This Manufacturer Shuns IP Cameras

http://www.vitekcctv.com/Sections.asp?Featured=True

The other promoter of EX-SDI products. 

Retail customers, Clinton's largest customer base, have not embraced IP systems as heavily as other verticals, according to Clinton.

As an integrator who deals almost exclusively with retailers, I can say this is one of the most ridiculous statements they have made.  We've been actively working with our existing and new retail customers and the discussion is always "How do I get to IP".  Cost is always a discussion, but I haven't found a retailer yet who we haven't found a working IP solution for.  With encoders, Hybrid DVR's, decoders, edge recording, there's a solution for every budget a migration plan in every case.  We've used Clinton's IP PVM's (with the Axis camera in them) in the past.  Even used them to upgrade customers from their older analog PVM solution.  Looks like that will have to change.

John, what's with the Click-Bait for title?  Why not just lead off with Clinton Electronics? 

If I learned anything from Clinton’s video, it was within the last six seconds when they showed us that WDR performance is better on SDI.  Sold.  </sarcasm>.

Pure Sarcasm on my part;:)

I'm nostalgic for the good old days, so maybe I'll start a new company, with analog phones, pagers, and fax machines.  I will require all PO's be issued via mail, as thermal paper can fade if exposed to heat.  While I'm at it, I will sell my modern SUV and buy a mid 80's SUV, dump my LED lighting and go back to Incandescent, and last, but not least, remove my high efficiency furnace and pick up a nice one in the 60% efficiency range.

If I can find one, I'll buy some old tube tv, preferably something small, and dump my flat screens, after I cancel my DirecTV account.

Having done a considerable amount of HD-SDI I know its downfalls in a big way. 

One of the fundamental issues we couldn't 100% overcome was the interference experienced when cables were near radio frequency's like mobile phones. 

So a test for HD-SDI is to make a phone call next to the connection of the BNC at camera or recorder end and the image will likely drop off screen! EX-SDI may be different but no HD-SDI was 100% protected though some products did perform better in this regard. 

@John H, it would be good to have back Todd from the HDcctv days :-)

The only thing keeping retailers going to centrally managed IP solutions is the cost of business class broadband. Many are limited by horrendous upload speeds.

My knee jerk reaction to this was that this strategy will someday die at the vine, but more I think about it, its probably a smart idea to focus and specialize on one technology while everyone else is going in all sorts of different directions. With 4K over coax coming out, one cant really argue the "resolution limitation" factor as much anymore either.

I have several Clinton DVR's and cameras deployed at the dump. Clinton is avoiding the race to the bottom because their product line is already there.

Major respect for Clinton not taking the lazy route and OEM Dahua or Hik. ExSDI will be a solid niche revenue stream for a handful of years, and then those same retail customer will convert to IP when AI chips and features come down in price and they realize what they are missing.

I am starting to understand why some are critical of this website. The headline is  misleading and suggest a quote not made. When I asked about Clinton Electronics it was after watching the EX-SDI camera shootout video that is on their website. I have many cost conscious prospects with existing coaxial cable in place.

Best keep the salt shaker on my desk when researching vendors on IPVM.

I want to address some things that have come up in the comments around this report.

In short, I believe that Clinton has "shunned" IP cameras in their current business. This is based on the fact they have had a very limited IP product lineup in their surveillance solutions, have promoted EX-SDI heavily, and have used Axis cameras when they needed IP camera capabilities in one of their main product lines (PVMs). 

When I spoke with Dan Clinton, I was upfront about the fact that the lack of IP cameras/recorders in their catalog/website was what I found most notable. I found it intriguing that Clinton was able to offer a surveillance lineup in the current atmosphere that ignored IP solutions, and also focused on a more esoteric option in EX-SDI. This was much different than the approach some manufacturers/brands have taken around OEMing HD analog gear and selling their "value add" around things like support or warranty, etc.

Dan is correct that we discussed some of their PVMs that featured IP cameras. However, these utilize Axis cameras, not an IP system designed or sourced by Clinton. While we left PVMs out of the report, because that was not the core focus, I think the fact they use Axis cameras in the PVMs further highlights how Clinton is not putting a lot of R&D effort into IP cameras, instead using Axis products in their PVMs. 

