Ubiquiti UniFi Pro Video Surveillance

•Published May 13, 2014 04:00 AM

In 2011, Ubiquit got the attention of the video surveillance industry with their launch of sub $100 HD IP cameras, a breakthrough level at the time.

In the interim, Ubiquiti was distracted by a counterfeiting crisis. Now beyond that, they have returned with a new generation of IP cameras, called UniFi video.

This note examines the positioning, pricing and whether Ubiquiti can challenge the Chinese manufacturers for low cost IP video offerings.

UniFi ***** ********

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***** *******, **** ******** ******, *** officially ********** **** **** ***** *** NVR *** ********. ***** ** *** supported (** ****** ***** ******* ** NVR). **** *********** ** ******* ** third ***** ***** *** **** *** ** not ********** ********* ** ********.

*** ****** *** ********* ******** **********'* ************. ***-****** *** ********* ***.

Key *********

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Key **********

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*** **** ***********:***** ***** *****'* ******* ** *** compared ** **** ****** *************, ************* such ************************ ******* ** *******, ** *** lower, ******. ***** ************* *** **** ********* by ***** ******* (****** ******** ** via *****) *** ***** * ******* line ******* *** *********** ****** *****.

Potential ******

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Comments (7)

Luis Carmona

•May 13, 2014

Geutebruck USA • IPVMU Certified

I think another key weakness if they don't support 802.3af or 802.3at POE power. It requires their injectors or special POE switches. The Pro camera I think lists 802.3af power, but when you read the literature it looks like it requires an adapter.

According to another forum I've seen, an installer mentioned how they seemed to have supported ONVIF and RTSP in previous versions, but with new firmware updates they seemed to "lock those features out", in his words. So they seem to want to limit compatibiltiy to their own cameras/nvrs.

I still like the wireless gear, but the cameras I think they will mostly sell to non-security types who are already Uniquiti fans. And there's a lot of them, so they probably will sell alot.

Ethan Ace

•May 13, 2014

IPVM

In reply to Luis Carmona

The lack of 802.3 power is an annoyance for many, but a lot of those who would use these are used to using their passive PoE anyway. Some actually see it as an advantage in some installations since they can run off of 12VDC power. That's why I left it off the key weaknesses.

I was not aware of any previous ONVIF support, but would be curious if that's true. They aren't even a member of ONVIF as far as I can tell. They definitely do want to limit compatibility and create end-to-end Ubiquiti systems, though. Their dealers have been faithful to them as they've created this little ecosystem, and likely will remain so. There are definitely a lot of fans, you're right, and they're rabidly loyal to the UBNT brand.

robert lopez

•May 13, 2014

hi,

just a question, is this a 3MP camera? i haven't seen anything specifically stating the sensor details. thanks.

Ethan Ace

•May 13, 2014

IPVM

In reply to robert lopez

They haven't given sensor details. I believe it's a 1080p/2MP sensor, though, not 3MP cropped to 1080p. That's become far more common in lower cost cameras these days.

Paul Grefenstette

•May 15, 2014

No RTSP on any of the new models - I have 2 of the models (camera and dome) in my office for testing - at first glance the image quality (720p) is pretty good daytime I havent had a chance to review night yet but will post more next week once I get some time

Luis Carmona

•May 15, 2014

Geutebruck USA • IPVMU Certified

In reply to Paul Grefenstette

Paul, what do you think about the network jack being located at the bottum of the bullet housing? Do you think it really works for outdoor use? (Other than not being asthetically pleasing.

Paul Grefenstette

•May 20, 2014

Luis,

When I met with them prior to this release that was one of my comments of the biggest physical errors of the new design - jack outside the housing not in the arm protected as it should be -- as they release more product look for that to change