Axis Loses Resolution Advantage, Pushes New Analog Counter

By: Brian Karas, Published on Sep 07, 2016

Axis has finally given up their key decade-long anti-analog position.

To get around this, Axis is shifting to a new strategy, that is far weaker than their previous position.

In this report, we look at Axis' IP camera benefits vs analog and how their anti-analog strategy is shifting in response to HD analog.

**** *** ******* ***** up their *** ******-**** ****-****** position.

** *** ****** ****, Axis ** ******** ** a *** ********, **** is *** ****** **** their ******** ********.

** **** ******, ** look ** ****' ** camera ******** ** ****** and *** ***** ****-****** strategy ** ******** ** response **** ******.

[***************]

The *****

**** ***** * *** of ****** **** * video **** ** **** over * ****** ****, here ** ** ** YouTube:

**** ***** **** ** video's ****** *********:

** ***** ** ******** to **** **% **** year ** ****

******* ** *** **** turns *** ** ** ****, surely ** ****** **** grow ***** ** ***** times ** *****'* ****** rate.

Resolution ******** *******

*** * ******, **** touted:

"****** ******* **** * maximum ********** ** *** x *** ****** (****)."

**** ******* **** ****, Axis*** ***** ** ****** about ** ******:

"**** ****** ******* **** a ******* ********** ** 704 * *** ****** (4CIF),"

*** **** ***** ** mention ** *** ********** benefits ** ** ******* vs ******, ****** **** *** have **** *** ** the *******-******* ********* ********** in *** ********. ******* they *** ** ****** deny **** ** ****** is ******** ** ******* for ********** ******* (**** and ***** *******), ****** obviously *** ** *** super **** ********** (** and **) ******* *** ***.

False ****** ** ****** "******"

**** ***** ****** "******", *** does *** ******* *** specifics ** *** ****** is ******.

**** ***** ********** ********* *** surge ** ** ****** ******* ** the **** *** *****. The ********* ** ** ****** ** why **** *** ** ****** ***** that ****** ** "*** resolution", **-*** ** ********* supporting ** ** *** and **** ****** ** to ** *** ******. **-*** is ********** ***.

Focus ** ***** ********

*** *** ***** ** ** how ** ******* *** "smarter", ******* *** ********* examples:

*************, ***** ******** *** not ******** **** ** cameras, *** **** ****** most ** ****' *** cameras (******* ***** ** ACAP ***). ************, *** of ***** ******** *** be *********** **** * recorder ** ******, ***** can ** ********* ** IP ** ****** *******.

Faster ***** ****** ********

**** **** ****** **** IP ******* *** ****** to ***** **** ******, with *** *********:

"***** ***’** ** *** running [**** **], ****** cameras *** ***** ***** setup".

*******, ****** ******* ** not **** ** **** an ** ******* **********, username/passwords *****, ******** *******, software *********** ******, ** ***** ********* *****. ** ******, ** you're ********** ****** ******* to ********, ** **** implies ** ***** *****, this *** *** ** true, *** **** ** not ************** ** ** analog ****** ******** **** DVRs.

**** ********* *** ***** **** also ********* *********** *****-****-**** support **** ****, ************ *** **** advantage ** *** ** setup **** ***.

Axis ********** ** *** ***

****** **** ********* ** offer ******** ** *** ****-*** products, **** **** ********* to ******** ********* ** the *****-***/*****-**** ********. ****** HD analog ******** ****** ****** share ** *** **** for **** ** **** on ********** ** ****** alone, *** *** **** that ********* *******, *** not ****** * ****** cost *********, **** ** shifting ** ********* ** cameras *** **** *********** camera, ******* **** *** users **** ***** ************ as **** ** **** care ***** ***** ****** cost.

Comments (13)

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

09/07/16 04:15pm

Pretty dumb video with no actual usable/new info. Maybe someone should tell Axis that all cell phones still have antennas. They are just internal to the case.

Marty Calhoun

IPVMU Certified | 09/07/16 05:33pm

Lets keep this negative AXIS information rolling and maybe we can get enough steam to surpass the daily HIKVISION kerfuffle.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

In reply to Marty Calhoun | 09/07/16 06:17pm

If the company wasn't generating so many clicks with their "kerfluffle" I doubt it would be covered. However, Hikvision is enticing to many in the low end residential/gas station market, trending upwards in SMB, and looming in the near future for the Enterprise due to their subsidizing by the Chinese government. Needless to say their superficially inflated threat generates these articles a lot of clicks. Furthermore, IPVM is the only news source really calling out these concerns and putting in the research so even greater traffic is directed here to those articles.

