Video Surveillance
Video surveillance technology has expanded steadily since the first CCTV cameras were installed in London and Liverpool in the 1960s to help alleviate traffic congestion and secure train passengers. And since those carefree days of peace and love, the world has become an extremely dangerous place, filled with threats to life, property, liberty and a never-ending stream of people and places that cry out for others to watch.
With the steady increase in the call for visual documentation for security, crime investigation, liability protection and countless other purposes, limitless reseller opportunities exist to fill the void without requiring too much specialized knowledge, investment or risk. What follows are Power-over-Ethernet solutions from Axis Communications, Cisco Systems, D-Link Systems and Lorex Technology.
NEXT: Axis Communications
Axis Communications
When Internet video pioneer Axis Communications in 1996 released its first IP-based video camera with built-in Web server, it popularized a craze of dedicated cams showing everything from coffee machines to kitty cats. Claiming more than a million cameras sold since then, the company in September unveiled the Axis Q1921-E Thermal Network Camera, which displays the heat signature of objects in view. Unlike infrared units, which require small amounts of visible light, the $2,999 Axis thermal camera operates just as well in total darkness as in daylight.
Setup could not have been easier. Simply plug the unit's fixed Ethernet cable to a Power-over-Ethernet port and wait for it to initialize and obtain an IP address. When first browsing to the address, you're prompted to assign a password for root access. Upon log-in, the default screen shows a live view of the camera imagery in "Black-hot" mode, a monochromatic mode that displays hotter images as dark. Conversely, the White-hot mode appears like a black-and-white film negative. Other modes include Ice-and-fire, Rainbow and Night Vision. Streaming formats include Motion JPEG and H.264, as well as settings to optimize image quality, network bandwidth and mobile viewing. A setup page permits these and other choices to be permanent.
Also in its lineup is the $399 Axis M1054. Not only is it equipped with a high-resolution camera, microphone and white LED and speaker, it also has a sense of humor. Among the options upon detecting and recording motion is to play back a recorded voice that tells trespassers: "You have been photographed and recorded by this Axis network camera. There is no point in destroying me; the information has been stored at another site and a notification has been sent. Have a nice day."
With the exception of hardware-specific settings, the Axis cameras share identical software. The browser-based interface is elegantly simple yet extremely powerful. It offers access to frame rate, image size, audio and video codec, brightness and contrast levels (as well as color and sharpness levels for the M1054). Both also offer auto-capture regions, resolution and aspect ratio, for which the M1054's maximum is 1,280 x 720 at 16:9. Both cameras also capture sound. A veteran of the industry and the channel, Axis products are recommended by the CRN Test Center with confidence.
NEXT: Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
Having become accustomed to Windows-only setup utilities from Cisco Systems (and one is included), testers were pleased when they could also set up and configure the company's VC220 Dome Network Camera completely through a browser. Out of the box, the unit was able to obtain an IP address and testers correctly guessed its default ID and password on the first try. Testers commented that a wizard should probably force a password change at this point; after all, the software can force password complexity and minimum length. Instead users are taken to a live camera view (which requires the Quicktime browser plug-in). Buttons there offer control of day/night, output on/off and snapshots.
One of the features that most sets Cisco's camera apart is the ability to output two separate video streams and assign them to specific users. This can be useful, for example, when accessing video streams from a mobile device or other networks on which screen size and/or bandwidth are limited. In fact, by default the software sets stream one to the maximum resolution (640 x 480 at 30 frames-per-second), and stream two at the lowest (176 x 144 at 5 fps). The VC220 also can attach to a variety of servers for storage and alerting, including FTP, IM, SAMBA and SMTP. An API permits camera imagery and functions to be accessed programmatically.
Testers also liked the time-saving preview mode when changing values for color saturation, brightness, contrast and the like. For night mode, the default setting engages black-and-white mode. A cut filter helps eliminate glare when the infrared LEDs are active but is off by default.
Physically, the VC220 is a sturdy PoE device that's easy to install and adjust for pan and tilt. The kit includes an AC/DC adapter, two L-shaped stereo audio extension cables, an Ethernet cable, general-purpose I/O connectors, drywall mounting hardware and an installation and alignment template (sticker). A pair of screws hold the dome's enclosure in place and remain captive when loosened, easing installation (a Torx driver is included). The VC220's motion sensor is surrounded by a ring that glows green to indicate it's operational, and amber to indicate other states. The Cisco VC220 is covered by a three-year warranty that includes 12 months of text-chat support. Like most things Cisco, the $794 VC220 Dome Network Camera is recommended by the CRN Test Center, particularly for enterprise and midmarket customers. The company also offers centralized monitoring software and, of course, networking and storage hardware.
