Axis Launches Z-Wave IP Camera

By: Ethan Ace, Published on Jan 31, 2018

Z-Wave is big in home automation but not in video surveillance.

Now, Axis is announcing their first camera with Z-Wave built in, the M5065, a "palm-sized" PTZ which may be integrated with four wireless devices to trigger events and control connected devices.

But is Z-Wave a good idea for IP cameras? Is Axis early or just making a mistake?

In this note, we look at the features of this new model, its potential applications, competitive options, and future outlook.

[[Note: We have tested this camera and its Z-Wave accessories. See our full test report.]]

M5065 ********

********** * ***** *** dome, ~*" ** ********, 1080p **********, **** * 5x ******* **** **** (14° - **° ****). The ****** ** ***** for ****** *** **** (IP54) *** ** *** IK ****** *****.

*** ****** **** ******** two *** ******** *** found ** **** **** (or *****) ******:

*****-** *-**** *****: **** *******, *** ***** ******** an **-***** *-**** ***** supporting *-**** **** ******* with *** ** ******** spec. ** ** *** devices (****** *** *******) may ** *********/**********.
********** *********:*** ****** ******** ****** ********* and ****** *******, *** first **** ******* ** have ***** *** *********, as **** ** **** VMD *.

*** ****** *** ** MSRP ** $*** *** and ** ******** ** ship ** ** ****.

Z-Wave ***********

** ******** ** *** camera ******, **** *** introduced four *-**** ********* *********** (all $** ****), *********:

***** ****/****** ******
***** *** ****** ******
***** ***** ******
***** ***** **/*** ****

*** ****** *** ******* may ** **** ** trigger ******* ** *** camera, **** ** ******* to ******** *******, ********** recording, ******* ******, ***., while ****** ** *** camera *** ** **** to turn ****** ** ***** devices **/*** ***** *** T8344 ****. ** ** six *-**** ******* *** be ***** ** *** camera.

3rd ***** *-**** ****** *******

**** **** *** ****** is ********** **** ***** sensors *** **/*** *******, not **** *** **** ******* listed ****, ** ***** manufacturers' **** ** ******** may ** ****, *** in-wall ********/***** **** ******* of ****-** ******* ** needed.

Atypical *-**** ***

****' ********* ** *-**** sensors ** ***** ****** events ** ********. *-**** is **** ***** **** in **** ********** *******, for ******** *** ******* control, ** **** ** basic ******** ********* **** as ****** *** ****/****** sensors.

*******, ********** ******** ******* typically *** *********** ********, not *-****, ** ******* *-**** versions **** **** ******* to ******* *************** *** jamming ***** ********* ** from *** ** ******** installs.

Z-Wave **

*** ***** *** ****' wireless *********** *** ******* Z-Wave's ************** * (**) *********, ***** ******** ***-**-*** encryption, ****** *** *********, and ********** ******* ***** intended ** ********* *************** such ***** ** *** ****** attacks.

*-**** ** ** **** beginning ** *** **** use ** ******** ******* where *********** ******** **** often *** ****. *** *******, Ring *** ********* ***** *** ***** ****** ***** ** **. ** ****** to *** **** **-***** security ******* **** ****.

Potential ************

*** **** ****** *** for *** ***** ** in ***** ****** ** commercial ****** ***** ******** point ** ****** ******** is *******, **** ** specific ******* ***** ** entrances ** *****. *** example, ***** *** ******* the ****** ** **** to ** ******** **** when ** *****, *** example, **** **** ** a ***** *** ******* after * ****** ****** of ****, ** **** a ***** ****** ** pushed.

***** *** ***** **** its ********** ******** ******* may ****** *** ****** of ******* ******** ** cover ******** ******. *******, ***** should ** ******* ** two *** ****** **** placing *** ****** *** sensors:

***** ******** **********:** ******** ****** *** *** **** and ******* ********* **********, the ***** *** **** too ******* **** ***** to ***** ** ******* usable ***** ** *** one ********.
****** *** ** ****:******* * ****** ***** in *** ****** ** a **** *** ******* poor ******* ** ********, furniture, *******, ** ***** obstacles ********* ** ********** block ***** ** *** object/area ******* ** *** sensor.

