Overviewing Absolutron's Megapixel Cameras

JH
John Honovich
•Published Nov 29, 2010 00:00 AM
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In this note, we overview Absolutron [link no longer available], a startup megapixel camera manufacturer based in California, USA. The company specializes in high frame rate (e.g., 14fps max at 5MP), multi-megapixel cameras claiming to provide superior low light performance. They currently offer 3 box cameras [link no longer available] with 2, 3 and 5MP versions as well as free recording/VMS software [link no longer available]. Absolutron has a proprietary technology called, “owl eye” that they claim improves image quality in darkby reducing noise without sacrificing image quality.

A number of key limitations should be noted:

  • MJPEG only encoding (H.264 versions scheduled to be released in H1 2011)
  • Limited 3rd party support (ONVIF scheduled for 2011)
  • The low light performance (lux rating of .3 lux) presumes 200ms exposure (a long exposure time that can create motion blur)
  • Only sell through OEMs currently

Absolutron's principals have an image processing background including experience at Aptina.

We do not see significant competitive advantages over incumbent offerings.