When the report was initially published, Dan sent me a couple of minor corrections via email (e.g.: I had them listed as selling HD analog products, which he clarified as being SD analog, not HD analog, and some comments on EX-SDI vs. HD-SDI). He did not state that the title or report itself was inaccurate or misrepresented them. This is hopefully due in part to the fact that we did not claim anything like "Clinton vows no IP ever!". Clinton may change their strategy around EX-SDI/IP in the future. If they do, we may cover that change and how/why it came about. For now, though, "shunning" IP cameras certainly sets them apart in some ways.

I must have missed this conversation.  We use Clinton Electronics on some of our projects.  They work well and have a good picture.  I also appreciate their quick response time.  All of our installations using Clinton have went smooth and the client has been pleased with the picture.  My installers like them as well, which is important to me.  I originally started looking at them because I needed IP68 dome cameras, which for some reason was difficult to find at the time.  We have used them for a few years now and haven't had any issues.  

I was entertained with the VHS vs Beta mention.  From what I remember Beta was the superior format.  Interesting story for those that remember that one.

CLINTON ELECTRONICS serves a niche market. And by the way, every single camera on the market serves a niche. Can anyone here argue against that a proper CCTV deployment, delivering the maximum quality of picture, is a custom application completely contingent upon the individual environmental conditions? Isn't that what sets the trunk-slammer apart from the pro? (oh, and by the way...Service after the fact. But more on that later...one point completely missing from the debate above so far.).

Next, I really don't give a hoot about what the big installation companies are doing because I'm not one of them. And last time I checked, they don't buy CCTV installations from me. They have NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING to teach me. (that last little diddy does NOT include IPVM ;})) Moving along, most arguments citing, or implying, 'industry trends' also mean little to me. In contrast, what is happening right outside my front door, with my particular market sector - and my ability to read THOSE tea leaves - is what matters. Anyone looking for middle-of-the-road, one-size-fits-all, silver bullets in terms of the perfect technology is looking too far over the horizon if the next fiscal quarter means anything to them.

Today is August 2020. CLINTON now has 4MP and several hybrid DVRS that are also well thought out, in my humble opinion. They are doing fine.

Finally, my clients and yours don't give a hoot about anyone's CCTV but their own. Those clients, ESPECIALLY small businesses and homes, have 16 cameras and usually get by on less. Why? Budgets. Small businesses are also pissed at being 'sold' on CCTV that seems to keep getting outdated relative to how long they were expecting to use their (usually) coaxial, analog systems. So you keep it up, telling them once again that not only are their cameras and DVR in need of replacement, BUT THEIR ENTIRE CABLE PLANT NEEDS ABANDONING (oh, you were intending to pull out the RG59 for them? Or will your bid put the abandonment clause in small print??).

These successful small businesses are still around today because they've come to trust their very frugal instincts. Big shocker, lower cost is still King. During the closing process, these prospects wait to commit until the 'other foot falls'. They want to be 'wowed' - and Clinton delivers picture clarity, ease of installation (existing coax up to 1400ft before repeaters. yes, they can repeat too), very little network integration (small business translate complicated network upgrades as a security risk they do not comprehend) compared to IP. Don't pass by that fact soooo quickly Friend. Network integration is a completely auxiliary function to the camera product MOST OF THE TIME for this market sector. Ask a rural small business person how much fun it is for them to retain good IT help. BAM! That foot landed - they commit. The installing company even provides the proverbial cigarette afterwards....TOP QUALITY SUPPORT FOR YEARS AFTER THE SALE. These clients love support, as they should. Proudly, the Clinton Team and I deliver.

Dan is more cautious than I so I will say it. We are Americans building American products as best we can. I'm no purest here but please, stay on this continent as much as you can. And if that isn't important to you, then....you know.

And guess what folks...LABOR, is still a respectable portion of the installation cost. Anyone else out there experiencing shortage of qualified new hires? That is tough, but it also happens to puts US on the winning side of the Supply/Demand continuum (folks, raise your prices).

Any layman suspects, if the installer doesn't have to re-cable with CAT5 in order to attain 1080p, or higher by-the-way, for all or most of the client's upgrade, then the labor cost kicks my competing IP bids' a$$. Which incidentally leaves more room for the other portion of the installation cost not yet mentioned here.....PROFIT MARGIN...and if you are set up to install like a Champ...a healthy profit margin.

Profit margin.If you don't know your short, medium, and long numbers what the heck does it matter - you'll be out of the game soon enough. Profit margin. PM.

I can take a joke, and I won't tell you not what to use your keyboard for. And 'Thank You' for responding to my opinion, truly.

I hope our discourse is useful however opinionated.

PM