Field of View (FoV) and Angle of View (AoV), are deceptively complex. At their most basic, they simply describe what the camera can "see" and seem self-explanatory. However, when analyzing images, comparing cameras or projecting quality, subtletie...
By IPVM Team - 9 days ago
Camera focus is fundamental to quality imaging. Mistakes can significantly reduce details, making cameras less effective. In this guide, we explain focus issues and proper procedure, covering: Fixed vs. Varifocal Cameras Auto vs. Manual Foc...
By IPVM Team - about 1 month ago
Cameras, like humans, have irises, controlling the light which hits the imager and impacting image details. However, cameras have multiple types of iris options - fixed, manual, and auto, and variants of each which can be confusing for new users a...
By IPVM Team - 4 months ago
3mm, 6mm, 2.8 - 9mm, 5 - 50mm, etc. Camera specifications often list lens lengths but what do they mean? These metrics are important in determining the correct camera coverage and Field of View (FoV). In this tutorial, we look at: What lens...
By IPVM Team - 5 months ago
Repositionable multi-imager cameras are one of the fastest growing segments in video surveillance, with a slew of new offerings being recently released but who is the best and worst? To see who stands out, we bought and tested 10 repositionable...
By Ethan Ace and Rob Kilpatrick - 5 months ago
Panasonic has released their first multi imager models including the 32MP (4x4K) WV-X8570N, claiming "Extreme image quality for evidence capturing under challenging conditions", "outstanding low light", and "Super Dynamic" performance. We bough...
By Ethan Ace and Rob Kilpatrick - 6 months ago
Axis has released their first IR multi imager, the P3717-PLE, a repositionable model listing 360° IR illumination and flexible positioning, addressing major limitations of their first generation P3707-PE. We bought and tested the P3717-PLE to see ...
By Rob Kilpatrick - 9 months ago
Hanwha's first repositionable multi imager PNM-9081VQ tested well, but was huge, over 12" wide and weighing in at over 10 pounds. Now, they have released their second generation, the PNM-9000VQ, aiming to remedy this issue with smaller size and mo...
By Ethan Ace - 9 months ago
Avigilon has announced the H4 Multisensor, the successor to their repositionable multi imager line, adding features like H.265, integrated IR, higher resolution, smaller sensor modules, and more. In this note, we look at the features of this new ...
By Ethan Ace - over 1 year ago
Camera installation is the most fundamental and common task for video security technicians. Because of this, camera manufacturers market their products as easier and quicker to install versus the competition, in addition to the quality images they...
By IPVM Team - over 1 year ago
This guide starts our physical installation for video surveillance series, starting with Box Cameras, one of the oldest and most basic types. Inside we cover: Videos Detailing Grid Ceiling Installs Videos Detailing Drywall/Gypsum Board Install...
By IPVM Team - over 1 year ago
Fisheye panoramics have not had much innovation in the past few years, with their multi-imager cousins getting most of the advances, e.g., repositionable panoramics. Now, Axis is launching 2 new panoramic cameras including an 9MP one with a stere...
By Ethan Ace - over 1 year ago
Dahua is going big. Their new 4K HF8835F Micro Four Thirds sensor is one of the largest now on the market. Dahua is claming: Starlight Technology and Ultra Wide Dynamic Range to produce crisp, clear images with minimal ambient light How wel...
By John Scanlan - over 1 year ago
When selecting surveillance cameras, users may choose from a number of different form factors, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses, varying in physical size, aesthetics, vandal resistance, and advanced features provided. In this r...
By IPVM Team - over 1 year ago
4K has made its way to IR PTZs. In this report, we examine the Dahua 6AE830VNI [link no longer available], a 4K PTZ with 30x optical zoom, 200m (~650') integrated IR, and 1/1.7" 4K sensor, to see how it performed in daytime and night time scenes...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
RFPs are hard. Do them 'right' and it takes a lot of knowledge and time. Do them 'wrong' and you can be (a) unwittingly locked into a specific vendor or (b) be forced to accept inferior quality products. This guide helps IP camera purchasers ...
By IPVM Team - over 2 years ago
Technicians encounter multiple hazards when running wires and installing security devices. Wearing personal protective equipment, or PPE, helps protect against these hazards and mitigate the chance and severity of injuries. Enforcing a strict PPE ...
By John Honovich - over 2 years ago
Varifocal camera lenses provide more flexibility at installation time, but come at a higher cost. Fixed lens cameras reduce hardware costs, but can make getting the right Field of View more difficult or costly. How often do integrators choose one...
By IPVM Team - over 2 years ago
Hikvision has entered the multi-imager market with their 180° PanoVu DS-2CD6986F-H, an 8MP, 4-imager model equipped with ~1/1.8" imagers and Hikvision's Darkfighter super low light capabilities. We bought the Hikvision DS-2CD6986F-H and tested it...
By Ethan Ace - almost 3 years ago
Avigilon is best known for their large sensor, high megapixel cameras. But with new offerings from Sony and soon Axis, the questions is how well their H4 Pro Series can keep up with competitors. In this report, we tested the Avigilon 4K Pro (8L-H...
By Ethan Ace - almost 3 years ago
To understand low light surveillance, appreciating the importance and role of the f-stop metric is critical. In this tutorial, we explain: Why minidomes and other small form factor cameras typically have far worse f numbers How the range of a ...
By IPVM Team - almost 3 years ago
Genetec has announced the latest offering in their AutoVu Sharp line, promising new features, simplified installation, and lower price. In this note, we examine these new features, lower pricing, how it compares to past models and competitors, pl...
By Ethan Ace - almost 3 years ago
Glass. IP cameras are often characterized as using lower quality 'glass' and that those lenses reduce image quality. By contrast, Canon EF lenses are widely viewed as superior and for higher quality photography work. What if you put an EF lens o...
By Ethan Ace - almost 3 years ago
Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras remain critical parts of many surveillance systems, especially in large security operations. Because of this it is important to understand and consider the key elements in selecting and using PTZ cameras. In this guide we co...
By Ethan Ace - about 3 years ago
For years, Avigilon has essentially owned the 'super high resolution' single imager market. And Axis has resisted, most famously in 2012, when Axis declared the MP race over. But now, Axis is teaming up with their parent company Canon to go afte...
By IPVM Team - about 3 years ago
