The software works on both Macs and PCs and has as its biggest selling point the fact that it can pick out humans as opposed to just motion, allowing users to more easily pore over hours upon hours of surveillance footage.

The company uses artificial intelligence technology licensed from Numenta, a company started by Palm Pilot creator Jeff Hawkins.

"Vitamin D Video is an effective and inexpensive video monitoring tool that is easy to install and use. With this product available, there is no reason for any home, small business or school to be without video surveillance that really works," CEO Celeste Baranski said in a statement. "The enthusiastic response of our beta customers has already proven that Vitamin D Video works well in security applications, and is proving valuable for uses beyond traditional security."