Vivotek 3MP 180 Wall Mount Camera Tested (CC8370-HV)

Published Feb 28, 2017 15:56 PM

Purpose-built wall mount panoramics have become an attractive niche to cover entranceways. In 2013, we bought and tested Vivotek's 1MP version.

Now, Vivotek has released a 3MP version, the CC8370-HV with IP66 and IK10 ratings, and "anti-ligature" design for use in high security applications.

We bought the CC8370 and tested against typical competitors, a high resolution 12MP fisheye model and a 4MP "standard" lens dome to see how it competes in full light and low light scenes, what potential applications it may have, bandwidth consumption, physical features, and more.

Summary

The Vivotek CC8370-HV is an interesting option for coverage of areas with reduced blind spots, due to its wide angle of view and small size. Due to its vandal rating and "anti-ligature" design, it is more suitable for use in some high security environments (such as holding cells) where the full area must be covered without blindspots.

However, due to its 3MP resolution, lower than average for fisheye models in 2017, and 180° FOV, details beyond ~15' distance are likely sufficient for general activity monitoring or detection only, not identification. Additionally, compared to common lower cost integrated IR models, low light performance is poor, with only rough details at close ranges below ~1lx.

Pricing

The CC8370-HV sells for ~$420 online. This is significantly more expensive than typical outdoor compact vandal domes, such as the Hikvision DS-2CD2542 or Dahua N44BN52, both of which sell for ~$180-200 online. Note that these models include typical narrower angles of view (~80-100°, depending on lens) and integrated IR (which the CC8370 does not include).

The CC8370's price is more comparable to 3-5 MP panoramic models, which typically sell in the range of $400-500, such as Hanwha's SNF-8010 or Axis' M3007.

Physical Overview

The CC8370's construction is different from typical vandal dome models, as it is made to be mounted to the wall only, not ceiling mounted, and oriented as such. The top of the camera is sloped to prevent people, objects, or ropes hanging from it, which Vivotek refers to as "anti-ligature."

We review its design and physical features in this video:

The CC8370 is narrower and taller than typical compact dome models, such as the Hikvision shown here for comparison:

Compared to Vivotek's other wall mount 180 camera, the CC8370 is more noticeable due to its larger dome. However, unlike the CC8370's tilt gimbal, the CC8130 required a backing plate to tilt the camera down 15°, adding to its size.

Image Quality Comparisons

We tested the CC8370 against competitive fixed lens and panoramic models to see how it compares in well lit, low light, and dark scenes. The test FOV is shown below.

Note that due to its wide angle of view, the camera sees not only 180° horizontally, but directly below itself, showing the tripod in the scene below.

Note that due to two out of three models using fisheye lenses, distortion is present in the cameras below, resulting in the test chart or subject appear off axis or tilted. We have done our best to avoid this in testing and image creating, but it is impossible to totally avoid or remove.

In full light, at near range (~3' distance), details are strong in all cameras as PPF is extreme (especially in standard panoramic and 4MP models):

At ~10' distance, PPF drops to ~65' in the CC8370, but is still well over 100 in other cameras tested. Despite this, details delivered by the Vivotek camera are solid, with easy facial recognition, similar to the 12MP fisheye model. 

Finally, at ~20' distance, facial details are unrecognizable in both the Vivotek and fisheye models, while still solid in the typical fixed lens model.

Low Light Performance

In low light, ~1 lux, facial and chart details close to the camera are strong in all cameras, as in the full light scene.

However, at further distances, details are reduced due to digital noise, with subject details much rougher at ~10', though still notably stronger in the Hikvision 4MP standard lens model.

And at ~20', with PPF lower, only detection and one legible line of text are visible in any of the cameras.

Sample Applications

The examples below show two common applications for a wall mount camera like the CC8370. Users may also download both these scenes (~35 MB .zip file, Windows required). 

First, our subject moves through an entry vestibule with two sets of doors, swiping a card for access before entering the interior set. The camera is mounted at ~5' above the floor in this example, with no downtilt. 

In this second example, we view an exterior parking lot and building entrance, with the camera mounted at about 8'. Subject details become visible as he approaches and enters the door, at about 10' from the camera.

Bandwidth Consumption

The Vivotek CC8370's full light bitrates were comparable to the 4MP Hikvision camera, though slightly higher in lower light (~1lx). With the scene dark (~0.1lx), bitrate jumps dramatically, to nearly 2 Mb/s, compared to under 200 Kb/s in the integrated IR Hikvision 4MP.

Note that these measurements were taken using smart codecs (Smart Stream in Vivotek/H.264+ in Hikvision).

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