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The NW blog
Archive for the ‘Axis’ Category
Standout PTZ with IR – Axis Q6125-LE
As the latest offering in the Axis Q61 series known for its feature rich solutions which work well in demanding applications – great things were expected of the Q6125-LE.
We weren’t disappointed!
As one of a small number of pan tilt zoom (PTZ) cameras with infrared (IR), Q6125-LE may seem at first glance to be similar to its competitors, so what does it offer to differentiate it?
What makes the Axis M5525-E our fastest-selling PTZ?
When the Axis M5525-E was listed on Network Webcams in October 2017, it certainly created a bit of stir; a feature-packed PTZ camera in Axis’ affordable “M” range and crucially, below the £1000 price-point. Having a PTZ camera in this competitive price bracket was a first for Axis and despite the unit being priced towards the top end, we anticipated it would be popular.
A few months on, and the M5525-E is proving to even more popular than we initially expected. We put the camera through its paces in January this year and created a demo video which has only increased the rate at which it flies off the shelves.
5 reasons to choose a modular IP camera system
A modular IP camera is comprised of a camera body (often referred to as the main unit) and one or more sensor units which each consist of a lens and image sensor, and are connected to the main unit via a cable.
The main unit typically houses the processor, any edge storage such as an SD card, plus power and network connections. The maximum resolution and angle of view for each sensor unit is determined by the combination of lens and image sensor, as it would be for a regular IP camera. Sensor units can be purchased separately from the main unit and come in a wide variety of lens and feature combinations, allowing you to put together the hardware specification that best suits your needs.
The modular approach is incredibly flexible, allowing you to easily build a standalone CCTV system, deploy cameras discreetly into tight spaces or monitor several closely situated areas in a very cost-effective way. A handful of manufacturers offer modular IP camera ranges, but the most popular by far are from Axis and Mobotix.
Here are 5 great reasons to choose a modular IP camera system.
Product video: We take a closer look at the innovative, but affordable Axis M3105-LVE
Released in response to the IP camera market’s demand for cost-effective infrared (IR) units, the Axis M31 Series has become a popular choice here at Network Webcams. Consisting of indoor and outdoor models with resolutions ranging from HD 720p to 4MP, the range is also the first from Axis to feature an innovative flat-face design to help supress light reflections. With all of this in mind, we thought it would be a great opportunity to feature one of these versatile mini-domes in our latest product video – enter the Axis M3105-LVE.
This compact dome is capable of delivering wide horizontal views (115°) of outdoor locations in full HD 1080p resolution – at up to 25 frames per second (fps). It features advanced imaging technologies such as WDR – Forensic Capture, which helps the camera to capture every detail in both dark and bright areas at the same time – even in poorly lit scenes. It’s also equipped with an integrated, power efficient IR LED that extends the camera’s night-vision range up to 15m. Additionally, using the helpful 3-axis mount system users can set the most optimal viewing angle for their needs during installation.
Beyond the Datasheet: Internal VS External IR illumination
The ability to monitor ’round-the-clock’ is a common requirement for CCTV applications. This can be easily achieved with the implementation of a day/night IP camera and some form of infrared (IR) illumination; which together, enable the continuous delivery of video surveillance – even in complete darkness.
When it comes to infrared illumination, you generally have two choices: internal or external IR. ‘Internal’ being a day/night IP camera that features integrated infrared LEDs, or ‘External’ meaning the use of a separate IR illuminator unit alongside your network camera. To help you decide which method is best suited to your requirements – we have done a quick run through of the pro’s and con’s that are associated with each solution.
Product video: Does the cost-effective Axis M5525-E PTZ deliver great bang for your buck?
When it comes to monitoring large locations, a PTZ IP camera can often provide a more flexible surveillance solution than a fixed IP camera with a wide angle of view. This is due to capabilities such as pan/tilt movements, optical zooming and configurable preset positions – allowing activity to be specifically pinpointed and viewed on-the-fly. However, accommodating these features will usually result in a higher price tag – making PTZ models sometimes unaffordable to the budget-conscious customer. When Axis then announced the release of their cost-effective M5525-E PTZ IP camera, we were eager to put it to the test and show off what we found in our latest product video.
This PTZ dome is capable of delivering Full HD 1080p resolution at up to 25 frames per second, complete with true day/night recording – for 24/7 surveillance. Users can precisely navigate across wide indoor or outdoor areas using the camera’s variable pan/tilt movements (including 360° continuous rotation) – this is particularly helpful when closely monitoring a person or incident. Also, a 10x optical zoom enables real-time investigation into specific regions of interest and 12x digital zooming allows for quick close-ups of the original image to be obtained.
Beyond the Datasheet: Our top IP camera contenders for 2018
Looking back over 2017, we saw continuous growth of the IP camera market with the introduction of new product ranges and interesting technologies. Industry leaders Axis released their first ever, innovatively designed, ‘true’ outdoor-ready CS-mount IP camera and also brought the best-selling M31 Series to the table. Meanwhile, Samsung Wisenet’s P, Q and X ranges were introduced to Network Webcams and we saw Bosch’s new ‘intelligent’ range of IP cameras which feature edge-based, IVA and Essential video analytics. It was also a big year in terms of software, with Milestone releasing two new ‘business-ready’ XProtect products: XProtect Express+ and Professional+. Both of which provide access to a host of advanced Milestone features and allow you to take full advantage of the latest in IP camera technology.
With an abundance of IP cameras available, it can often be a daunting task to choose the right model for your needs. To make things a little easier, we decided to highlight some of the units which we feel could be popular ‘go-to’ choices this year.
Major differences between Axis’ old and new browser interfaces
It may not be widely known, but Axis Communications have always had a largely cross-browser capable user interface to their products. This is especially important with network devices such as IP cameras, since the browser is often the initial method of access the device in order to get it set up. A great deal of end-user support has historically been caused by browser and compatibility issues for NW and with this new interface these have dropped off significantly, since browser compatibility is no longer an issue – with Axis cameras at least.
Product video: Is the Axis P1367-E an ideal choice for outdoor CCTV surveillance?
It’s always interesting to see new developments in IP camera technology and Axis’ ‘true’ outdoor P13 models where defiantly a duo that piqued our interest. Eager to take a closer look, we felt it was a great opportunity to put one of the units through its paces and showcase the findings in our latest product video. The P1367-E is one of the first outdoor-ready CS-mount cameras from Axis, featuring a unique mechanical platform and the ability to function in even the most extreme temperatures – ranging from as low as -40°C and as high as 60°C (intermittently). This featured packed unit also includes a range of advanced imaging technologies and is an ideal choice for high-quality, round-the-clock surveillance.
The P1367-E delivers detailed 5 megapixel video at up to 25 frames per second (fps) and offers a horizontal viewing angle of up to 83°. With support for both CS- and intelligent CS-mount (i-CS) lenses, the unit’s innovative built-in camera rail system gives you the flexibility to fit larger zoom lenses when different focal lengths are required. In addition, the rail system also allows you to easily roll the sensor to enable Corridor Format – maximising area coverage and reducing bandwidth when monitoring narrow scenes.
Beyond the Datasheet: Understanding Axis’ WDR options
Optimum light levels are key for the delivery of clear, detailed CCTV footage. If light conditions become challenging, the usability of images will often suffer – resulting in poor quality surveillance video. To ensure optimal image capture, most IP camera manufacturers will now include a handful of enhancement technologies to help improve imaging in difficult lighting environments; one of the most common being Wide Dynamic Range.
But what is WDR? …
