New Video Surveillance Products Spring 2010

JH
John Honovich
•Published Mar 24, 2010 00:00 AM
PUBLIC - This article does not require an IPVM subscription. Feel free to share.

The following report provides a directory and analysis of new video surveillance products announced in 2010. The current version focuses on products being released in March 2010.

Additionally, we have added a section on New Video Surveillance Products that aggregates all original reports and updates published by IP Video Market Info.

March 2010 New Video Surveillance Product Announcements

This is the list of announced products.

  • Aimetis People Counter 
  • Ambarella H.264 HD chip
  • American Dynamics Hybrid DVR
  • Arecont Vision 10MP / 1080P camera
  • Arecont Vision compact MJPEG camera
  • Axis HD domes, cube camera and lower cost dome cameras
  • Briefcam Version 1.3 Video Synopsis
  • BRS Labs 2.1
  • Coldstore Storage (Veracity)
  • Cybergroup Powerline Camera
  • Firetide Point to Point Wireless
  • Ganz H.264 MP cameras
  • Ganz Thru Series Adverse Environment camera
  • Genetec SecurityCenter 4.0
  • Hikvision new MP CCD camera
  • Honeywell HD Mini-Dome
  • IQ H.264 Domes
  • IQ On-Line Store
  • March Networks H.264 MP PTZ and Mini-Encoder 
  • Milestone Smart Client 5.0
  • Mirasys Open VCA Framework
  • Mobotix Expanded Panoramic Offerings
  • Panasonic Smart HD
  • Panasonic New MP cameras
  • Pelco Sarix Thermal Camera
  • Pelco Endura Express
  • Pivot3 Minibank / Hardbank
  • Pointsource (Veracity)
  • Proximex Integrates with ArcSight
  • Proximex Surveillent 5.0
  • Samsung 1.3MP Camera
  • Sentry360 H.264 Panoramic Camera
  • Smartvue S9 Video Surveillance System 
  • Sony more HD cameras and an encoder
  • Texas Instruments 720p HD SoC with Video Analytics
  • Timesight V 2.8 - WAN Bandwidth and Fault-Tolerance 
  • Videolarm 3G/4G Housing/System
  • [link no longer available]VideoIQ iCVR Dome
  • VideoIQ icst Cameras/Encoders
Previous New Video Surveillance Product Directories
For references to 100 products released in 2009, premium members may review our ISC West 2009, IFSEC 2009 and ASIS 2009 directories.
Analysis of New Products and Emerging Technologies

References to New Product's Websites/Announcements

  • Aimetis People Counter
  • Ambarella H.264 HD chip [link no longer available]
  • American Dynamics Hybrid DVR
  • Arecont Vision 10MP / 1080P camera
  • Arecont Vision compact MJPEG camera
  • Axis HD domes, cube camera and retail cameras
  • Axis 5MP camera [link no longer available] 
  • Briefcam Version 1.3 Video Synopsis [link no longer available]
  • BRS Labs 2.1 Version [link no longer available]
  • Coldstore Storage (Veracity) [link no longer available]
  • Cybergroup powerline camera [link no longer available]
  • Firetide Point to Point wireless [link no longer available]
  • Ganz H.264 MP cameras
  • Ganz Thru Series adverse environments
  • Genetec SecurityCenter 4.0 [link no longer available]
  • Hikvision new MP CCD camera [link no longer available]
  • Honeywell HD Mini-Dome [link no longer available]
  • IQ H.264 Domes
  • IQ On-line Store
  • Milestone Smart Client 5.0 [link no longer available]
  • Mirasys Open VCA
  • Panasonic Smart HD
  • Panasonic 4 channel H.264 encoder [link no longer available]
  • Pelco Sarix Thermal Cameras [link no longer available]
  • Pelco Endura Express
  • Pivot3 Minibank / Hardbank [link no longer available]
  • Pointsource Battery Powered Installation Tool [link no longer available] (Veracity)
  • Proximex Surveillent 5.0 [link no longer available]
  • Samsung 1.3MP Camera [link no longer available]
  • Sentry360 H.264 Panoramic Camera [link no longer available]
  • [link no longer available]Smartvue S9 Video Surveillance System
  • Sony more HD cameras and an encoder
  • Texas Instruments 720p HD SoC with Video Analytics
  • Timesight V 2.8 - WAN Bandwidth and Fault-Tolerance [link no longer available]
  • [link no longer available]Videolarm 3G/4G Housing/System (no public link currently)
  • VideoIQ iCVR Dome [link no longer available]
  • VideoIQ icst Cameras/Encoders [link no longer available]

    • Ambarella H.264 HD Chip

    Ambarella has announced a new chip series, the A5 [link no longer available]. This is the successor to the A2 chip, a widely used component in many major manufacturer's HD surveillance cameras. Relative to the A2, the key improvements for the A5 are:

    • Supports multiple simultaneous streams (e.g., HD H.264 + SD H.264 + 5MP MJPEG, etc.). This allows different streams for live view and recording or higher resolution at lower frame rates, etc.
    • Triple the computing power. The A5 provides a 528 MHz ARM1136J-S CPU. This allows for on-board AES/DE5 encryption as well as porting video analytics.
    • Lower power consumption with an estimated 2 watts for a camera using the chip. This will allow for smaller form factors and use in battery backup/solar applications.
    • A per-pixel Local Exposure Control that measures each pixel compared to surrounding, adjusts exposure accordingly.
    Ambarella, a 300 person company, focuses on providing chips to small number of a large manufacturers. Contrast to Texas Instruments who directly supports a far broader number of manufacturer partners. See Texas Instruments March 2010 announcement of a new SoC supporting 720p with reduced frame rate and on-board video analytic functions. For background, read our report on Texas Instrument's Video Analytics library.

    American Dynamics Hybrid DVR

    American Dynamics has announced a Hybrid DVR. Two options are offered a 2RU and 4RU with 16 and 32 respective analog inputs plus licenses for 8 IP cameras. The systems can be expanded to a maximum of 64 total cameras. Analog cameras may be encoded with H.264.

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    The HDVR offers fairly wide 3rd party IP camera support, however it appears from the camera compatibility datasheet that it is using or OEMing Exacq (as references to Exacq are littered through the document).

    From the documentation, it does not appear that the HDVR may be viewed or controlled through the same Network Client as American Dynamic's Intellex series. If so, this would be a major negative for existing American Dynamics customers looking for a smooth migration to IP/hybrid DVRs.

    Arecont Vision 10MP H.264 CMOS Camera

    ArecontVision has announced a 10MP, H.264 CMOS camera [link no longer available] - the AV10005. It has the same form factor as Arecont Vision's existing fixed 'box' cameras.

    Compared to the 5105, Arecont's previoushighest resolution camera, the 10MP camera will have twice the total pixels but lower frame rate (maximum frame rate of 6fps vs 9fps for the 5105). Horizontal pixel count will increase from 2592 to 3648, a 40% increase.

    The AV10005 also supports 1080p/30fps as well as 10MP/6fps (though not simultaneously). ArecontVision claims that the 1080/30fps stream from the AV10005 offers 50% increased low light sensitivity than previous Arecont cameras.

    The MSRP of the AV10005 is $1,290 USD ($100 more than the the AV5105). This does not include a lens. Lenses for 10MP are premium priced and likely in the range of $300+.

    By contrast, traditionally, 8MP+ surveillance cameras are fairly rare and expensive. For instance, take the Lumenera Le1105 [link no longer available], a 11MP CCD MJPEG 3fps camera which has an MSRP of $8,000 or greater. Also compare to Avigilon's Professional series [link no longer available] with similar specifications and pricing to Lumenera.

    We have not tested the new Arecont nor existing 11MP CCD cameras so we cannot take a position on relative value or performance.

    ArecontVision originally announced this model in September 2009 (contrast to earlier announcement [link no longer available] that claimed 5pfs at 10MP and no 1080p/30fps support).

    Arecont Vision Compact MJPEG Camera

    The most important element in Arecont Vision's announcement of a new line of Compact MJPEG cameras is the reduction of price for megapixel cameras. Already providing some of the lowest priced megapixel cameras on the market, the new Compact MJPEG provides an even lower cost option.

    The Compact MJPEG line offers 1,2,3 and 5 MP versions with color and day/night options. The major limitations of these cameras are the lack of low voltage power input (powered only by PoE) and no H.264.

    The Compact MJPEG line has an MSRP of a few hundred dollar less than comparable Arecont products. For instance, while the current MJPEG Arecont product (the AV1300) has an MSRP of just less than $800, the new compact AV1310 has an MSRP of just less than $500. While the number of megapixel entrants has certainly increased with more aggressive pricing, an MSRP of under $500 from a widely supported supplier such as Arecont has the potential to have a significant impact on more price sensitive, historically analog accounts.

    The other notable element of the new line is that it is compact and significantly smaller than the existing MJPEG line. In contrast to the existing line, the smaller form factor allows these units to be inserted into 4 inch dome housings while using varifocal lenses (the existing line has stricter limitations on lens types supported inside of the 4 inch dome housing).

    Axis 5MP Camera

    Axis has announced a 5MP H.264 camera [link no longer available] - the P1347 - the highest resolution camera Axis has produced. At H.264, only a few companies offer 5MP, with Arecont Vision being the most notable provider.

