Geovision GV-EDR2100 Tested Vs Hikvision

Published Oct 16, 2017 12:45 PM

A number of ADI's top selling IP cameras are, at least surprisingly to us, from Geovision.

We recently bought and tested the Geovision EDR2100 1080p IR minidome, which is priced below Hikvision and Dahua 1080p IR models.

Inside, we share our results from shooting out the Geovision vs the Hikvision DS-2CD2125FWD-I, including:

  • Full light and low light image quality
  • WDR performance
  • IR range
  • IR illumination pattern
  • Lens distortion
  • Bandwidth consumption

Summary

In our tests, the Geovision EDR2100 was inferior in nearly every category to the Hikvision 2125:

  • Short IR range: The EDR2100's actual IR range was only ~50% of its specified 30m distance, reaching about 15m/~50', while the 2125 exceeds its 30m range spec.
  • Severe center IR hotspot: In addition to its short range, the EDR2100's pattern was uneven, with a strong center hotspot and almost totally dark edges.
  • High bandwidth consumption: Bandwidth consumption was high even for standard (non smart codec) H.264 cameras, with bitrates near or higher than 10 Mb/s day and night, compared to <100 Kb/s bitrates in similar scenes using the H.265+ smart codec 2125.
  • Poor full light images: Full light performance was poor, with less clarity and more overexposure than the Hikvision 2125.
  • Dated web interface: Finally, Geovision's web interface is dated compared to many manufacturers, requiring ActiveX which had issues running on most machines tested, required exceptions made to IE security policy, and was poorly organized.

Because of these issues, the EDR2100's main advantage is price, moderately lower than Hikvision models normally, but on sale for under $100 at the time of testing.

Pricing

The Geovision EDR2100 can be found online for ~$110 USD, moderately lower than Hikvision's 2125 in this test (~$150 online). However, note that we purchased the camera for ~$80 on sale. 

Physical Overview

The EDR2100 is physically similar to other fixed lens outdoor IR domes, moderately smaller than the 2125, but with similar featureset.

Web Interface Issues

Like most Geovision cameras, the web interface of the EDR2100 is dated, using an ActiveX control which frequently fails to run or requires reduced security policy in Internet Explorer. 

Additionally, many key menu items such as exposure, gain, etc., are located in a "hidden" menu found by clicking a small arrow in the live view interface, not obvious to many users.

Image Quality

We tested image quality outdoors day and night in the field of view below.

Extremely Poor IR Range and Narrow IR Pattern

The EDR2100 grossly underperformed its 30m IR specification, reaching only ~15m/50', about 50% shorter than specified. 

Additionally, this illumination was strongly focused in the center of the FOV, creating a bright hotspot, while the subject was nearly undetectable at the edge of the field of view, shown below:

Poor Low Light Performance

At ~20' range, the subject's face lacks any details in the EDR2100, while in the 2125 the subjects facial details are better defined, and the chart provides an extra line or two of legible characters.

When the subject and chart are moved back to ~40' the subject is difficult to locate in the FoV with the Geovision's poor IR, while the 2125 provides solid IR illumination, though only rough details of the subject.

Beyond, at ~60' distance, the EDR2100 is essentially black, while the Hikvision 2125 illuminates the subject and chart, making them easily detectable. 

Poor Daytime Images

At ~20' the Geovision is outperformed by the Hikvision which provides more detail in the subject and chart. While the Hikvision is slightly overexposed on the left side of the chart, the Geovision is more overexposed.

When the subject and chart are moved to a ~40 distance from the chart the Geovision continues to provide less detail than the Hikvision 2125.

Edge FoV / Lens Distortion

With the subject at a ~20' distance we tested for lens distortion at the center vs. the edge of the field of view.

 

While there is noticeable stretching / skewing of the image the details provided are very similar.

Very High Bandwidth Comparison

The EDR2100's bitrates were extremely high, even for non smart codec H.264 cameras, with bitrates near 10 Mb/s both day and night. By contrast, using H.265 with smart codec in the Hikvision 2125, bitrates were very low in similar scenes, well under 100 Kb/s. 

Digital WDR Performance

The EDR2100 includes digital WDR (which Geovision simply calls "WDR"), while many low cost models now include true multi-exposure WDR, including the Hikvision 2125. To see how these compare, we shot the cameras in a warehouse WDR scene with open overhead door.

The EDR2100 provides worse details of the subject both against strong sunlight outside and in the darker area beside the door, with identifying details difficult to discern. By contrast, the Hikvision model produces details of the subject and chart in both areas.

Test Parameters

The following cameras were used in this test:

  • Geovision GV-EDR2100: v1.09 2016-12-12
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2125FWD-I: V5.4.5build 170124 
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