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

**** **** ******** ***** this *** * “******** alarm”, ****** "*** *** sense ** ******** *** send ** ***** ** the ******, *** ****** sends ** *** ***** plug “**** ** *** light” *** ****** *** *** to ***** *** *** was ********* *** *** take ***** **** ***** of *** ********."

Few *********** ****** *******

***** *** *** *********** options *** *-**** ******* cameras.

********/***** ********* ******* ** ***° cameras **** *****-** *-**** hub. *******, ***** ******* are ***** ********* *******, not ***, *** ** not ********* **** ***** VMSes, ***** *****'* *** cloud *******.
*********'* ******** ***** ***** announced ******* ** ** *** 2016, ***** ******** * built-in *-**** *****, *** has ***** *** ******* this ***** ** ***** America. ************, ** **** Piper, ***** ******* *** generally *** ********** **** other *********.

Vs. *-**** ********** *******

***** *** ***** *** include **** ******** ** control/automation ******* **** *******************, *** *** ****** limit ******** ** **** controlling **** ***** ** facilities, ***** ********* ******* higher ****** ****** *** more ****** *******. ************, the ****** **** *** support *-**** *********** ** locks, *** ******** ******** on ******* ****.

Outlook/Future *********

**** ** ****** ** gain **** ******** ** the ***** *** ** its *-**** ************ *** low ***** (*** * PTZ), ********** **** **** tech-savvy *****, *** ** unlikely ** *** ********** use *** ** *** relatively *** **** ************ and **** ** ***** low *****/** ***** ***** in ***** **** ******.

****** ****** *** ** upcoming, **** *****, ********* on ******** ******** *** uptake ** *** *****.

Vote / ****

Comments (22)

John Bazyk

Command Corporation
IPVMU Certified | 01/31/18 09:41am

This is amazing. Why didn't I think of this? Bringing something as simple as z-wave to video surveillance will be huge. #1 reason? You can increase the range of your z-wave network for commercial use.

We use z-wave a lot in homes, not so much in commercial buildings. The biggest reason has always been z-waves limited range. Z-wave plus changed this a little and made things a little better. However, being able to have z-wave built into a camera is a very cool idea. Hopefully, VMS providers will jump on this and start integration z-wave options in with their VMS.

Integrating inputs/outputs with cameras has always been a little annoying especially in smaller applications where the customer doesn't want to pay too much. Z-wave will make all of that easier and less expensive.

James Black

IPVMU Certified | 01/31/18 02:52pm

Isn't Z-Wave 900 Mhz according to IPVM article dated April 10, 2012? Bandwidth might be a problem for IP cameras.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to James Black | 01/31/18 02:55pm

James, Z-Wave is for control / data transmission, not video streaming.

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to James Black | 01/31/18 09:59am

That particular article needs a significant update. Six years ago, Z-Wave was a different spec than the 'S2' version Ethan mentions here.

With that said, Z-Wave still uses ~900 MHz (908.42 MHz, not 900 kHz), but it isn't widely used for streaming video, including this camera. The data involves the sensors, not the camera, so bandwidth isn't a practical issue.

Frank Farmilette

A2 Systems | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 02/05/18 08:10am

Isn't 900MHz in the cellular band range? I'm assuming they have dedicated receivers, so that should provide enough bandwidth for a couple of devices per access point.

Brian, I think you are correct - a sensor designed for that kind of bandwidth would make the camera viable for environments that use (or want to use) the standard.

Didn't see it was for control only, please delete this comment :)

Michael Miller

01/31/18 09:54am

I think this is a great idea. I always wants to have a IP camera with a built-in Inovonics wireless receiver could use wireless sensors. Like John said Z-wave range is always an issue which this should help address if it catches on.

John Tran

01/31/18 10:00am

I think this a great idea. It will give added value for dealers to up-sell accessories. This is not just a DIY play, but providing more security eco-system that can potentially turn in to automation for small business. We have to wait and see their UI interface and if they are on par with some of the professional monitoring services.

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to John Tran | 01/31/18 11:04am

The Z-Wave accessories are essentially extensions of Axis I/O and are going to appear as I/O do now on the camera. This means that there should be control buttons on the Live view of the camera, like what is shown for outputs now:

But there is no quick visual indication of input status unless you set up events to trigger overlays, so you wouldn't be able to see the current state of motions, door/window sensors, or buttons.

Keep in mind only six devices may be added to the camera. It's not intended for a full blown control system