In this post, we preview approximately 30 upcoming video surveillance tests we plan to release in 2011. This should give you a sense of the topics we will cover and let you provide feedback. In addition to these listed tests, as usual, we plan to provide extensive market, trend and new product analysis. Moreover, as new developments occur, we will consider other tests.

In general, the focus of our tests is shifting from individual product tests to comparative tests of multiple products. We believe these more complex tests better reflect the real world use and show more clearly competitive differences. We already have dozens of individual product tests of leading products.

Scenario Shootouts

The goal here is to take multiple well known cameras, place them in commonly used surveillance scenarios and see how well they perform and differ.  There is a huge benefit of seeing how the video looks in real world scenarios that users actually deploy. Our Parking Lot Shootout is a good example of this approach.

• Intersection
• Garage
• Lobby
• Restaurant
• Doorway / Entrance
• License Plate Capture
• Harbor / Waterway
• Hallway
• Retail

Technology Shootouts

The goal here is to understand how different technologies compare:

• MP vs PTZ: Determine if MP cameras can replace PTZs and under what conditions
• MP vs Multiple SD Cameras: Determine how many SD cameras a MP can actually replace 
• Bandwidth vs Quality: Analyze quality differences from various manufacturers relative to the amount of bandwidth consumed
• Headlights: Handling glare from vehicle headlights at night
• Professional IR Illuminators: We've already covered budget IR illuminators. Now, we want to know if the Professional IR brands make a difference.
• White Light LED Illuminators: As an alternative to IR LEDs, the goal is to see difference in image quality, use of color, etc.

Product Tests

We still plan to do a number of product tests. The tests will have more of a comparative focus and on changing product trends. A major element will be examining the shift of Asian brands to marketing premium priced IP cameras.

• Sony Shootout: Sony has 3 levels of IP cameras now (V, E and X). The goal is to determine the tradeoffs between the three -  especially with the very low cost E series.
• Axis Shootout: Axis has 2 levels of fixed IP cameras: M and P. The goal is to determine the performance tradeoffs between the two.
• Axis vs Sony Shootout: Take the cameras above and pit them against each other to find differences.
• Avigilon H.264: See how well Avigilon's H.264 performs and how well it integrates with 3rd party systems.
• ACTi 4MP
• Vivotek Supreme
• Hikvision 2/3" CMOS 1080p

Additionally, while we already have a very broad series of VMS testing, we plan to add tests for  the following VMS systems 

• Verint Nextiva
• Genetec Security Center 5.0
• Aimetis Symphony
• March Networks Command

Questions?

I encourage you to ask questions in the comments about what we are testing, how we plan to test or other tests you'd like to see. I am happy to explain our rationale and process to whatever level you are interested in hearing.