A camera's focus is fundamental to quality imaging. Mistakes can cause important problems. In this guide, we explain focus issues and proper procedure, covering: Fixed vs. Varifocal Cameras Auto vs. Manual Focus Two Fundamental Lens Contro...
By IPVM Team - 6 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 - 7 months 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 - 8 months ago
This tutorial 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 Inst...
By IPVM Team - 8 months 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 - 10 months 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 - 10 months 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 - 10 months ago
4K has made its way to IR PTZs. In this report, we examine the Dahua 6AE830VNI, 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. Note that this report is...
By Ethan Ace - over 1 year 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 1 year 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 Ari Erenthal - over 1 year 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 1 year 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 2 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 - about 2 years ago
Cameras, like humans, have irises. However, cameras have five types of iris options - fixed, manual, auto, P iris. In this tutorial, we explain the tradeoffs of each, how irises work and how they relate to shutter speed. Controlling Light Camera...
By IPVM Team - about 2 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 - about 2 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 - about 2 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 - about 2 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 - over 2 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 - over 2 years ago
Fisheye panoramics have become widespread, with most manufacturers offering fisheyes. However, with many options, it can be confusing to understand the tradeoffs. In this guide, we explain: Why Panoramic Camers Fisheye Panoramic Basics 'Warp...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
Is bigger better? In the past decade, the surveillance industry has moved from 0.3MP to 1MP to 2MP to 3MP to 5MP to 4K (8.3MP), etc. But there are even higher resolution cameras above that. This report covers selling those super high resolution ...
By IPVM Team - over 2 years ago
Low-cost kits have become a direct threat to security integrators. These kits offer a drastically discounted alternative to professional brands, used by more than just residential users, as our Police Buys FLIR at Costco, Industry's Worst Fear re...
By Brian Karas - over 2 years ago
Is this the next big thing in lensing? 7 years ago, Axis launched P-iris. Now, Axis has announced i-CS, which is even more 'intelligent'. But how much practical use is it? In this report, we examine Axis' i-CS lens technology, compare it to othe...
By Brian Karas - over 2 years ago
The Raytec Vario IP offers advanced features not commonly found, including interchangeable lenses with varying angles (10-120˚) and ranges (98'-550') plus network control of power, switching, "deterrent" patterns, illuminator groups, and more. Th...
By Ethan Ace - almost 3 years ago
PTZs have historically struggled in low light, with integrated IR being uncommon. In the past few years, this has changed, as some integrated IR models have emerged. However, in previous tests, we have seen significant focus issues making tracking...
By Ethan Ace - almost 3 years ago
