IP comes of age
May this year saw Panasonic’s WV-NS202 network PTZ dome Bench Tested. Our experts said: “The WV-NS202 shows just how far network cameras have come in a very short space of time and provides some strong pointers to what they will be capable of in the very near future. In terms of picture quality there is still a little way to go, but that is only because of the current limitations imposed by browser-based viewers and network speeds.
“Nevertheless, as this unit demonstrates IP cameras are coming close to giving their hard-wired analogue cousins a good run for their money. Similarly the PTZ functions are still a little way behind those of some mid-range and top-end domes, but the differences are small and becoming harder to spot all the time.
“Panasonic has created a bit of a monster but it’s not completely out of control. It is tempting to compare this camera’s striking dual personality with that of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, but that would imply there’s some soft of good versus evil split and that’s unfair. Having a vast and complex setup menu cannot possibly be wrong, but it does contrast strongly with this camera’s otherwise docile and easygoing nature. With the arrival of the NS202, installers and end users lives have just become a little more complicated.”
Reader Service No 102
See more with C-MOR
Videoswitch has launched C-MOR, a fully functional dome with a number of advanced features and patented design, built to the same rigorous standards which customers have come to expect from Videoswitch DVRs.
C-MOR has long range infrared lighting built-in, which achieves levels of illumination that customers would struggle to replicate using conventional fixed IR lighting, Videoswitch says.
“With C-MOR’s targeted IR lighting, incidents up to 100 metres away from the dome can be observed and tracked with full 360 deg pan and tilt coverage,” the company says. “A dual camera option allows operators to continue to see the whole picture with one camera whilst zooming in with a second on board camera, making it perfect for town centre applications, crowd control and use in public spaces.”
Reader Service No 103
Mr Popularity
We Bench Tested Videcon’s VHSD-870EXT Concept Pro dome in March this year. This is what our experts had to say about it: “The VHSD-870EXT doesn’t boast any particularly new or innovative features, and performance, whilst very good, isn’t going to set any new records, but looking at the bigger picture, what we have here is a fast, versatile and highly adaptable dome camera, suited to a very wide range of applications.
“Design features, like having a single cable connection to the dome with a separate junction box, should gladden the heart of any installer who has struggled with dome cameras in the past. It should last the course too, and judging by the quality of the materials and the standard of construction there should be few calls made upon the unusually generous/optimistic 3-year warranty.”
Reader Service No 104
Flexible network
Bosch Security Systems has released its FlexiDome IP cameras, which combine IP connectivity with superior digital image quality, the company says.
Bosch’s high-performance imaging technology and network flexibility are packaged in its high-impact, vandal-resistant enclosure. FlexiDome IP systems are suitable retail and warehouses, hospitals, schools, prisons, major transport facilities and many other areas.
Bosch says the cameras are easy to install and operate. “Their use of storage and bandwidth is very efficient – employing MPEG-4 video encoding and tri-streaming technology, as well as Direct-to-iSCSI recording,” the company says. “This allows live and recorded images to be viewed simultaneously by multiple authorised users via local area networks or the internet.”
Reader Service No 105
It’s a set up
Sanyo’s VDC-P7575PA compact dome was under the Bench Test spotlight in April. This is what we said: “We are still not quite sure about the motion-activated zoom. On the face of it, it seems like a good idea, but it has one potentially serious flaw. The zoom is triggered by any of the 16 targets, but only the central area of the image is magnified. In other words, if something on the edge of the scene sets it off, whatever or whoever it was will disappear from view as the camera zooms in, and if the delay time is set to a high value, it could be a while before the camera resets itself.
“Sanyo has also limited the usefulness of the motion sensor by not providing any sort of output function. When the motion sensor is triggered, or the camera receives an external alarm input, all that happens is the camera title flashes for a preset period. It appears that everything needed to provide an alarm output is in place (relay, connections etc.); all it needs is to be implemented.
“Apart from that the camera performs more or less up to expectations. It’s easy to set up (with the remote handset) and the exposure system is flexible and simple to configure. Providing you are not expecting anything special in terms of low light capabilities and take care over its location, then the VDC-P7575PA passes muster as a very decent general purpose, compact fixed dome.”
