Tag: ONVIF

IP camera Choices?

Here’s a conundrum….

Do you, as a valuable IP surveillance Installer, install a system because of the camera choice or because of the Software / Recording choice?

We posted a while back about how in the good old days, it simply didn’t matter whose camera you wanted to use, whose DVR (actually, multiplexer and VCR!) you wanted to use etc etc

Today, we have stunning HD and Mexgapixel ip cameras coming from the likes of March Networks, Arecont, Avigilon, Sanyo etc and on the other hand, great Software VMS solutions from the likes of Milestone, IndigoVision, March etc

Don’t get me wrong, each PIXC manufacturer is trying real hard to get their cameras compatible with everything and anything….and there is RTP/RTSP standard protocol that ‘sort of’ gets around things (streaming video but without the settings/config capabilities)

ONVIF promises to deliver a ‘uniform’ experience – we don’t think it can happen fast enough really…… the industry, particularly the IP camera industry, will get choked if it doesn’t open itself up more to co-existence and compatibility….

Brickcom IP camera

Brickcom IP camera solutions

Brickcom are now one of the leading IP camera manufacturers in the industry today. Clever sales strategy means that they are able to provide prompt service and technical support worldwide.

Quality IP surveillance solutions

Brickcom have always taken pride in its quality network solutions and have been supplying wireless solutions for over twenty years but now they are beginning to be noticed for their megapixel camera solutions.

Benefits.

One of the major benefits Brickcom are able to boast is they can provide a complete solution to those specifying a video surveillance sytem. They also manufacture routers and switches meaning compatibility issues are negligent and with a global presence and a focus on quality images they are starting to stand out from the crowd . Not least because the TCO of their video surveillance systems is so competitive. ONVIF compliant and offering a 2 year guarantee on all their products its easy to see why their name is now rated highly in the industry.

Lots of choice.

They also have an extensive portfolio that includes NVRs and CMS software, each camera also comes with its own recording software as standard.Their green policy is admirable and with a heavy emphasis on R&D they seek to incorporate all the latest developments that are being introduced into the Video surveillance systems of the future.

Selected products include

FB-110A- a megapixel fixed box camera with progressive scan and H.264 compression, POE and 12v DC or 24v AC adds to the features.

FD-130A – fixed dome camera with two way audio and POE a very economical buy.

CB-101A- a megapixel cube camera that uses 1/4 progressive scan H.264 compression and of course POE. This camera fits very nicely into many applications because of its small dimensions.

Just a small glimpse at the range we suggest you visit the website for a better look at what the have to offer.

Panasonic IP video

Panasonic i-Pro smart HD.

Panasonic have recently unveiled a new division within its organization called PSNE or if you prefer the full version, Panasonic System Networks Europe. The new division formed in January of this year (2010) and is seen by many forward thinking in the CCTV industry as a very clever move.

Quite simply Panasonic have realized that CCTV as we know it today will look very different in the future. By recognising that the convergence of telecommunications, security and imaging products all needing to come under one portfolio, they have sent a message to the market place. They see  IP video systems integrating with various different edge devices including epos point of sale, industrial and medical cameras as well as home networking products as the way foward.

With this new focus on IP based technology they have produced some excellent network video cameras that are designed to suit just about every application. This has been named the i-Pro smartHD. This range of  IP cameras and monitoring systems means they can easily integrate older analogue products seamlessly with the new IP video based systems.

NVR’s within the new portfolio include the WJ-ND400, WJ-ND300A and the WJ-ND200 all the new equipment is of course ONVIF compliant.

Panasonic trail Axis now a very close second in the sale of IP Camera and ip video systems and see that although the market is still split 80% 20% heavily in favour of analogue camera solutions the trend towards network video systems is an irresistible force. This is now driving many CCTV camera manufacturers to look very closely at what Panasonic are able to achieve in this next year or two, especially as the CCTV market place is thought to be worth anything upwards of 350 million pounds this year.

With IT mangers now taking ownership of newly installed Network video systems the design of any IP video system needs to ensure that the ITC department is kept happy. Getting the IT manager on board as we all know is going to be half the battle when specifying IP surveillance systems however this is becoming easier, especially with Panasonic giving heavy behind the scenes support for its network of dealers.

To ensure Panasonic are able to get their message across to the general public they have invested heavily in the London 2012 Olympics so their famous catchphrase “ideas for life” will soon be ingrained in the thoughts of many installers and new customers who will inevitably start to migrate from analogue to IP camera solutions. Probably an awful lot sooner than they think!

Bosch CCTV cameras

Bosch CCTV

Bosch security systems has now released a complete list of its full product range for 2010/2011

News on CCTV products.

They have been particularly keen to promote the new Auto-dome Easy II range, the extremely versatile IP200 series and the MIC500 classic (Metal Mickey CCTV camera).

Easy dome.

Starting with the Easydome II they have managed to produce a sophisticated range of dome cameras at a very reasonable price and very easy to install. Feature rich, this dome range is 70% smaller than a traditional PTZ camera making it compact and ideal for discreet surveillance. ONVIF compliant, with the option of on board analytics, the camera range has both internal and external options, well worth a look.

IP camera 200 series.

We have spoken a lot on this site about the IP 200 series cameras. Bosch have found a market place for this IP solution making single camera installations complete with recording a very affordable solution for small to medium size business. A popular application for this IP camera is reception areas or locations of high stock value where a full blown CCTV system would normally be cost prohibitive. Again ONVIF compliant with an on board SD card for recording purposes together with a free  CCTV software solution that is able to accommodate up to 16 cameras, The IP 200 range is defiantly one for the future.

Metal Mickey CCTV camera.

The MIC, Metal mickey has always been a high profile robust external camera. Used for solutions such as shopping centres, football stadiums, dockyards and airports, it is very versatile. Buoyed by the success of the Metal Mickey CCTVcamera in the Big Brother series, Bosch have continued to improve the design and performance, culminating in the MIC series 500 classic. Easy set up and reliability certainly make this camera one of the leading contenders in the rugged dome market place.

Summary.

In summary Bosch have always produced quality. There cameras produce excellent images and innovation means they will always be at the top of CCTV industry, night time images especially are an area of expertise and now clever analytics within their codecs mean the options for installers are ever evolving.

Bosch news, IP camera 200 series.

200 series IP cameras.

This great little camera is ideal for small business who only need a one or two camera solution and don’t want to have to pay out for an NVR or DVR recorder. What is more, all you require is an IP point POE switch and a screw driver and this IP camera can be simply removed from the box fixed to the wall and plugged in. That’s all there is to it.

ONVIF compatible.

Ideal for reception areas or small shops the IP camera 200 series comes in two forms.The 255 and 225 versions. This gives you the choice of a fixed or a varifocal lens. The IP camera produces crisp clear images and is ONVIF compatible.

CCTV software.

As well as on-board recording the camera can be integrated to a Bosch surveillance software for ease of viewing recorded images. The camera has built in motion detection so recording space can be saved on the on board SD memory card. Using the very latest H.264 compression standard the camera seems to fit into many applications.

Backlight compensation needed?

Having been demonstrated the camera I have to say I agree with all the above but the images could have been better when looking towards doors and windows especially because it seems to fit so well into the area of viewing doorways in reception areas.