As I have told product zealots complaining when Mobotix was covered in a negative light, Avigilon was covered in a negative light, and many others: don't click on the articles and stop derailing other threads with mentions of the product.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

09/07/16 06:21pm

It makes sense that Axis would pretend Analog HD doesn't exist as they don't have a presence or method to really combat it. Unfortunately, this feels much like when Axis was invading the market around 2003-2006 where Pelco, Bosch, and the like pretended IP didn't exist.

This is not a good tactic:

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

09/07/16 11:23pm

Admitting ignorance up front on HD Analog.

I understand the advantage if Coax is already in place. What is the advantage of HD Analog in a green fields install? Isn't HD Analog limited to a resolution of 1080P?

Avatar

Brian Karas

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 09/07/16 11:35pm

No, the technology itself has no technical upper-bounds (much like IP, though obviously at some point you may hit a bandwidth limit, it's beyond what matters today). Hikvision has announced 5MP HD-TVI cameras upcoming.

In the 1080p installs the primary advantage is cost, a simple HD-TVI system can be much cheaper for the equipment than an IP setup, even if you're running new cable.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 09/08/16 12:14am

But, are they not limited to a resolution of 1080P?

One thing with the higher resolutions is that so far HD analog higher resolutions are coming with lower frame rates - like 1080p/30 vs 3MP/20 vs 4MP/15 vs 4K (maybe 7.5fps). I am curious to see if this continues.

Undisclosed #5

In reply to John Honovich | 09/08/16 03:00am

Its funny but even with the lower frame rates, HD Analog transmits 10x (or more) the data of IP.

Maybe they will have to do a little compression* on the camera to get the data rate higher.

*Over Rockoff's dead body.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 09/08/16 03:12am

I don't think they are limited in resolution so far per se, so much as the frame rates, as John points out, seem to scale downwards as the resolution increases. Basically we are seeing:

720p / 1 MP - 60 FPS (theoretically)

1080p / 2 MP - 30 FPS

3 MP - 18-20 FPS (per LTS and IPVM report)

5 MP - 12 FPS (per IPVM report)

4K UHD / 8 MP - 7.5 FPS (speculated)

4K(?) / 12MP - 5 FPS (speculated)

The formula appears to be resolution in megapixels / 60 = FPS

I haven't been able to find any HD Analog on the market at greater resolutions than 3MP at this point, at least stateside. The question is currently whether it's a cabling/electrical limitation or a limitation of the technology as it stands currently. One is, in theory, easier to remedy than the other.

Also, before anyone points it out I lump TVI/CVI/AHD all in one.

Undisclosed #5

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 09/08/16 03:37am

I don't think they are limited in resolution so far per se, so much as the frame rates.

Its equally both as you point out:

4K is 4 times the resolution, 8 MP (2 MP x 4) at 1/4 the frame rate 7.5 FPS (30 FPS / 4)

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 09/08/16 11:28am

I haven't been able to find any HD Analog on the market at greater resolutions than 3MP at this point, at least stateside.

Same here. They have been talking about it since last fall. I am not sure if this fall releases will actually bring 4MP+ HD analog but I guess we will know soon enough as companies ramp up fall releases.

Mike Dotson

Seneca | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 09/08/16 12:39pm

The transmission of a 'chunk' of data within a given FPS is a decent conceptual model.

As the resolution increases...the 'chunk' is larger. The FPS is strictly time.

The 'technology' (TVI,CVI) can only communicate at the rate dictated by its protocol and other electrical parameters.

See this high tech article on how high speed serial communications actually happens on cables.

The result of this is that as the resolution 'chunk' gets larger, the FPS has to drop to stay within the physical properties of the communication.

In the future we will see changes in these key parameters to support whatever resolutions are being demanded.

Undisclosed #4

09/07/16 11:27pm

I personally like this video from Axis. It has good mixture of information that could generate leads with end users as well as integrator. It is also focused on high level benefits rather than getting into the small details.

I agree with comments that Analogue is certainly easier to setup however i feel this ease of setup is limited to situations where a DVR is used. In the video you can see they are connecting through an encoder so this would certainly make setup take longer than an IP camera if using a VMS like milestone for recording.