    Product page is not yet available but an image of the camera [link no longer available] is.

    • The maximum frame rate of the P1247 will be 12fps - fairly common for a higher megapixel camera.
    • Axis emphasizes the use of P-iris to improve image quality, claiming that it is needed to deliver the full benefits of 5 megapixel imaging.
    • The indoor version has an MSRP of $1499 and the outdoor version an MSRP of $1799. The indoor version's MSRP is approximately 30% higher than Arecont Vision's 5105.
    • The product is scheduled to ship in June 2010.

    Axis HD Dome P3304

    Axis announced the P3304 which is a 720p/H.264 camera and the HD counterpart to the SD dome P3301. The P3301's on-line price is approximately $575 USD. The MSRP of the P3304 is $699 USD but not currently available for sale on-line.

    This dome is part of Axis P33 series that feature modular components for in-field upgrading or replacement. See our P33 overview for background information.

    Axis HD Cube Camera M1054

    The M1054 is a 720p cube camera with an MSRP of $399 USD. It is the HD counterpart to Axis' SD cube camera - the M1031w. Like the M1031W, it supports H.264 and has built-in microphone, speaker, PIR and IR illuminator. Unlike the M1031W, it offers PoE but lacks a wireless connection.

    While $399 USD is a fairly low price for a megapixel camera, this is a fixed lens camera. Compare also to Axis's 207mw, an MPEG-4 megapixel cube camera with an on-line price of approximately $375.

    Axis Lower Cost Domes

    Axis has announced 2 lower cost domes with SD and HD options (well, lower cost for Axis). Axis stated that the M32 Series will range from $399-$539 MSRP. The SD version will be the M3203 and the HD version will be the M3204. Unlike the P33 series, these cameras will not be modular nor will they allow swapping of the imager components.

    Briefcam Version 1.3 Video Synopsis

    Briefcam has released a new version of its Video Synopsis software [link no longer available]. Key claims include:

    • Review video in shorter periods of time. Briefcam claims they have improved their synopsis creation to allow users to more quickly scan large periods of video.
    • Double the number of channels that can be processed per server from 8 to 16 - which could result in savings of $100 per channel on hardware costs.
    BRS Labs Version 2.1
    Controversial video analytics provider BRS Labs has announced a new software version [link no longer available]. Key claims include:
    • Classify objects into categories of people, vehicle or other objects
    • Recognizing and tracking large groups of people
    The most aggressive example BRS Labs provided was:
    "Not only does AISight have the capability to observe a human in a restricted area; AISight is also able to identify other elements such as hue, color and saturation of the clothing the human is wearing. This provides critical data that can be used to determine if the human was clothed in a uniform common to staff allowed inside that area. This is particularly useful for applications where access is restricted, but certain types of human or vehicular traffic is frequent."
    The implication is that BRS Labs can distinguish between an authorized person (such as a soldier in a uniform) versus an intruder based on recognizing the uniform. At the end of the release, BRS Labs reaffirms that they "require no coding of rules or trip lines and no masking of any areas within the camera’s field of view." The combination of these two points seems technologically infeasible.
    At a higher level, it's interesting to see BRS Labs add more regular video analytic features such as classifying objects and alerting against crowds. This follows on their 2.0 release where they first added rules.
    While BRS Labs has gained its notoriety and awards from its behavioral claims, its product development is increasingly pushing it to more of a classic point analytic solution.
    Cybergroup Powerline Camera
    Cybergroup has announced a camera system, called CyGOS [link no longer available] that can be embedded into light fixtures and connected via the powerlines of a facility. They are targeting niche applications where the cost of running communications wire (UTP, coax) requires high cost and disruption. Their initial market is prisons, an application with demanding requirements and restrictions on installation.
    CyGOS camera and powerline transmitter are embedded inside of a flourescent light fixture. A hole is drilled through the light fixture to provide an opening for the camera lens (they support a variety of fixed lenses, no varifocal). The camera is connected to an adapter for interfacing with the electrical system. A licensed electrician is recommended as this generally requires interaction with high voltage electrical.  
    Cybergroup projects 75-80 Mb/s of bandwidth availability per circuit breaker. The camera supports the PSIA and has been tested with Milestone Enterprise.
    The MSRP of the camera and powerline transmitter is $2,995. While there have been a few powerline solutions for the home market, this is fairly rare for the industrial surveillance space.
    Ganz H.264 MP cameras
    Ganz has announced its PixelPro series, consisting of H.264/30fps box and dome cameras with resolution ranging from VGA, 720p and 1080p. Like many MP cameras today, the PixelPro series supports a mechanical cut filter, analog out and SD card storage.
    Two most noteworthy points are the support for ONVIF and P-Iris for certain dome cameras. P-Iris is an alternative iris technology that is claimed to provide better quality adjustment for varying lighting conditions. It was first announced by Axis in Q2 2009 (read our backgrounder on P-Iris).
    Ganz Thru Series Adverse Environments Camera

    GANZ has released a camera series that claims to increase visibility in adverse environment. GANZ refers to this as their "MIST" technology (see datasheet for details).

