Top Features For Easy Camera Installation (Statistics)

IPVMU Certified

+1 for captive screws. I wasn't able to respond to the survey. Also, a nice feature on something like the Hikvision WMSB would be to have the mounting bolt, lock washer, and washer together in one part similar to what they already do on pole mount screws. I like to reach in my pouch, if on a ladder, and grab one part and not try to locate three small pieces.

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Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security

The removable pigtails, or simply having no pigtails at all is my favorite, but rarely do the low cost models have this. Its a booger to drill a hole big enough to stuff those gigantic things through. The worst is when you have a pigtail with all sorts of connections on them (Alarm, Audio, Reset Button, etc). Sure they make back boxes but even then its a shore to try to stuff all the stuff inside the jbox.

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Ethan Ace

In reply to Sean Nelson

We are actually going to cover this coming up, as well. I remember installing a Hikvision DS-2CD2542 camera on a wall once and thinking 1" was big enough... it ended up being closer to 1.5". I think 1.25" may have squeaked by but it still wasn't too smooth. Hikvision isn't the only one but that was one that sticks in my head.

For those unfamiliar, this is because the cable whip often includes large molded connectors (example below), which can be very difficult to fit through without damage if you're trying to push them through one at a time, leading most people to drill one big hole (~1.25-1.5" in this case).

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Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

In reply to Ethan Ace

A well designed camera that still insists on a pigtail should have a different length for each connector to make it easier to feed through a hole.

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Sean Patton

One very specific feature I loved as an installer is specific to the Axis T91A wall and pole mounts, which was the temporary support tabs that held the front of the mount to the backplate at a 90 degree angle, allowing you to hang the camera, finish wiring, without having to support the camera:

This was a real shoulder/anxiety saver when installing heavy PTZ cameras 20'+ on a ladder.

Can anyone think of other specific features like that, which weren't mentioned in the report?

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Undisclosed Integrator #1

Even my regular Axis customers were amazed every time I showed them this - it shows how easy it is to skip over the instructions for something as simple as a bracket.

I am a big fan of the new bracket with IDC or RJ connected to an integrated IP67 pigtail.

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Undisclosed Integrator #7

•Nov 01, 2020

Hikvision's mounts also have this feature, however last time I installed a PTZ on one the bracket's design caused a sharp edge to rub on the side of the back box and damage the finish. A minor annoyance given its aluminum and won't rust, but annoying nonetheless.

Then again what does one expect from Hikvision and a $30 mount.

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Daniel S-T

Analog, or video output has been very helpful. We still install quite a few cameras that don't have autofocus. And even the ones that do, it's nice to see where I'm looking before running upstairs to hit autofocus.

In some cases we have used the analog output for public display monitors, which has also been very helpful.

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Michael Miller

WIFI dongles for the cameras are really useful. Mount and plug camera in, plug in WIFI dongle, get a phone and connect to WIFI then you can control and focus the camera.

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Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Michael Miller

WIFI dongles for the cameras are really useful

Does anyone offer this beside Avigilon (H4A series) at this point? I hope others (Axis, Panasonic especially) take this up in the near future.

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Sean Patton

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3

The Hanwha X-Series supports USB Wifi dongles with their smartphone app.

These are the supported units per Hanwha documentation:

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Undisclosed Manufacturer #4

That's pretty awesome!

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Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

Here is a video of the wifi dongle action. It can also perform zoom, focus, image flip, hallway mode, image snapshot, & PTRZ movement.

You can also use any browser (mobile, tablet, PC, mac, etc.) since it uses plugin-free architecture and responsive web. Connect to the existing IP address or the wifi IP of 192.168.100.1 and you can now configure anything you want while on the ladder.

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Undisclosed Manufacturer #5