Learn video surveillance and get certified. IPVM provides live online classes, recorded videos, personal help, cutting edge education and certification. We have substantially rewritten the course and training materials for 2017 to reflect new de...
By Brian Rhodes - 17 days 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 - about 1 month ago
Axis has been touting its new Q6155-E laser focus PTZ as 'always in focus' and 'always in color'. Does it really deliver? We bought and tested the Q6155-E to see how laser focus worked and whether this "flawless focus" was all marketing hype or ...
By Ethan Ace - about 1 month 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 - about 1 month ago
Infrared (IR) has become an increasing core component to video surveillance systems. In particular, the expansion of integrated IR cameras that build IR illuminators within the camera has become common. On the positive side, this means that camer...
By IPVM Team - about 2 months ago
PTZ usage is declining, now at ~6% of all cameras integrator use, down from ~10% of cameras used in 2014, according to new IPVM statistics: Inside, based on 150 integrator responses, we analyze trends and explain the reasons integrators cite fo...
By Ari Erenthal - 3 months ago
Panoramic camera usage (including fisheye and multi-imagers) continue to rise rapidly. However, the race to the bottom is hindering even stronger panoramic uptake. In this note, we compare to 2014 panoramic camera usage, sharing 140+ integrator r...
By John Honovich - 5 months ago
This is a first of a series of conversations with security consultants. If you are a security consultant that wants to talk and can share frank insights into designing security systems, contact us at info@ipvm.com In this first episode we speak w...
By Brian Karas - 11 months 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 1 year ago
How do you make a PTZ focus better and faster? If you are Axis, you add a laser to it. In this report, we examine Axis' new Q6155-E, looking at its functionality, pricing, and competitive positioning vs conventional D/N PTZs as well as IR and Las...
By Brian Karas - about 1 year ago
Panoramic cameras, including fisheyes and multi-imagers, have become increasingly widespread, with most manufacturers offering fisheyes and an increasing number offering multi-imagers. However, with many options, it can be confusing to understand...
By Ethan Ace - about 1 year ago
A PTZ camera at fixed dome prices? That is the promise of Hikvision's new DS-2DE2103, a compact PTZ with 3x optical zoom in a package smaller than typical dome cameras. The question is, at this size and price point, what performance is given u...
By John Scanlan - about 1 year ago
Just $260 for an outdoor 'speeddome' form factor with integrated IR, wireless, HD video and more? Pricing has certainly come down (e.g., we recently tested a ~$750 Hikvision speeddome), but $260 for a PTZ is eye opening. We bought a Foscam FI982...
By John Scanlan - over 1 year ago
Hikvision continues to break low cost barriers, now with a 1080p IP IR PTZ for under $800 online, the DS-2DE5220I-AE, half the price of past models. We bought one of these new models to see if this new low price comes with tradeoffs, tracking su...
By Ethan Ace - over 1 year 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 - over 1 year ago
This 20-page guide explains the key uses, design factors, and players in the Airport Surveillance market. A global group of 40 integrators and consultants with airport project experience responded, each offering insights in selling, implementin...
By Brian Rhodes - about 2 years ago
This 31-page guide explains the key uses, design factors, and players in the City Surveillance market. A global group of 60 integrators responded, each offering insights in selling, implementing, and maintaining metropolitan video surveillance ...
By Brian Rhodes - over 2 years ago
Resolutions continue upwards, with 4K cameras hitting the street. Meanwhile, PTZ usage continues its downward trend, with fewer and fewer integrators choosing them. The question is: how does this increase in resolution compare to the optical zoom...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
FLIR's integrated IR PTZ, the DNZ30TL2R claims a whopping 150m (~500') IR range and HD resolution. Distances like these have historically been possible only with expensive high-end positioning systems which required expensive illuminators and moto...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
This guide provides comprehensive explanations of the elements in selecting, using Power Over Ethernet with IP cameras, covering: PoE vs Low Voltage When to Use PoE, When Not PoE Classes 802.3af vs 802.3at vs 802.3bt Nonstandard PoE Impleme...
By Ethan Ace - over 2 years ago
Theoretically, long lenses should let you capture faces and license plates very far away. For example, over 900 feet away from a 1080p camera one should get over 40ppf from a 100mm lens. But how well does this work in practice? In this test, we...
By Ethan Ace - about 3 years ago
New IPVM statistics show the rate of PTZ declines, where they are still being heavily used and what the most common replacement for PTZs is. Overall, just 1 in every 10 cameras being deployed by integrators today are PTZs.
By John Honovich - about 3 years ago
Integrated IR cameras are growing rapidly in popularity, as they help solve a key surveillance problem - poor low light imaging. However, integrated IR is rarely offered inside PTZs. Indeed, no major Western manufacturer offers an integrated IR P...
By Ethan Ace - over 3 years ago
Axis has announced 9 new PTZ models. Nine is a lot, but what's new and what's the impact? In this note, we break down the specifics. PTZ Overview While there are 9 models total, there are 3 resolution options ('extended' D1, 720p, and 1080p) wit...
By John Honovich - almost 4 years ago
One of the biggest risks when deploying PTZs is having them pointed in the wrong direction when bad events occur. Axis and Optex have partnered on an integration claiming to prevent that from happening. Optex has announced an ACAP module that dire...
By Brian Rhodes - almost 4 years ago
