Brickcom N-Series 360° Network Camera Has Wide Appeal

Security industry expert T. Riley Pierce gives his opinion on the Brickcom N-Series MD-300Np 360⁰ network camera in SSI’s latest Bench Test security product review.

The Brickcom N-Series 360⁰ cameras are Brickcom’s offerings in the panoramic view camera market. Brickcom has two models in the N-Series, the MD-300Np, which has a 3-megapixel (MP) imager and the MD-500Np that has a 5MP imager. Both models are designed to provide maximum coverage of a location/area from a single lens assembly via their wide angle lens. The cameras are designed to provide 180⁰ viewing across two horizons (vertical & horizontal) from the camera’s single lens. This multiviewing angle capability provides the user with several viewing options, which can reduce the number of cameras required to cover a wide area. I have used other cameras that only provide a 180⁰ panoramic view via three-four camera assemblies in one housing; the camera views often don’t match up well due to alignment issues with the different imagers in the assembly and can’t provide varied multiviews like the Brickcom cameras can.

Construction

I received the MD-300Np-360P-AL camera for my product review. Both of the N-Series assemblies resemble the various mini domes that are common in today’s CCTV market; however, the units are about two-thirds the size of today’s fixed dome cameras. Both models are 4¼-inches round, stand 2¼-inches high and have a powder-white case finish. These domes would easily be missed by the average customer walking through a store or parking structure. The N-Series domes are designed to be vandal-resistant and carry an IK10 vandal rating, highest on the EN 62262 standard. The dome cover and camera base assembly are constructed of cast metal and have a solid feel to their design. The flush mounting base for the camera leaves a little to be desired; it is constructed of molded plastic that just seems out of place with the rest of the dome’s materials. I would prefer a metal base to accentuate the dome’s security design.

Brickcom MD-300Np-360P 360° Camera

SPECS

  • Network IP camera
  • Designed for wide area/multiple angle coverage

PROS

  • Easy to install
  • Small form factor
  • Provides multiple views from one camera assembly

CONS

  • Requires proprietary software just to set the IP address

The camera is designed to be powered via two sources. As with the majority of IP cameras today, the units can be powered via the assembly’s PoE connector or there is a 12VDC power jack where external power can be supplied locally if necessary. Both models have an operating temperature range of -20⁰ to +50⁰ C (-4⁰ to +122⁰ F), are water resistant and carry an IP67 rating for their enclosures.

The camera assembly has a built-in micro-SD card slot that accepts cards up to 32GB. This allows the camera to store video locally and provide the video management system (VMS) with any lost video images should there be an interruption in the data stream.

The camera also has a built-in video connector that allows the installing technician to use a handheld CCTV monitor to align the camera assembly during installation. This requires a separate video adapter that isn’t supplied with the camera but can be ordered if it is required. This installation feature would be nice for the installer as he/she was trying to ascertain if the proposed mounting location was feasible for the field of view that was needed.

Features

The Brickcom N-Series cameras are designed to provide wide area coverage from a single mounting location. This allows one camera to view multiple areas or provide a digital pan/ tilt/zoom (p/t/z) effect in locations where stealth operation may be necessary. Both the 3MP and the 5MP models utilize lenses from ImmerVision that are manufactured using its patented panomorph technology. This technology provides the wide area viewing capability from the camera assemblies during live viewing and subsequent playback. Both cameras are equipped with an ImmerVision Enables 1mm lens with a rated viewing angle of 182⁰ vertical and 182⁰ horizontal for a 360⁰ total viewing area.

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