Please recommend a mobotix camera. Picture of house included

[USA Ed 0]

I may go with a mobotix setup on my house, so I want to start with just 1 camera to see how they are. I would like to go with a high megapixel IP camera.

 

In the picture you will see the front of my house, I want to put the camera to the left of the front door above that light. The light is on a senor and throws out about 120 watts.

 

I would like to go with a dome camera for that location, or should I not go with a dome camera?

 

Because I have the night light, do I need a dedicated night camera for the night or a dual dome camera, with both day and night camera? I do have street lights and I also have that 120watt light.

 

What mobotix camera would you recommend, and what lens would be able to get everyone walking to the steps and up the steps. And also record them while they are directly in front of the door.

 

Do I need a WDR camera because of the balcony?

 

Any other advice is greatly appreciated. Please click on the picture below to expand image.

 

 

[USA Ed 0]

Surpised nobody didn't answer this question. I guess I will call mobotix directly. Is it true that mobotix will not help out small customers?

 

This was my fear with going with mobotix, nobody really uses their cameras.

[rory 0]

Its the weekend please give the mobotix users time to reply, its an expensive and luxury product so only a couple of them here They are here though, they will reply!

[tomcctv 190]

Surpised nobody didn't answer this question. I guess I will call mobotix directly. Is it true that mobotix will not help out small customers?

 

This was my fear with going with mobotix, nobody really uses their cameras.

 

 

Hi usa ed. i think that looking at your pictures you are wasting your money installing a mobotix. as good as mobotix are were you intend to install one it would be better with using axis. and also you could install 2 or 3 axis for the cost of a mobotix.

 

looking at your picture. you have thick posts infront of were you are going to have the camera pointing and thats going to make 20-30% of your image usless.

 

do you use a dvr or are you going to link to pc ???

[rory 0]

Hi usa ed. i think that looking at your pictures you are wasting your money installing a mobotix. as good as mobotix are were you intend to install one it would be better with using axis. and also you could install 2 or 3 axis for the cost of a mobotix.

 

looking at your picture. you have thick posts infront of were you are going to have the camera pointing and thats going to make 20-30% of your image usless.

 

do you use a dvr or are you going to link to pc ???

 

All he really needs are a couple CNB or KT&C CCTV cameras ... save a ton of money.

[USA Ed 0]

Forgot to say, but I intended to install about 5-8 cameras around the house. I just wanted to start with 1 mobotix camera and install it before I made my decision on all the other cameras.

[tomcctv 190]

Forgot to say, but I intended to install about 5-8 cameras around the house. I just wanted to start with 1 mobotix camera and install it before I made my decision on all the other cameras.

 

 

Hi usa ed. before you install a mobotix you will have to think on how you are going to record all 8 cameras and are they all going to be ip. it is expensive to go full ip and like rory says you can get just as much protection from standard cameras. so first start with how you are going to save the footage ???

[USA Ed 0]

I thought I would just build some kind of computer for saving the footage. I am a computer hobbyist so I upgrade all the time.

 

I thought any PC can save mobotix data, one of their selling points is you don't need a crazy fast computer. But with only 8 cameras even an h.264 should easily be recorded with a dual core computer??? I also will run a seperate network for the cameras using cat 6 wire.

 

I do want to go high end on this build, so I definietly want IP quality all around.

 

I'm still up in the air about mobotix vs h.264. Not sure if the extra cost of mobotix justifies using their cameras and also their limited camera selection.

 

But definitely IP quality is what I want.

[Monitor Your Assets 0]

Hi Ed,

 

Thanks for the pictures - that helps.

 

A few comments, in no particular order:

• With a Mobotix camera, you do not *need* to record to a PC. You can if you want. Storage can be on camera (SD memory) or can be to a PC or NFS. You can also record all to camera and make simultaneous FTP transfers in the event that the camera is broken/stolen.
  
• Is it possible to mount the camera to the ceiling or does it need to go on the brick? The reason why I ask is that it may help determine which Mobotix camera/mount to use. The D24 is more flexible with the wall mount. The M24 would work fine either way.
  
• A Mobotix D24 or M24 with a D22 (90 degree) lens would capture the area you're after - 3 megapixel. An L32 (60 degree) might do the trick too if you want to narrow it down a bit.
  
• The light you have makes using a Mobotix day lens possible. You need to be aware that if that light goes out, you'll have no image in the dark (assuming that your cameras will be on a UPS of some sort).
  
• Do you want speaker/microphone capabilities?
  
