Grandstream IP Cameras Overviewed

Published Nov 11, 2009 00:00 AM
PUBLIC - This article does not require an IPVM subscription. Feel free to share.

A VoIP manufacturer, Grandstream, continues to expand into the IP video surveillance market. After introducing a SD IP camera and encoder [link no longer available] in April, in November 2009, Grandstream added HD and Low Light SD models [link no longer available].

The cameras [link no longer available] are all H.264 but otherwise the features are fairly common with existing IP video surveillance cameras.

One specific differentiator is the integration of SIP/VoIP, leveraging their IP telephony background. With this functionality, their IP surveillance cameras can be used for video monitoring as well as  2-way audio intercom/monitoring using the prevailing SIP standard. Finally, their IP cameras can be integrated into their IP telephony products [link no longer available].

While this is not common in IP video surveillance (Mobotix is one of the few large manufacturers advocating SIP in their IP video products), support of SIP is likely to be a minor factor in selection of most IP video surveillance systems.

Pricing is fairly inexpensive:

  • HD camera list price is $499
  • SD camera list price is $349
  • SD low light camera list price is $299
  • 1 channel encoder list price is $179
  • 4 channel encoder list price is $369

The cameras are all 'box' form factors. They do not offer any cube or domes.

Grandstream provides 2 free VMS software applications - GSurf and NVR [link no longer available]. Both are free but perform fairly basic VMS functionalities.

Grandstream cameras currently have no 3rd party support. They are working on adding support for a number of leading VMS providers in 2010 and are considering implementing support for ONVIF in H1 2010.

As is, little competitive differentiators exist for this line compared to existing offerings.

Grandstream report total 2008 revenue of $23 Million [link no longer available] from the Inc 500 rankings and says they have deployed in excess of 1 million VoIP devices and video phones world wide.