Subscriber Discussion

50 IP Camera Deployment Education - Axis? Exacq? Hikvision?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Sep 13, 2015

I'm working on a new deployment of 50 IP camera in an educational environnement as project manager and I have few question for the community as a new "integrator".

The networking part will be on a dedicated 1G LAN.

For camera I have few questions ;

  • Am I better with "real" brand like Axis or it can work great with "chinese" like Hikvision?
    I know the price difference is really huge, but I don't want to deal with rma and troubleshooting everytime.
  • Could you give me some product to avoid and some good one?
  • I will probably choose Exacq for the VMS, is it a good one? I notice that playback software could run on both PC and MAC, in my case it's a bonus because they have a lot of mac in the working environment.

Regards,

(1)
JH
John Honovich
Sep 13, 2015
IPVM

1, good questions!

First, for general background, see our School Video Surveillance Guide, which looks at products, design choices, etc.

"Am I better with "real" brand like Axis or it can work great with "chinese" like Hikvision?"

Over the past few years, Hikvision has proven itself to have low issues and good local support, so I do not see this as a risk but Axis remains the top here. Related: Best Manufacturer Support 2014

In terms of video quality, Hikvision cameras are typically equal or better for less money (e.g., low cost domes have IR, Axis does not, high end low-light Hikvision Darkfighter > Axis Lightfinder).

On the whole Axis vs Hikvision debate, see recent discussions on this: Is It Time For Me To Start Selling Hikvision? and I Lost My Axis Silver Partner Status Today.

"Could you give me some product to avoid and some good one?"

Avoid Arecont. Related: Worst IP Camera Manufacturer 2014 and Worst VMS Manufacturers 2014.

In terms of good ones, the biggest one not mentioned above are Avigilon (cameras and VMS), also Milestone (VMS only). More generally, see: Favorite IP Camera Manufacturers 2014 and Favorite VMS Manufacturers 2014.

"I will probably choose Exacq for the VMS, is it a good one?"

Yes, Exacq is a good one (see favorite VMS report) and works well with Axis and Hikvision.

Let us know if we can help further.

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