Axis Debuts ‘Smallest Video Recorder’ at ISC West
LAS VEGAS — Axis Communications unveiled several new products on Wednesday, including the Axis Companion Camera system, which allows electronic security contractors to install a four camera system for less than $1,000, according to the company.
Analog video represents roughly 70% of the video surveillance market, according to Axis General Manager Frederik Nilsson. That number may appear shocking considering IP video offers better scalability, image quality and total cost of ownership (TCO) than analog. However, Nilsson noted, larger enterprise businesses utilizing 50- to 100-camera systems are predominantly using IP video.
“More than half of the market, such as retail stores like 7-Eleven, uses smaller systems,” Nilsson said. “The reason for that is there is a perceived cost advantage and sometimes it is a real cost advantage. There is also the ease of the install and the ease of use for those systems.”
To address the small retail market, Axis engineers created the Axis Camera Companion — the industry’s smallest video recorder, according to the company.
“The Axis Camera Companion system is built around edge storage,” Axis Product Manager Göran Haraldsson said. “All recordings are done in the SD card in each camera removing the need for a centralized recording unit that you typically have in analog systems.”
The solution also offers a free software client and third-party mobile apps for viewing live and recorded video, as well as routers, switches, and NAS devices.
“Instead of creating a smaller, cheaper encoder, our engineers actually got rid of the recorder in the system,” Nilsson said. “The camera has four different recorders represented by an SD card, which can hold a couple of days’ worth of video. It costs less than $10.”
Axis National Sales Engineering Manager Ryan Gregory discussed the company’s ARTPEC-4 processor, which offers increased image quality, wide dynamic range and extreme low light sensitivity. Additionally, Gregory showcased Axis’ color-at-night Lightfinder technology.
“In traditional cameras, users see images in black and white in low light conditions,” he said. “With the Lightfinder technology, users have the ability ability to see color images in very low light conditions.”
The company also introduced eight new P33 Series cameras, which feature Lightfinder technology. Several P33 Series cameras offer built-in infrared (IR) technology, a first for Axis.
“Up until now, Axis has not offered any such cameras because we thought that the cons outweighed pros,” Axis Product Manager Petra Bennermark explained. “But now with new technology, we think it’s the right time.”
Lastly, the company also launched the M1143-L and M1144-L indoor fixed network cameras with integrated IR-LED illumination and mechanical IR-cut filters for true day/night surveillance.
“The high-efficiency IR-LED lights in these cameras are sunk behind the lens to dissipate heat and provide up to 50 feet of IR light for a minimum of seven years — even if used 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Nilsson said.
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