14  theSun | WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4 2009

business

Sony launches high-definition IP network security cameras

by Alyaa Alhadjri
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Sony Malaysia yes-
terday officially launched the latest
addition to its security solutions
range – SNC-RH124 and SNC-RH164,
the industry’s first high-definition
(HD) pan-tilt-zoom IP network secu-
rity cameras.
The security sector, which covers
both the traditional analogue and
IP network-based products, has a
worldwide market worth US$8 bil-
Fujii Akio.
“This year, SD products repre-
sented 72% of the market while
HD took up the remaining 28%. By
2013, the figures are expected to
be level at 50% each – signifying a
shift towards the HD market,” said
Akio during the launch held at a
hotel here.
Akio attributed the inevitable
change to the fact that “security
sector is the last stronghold of SD”
and almost all LCD panel displays
are already in 16:9 HD standard.
and visibility, as well as the ability
to pan 360 degrees while capturing
and streaming HD video at up to 30
frames per second.
“Some of the cameras’ unique
features include a visibility enhancer
that delivers images in challenging
lighting conditions; Dynamic Noise
Reduction (XDNR) that eliminates
image blur during low-light capture;
and advanced Distributed Enhanced
Processing Architecture that helps
to render dual streaming images in
HD,” explained Franklin during his

SAIFUL HIZAM MANSOR/THESUN

lion (RM27.2 billion).
“While the analogue market is
forecast to grow at a steady rate
of 4% for the next five years, the
IP market which is further divided
into standard definition (SD) and
HD products is forecast to grow at
27% for the same period,” said Sony
Malaysia general manager for busi-
ness to business solutions division,
“SD content projected on a
HD screen will cause the images
displayed to be pillar-boxed and
distorted as it will be stretched to
fit the screen settings,” said Akio.
Sony product manager, security
solutions Asia Pacific, Mark Franklin
said that the SNC-RH124 and SNC-
RH164 were created with 10x optical
zoom, resulting in increased clarity
product presentation.
To complement the HD security
cameras, Sony also unveiled its HD
recording solutions to expand exist-
ing video security systems during
the event.
The SNC-RH124 and SNC-RH164
pan-tilt-zoom cameras as well as the
encoders are currently available in
stores nationwide. Akio at the launch of Sony HD PTZ IP network securities cameras.

Significant success in
Islamic finance, says PM
by Tim Leonard
news@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has achieved
significant success in Islamic finance by any
measure, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Abdul Razak.
The premier said as of the end of this
year’s second quarter, Islamic financial service
accounted for close to 19% of total banking as-
sets with total financing amounting to RM155
billion and constituting 15.5% of the banking
industry’s total financing portfolio.
“Tremendous growth was also experienced
in the takaful sector in which fund assets
registered an increase of 19% for the same pe-
riod,” said Najib, in his keynote address at the
6th Annual Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance
Forum yesterday.
“Malaysia’s Islamic capital market is one of
the most outstanding and has been growing at
exponential rates with the full complement of
products, infrastructure, institutions, interme-
diaries and investors, all contributing to the
depth and breadth of the marketplace.
“In terms of size, Malaysia’s Islamic capi-
tal market had reached RM803 billion as at
end-August 2009, representing 54% of Bursa
Malaysia’s market capitalisation,” said Najib.
“Sukuk has also maintained its dominance
in the Malaysian bond market, accounting for
58% of the total bond market.
Najib also said that the government has set
out plans under the ‘Shaping Islamic Finance
Together’ initiative to position Malaysia as an
international Islamic financial centre.
He also said that Malaysians cannot simply
be observes but must be activists working
together in this dynamic phase of Islamic
financing development in the country.
The Islamic Finance Forum, to be held until
Nov 6 at Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur, is aimed
at bringing together scholars, practitioners
and industry players in Islamic banking and
finance to jointly participate in exploring and
unlocking the potential of the industry, besides
discussing mechanisms to further enhance
the sector.

1st Avenue to
249 swimming pools open in Penang
under one roof next year
by Opalyn Mok
PETALING JAYA: KL Metro Group, the developer of the newsdesk@thesundaily.com
award-winning Legend International Water Homes in Port
Dickson, has created a record of constructing 249 swim- GEORGE TOWN: Penang is set
ming pools under one roof. to have another new-concept
Its managing director, Datuk Low Tak Fatt, said the shopping mall with the im-
company will list its achievement in the Malaysia Book of
minent opening of a RM300
Records.
million shopping mall right next
“The achievement also marks a national feat for the
to Prangin Mall and Komtar by
local real estate and construction sector,” said Low.
“There are 249 units of floating houses in the second the third quarter of next year.
phase of the Legend International Water Homes project The retail complex, 1st
and we decided to build a swimming pool for each unit Avenue, is jointly developed
because most of our buyers wanted privacy and the luxury by three property and retail
of owning their own pool,” said Low. heavyweights; Asian Retail Mall
The second phase was launched on Nov 1 and all 249 II Limited (ARML II), Belleview
units have been snapped up. Among the buyers are foreign- Group and Lion Group.
ers. Ungku Suseelawati Ungku
The first phase comprising 329 units were sold out more Omar, regional head of retail
than a year ago. (South East Asia) of DTZ Deben-
The property also won the CNBC International Property ham Tie Leung (M) Sdn Bhd, the
Award in London in 2007. project’s leasing agent, said the
Low said KL Metro will continue to build award-win- mall will have about 300 units of
ning houses to meet the high demand for niche properties retail shops.
in the country. “Apart from Parkson Depart-
He said the company will embark on its next project, ment Stores, which is the anchor
the Hibiscus Water Homes in Teluk Kumbar, Penang early tenant, we also have four junior
next year. tenants lined up for the mall,”
The only other development in Malaysia to have large she said during a press confer-
number of swimming pools under one roof is the One KL ence before the official launch
development in the KLCC area. of 1st Avenue and signing of
Comprising 94 units of luxurious condominiums, One anchor tenancy agreement with
KL, developed by One KLCC Sdn Bhd, pioneered the ‘one Parkson at Traders Hotel yester-
apartment, one swimming’ pool concept. day morning.