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Axiscam.net – a DDNS service for Axis IP cameras – being phased-out
We learned recently of the phase-out of the highly reliable DDNS service for Axis IP cameras called axiscam.net (or Axis Internet Dynamic DNS Service). New registrations to the service were turned off in early April 2020 and all existing usage will be closed by the end of 2020.
As the announcement of the free service closure came somewhat out of the blue, our Technical Director, Kevin Bowyer, spoke with one of Axis’s technical managers to understand the motivations for ending the service.
Making sense of the Axis camera naming convention
As the manufacturer of the first network camera, Axis have had a long time to get their naming convention right.
With a wide product range, they’ve adapted their naming for different sets of devices. For example, covert cameras numbering has a different meaning to their full-sized cousins.
Let’s dive into what those letters and numbers mean…
Lightfinder 2.0 – what is it and what difference does it make?
In May this year Axis launched some new cameras which contained Lightfinder 2.0. This was slipped in quietly as a feature, but nevertheless intrigued us. What exactly is it?
Lightfinder technology is geared around providing full colour HD video, even in near darkness. The claims are that Lightfinder 2.0 provides:
- More realistic colours
- Clearer visibility of dark areas
- More details captured
- Sharper images
- Less motion blur
As most cameras now have some way of providing usable night images how impressive is Lightfinder 2.0 in this context?
Axis new chipset – a game changer?
Every 2 years or so, Axis releases a new chip into their cameras, the latest one is ARTPEC-7. While that isn’t newsworthy by itself, what it enables the cameras to do is.
ARTPEC-7 promises better imaging, more powerful compression, enhanced security features and on edge analytics. It sounds very impressive, but what’s really going into the chip and will it make a difference in real deployments?
Cyber security and low light performance – must be the Axis P1375
Part of the P13 range of great ‘all-rounder’ IP cameras, the Axis P1375 and P1375-E have a few unexpected extras. As well as its expected high quality footage, the camera has new cyber security features, like ‘secure boot’, to add extra protection.
This model is among the first to feature the new ARTPEC-7 chipset and Lightfinder 2.0 to boost low light performance.
Without further ado, let’s find out a bit more about these new models.
A long-range night vision security camera built for exposed locations
Designed to meet exacting military standards, the Axis Q6215-LE is a heavy-duty outdoor pan-tilt-zoom model. Ideal for surveillance in demanding situations like airports and harbours, which requires detailed CCTV footage, high controllability and powerful 30x optical zoom.
This advanced camera enables 24-hour surveillance over long distances thanks to its innovative features. More on these later…
The Axis P14 series – what you need to know
Axis has updated their popular P14 series, which now consists of four in/outdoor bullet cameras. All of them contain improved light sensitivity, IR illumination and compression technology in a compact body of 260mm long.
Let’s take a look at the technology in the latest P14 cameras:
Top IP cameras contenders for 2019
If you’re looking for some guidance on IP cameras, then reviewing our recommended models can help your decision. There are a number of products, which stand out from the rest. This top 10 should give you to some solutions to consider whatever your surveillance scenario.
In no particular order, our top picks for 2019 are:
Vivotek, Mobotix & Axis make strides in cyber security
Three separate companies have recently made strides to make their IP cameras more secure. Vivotek have announced a collaboration with a cyber security company. Mobotix have passed a penetration test on their hardware and software. Finally, Axis offer free email alerts if new vulnerabilities are discovered.
Vivotek partners with Trend Micro
In October Vivotek announced a collaboration with Trend Micro, a cyber security company, to reduce vulnerabilities in their products. What this means for Vivotek customers is they now have and extra layer of security with Trend Micro’s anti-intrusion technology to be embedded into Vivotek cameras.
Axis Companion – small business solutions
You may have noticed the addition of ‘small solutions’ to our menu. The full title is small business solutions and it’s where you’ll find the Axis Companion range. Designed to give small businesses a straightforward, professional security surveillance system, the Companion range of cameras and NVRs can be purchased separately or as a system.
What’s in the range?
There are three recorders:
