Testing Axis Zipstream

Author: Ethan Ace, Published on Apr 13, 2015

Has Axis found its breakthrough differentiator? Can they demand a premium for this?

Axis claims Zipstream can "lower bandwidth and storage requirements by an average 50% or more."

We upgraded the firmware on the Axis Q1615 we first tested last September to test Zipstream.

Here is a 1 minute preview of the Zipstream test:

Undoubtedly, Zipstream can drop bandwidth consumption dramatically but here are the big questions:

  • What type of image quality degradation exists and when did it occur?
  • How much bandwidth consumption savings exists?
  • What mostly drives the bandwidth consumption savings - the dynamic RoI compression or the dynamic GOP variation?
  • How does Axis Zipstream compare to the most efficient bandwidth cameras on the market and to other bandwidth savings modes (like Arecont and Vivotek)?
  • How might it compare to H.265?
  • What type of issues occurred with VMSes?

*** **** ***** *** ************ **************? *** **** ****** * premium *** ****?

**** ****** ********* *** "***** ********* *** ******* ************ ** ** ******* **% ** more."

** ******** *** ******** ** *** **** ***** ******* ****** **** ********* ** **** *********.

**** ** * * ****** ******* ** *** ********* ****:

***********, ********* ******* ********* *********** ************ *** **** *** *** *** *********:

  • **** **** ** ***** ******* *********** ****** *** **** *** it *****?
  • *** **** ********* *********** ******* ******?
  • **** ****** ****** *** ********* *********** ******* - *** ******* RoI *********** ** *** ******* *** *********?
  • *** **** **** ********* ******* ** ******* ********* ********* ********* *** ****** *** ** ***** ********* ******* ***** (*********************)?
  • *** ***** ** ******* ** *.***?
  • **** **** ** ****** ******** **** *****?

[***************]

Key ********

**** *** *** *** ******** **** *** ****:

******* *** ************** **** ** *** ********* ******* (**% ********* ** ********* common **** **** *****) *** ******* ** ** *** *** innovation ****. **** ** *** ******* ** ****** *** * frame ******** ** ******, **** **** ***** ** ******* ******** (saves *********) *** ****** ** * ***** ******** ** ****** when, *.*., ********* ***** ******* ** *** ***** (******* ***** quality **** *** ******. ** *** *****, **** ******* *** enabled, ** *** * ***** ********* ******** ***** **** * to ** *******.

***** ***** ******* *********** **** ** ********** *********** ** ***** ** ******* ****** *** with **** ***** ***********, ********** **** ******* *** *** ******* on ******* ** ***** (******** ******** ******).

******* *** **** ********** **** ***** ********* ****** ********** **** ****** ****** ***** ****** ************* ******* ******* (*.*., Arecont) ** *** *** **** **** **** ** * ********** / **** *** * **** **** ****** (*.*., *******).

****** *** ***** ******* ******* *** ********* ********** *******. ** ****** ****** **** *****, ********* *** *******. **** Zipstream ***, **** *** *** **** ***********. **** ********* '*****' out, **** *** ***** *** *****. ** *******, ********** **** Dynamic *** ********, ******* **** *****.

**** ********* **** *.*** **** ********* ******* ***: ***** *.*** *** ****** ********* ** ** **% ******** to *.***, ******* *** **** ****** ********* ** **%+ ** many / **** ************ ********* **** *** ***** ******* **** it ******** ** ******* ** *** *** **** (***** *.*** does) *** *** ********* ** **** **** *.*** *** **** savings.

** *** *********** ************ *** ********* ******** **** ********, *****, ******* *** *********.

Market ******

********* ** * ********** *********** *** *** **** * *********** market ******. *******, ******** ********* ** ******* ** ******-* ******* which **** * *** ******** **** ******* *******. **** *** cameras ***** ******** ***** ******* **** ******* ******-* *** ********* Zipstream.

*** *** ******** ** ******* ***** ************* *** ****** / develop / ****** ******* *** ** ***** ****.

********* ** ********* * '***** *.***' ***** **** ***** ** similar ** ********* *** **** *************, ********* *********, *** ********** H.265. *** ** **** **** **** ********* * **** **** sizeable ************** *** *** *********** ******.

Zipstream *************

********* ******* ******* *** * *** *** ** *** ***** Stream ******** **** ** *** ******'* *** *********, **** *****.

**** *** ******** *** *******: 

  • "*.*** ******* *********" *********** ******* *********** ****** ** ********* ***** of *** *****, **** ****** ******* **** **********, *** ****** background ******* **** **********. ******** ***** **** *** ** ****, each **** ********* ****** ** ******* ********* *** ******* ******.
  • "******* ***" ****** *** ****** ** ****** *** *-***** ********, in * ***** **** ******** ** *** ** *** *.*** tab, ** * *******, ** * ******* ** ****. *-***** interval ** ********* **** ****** ******* *** *******, *** ********* when *** ***** ** ****** ** ****** *********.

** **** ***** ** ****** *** ************* ******* *** *********, showing ******* ******* *********** (** **** *******) ** ***, ****, and ******* *** ******.

************ *******

*********, ************ *** ******** ** * ****** **, **** * deviation, ***********, ********** ** ********* ***** **, ***, ***, ******, ** high. Technically, **** *** *** ** *******. **** ****, *******, *********** parts ** *** ***** *** ***** ** ** **** ****** compressed. ***********, ** ******* **** **** ** **** ********* *** default *********** ***** ***.

*** ***** ***** ***** *** ********* ******** ** *** *****, one **** ********* ****** ***, ** *** ****, *** ******* with ** *** ** ****, **** ******* *** **, ** the *****. **** **** * ****** ************ ***** *** **** deviation **** ***.

******* *** ********

*** ***** ***** ***** * ********** ** ******** ***** *** (** in **** ****) ****** *** ******* *** **** ** ********* (set ** **** ***), ** ******** ** *********.

***** *-****** ** *** **** *** ******, ***** ** ******, interval **** ** *** ***** ******, **** **, ** **, to **, ** *** ****** ******* ******** ********* ** **** is ** *** *****.

Bitrate ******

********* ******* ******* ** *** ****** ******, **** **** ******* in *** ****** ****** *** ********* ******.

** ****** *********'* ******* ** * ****** ***** *** *** with * ****** ******* ** **** ***** ** **** *****. Bandwidth ********* **** *.* **/* **** *** ***** *** ****** to ***** ** **/* (*.** **/*) **** ***** ********* **** plus ******* ***.

*** ** **** ***** ******* ** ****** ********* ********** ** the **** ***** ** ***** *.* ***, **** **** ******* effects, ******** ******* **** ****** ** **/* ** ~*.* **/*, an ~**% *********. 


******* ************

** ***** ******** ******** ** ** ****** *** ****** *****. In **** *****, ~*****, ********* ******* ******* *** *** ********** effective, ******** ******** ** **% ** *** *** **% ** high ******** ** ************ **** ********* ***. *******, ******* ******* GOP ** ** **** ***** ***** ******* ******** ** **** 90% ** **** **** *** **/*.

** * ***, *** ******* ** *********'* ******* *********** **** more **********, ******** ******* ** **-**% ******* ******* *** ** in **** ***** ***** ******** ** ** **** **% ********, though *** ** ***** * **** ** ** **** *****.

** ******* ******* ******, ********* *** ********* ********* ** *** indoor ******* *****, **** ** ** **% ********* ***** ******* ROI (******* ******* ***). ******* ******* *** ** ********* ********** to ** *** **%, ********* ** *** *****. ***** ********** are ***********, *** ******* ******** ** ****** ***** *** ** higher ******* ** ****** ** *** *****, **** ******* ********, foliage, *** ***** *********. 

High ***** **** **. ***

********** ** ********* *** ** ********* **** **** ******* **** using **** **** ***** ***** *** ***. ** *** ****** still *****, ******* ********** *** ** ********* (******* ******* ***) were ******** ****** **** ***** ** *** **** ** ***. However, ********** *** ** ******* *** **** ******** ******* **** using ** ***.

Image ******* ******

** *** *****, ** *** ******* ****** ** ***** ******* caused ** *********. ****** ******* *** **** ******** ******* *******, without ******, ***** ********** ******* (*******, *****, ***** *** ***** finishes, ***.), **** ********* ** *** *****, ********* **** ***********.

** ****** ***** ******* ** ******** ****** ****** *****.

***** ********/****

*** ***** ***** ******** ****** ** *** ******* *** **** chart ***** **** ********* *** (** *** ****) *** * fixed *** ** ** **. ********* *** ** ****, **** Dynamic *** ****** ** (******* ** ****).

******* ******* ** **** ** ********* *******, **** ** ******* compression ********* **** *** ******** *********** ** ****** *-***** ******** used ** *********. ******* ******* ** *** ******* *** *******, and **** *** **** **** ** *** **** ***** ** line * (*****) ** ********* ******* ** ****.

****** ********

******* **** **** ******* **** ********* * ****** *******, **** Off, ****, *** ******* *** ******** *** **** ** ******* a ******* ***** ** ~**-** *** ** * ~**' ***** of **** ******* *****.

******* ******

******* ******* *********** **** **** ********** ** ******* ***** **** moving *******, **** ** *** ***** *****. ****, ******* ******** and ****** ***** **** ***** **** ********* *** ******** ******* or ******* **** ** *** ****** **, ******* ** *** Zipstream **** ***** *****. **** ******* *** *** *****, ***** effects **** **** **********, ********* ****, **** ** *** ***** below.

Versus ***** *************

********* ** ****** ********* ** ******** ******* ** ********* *******. *******, other ************'* ******* ***** ******* ***** ******* ** **** ******. 

*** **** ** *** ****** ** ******, ** *** *** same ***** **** *** *********** *** *** ***** ***-****, ********* 4132 *** ******* ***-****. ***** *** *** *******:

VMS ***********

** *** ** ****** ********* ** ******* **** ********* ***** in ******** ******* ******, ***********, ******* ******** ******, ** ********* XProtect. ********** ** ********* ** ******* *** ********, ******* ********* and ******** ** ******, *** ******** *** ******, ******* ***** gaps, **** ******* *** *******.

**** **** **** ********* ** ******* **** ***** ** *** Media ****** ** *********, ****** *****, **** *** ******** ********** a ***** ****** **** **** *-***** ******* ******* ***** *** next *-*****. **** *** ** *********** **** ******* ***-*********** (***, MKV, ***, ***.) ***** ** **** ********.

******* *** ********** ********* ******** **** ***** ****** ****, ******** users ** *** ***** ********** **** **** ******, ******* ** using *** *** *********, ***** ****:

Test *********

***** ******** ******* *.**.* *** **** *** **** ****. **** that **** ******** ** *** *** ******** *********, *** *** supplied ** **** *** *******.

*** ****** ******** **** **** ********* ****** *** ***, ***** was ****** *** ** *** ******, *** ********, ************ ** 1/30s.

*** ******** ****:

  • ******** ******* ****** *.*.*.**
  • *********** *.*.*.*****
  • ********* ******** ********* **** *.**
  • ******* *.* ***

Comments (12)

Thumbnail pp 5

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | 04/13/15 05:26pm

Are changes to Dynamic GOP triggered only by movement? Does changing motion sensitivity affect Dynamic GOP (I-frame sampling) sensitivity?

Also, if I understand it right, are the efficiencies diminished the lower the framerate is set to begin with (ie: greater at 30FPS vs 8 FPS)?

