buellwinkle

If you want to view the camera output outside the web interface, I've successfully used VLC from VideoLan, a free streaming program. Clck on Media, Open Network Streaming and enter the RTSP URL, like this rtsp://192.168.1.10:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0 and click the Play button. Works well if you want something light that's running on your desktop.

You can see the full resolution images. You have to click on the image to see it larger, then click on the 4 arrows at the lower right side of the image to see if full size. Not sure if the free wordpress site, like I originaly used provides space for full sized images. I hosted the images seperately. IR light bleed is common on poorly designed domes. For example, OpenEye has the worst I've seen, Dahua was a close second, Vivotek next. They all use a rubber gromet to isolate the LEDs from the lens. My guess is the dome is not perfectly round, so the rubber doesn't track as well or not as effective at different angles, hence you may see some people complain more than others. But my theory may not hold water because I can see on the Dahua dome that the rubber is fully sealed against the dome, yet I get terrible light bleed. My other theory is the plastic used carries the light across the thickness of the plastic, like a fiber optic light effect. Not as much an issue on a bullet because the glass on the front is flat and the lens and LEDs are in a fixed position. Other domes I tested like the ACTi domes do not have any perceptible IR light bleed. Of course cameras without IR do not have this issue, so you can get the Dahua 3MP dome without illuminators and use external illuminators. Believe me, I wish it was great, because I would prefer the style of a vandal dome instead of that huge bullet for the front of my home.

I should get one to review soon after they are released, but no time real soon.

I tried remote focus on 2 brand of cameras, openeye and brickcom and find the feature to be very annoying to use and highly inaccurate. You adjust focus by tapping on + and - signs until you get it right. The problem is the correct focus is typically in between what you can set. After weeks of trying to focus the openeye, we just returned them. That's not to say there aren't some very good cameras with autofocus and zoom like the ACTI KCM-5611, but that's a full fledged zoom/autofocus, not remote focus, remote varifocal lens.

The problem with the Q24 and the M3007 is they are day cameras (although you can order the Q24 as a night camera). When you consider that ACTi and Geovision make 4-5MP versions with day/night IR cut filters.

I did note in my review that the 1.3MP mini bullet had brighter LED's than the 1080MP bullet, but both were still good. It's just the dome seems to be a dissapointment. Maybe try the dome without the cover to see if the softness is caused by the dome or the lens. Also anxious to see if the 3MP bullet is the same, better or worse than the 1080P bullet.

I don't know if it's focus or just the way the 3MP domes are, but the other one I've seen have the same soft out of focus image. Have you tried focusing it yet? If you think the 1.3MP mini bullet is good, the 1080P bullet has better image quality.

Actually, I'll be testing ACC pretty soon as they are sending me a couple of cameras to do this on.

Axis announced their Q24 killer, the M3007P, albeit indoors only, but 5MP at $599. Don't expect it at your local cctv camera shop until my guess, early next year. When you consider it's Axis Camera Companion compatible, that puts it in Mobotix's sweet spot, to let the camera handle the heavy lifting of motion detection and recording and software to just view what the camera recorded and multi camera viewing like MXControlCenter. Actually enjoy the complexity of Mobotix cameras, like when I use Photoshop to resize my photos. Why use a simple tool when a really complex one does the job. I've never tried because the name alone scares me, but you can configure the Mobotix cameras with MXEasy.

It's scary huge, I hit my head on 2-3 times, seriously. The reason we had to use it on one wall is their dome is not really suitable for surface mount conduit as there's no punch outs or a cover to attached a conduit to like most other domes. The cover around the dome is plastic and angled and we certainly didn't want to experiment with drilling holes into it and damaging the camera or it's weather resistant rating.

You can buy IP cameras that have analog out. That may be cheaper. For example, the Dahua IPC-HFW3200CN that I reviewed has analog outputs as well as ethernet. This way you can run it to your DVR for now, when you are ready to convert to maybe a hybrid NVR, you can take advantage then of the 1080P resolution.

We have a few mounted directly to a wall, one on a pole and a couple using their wall mount.

Yes, it uses the rtsp port as may camera brands do.

That's what the camera needs, is a higher than 1.3MP sensor for night time. Interesting they say spring, hmm, in time for ISC West show in April. We primarily use D14's because they lense are changable, so it would be good to see changable lenses on the M series.

The TMC-5111 looks better at night than the Samsung for sure. The Samsung seems grainy and low contrast at night.

Most cameras have alarm inputs/outputs where you can trigger a siren based on an external PIR motion detector and have it email you pictures when that occurs.

I can't delete them either, I just changed the passwords on them and secure enough for me. Also, consider that most people won't expose the port on the internet for each of their cameras and use an NVR or NVR software to control secure remote access.

Interested in getting your opinion on the IPC-HDBW3300 dome at night. From my findings, they get some IR light bleed, but tweaking it seems to clear that up, sometimes. Also in how it compares to the bullet at night as some complain the dome is not as sharp near the top edge.

Sort of putting the cart before the horse. Many IP cameras have mic inputs and require a simple microphone. Some have audio inputs and require and amplified mic. You have to find out what your camera needs. There's plenty of amplified mics in the lower $15-20 price range. I just plugged one in to test a camera for a review and it sounded fine using a cheap mic.

That is a cool looking camera. A video at night with the illuminators in action would be great. How much are they going to sell for? I had DSL and you can't get services beyond 756Kbps up so I switched to u-verse, a lot faster for not much more money.

If you don't care, then get a box camera, because domes have issues with glare and such against the curved surface of the dome. Also, box cameras tend to have larger lenses making them better in low light. Not having seen the output of their new P33, it's hard to tell which has better image quality. I'll try and get one to review.

Nope, can't turn off DHCP or any of the router functionality. May Tom has a different model that's not being sold anywhere. On the bright side, some day they may add functonality to turn it off and make a switch.

Is this the Dahua PTZ with illuminators built?

Sure, that's what the M12 was, the Devkit in a box.

Depends if you prefer a dome and are willing to give up twice the resolution and some features. Is the P3384 available yet? Would this be a mixed camera situation or all ACTi vs all Axis? I ask because ACTi provides very good NVR software for free and Axis provides good CMS software for free when the P33 writes to a NAS.