• MxPEG vs H.264 - there have been many discussions about the two formats, both on this forum and others. Both have advantages. Both have disadvantages. And both work.
  
• As Tom and Rory mentioned, there are less expensive options. I can't think of any that are as simple (one camera only) and full featured. It all depends on what your wants/needs are. Your approach of starting with 1 camera is great - dip your toes in the water before you jump in.

 

Attached is a picture from a recent front door install using a N22 (90 degree) lens which is limited to just over 1 megapixel.

 

Hope this helps you with your decision one way or the other. If not, write back and I or one of the other Mobotix enthusiasts on this forum will help you out.

 

Regards,

[Voipmodo 0]

Mobotix is a great camera for home use. Yes it can be more expensive per camera then analog or lower end IP Cameras, but the quality and features are in my opinion unmatched. With adding several cameras, like the other poster said, there is no computer needed for recording or image processing/analytics. This not only makes easier to manage, but decreases utility costs.

 

For camera model, I would go with an M12 Day/night or a D12 if you want a dome and go with a 22mm (90 Degree Lens). Even though you have a floodlight, the day/night model will give you better night and low light performance then a day only camera.

[griffonsystems 0]

Contact a local Mobotix reseller and have them give you a m24 to demo for a week so you can see if just the color/day lens will give you the image at night you require. I like the m24 over the d24(dome) because it has mic/speaker - the d24 doesn't. The only dome that has mic/speaker is the d12 and it will need the wall-mount and wont look good on a house (its a bit big and ugly in my opinion) also the m24 has the updated processor so higher frame rate at all resolutions.

[buellwinkle 0]

When you have a camera outside like you want, it's ideal to have PIR motion detection, so I would recomend the M12D-SEC-DNIGHT, with the 22mm lens for both day and night. It's a funny looking camera, but it has PIR motion detection and 2 way audio that I don't beleive their domes do and it has a B&W night sensor that's awsome. The 120W porch light will be more than enough. Also Mobotix has good exposure control and seem to handle bad lighting better than other cameras I've used. I have a review on my blog if you want to see some images.

 

Although Mobotix makes an awsome dome, the D12, I'm not a fan of domes, kinda has that commercial bank/supermarket/casino/mall security look. I prefer a box camera in an enclosure or an outdoor box like the Mobotix because it's more intimidating and security to me is as much about being a deterent as it is about surveillence. If you do go with a dome, the D12 can be ordered with the seperate day and night lenses, but like previously mentioned, it's a large dome.

[USA Ed 0]

Thanks for all the replies, gave me many ideas to think about. After long thinking and research, I think the best bet would be a Dual/night IP M12. I will have both day and night ip cameras mounted to the camera.

 

A PIR sensor makes much sense as stated above, I also can use the voice feature of the camera. I am not 100% sure if it will make a big difference, but as stated above a dedicated night time camera may give me better video at night, even though I have the 120watt light. I will also go with the 90degree lenses.

 

The only issuse I see here, and maybe someone can help out, is that should I buy a m12 now, or should I wait for the updated M14 version. I called mobotix today about the release date and they said around Christmas for its release. I am not in a big rush, but it would be nice to get at least one camera started.

 

So if I am not in a big rush, should I wait for the updated M14 or just buy the M12? I may buy a few other M14's when they come out for other locations. Not sure if mixing and matching a M12 and M14 will add any complexity with the codecs.

[Voipmodo 0]

The M12 will work fine if you add M14 when they finally come out. Codecs and software will be the same, the main difference will be an updated board which gives faster frames per second at higher resolutions and the ability to have interchangeable lens. Like computers and everything else electronic, there is always something new and better coming out in the future, but you are always best buying for what you need today.

[tomcctv 190]

the mobotix is a good camera when used in the right location. and the porch area on the ops photo is no good for a mobotix m12. it will not cover both entrances at the same time (not that close to the camera) and the lighting will also be a problem.

 

i have used mobotix for a long time and like i say they have there place. and people say these cameras are high end cameras (only in price) there are better cameras that wipe the floor with mobotix in video quality and frame rate. 1 being the sanyo HD.

SANYO VCC-HD3300P Full-HD 1080p Dual-Stream Day/Night Vandal-Resistant Varifocal, 4 Mega Pixel Dome Network Camera

Focus Assist Drive - for dramatically easier installation,True Day/Night (ICR),5 Levels Picture quality,Electronic focus adjustment with focus assist and SD card backup.

