Digital Watchdog has released the Compressor HD, a "universal" HD analog encoder, with support for AHD, CVI, TVI and SD analog cameras. We tested the Compressor HD with over a dozen AHD, TVI, and CVI cameras from multiple manufacturers to see how...
By Ethan Ace - 3 months ago
Streaming video over low bandwidth, wireless connections often results in stalled video, broken up video or significant video delays. But Digital Barriers says their TVI CODEC (not to be confused with the HD Analog format), which is being re-bran...
By Brian Karas - 11 months ago
Axis has repeatedly warned about H.265 licensing, most recently: [The H.265 license model] includes a royalty on revenues generated on the content developed by any HEVC-enabled device. This royalty on content has prompted strong backlash Is ...
By Brian Karas - about 1 year ago
Wireless video surveillance is a tough business. Micropower sought to deliver a wireless, turn-key, professional video solution. The most famous wireless failure is certainly Firetide, who after spending $50 million in VC funding, took a small bu...
By Brian Karas - over 1 year ago
True WDR has traditionally been quite expensive. And HD analog has so far been mostly low-end models. Now, FLIR has released a ~$100 1080p CVI camera with true WDR and integrated smart IR. We bought the FLIR C233BD to see how it performs agains...
By Derek Ward - about 2 years ago
The #1 missing feature for Google / Nest / Dropcam has been no outdoor model, inspiring a slew of DIY and unauthorized commercial add-on housings. Seeing this gap, Samsung is aiming to win some of these users over with a new outdoor model of thei...
By Derek Ward - over 2 years ago
HD Analog cameras have incredibly low prices for true HD video. But HD analog recorders are pretty simplistic and underwhelming. Moreover, many want to use HD analog cameras with their established, higher end VMS software systems. Now, Dahua ha...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
In this report, we share test findings of three popular four port analog SD encoder models: Axis P7214 Hikvision DS-6704HFI Sony SNT-EX104 Below, we share our findings in areas including: Image quality VMS licensing and integration PT...
By Derek Ward - over 2 years ago
Recent IPVM testing has shown and verified a super low cost HD solution using Milestone that has never been marketed. In this note, we break it down, explain how it works and what the cost savings are.
By John Honovich - almost 3 years ago
So much for innovation and the open platform, Milestone has entered the DVR business. In this note, we examine the upside for Milestone, the downside for its partners and what this further signals for the overall video surveillance market.
By John Honovich - about 3 years ago
Monitoring over 100 surveillance sites, the IPVM Spider picks up 300+ pieces of news each month. Here are 18 of the most noteworthy news items, including from Milestone, Mobotix, Axis, Avigilon, Dropcam, Tyco and more:
By John Honovich - over 3 years ago
In the 4 years since DVTel Acquired ioimage, they have gone quiet but upcoming new products combined with the VideoIQ acquistion could be giving a boost to the former leader. Indeed, recently, PSA endorsed ioimage as having far greater probability...
By Ethan Ace - over 3 years ago
ADI has a terrible reputation. Box pushers, Order takers, etc. Indeed, a riot almost broke out when a member asked if they should let ADI design and quote jobs for them. Now, ADI has a blog which is a showcase in surveillance ignorance. Their n...
By John Honovich - over 3 years ago
For covert surveillance, pinhole lenses / cameras are a common choice because they can be hidden behind walls, or in ordinary objects. Until recently, the only options were analog / SD. However, Axis launched the P12 series, bringing 720p MP to pi...
By Ethan Ace - over 4 years ago
Many lament that encoders are so expensive. Indeed, a recent fascinating IPVM discussion examined why encoders typically are so much more expensive than DVRs even though a DVR is an encoder plus VMS software and storage. During the discussion, we ...
By Ethan Ace - over 4 years ago
In this tutorial, we cover the fundamentals of connecting IP cameras to VMS systems, including: Analog vs IP RTSP Direct Integration 'Standards' - ONVIF / PSIA Advanced Integration - PTZ control, Panoramics Advanced Non Supported Functions...
By John Honovich - almost 5 years ago
Analog cameras support up to 30 frames per second yet Axis has announced an encoder that connects to them recording 60 frames per second. How is Axis doing that and what tradeoffs can you expect? In this note, we examine the features as well as up...
By Ethan Ace - about 5 years ago
An integrator member asked today about choices for pre-loaded VMS appliances (NVRs). He explained that while he could load it, he has techs that are not ready to setup VMS software and that overall, their time would be better spent not having to d...
By John Honovich - over 5 years ago
As more users look to upgrade aging analog camera systems, encoders play an increasingly vital role. Though not as frequently discussed as IP cameras, knowing how to properly apply encoders is key for use in these upgrades, as well as specialized ...
By Ethan Ace - over 5 years ago
Encoders play a secondary, but vital, role to IP cameras in surveillance systems, normally relegated to upgrades of existing analog systems. Because of this, they are discussed far less often than cameras. However, integrators still have strong ma...
By Ethan Ace - over 5 years ago
VideoIQ has announced the first product in its Rialto Series, a four-channel analog encoder with on-board storage, or analytic bridge, as they refer to it. This product is specifically aimed at small installations, especially used for outdoor intr...
By Ethan Ace - over 5 years ago
For analog holdouts, or those with no surveillance, making the move to IP can be challenging. Typically it involves some outlay of cash for demo cameras or encoders, in addition to VMS licensing, neither of which may be readily available. Rarely, ...
By Ethan Ace - over 5 years ago
In the past few months, Axis has accelerated promotion of encoders, with a flurry of marketing moves including videos, articles, brochures, etc. (e.g., announcements of encoder kits bundled with software, a new ruggedized encoder model, multiple w...
By Ethan Ace - over 5 years ago
Designing a video surveillance solution requires decisions on 8 fundamental questions. This in-depth tutorial helps beginners understand the options and tradeoffs involved in designing a solid surveillance solution. This is an introduction to hel...
By John Honovich - over 5 years ago
What companies are driving changes in the video surveillance industry? What companies are the toughest competitors? In this new report, we answer these questions by looking at the top 5 most disruptive companies we see in the market.Phantom Forces...
By John Honovich - almost 6 years ago