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 04/13/15 08:13pm

30 FPS vs. 10 FPS results are added above. In short, the differences are not that great, and close enough that I'd be hesitant to declare a winner one way or another.

Undisclosed #1

04/13/15 05:31pm

Thorough testing!

Note that when streaming or playing back clips in VLC Media Player or Quicktime, errors occur, with the programs displaying a blank screen with only P-frame changes visible until the next I-frame.

Are Zipstreamed streams available as ONVIF streams?

Do you think that the h.264 is possibly non-standard, which might explain the VLC and AVinaptic behavior?

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 04/13/15 05:38pm

Yes, they are available via ONVIF.

No, I don't think it's non-standard. It's an I-frame/P-frame issue in those players. We're talking to Axis to get their read on the AVInaptic analysis.

Thumbnail recadr

Marc Pichaud

04/14/15 01:05pm

I'm really wondering when you enable dynamic GOV/GOP how it doesn't impact according to your test - the blur in image... when you provide a key frame every ..10 seconds or worse what is your chance to get a plate or a face, or a sudden move..oups... Zip is focussing on moving parts, so like smartstream keep a better quality on moving pixel... but DGOV kills that, by adding more P-frames.

For outdoor non detailed scene (without LPR or Face reco in dark envir. with quick moves) I agree Zip+DGOV is one of the current option to decrease both bandwidth and storage.

To be compared also with adaptive streaming based on 1 key frame and no P-frame when no activity is reported by motion detection, raising to normal fps when motion arises.. In that case, you can keep your key frame for police, it's supposed to be correct

I have experience Smart stream with good quality on moving pixels and/or Roi and big compression on static scene. MAin concerns is to explain to the customer why the static scene pixelise when darkness arises... even with DNR is enable

Rodney Thayer

04/14/15 04:58pm

I should read the review more carefully. But... grumpy engineer-user response:

so you came up with this overly complicated video compression scam, then you deployed just enough of it to work, and now you're "tuning" it (if you insist calling tweaking a compression algorithm "tuning") and you want me to get excited about it?

Any camera vendor can twist the H.264 voodoo. It's gotta have a billion knobs and dials on the inside no matter how much is exposed through the interface. I don't see this as a differentiator I see it as an enabling technology for more incompatibility.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rodney Thayer | 04/14/15 05:22pm

Rodney, you really should review the review more carefully. Why would you preface a sweeping, ungrounded, attack with that fatal admission?

How is 'incompatability' an issue given that we tested it and it worked with 4 of the biggest VMSes in the world without anything done on their part?

Secondly, if 'any camera vendor can twist the H.264 voodoo', why isn't Axis doing the vodoo on all of their cameras instead of just the new ARTPEC-5 ones? Any if this is just knob and dial turning why hasn't anyone else done this?

There is something genuinely new and useful here. Period.

Irina Manea

04/15/15 11:46am

I have understood the priciple behind the idea. They want to mimic Human brain. Only use the most relevand data in the image and the rest compress it to maximum.

After a couple of modification to the logic behind the software i think it could make a big diference in certain aplications.

Undisclosed #1

04/24/15 04:08am

I'm curious what the net effect of Dynamic GOP running together with VMD framerate speed-up on the VMS would be. It occurs that VMD framerate speedup functions like a poor man's Dynamic GOP. Although not increasing the cardinal interval between I-frames, VMD speedup does increase the realtime interval between I-frames and thereby reduces bitrate.

Of course motion detection has to be setup, and there are only two levels of frame-rates, so cruder for sure. Still I think if someone is using VMD speedup aggressively, they will not see as large a benefit from Dynamic GOP.

btw, Geurtebruck apparently has encoders that use Dynamic GOP...

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 04/24/15 11:22am

Those Geuterbruck encoders are MPEG4.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to John Honovich | 04/26/15 06:30pm

Yes, from back in 2008!