Reader Service No 106
Network ready
The VN-C215 series are the first fixed IP network dome cameras introduced to the market by JVC and complement the existing portfolio of professional-level network cameras.
The VN-C215V4U is designed for internal installations and the VN-C215VP4U vandal resistant model is ideal for use in demanding applications and outdoor installation.
The VN-C215VP4U is JVC’s first vandal resistant IP-network dome camera and meets a rating of IP66. It has a durable die-cast aluminium chassis with polycarbonate cover and incorporates an optional heater unit to allow the camera to operate in temperatures reaching -30 degC. This camera is suitable for installations such as prisons, campuses, parking garages, railway stations, and other environments where impact resistance and weatherproofing is paramount.
Both cameras have a 3.6 x built-in variable focal length iris lens measuring 2.8 – 10mm. The Easy Day/Night function enables clear and well-defined images in black-and-white and colour to be captured 24/7. A triple axis rotation mechanism also simplifies installation.
Reader Service No 107
Temple of zoom
In July Dennard’s 2060-251 dome was Bench Tested in Security Installer. This is what we had to say: “First the good points, and the mechanics are beyond reproach, it’s very well built and the pan/tilt mechanism is one of the smoothest we’ve seen in a while. Picture quality in general is also very good across a very wide range of lighting conditions, though we would have preferred to have some influence over colour balance, and more in the way of manual exposure control or preset options.
“The auto focus system on our sample proved to be a tad indecisive at times ,though in this instance there is provision to take charge using the controller’s manual focus options. We were a little surprised to see the unprotected slip rings, and whilst they gave no indication of trouble during our tests they do place a lot of reliance on the integrity of the unit’s weatherproofing for long-term reliability, so only time will tell if this was a good idea or not.
“Finally, if the camera is to be used in a thermally challenging environment it’s probably a good idea to check on the availability or inclusion of a fan and/or heating element.”
Reader Service No 108
Follow the ball
Genie’s new ‘Extra’ range of vandal-resistant micro domes incorporate a rubber ball camera mounting that allows for complete three-axis camera positioning without the use of any screws.
Constructed of tough aluminium alloy, the domes are designed for internal or external (by fitting the optional IP68 weatherproofing kit) use in any situation where CCTV surveillance cameras are vulnerable to attack by vandalism or other types of anti-social behaviour.
Available in a range of 12 monochrome and six colour models, the ‘Extra’ range is housed in compact casings and feature either a Sony 1/3-inch interline transfer monochrome CCD or Sony 1/3-inch colour super HAD CCD image sensor. The integral rubber ball, which contains the camera, helps reduce vibration and also increases resistance to vandalism by giving additional protection to the polycarbonate bubble.
Reader Service No 109
Artificial intelligence
Sony’s SNC-DF50 network dome was Bench Tested last month. We said: “We can overlook Sony’s enthusiastic application of the word ‘intelligent’ and on paper the specs and features list look most impressive, but in the end the DF50 fails to excite. A better lens and more exposure controls would certainly help, but question marks remain over browser stability and compatibility and the internal reflections from the dome.
“It’s an ambitious design and Sony are to be congratulated for the range of features and the sophistication of the alarm and motion detection systems, but somewhere along the line it seems that basic functions, like picture performance, may have been sidelined.”
Reader Service No 110
Double launch
Panasonic has launched two new network dome cameras. The WV-NW484 is a PoE fixed dome camera that features an improved, highly reliable design including IP66 weatherproofing, anti-shock auto back focus, and Super Dynamic III technology.
The WV-NF284 is a compact stylish network colour dome camera with MPEG-4 and JPEG dual streaming. The camera can transmit VGA images at up to 30fps. The 1/4-inch progressive scan CCD capture moving subjects with minimal blurring, and multicast – MPEG-4 only – is also supported.
Additional features include a 3.6x variable focus lens that operates in light as low as 1.5 lux. The WV-NF284 also operates via Power over Ethernet.
Reader Service No 111