[buellwinkle 0]

Is that a 75-79 Nova? That has to be a rare car. I haven't seen one in 20 years. Are you going to restore to it's original glory or make a hot-rod or bracket racer?

[ak357 0]

 

i have used mobotix for a long time and like i say they have there place. and people say these cameras are high end cameras (only in price) there are better cameras that wipe the floor with mobotix in video quality and frame rate. 1 being the sanyo HD.

SANYO VCC-HD3300P Full-HD 1080p Dual-Stream Day/Night Vandal-Resistant Varifocal, 4 Mega Pixel Dome Network Camera

Focus Assist Drive - for dramatically easier installation,True Day/Night (ICR),5 Levels Picture quality,Electronic focus adjustment with focus assist and SD card backup.

 

I would assume u are using Aver to record Sanyo ?

How well its supported

max res, frame rate and so on ?

does it support h.264 and Jpeg

Thanks

[USA Ed 0]

the mobotix is a good camera when used in the right location. and the porch area on the ops photo is no good for a mobotix m12. it will not cover both entrances at the same time (not that close to the camera) and the lighting will also be a problem.

 

i have used mobotix for a long time and like i say they have there place. and people say these cameras are high end cameras (only in price) there are better cameras that wipe the floor with mobotix in video quality and frame rate. 1 being the sanyo HD.

SANYO VCC-HD3300P Full-HD 1080p Dual-Stream Day/Night Vandal-Resistant Varifocal, 4 Mega Pixel Dome Network Camera

Focus Assist Drive - for dramatically easier installation,True Day/Night (ICR),5 Levels Picture quality,Electronic focus adjustment with focus assist and SD card backup.

 

Tom, thanks for the advice, I was wondering if that SANYO camera will perform better with its one lens then a mobotix M12, that has a dedicated black and white night camera?

 

Also, if you wanted to use a montion sensor to give you alerts and for easy viewing of those alerts, how would you do it with that camera?

[thewireguys 3]

Keep in mind the motion detector on the Mobotix camera is only good for about 30 ft

[griffonsystems 0]

post snapshots of the sanyo day and night, i'd like to see how it is better than mobotix m12 when its only using a 1/4" ccd chip

[elefantrider 0]

Bringing this one back up. This has been an informative post. Did you go with d14s or m12s on your house? Happy with your choice? I am weighing the same decision, dome vs box.

[akelley 0]

I'm also interested the quality of the Sanyo that Tom mentions. By the way, there was a slight typo in your model number. It's not VCC- but VCD- for the domes. Anyway, I would be interested in seeing night time shots and video if possible.

 

I've recently installed a Samsung SNV-7080R and while on paper it should be a great camera, in reality, I have not been impressed at all. Not sure who the OEM for Samsung and Sanyo are (Panasonic maybe?), but so far, I haven't been impressed with Samsung - Axis by far has been the best IP cameras I've installed and used. Mobotix certainly has a lot of features, but you really need to take training to fully exploit their full feature set. I remember a while back I was testing a Q24 and I swear I couldn't get that thing to do more than 5 fps, no matter what settings I tried. Disappointed because it really was a perfect solution for my client (if it would have worked, that is).

[buellwinkle 0]

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.

[akelley 0]

I like Axis cameras, but I have to say my experience with Axis Camera Companion (ACC) left me feeling the software is half baked, at best. I had it hooked up to a p3367-ve and a M5014. When it connected to the M5014 and was used for any extended period of time (like >15 minutes) it would cause the M5014 to freeze up, requiring a hard reboot (cut power). One of the more intrussive issues I found was that when it was used with the p3367-ve it caused a noticeable degradation in FPS on the camera. I figured this out because when you point ACC, it sets up its own Admin account, and installs some Axis programs for motion detection and other functions. I figured out that it was these programs that were running that was bogging down the camera. In other words ACC can't use the camera's native MD application so installs its own, which appears to be not nearly as efficienct. When this was running, the p3367 went from the full 12.5 fps down to sub 10 fps. As soon as I disabled the ACC applications, everything went back to normal.

 

I think ACC is good for a limited number of cameras (and probably only for the lower end "M" series) - they just need to figure out why it causes them to freeze up (I was never able to fix this on the M5014).

 

ExacqVision now offers an integrated version of their VMS that works directly with Axis Edge recording cameras - ExacqVision Edge. Haven't had the time to test it out yet, but maybe that's something you can do on your blog, Buellwinkle

[buellwinkle 0]

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