ipProTech

I think this year we will see a new line of IP Cameras and Video Servers that have improved performance and quality. If you look at most of the current IP Cameras on the market, they were designed over two or three years ago. Most of the Axis and Panasonic IP Cameras are marginal at best. We are just now seeing the 640x480 or larger true 30fps cameras hit the market. Make sure to check any camera/video spec out that has a * next to the frame rate. Usually means that the frame rate is supported only at the smaller image sizes. I'm also willing to bet that video servers will not only increase in performance this year, but I'm willing to bet increased competition will cause the prices to drop by almost half by years end. Note that I said video server prices by half, not IP Camera prices. As for performance, I've been playing with my new Sony SNCZ20N camera with 30fps at 640x480 (actually do 736x480). Feel free to play with it at http://4.4.3.171 - choose activeX viewer for best performance. Frame rate in bottom left corner. Also, Sanyo has a network video server VSP-SV2000 that looks very nice. 640x480 @30fps.

IP vs Analog is something I think many of us struggle sometimes with to get a feel for it application and place. There is no doubt a cost factor difference between IP Camera solutions and analog DVR solutions. For the small business needing just fixed general purpose Indoor Office or Outdoor cameras with easy wiring and nothing fancy mentality, DVR/Analog seems to be hard to beat. IP Camera solutions though can have great Pro's given the right application. Say large warehouse or lumbermill where you need flexability in Zoom or Pan and Tilt. Especially for large layout buildings or multiple buildings. If they have Eithernet drops, your wiring is very doable and you can create a very nice centralized solution. Large High schools with multiple buildings is a great example. The rub of course is cost and network bandwidth. You have the more expensive Cameras (close to $1000 for anything of quality / frame rate) and you have the Server Management Software for viewing and storing video from the IP Cameras ($1200 - $6000 +) I've just finished a design for the largest lumber mill in North Ameraica and the best solution was going with IP Network Cameras. But at the same time I still spec DVR for small businesses. I wish I could just sell IP camera solutions, but it just isn't going to happen. Back to bandwidth, you do have to design in such a way that you don't swamp the existing network bandwith. This is done by segmenting off as much as possible as well as looking at the Server software that you are using. Some software allow you to throttle the camera speed, others only allow you to throttle the viewers speed. Big difference. One thing I will do is start a thread on IP Server Software that lists some Pro's and Con's. I think it will be helpful as we all investigate and use different Cameras and Software to build sellable and usable solutions.

Thanks David, Any plans to support Sony IP Cameras? Or the other two Sony IP Cameras? Thanks,

The IQEye3 looks to be an interesting camera. I just received my Sony SNCZ20N which actually supports IEEE 802.3af POE. All the others actually require a splitter. Should be fun playing around with the Sony.

You might want to check out Sony's new IP Camera SNCZ20N. This is the camera that I think can make a real reason for going with an IP camera solution for certain designs. They also have a live demo where you can zoom. The camera looks great and it supports true power over Eithernet (802.3af). All other cameras, including Axis don't support POE directly and must use a splitter. Anyway, you may wish to check it out. I'm starting to use it in my design proposals for IP Camera Solutions. http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?m=10005&sm=0&p=2&sp=20075&id=72580