    GANZ explanation of how they do it:

    "The camera's dynamic range control (DRC) function detects and measures image intensity on the screen. By digitally adjusting color and contrast, poor quality images caused by environmental factors are automatically corrected."

    The cameras are analog only and are generally available. The series offer 2 models: a color and day/night version with MSRPs respectively of $433 and $563 USD.

    According to GANZ, the MIST mode can be turned off and it does not activate until it recognizes the adverse weather conditions. 

    We have not tested it so we cannot comment on its performance. However, readers should be aware that the images provided on GANZ's website are labelled for 'illustration purposes only'. This is misleading as the true measure and the best representation are actual pictures from the camera - not 'illustrations'.

    Mirasys Open VCA Framework

    Mirasys has announced an open Video Analytics framework that allows the integration of 3rd party video analytic systems with Mirasys's VMS. Analytics provider must develop an an adapter that formats metadata transmission to Mirasys's specification. Mirasys then stores the analytic metadata in its DB and provides display/review for operator's using Mirasys VMS client software. Mirasys provided a 3 page FAQ that explains their approach for the Open VCA framework.

    The Mirasys framework is similar approach to Milestone's Analytics framework, though with less aggressive marketing claims. Review our coverage of Milestone's Analytics framework.

    Mobotix Expanded Panoramic Offerings

    Mobotix is expanding its panoramic camera offering to add 2 more panoramic options to its Q series. In a recent "Hemispheric Workshop", Mobotix reviews the key value propositions they are advocating and the product series that support it. 

    In contrast to the Q series which is 360 degrees, the new options are 180 degrees each. This includes a 180 degree option for their 'box' series line, the M24M-Hemispheric (MSRP of $1,2580) and the T24 Door station (demonstrated in the workshop deck but not on the Mobotix website).

    With many cameras mounted on walls, 180 degree options makes good sense. Additionally, this will provide greater pixel density and should increase the detail in the smaller range being covered.

    Mobotix is very aggressive on the expansion of panoramic, cites it as a key growth driver and has even hyped it with a made for marketing Frost whitepaper.

    Smartvue S9 Retail Video Surveillance System

    Smartvue has released a new version for its video surveillance system, the S9 [link no longer available], a turnkey kit that includes cameras and a NVR appliance. Compared to the previous S8 version, key enhancements include:

    • Adds 3rd party support for IP cameras (they report Axis, Sony and D-Link). Previously, Smartvue only supported their own cameras.
    • Lower prices on both the 1 TB NVR appliance [link no longer available] (was $2,299, now $1,999 MSRP) and the Smartvue 802.11n wireless camera [link no longer available] (was $699, now $599).
    • Indoor camera now comes with integrated PIR and outdoor comes with short-range IR illuminators.

    VideoIQ iCVR Dome

    VideoIQ has announced fixed dome options to their integrated camera recorder series. VideoIQ will be providing two options - an SD dome [link no longer available] and a HD 1080p dome [link no longer available] (scheduled for Summer 2010 release). Like their box cameras, the domes will have integrated hard drives plus on-board VMS and video analytics.
    The adoption rate of these cameras will be interesting to see. Usually the rationale for choosing dome cameras is for improved aesthetics or for reducing the overtness of the camera (related reasons). By contrast, the VideoIQ domes are quite large/deep (view the image [link no longer available]). Given they have a hard drive inside, it's not surprising but it should create doubt in many prospects as to the value of deploying domes that large. On the other hand, it looks similar in size to traditional speeddomes so if those units are acceptable aesthetically so should these. For those who are not impacted by its large size, the domes are IP66, allowing for easier outdoor installation.
    VideoIQ icst Cameras/Encoders
    VideoIQ has announced options for its encoders, box and dome cameras without their VMS or on-board hard drives. This series will be called the iCST [link no longer available] for its streaming rather than recording focus. While the units appear to be the same size, they will be almost certainly be available at a lower price.
    We think this is a good idea as it allows VideoIQ to provide a 'basic' smart camera to compete more effectively against ioimage, OV enabled cameras, etc. We still believe the value proposition of the iCVR for broad use is questionable, especially since their on-board storage lacks integration with any 3rd party VMS. While VideoIQ reports that some VMS systems will support their on-board storage this year, we think it will remain limited for a long time due to the fundamentally complexity of supporting external recordings to the VMS.
    For background, review our test results of VideoIQ's analytics.