NEXT: D-Link Systems
D-Link Systems
D-Link sent the CRN Test Center a complete video surveillance system for testing including a pair of PoE cameras -- the DCS-6111 Fixed Dome IP Network Camera ($659) and DCS-3110 Fixed Network Camera ($599) -- plus a two-bay Network Video Recorder ($899) and networking gear. Everything installed and worked seamlessly out of the box, and since the user interface of D-Link's software is consistent with that of its routers, testers had an easy time finding their way around.
Setting up the Network Video Recorder (NVR) was simply a matter of populating it with SATA drives, powering and connecting it to a network, and assigning an IP address using a Windows utility. If the plan is to protect data with RAID formatting, it's best to use drives that match exactly in make and model. Unmatched drives are OK, too, but will be treated as just a bunch of disks. The utility then launches the default browser to complete the configuration. Testers updated the NVR's firmware to the latest version, which added support for eight camera inputs (up from four) and H.264 protocol (it already supported Motion JPEG and MPEG4). The software also supports cameras made by Axis, Cisco, Panasonic, Sony and others. The NVR can be configured as a DHCP server.
Colors from the DCS-3110 were bright and vibrant. A preview mode helps save time when performing manual adjustment. Wide dynamic range setting, on by default, is helpful for preventing blind spots due to glare in environments in which brightness varies, such as outdoors or when using infrared LEDs. D-Link software permits WDR to be enabled during certain times of day or night.
Under the covers, the D-Link DCS-6111 Fixed Dome Network Camera is physically and functionally identical to Cisco's VC220. And like that unit, the DCS-6111 was easy to set up and performed well. And like Cisco's, the D-Link model also puts out two streams and comes configured with stream one set to its highest resolution of 640 x 480 and a 30 fps capture rate, and stream two at its lowest setting of 176 x 144 and 5 fps. The slowest capture rate is 1 fps. The D-Link camera includes an installation template, drywall anchors, Ethernet cable and Torx driver but lacks the L-shaped audio extensions. Both PoE cameras include AC/DC adapters as well. For budget-conscious consumer and corporate customers, the CRN Test Center recommends the D-Link video surveillance solutions.
NEXT: Lorex Technology
Lorex Technology
When it comes to ease of setup and use, there's easy, and there's ridiculously easy. Falling into the latter category is the Edge+ Touch from Lorex Technology. Unlike others in this review, Lorex focuses strictly on design and manufacture of video security equipment, recorders and related products, and has obviously worked hard to create a new level of simplicity for securing consumers and businesses large and small.
For this review, the company sent the CRN Test Center one of its latest products, the Edge+ security DVR, a solution that includes a 21.5-inch touch-sensitive LCD display and touch-controlled video monitoring software. Lorex claims to be the first to offer consumers such a device, and it is targeting it at restaurants, retail stores and other venues that might require fast responses to security events from a single point of interface.
While CCTV systems can't hold a candle to today's IP-based surveillance systems for their quality, features and versatility, the simplicity of CCTV was a key part of its appeal. Lorex retains that simplicity with its cameras -- which output simple composite signals -- and puts all of its intelligence in the Edge+ DVR/controller. Once the DVR is plugged in and powered up, camera images appear on the screen as soon as they are plugged into one of the eight BNC connectors on the unit's rear panel. To move images from their default location on the screen, simply tap the screen and drag the slider to the desired camera number.
Lorex cameras are small, yet feature-rich, supporting H.264 and resolution up to 1,280 x 1,024. Each is adorned with 30 infrared LEDs, which can illuminate a distance of up to 75 feet long. A cut filter helps eliminate glare. Cameras can be monitored remotely using a Mac or PC browser or free app for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone/iPad. A browser also can be used to monitor and administer the DVR, which can hold as much as 2 TB. The DVR ($699) measures approximately 11.5 x 7 x 2 inches and can easily fit on a rack or equipment shelf. When simple, central control is desired, the CRN Test Center recommends Lorex. Cameras list for $399 in packs of four.
COMMUNITY: Connect with the CRN Test Center at community.crn.com.