Vivotek SUPREME Series Competitive Analysis

Published Sep 05, 2011 00:00 AM
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In this note, we examine the pricing and competitiveness of Vivotek's Supreme series cameras. As discussed in our review on the first of these cameras, the Supreme series carries an extended warranty, wide dynamic range, and other features not found in Vivotek's lower-end cameras. The Surpreme series represents a move up market to compete more directly agains the Axis, Panasonic, Sony, etc. However, how competitive is the Supreme series really?

Box Camera Comparison

There are four models of box camera in the Supreme series, the IP8151 and IP8151P 1.3 megapixel cameras, and IP8162 and IP8162P 2MP/1080p cameras. In both resolutions, the "P" versions indicate that the camera is P-Iris capable.

Vivotek's 720p line prices out against competitors as follows:

  • Vivotek IP8151: ~$550, including 3.1-8mm CS-mount lens.
  • Vivotek IP8151P: ~$650, including 3.1-8mm CS-mount lens.
  • Arecont AV1115DN: ~$380 online, no lens included
  • Axis P1344: ~$650, including a 3-8mm CS-mount lens
  • Panasonic WV-SP306: ~$560, no lens included
  • Sony SNC-CH120: ~$550, including 2.8-8mm CS-mount lens
  • Sony SNC-CH140: ~$800, including a 2.8-8mm CS-mount lens

Vivotek's pricing on the non-P-Iris camera places it at or around the level of the Sony SNC-CH120, which is a similar camera, though without the wide dynamic range claimed by Vivotek. The P-Iris version is priced competitively with the Axis P1344 and Panasonic SP306. 

The full HD 8162's compete with similar cameras as follows:

  • Vivotek IP8162: ~$680, 3.1-8mm CS-mount lens included
  • Vivotek IP8162P: ~$750, 3.1-8mm CS-mount lens included
  • Arecont AV2115DN: ~$400, no lens included
  • Axis P1346: ~$1,100, 3.5-10mm P-Iris lens included
  • Sony SNC-CH220: ~$750, 2.8-6mm CS-mount lens included
  • Sony SNC-CH240: ~$1,150, 2.8-6mm CS-mount lens included

The IP8162 has a slight advantage against Sony's CH220, with the P-Iris version being about the same. Both are substantially less expensive than other cameras in this comparison, with the exception of Arecont, who maintains a significant 20-30% pricing advantage.

Dome Camera Comparison

The Supreme line also has multiple dome cameras, interior, exterior, and panoramic. The most common choice, we believe, would be the FD8362, which is a 2MP/1080p IP66-rated exterior dome, also available in a version with extended temperature range. The standard FD8362 is rated down to 32 degrees F, while the E version extends the temperature range all the way to -40. This competes against the following cameras:

In this case, the Vivotek cameras have a reasonable $100+ advantage over their closest competitor in price, the Arecont AV3155DN, and $200 or more against others. It should be noted that the Axis P33 series features motorized zoom lenses on all cameras, and the Sony 260 and 280 cameras are equipped with built-in IR illuminators. Sony's current line has no outdoor cameras without IR. As such, these aren't 100% direct comparisons. However, they are commonly used in the same application.

Conclusions

The Supreme Series does significantly reduce the pricing advantage Vivotek has historically maintained, in some cases eliminating it. In our experience testing Vivotek's cameras, including the Supreme IP8151, Vivotek does not have the software maturity, nor image quality to be a solid replacement for top-tier cameras especially if the pricing is close or the same.