I feel the fading into the past comment is not factually correct though. HD Analogue is certainly getting traction in the market and it will keep getting more popular.

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports on HD Analog

Axis HD Analog Encoder Tested on Oct 11, 2019
Two years after declaring "Everything is IP", Axis has released their first HD analog encoder, the P7304, with support for AHD, CVI, TVI, and SD...
Online Video Surveillance Sales Comparison - Amazon, B&H, CDW, LTS, Super Circuits, More on Jul 31, 2019
IPVM has uncovered the key trends and top options being offered across commonly used surveillance sellers. How has the market shifted since we...
History of Video Surveillance on Jul 19, 2019
The video surveillance market has changed significantly since 2000, going from VCRs to ab emerging AI cloud era.  The goal of this history is to...
HD Analog vs IP Guide on Jul 16, 2019
For years, HD resolution and single cable signal/power were IP camera advantages, with analog cameras limited to much lower resolution and...
Axis Supports HD Analog on Apr 15, 2019
In 2017, Axis declared 'Everything is IP': Now, in 2019, Axis has released support for HD analog, with their new encoders.  Why the change?...
Hikvision HDTVI Power Over Coax Tested on Feb 05, 2019
After years of delay, Hikvision's Power Over Coax (PoC) HDTVI models are finally shipping, aiming to make HD analog installs as simple as PoE, with...
8MP HD Analog Tested (Dahua / Hikvision) on Jan 30, 2019
HD analog has promised higher resolution for years, but has lagged substantially behind for years. Now, both Dahua and Hikvision have started...
2019 Video Surveillance Cameras Overview on Jan 07, 2019
Each year, IPVM summarizes the main advances and changes for video surveillance cameras, based on our industry-leading testing and...
Top Manufacturers Gaining and Losing 2018 on Nov 26, 2018
This is the 5th year IPVM has tracked manufacturers gaining and losing: Top Manufacturers Gaining and Losing 2014 Top Manufacturers Gaining and...
Ideal SecuriTest IP Vs Unbranded IP Camera Install Tool Tested on Nov 21, 2018
In our recent IP camera installation tool shootout, multiple members questioned the Ideal SecuriTest IP's features compared to low-cost unbranded...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Disruptor Wyze Releases Undisruptive Smartlock on Dec 06, 2019
While Wyze has disrupted the consumer IP camera market with ~$20 cameras, its entrance into smart locks is entirely undisruptive. We have...
Bosch Budget 3000i Cameras Tested on Dec 05, 2019
Bosch has long had a hole in its lineup for, as it describes, "competitively-priced cameras". Now, Bosch has released its 3000i series cameras...
Anixter Resisting Takeover From Competitor on Dec 05, 2019
Mega distributor Anixter is going to be acquired but by whom? Initially, Anixter planned to go private, being bought by a private equity firm....
Security Sales Course 2020 - Last Chance Save $50 on Dec 05, 2019
This sales course is customized for the current needs and challenges specific to professionals selling video surveillance and access control...
Ireland National Children's Hospital Chooses Hikvision End-to-End With Facial Recognition on Dec 05, 2019
The world's most expensive hospital project ever, the New Children's Hospital in Ireland, has chosen an all-Hikvision surveillance system including...
AVTech ~$70 IP Cameras Tested Vs Dahua and Hikvision on Dec 04, 2019
Taiwanese manufacturer Avtech is taking direct aim at low cost leaders Dahua and Hikvision with ~$70 starlight and white light illuminator...
Ultinous European Analytics Startup Company Profile on Dec 04, 2019
European analytics-startup Ultinous pitches customers to "Have your own video analysis service!" We spoke to Ultinous to better understand their...
Access Startup Multi-Mount Aims To Streamline Reader Installs on Dec 03, 2019
Startup Multi-Mount claims it makes installing access readers 'Fast', 'Secure,' and fit 'any size frame.' The company states its bracket 'fits most...
Resideo CEO To Step Down on Dec 03, 2019
Resideo's CEO, Mike Nefkins, is stepping down, just 18 months after being brought in to lead the now plagued spin-out. Inside this note, we...
Arcules CEO Retracts False GDPR Claim + Dahua and Milestone Claims Examined on Dec 03, 2019
Arcules CEO has retracted a false claim about his organization being a "fully compliant GDPR company" after IPVM reporting (Arcules CEO Threatens...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?