cheap IP cameras from ACTi

ACTi corporation have eblasted customers and press alike with what seems like an excellent offer for the purchase of cheap IP cameras. The Eblast has listed several models that are now being offered at up to 75% off. The question though we have to ask is why? We understand that ACTi may have an excess of stock. What has caused this excess? It is being speculated that IP camera prices have for far too long been held at an artificially high price. Much of the price difference however between IP cameras and analogue has been due to the vast difference in numbers of units produced i.e 80% analogue cameras V 20% IP cameras. The balance though is starting to be tipped towards IP cameras as more manufacturers flood the market. So is there more supply than demand? The uptake of IP has without doubt been slower than hoped. Even the most pro IP commentators out there have been forced to admit disappointment with the speed that CCTV installers are shifting to IP camera solutions. However when a company as large as ACTi suddenly reduces prices by 75% then IP camera manufacturers everywhere should sit up and take notice. Even if this “sale” can be put down to obsolete stock making way for new more innovative products , it still means ACTi produced too much to sell in the first place.

ACTI IP cameras

The UK CCTV market has been told time and time again that IP has arrived , but we have only seen IP required when we actually want to sell HD cctv solutions. This will help IP camera sales but competition from HD SDI technology will mean a mighty battle is about to place. Price will be crucial in deciding who will come out top, it must be a worry though for IP camera suppliers that as yet they have failed to make huge in-roads into analogue dominance and just when the major benefits of IP cameras can be exploited with the surge in HD camera sales they suddenly find that they have to compete with a completely new technology. Interesting times ahead.

ACTi VMS integration partners

4-Megapixel IP IR D/N PoE Box Camera  ACTi KCM-5211 18x Zoom H.264

– 8 fps at 2032 x 1920 resolution

–   DC 12V/Powered by PoE Class 3

– 18 x optical zoom

 

Integration is extremely important to ACTi and as a result they are continuously working with Video management software partners in order to allow them to deploy their ACTi cameras in as many situations as possible. The KCM series is the main focus of their latest projects regarding VMS and offers good choice to customers as a result.  See the chart below to view integration partners.

 

 

Lilin NVR…..new in the LILIN CCTV range

  • Lilin NVR range
  • Lilin NVR
  • The new LILIN NVR range  means they have expanded their range of network video recording solutions once again. The CMX CCTV software and the GVD range of HD NVR’s are capable of recording up to 32 megapixel IP camera streams and displaying these simultaneously. Search options include a time line that allows the operator to easily find video that the end user may wish to export or burn onto a DVD. Points or regions of interest within the megapixel image can be created and this allows flexible recording and reduces storage of unnecessary data. With NVRs capable of up 14 TB of internal storage the GVD HD network video recorders offer some excellent features.
  • The LILIN CMX management software is also capable of managing remote IP cameras and DVRs . Emap alarms and motion notification enable the end user to be kept informed of all important events. Enabled with a powerful HTML feature hyperlinks means the user is able to bring up live video by just clicking on the mapping feature that is presented to the him when an alarm activation occurs.
  • Third party cameras can also be integrated into the system including ACTi IP cameras along with Arecont,  Pelco, Axis, Panasonic, Bosch and Sony Quite a selection of top make names. ONVIF compliance means that this recording solution can be applied to a site that has a multitude of different cameras installed
  • lilin cameraLots to look at on the LILIN website if you would like to see more detail

ACTi new 4 megapixel IP camera is to be released Q2 2011

News from ACTi about the first and second quarters of this year and some of the developements you need to know about.

The year 2011 is a very important year for ACTi and they have taken some
major steps in order to continue to be one of the premier providers of
IP camera products and ancillary equipment.

As of Jan 1,  ACTi have extended the their warranty period to 3 years on a
number of their products. These will include the IP box camera, IP fixed
dome the IP bullet camera. In addition video encoders and decoders are
also included. This is a bold step by ACTi in order to show the market
place the trust they have with regard to the reliability and build
quality of their IP camera range.

ACTi have also announced they will be discontinuing the following
products during the early part of this year. Please take note of the model numbers that are shown below.

ACM-5811
ACM-7511
ACM8511
TCM-3001
TCM-3011
TCM-4001
TCM-5001
TCM-7011

Another exciting development this year will be the introduction of the 4
megapixel IP camera. This is much looked forward to and we hope to bring
you a full review on the camera as soon as we can. In the meantime here is a sneak preview.

1. 4MP H.264 zoom camera with 18x optical zoom(KCM-5211)
2. 4MP@8fps / 1080p@15fps / 720p@30fps
3. Auto Focus* / Auto White Balance / Auto Exposure
4. Advanced noise reduction and edge enhancement
5. Day and night function support w/ mechanical IR cut filter
6. Video crop with concurrent streaming (up to 4 VGA streaming)*Accurate and fast auto focus designed by ACTi in-house

Take a look at the ACTi website for more information on what is certain to be a big hit.

ACTi ACD- 2400 video encoder

ACTI ACD-2400 video encoder.

The ACTI video encoder is a 16 way MPEG4 1U unit It looks sleek and well built and makes up just one more component in what is now an extensive range of products from the ACTI corporation.

Each channel of analogue video can be converted to IP at 25 FPS at full D1 resolution, in addition each channel boasts 2 way audio and video motion detection. With digital inputs and outputs and serial control ports for PTZ again per channel. ACTi have produced an encoder that fits well into a scenario that requires a hybrid CCTV solution.

Protocols included to allow PTZ control include Pelco-D and Pelco-P Sony VISCA and American Dynamics also with regard to integration  we can confirm the encoder is fully compatible with all ACTi software and there is an SDK available on request.

In order to to access the browser on the unit you will require Microsoft Internet explorer 6.0 or something newer.

So as we build on the portfolio of ACTi products we can see that by producing a 16 way encoder they are looking to create a situation for installers to start to create hybrid CCTV systems and use ACTi IP cameras as well.