Here's a spec sheet from an updated one:

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 08/11/15 09:33pm

Genetec has integrated Zipstream settings for Axis cameras to their Config Tool, seen here:

These settings directly correlate with Zipstream settings in the web interface, so users may now configure them from here.

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

October 2018 Camera Course on Sep 13, 2018
Today is the last day to save $50 on the October 2018 Camera Course, register now. This is the only independent surveillance camera course,...
VMS Export Shootout - Avigilon, Dahua, Exacq, Genetec, Hikvision, Milestone on Sep 13, 2018
When crimes, accidents or problems occur, exporting video from one's video surveillance system is critical to proving incidents. But who does it...
Dahua Low-Cost 4MP Camera Tested (N44CL52) on Sep 10, 2018
4MP use continues to increase, especially in low-cost models, according to integrators in our 2018 Resolution Usage Statistics. We bought Dahua's...
Directory Of 110+ Video Management Software (VMS) Suppliers on Aug 30, 2018
This directory provides a list of Video Management Software providers to help you see and research what options are available. Listing...
Inputs/Outputs For Video Surveillance Guide on Aug 24, 2018
While many cameras have Input/Output (I/O) ports, few are actually used and most designers do not even consider them. However, a good understanding...
Luxriot VMS Profile on Aug 23, 2018
Luxriot is more popular than Hikvision and Milestone products according to ASMAG which was probably even surprising to Luxriot. The company has...
Synology Surveillance Station VMS Tested on Aug 22, 2018
With so many low-cost NVRs and enterprise VMSes, is there any place in the market for NAS-based VMSes? Recently, IPVM bought a Synology NAS for...
SNMP / Network Monitoring For Surveillance 2018 on Aug 21, 2018
Surveillance systems typically rely on the the VMS to report issues, but this most often just means knowing a camera is "down" with no warning or...
Video Analytics Integration Guide on Aug 16, 2018
Video analytics is hot again (at least conceptually) but integrating video analytics with VMSes can be challenging. This is especially significant...
ISS VMS / Video Analytics Company Profile on Aug 16, 2018
Who is ISS? In the past few months, they had one of the craziest ISC West promo items in years. Then, they hired industry veteran and ex-Dahua...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Alexa Guard Expands Amazon's Security Offerings, Boosts ADT's Stock on Sep 21, 2018
Amazon is expanding their security offerings yet again, this time with Alexa Guard that delivers security audio analytics and a virtual "Fake...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2 on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
BluePoint Aims To Bring Life-Safety Mind-Set To Police Pull Stations on Sep 20, 2018
Fire alarm pull stations are commonplace but police ones are not. A self-funded startup, BluePoint Alert Solutions is aiming to make police pull...
SIA Plays Dumb On OEMs And Hikua Ban on Sep 20, 2018
OEMs widely pretend to be 'manufacturers', deceiving their customers and putting them at risk for cybersecurity attacks and, soon, violation of US...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...
Avigilon Announces AI-Powered H5 Camera Development on Sep 19, 2018
Avigilon will be showcasing "next-generation AI" at next week's ASIS GSX. In an atypical move, the company is not actually releasing these...
Favorite Request-to-Exit (RTE) Manufacturers 2018 on Sep 19, 2018
Request To Exit devices like motion sensors and lock releasing push-buttons are a part of almost every access install, but who makes the equipment...
25% China Tariffs Finalized For 2019, 10% Start Now, Includes Select Video Surveillance on Sep 18, 2018
A surprise move: In July, when the most recent tariff round was first announced, the tariffs were only scheduled for 10%. However, now, the US...
Central Stations Face Off Against NFPA On Fire Monitoring on Sep 18, 2018
Central stations are facing off against the NFPA over what they call anti-competitive language in NFPA 72, the standard that covers fire alarms....
Hikvision USA Starts Layoffs on Sep 18, 2018
Hikvision USA has started layoffs, just weeks after the US government ban was passed into law. Inside this note, we examine: The important...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact