DVR Security System Review

Here we have the Sony EVI D70, this Sony security camera has been created to succeed the Sony EVI D30, the camera uses an NTSC video signal and has a compact outer casing.  The security cameras lens has a greater movement range than its predecessor and is unique to the Sony EVI range as it is the only model in their range designed to be mounted on a ceiling.  The Sony Security cameras lens is a ¼ inch Exview HAD charged coupled device and is capable of capturing images in both color and black and white.

The camera uses ‘Sony Visca Commands’ and this basically enables you to control the cameras functions from a PC.  If the graphics card on your PC has an S-Video input this may be all you need to connect the camera, Sony provide software for the camera that is installed on your PC allowing you to turn it into a monitoring station.  If your graphics card does not have an S-Video output you will need to install a DVR card, alternatively you can connect the DV70 to a standard DVR to record its feed.

You can set the camera to use automatic focusing, the optical wide end of the cameras lens has a minimum focal distance of 10 millimetres.  The cameras auto focusing function has a number of preset options, normal focusing is best suited for monitoring subjects that move around frequently, the low auto focusing setting compensates for low level lighting.  The camera has an effective pixel range of 768*494 and has a shutter speed range between 1 and 1/10,000.

In dark conditions the camera automatically shifts to black and white mode enhancing the quality of images, the camera has an 18x optical zoom and a 12x digital zoom the maximum picture resolution of the Sony security camera is 470 TV lines.  The camera requires little maintenance one set up but to avoid an AF error it is recommended that you use the CAM_Initialize command in the cameras user interface daily.

You can control the cameras pan, tilt and zoom functions directly from your PC or through a DVR that includes an appropriate RS-232C port, the cameras gain control can be controlled by the user or you can set this function to automatic.  The Sony security camera also has a Visca RS-422 connector increasing its compatibility with recording devices.

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Here we have the Sony SSCCD77 mini dome camera that strikes a balance between performance and affordability. As you can see from its outer design the cameras dome is compact, the image sensor for the Sony camera is a 1/3 inch charged coupled device and uses Sony SuperExwave technology, this increases the sensitivity of the devices image sensor.

A 3.6x optical zoom and a 1.5x digital zoom is built into the camera allowing you to view images over a significant distance. The camera is capable of capturing images at both day and night, in daytime the camera operates in color mode and it automatically switches to black and white mode in low level light conditions. As far as picture quality goes the Sony SSCCD77 can capture images in high resolution, the camera has an effective pixel range of 768*494.

The Sony dome camera is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and its inner cabling is resistant to water damage. You can also set the camera up in extremely cold conditions by equipping it with an optional heating device, this allows you to set the camera up in conditions that are as low as -40 degrees. The outer casing of the camera is rugged and can withstand attempts of vandalism to a limited degree.

To compensate for unwanted shadows in front of subjects being recorded the camera is fitted with a backlight, the camera will activate its backlight automatically to improve visibility. White balancing is also built in to the camera and this has an auto tracing feature that makes automatic adjustments to the level of white balancing used based on lighting conditions.

The camera uses an NTSC video signal and has a horizontal resolution of 540 TV lines and it is fitted with BNC and RCA analog video outputs. A ceiling mounting bracket is available for the SSCCD77 as an optional accessory, as standard the camera includes a bracket and screws for installation. The camera has pan tilt and zoom functions and its ball joint lens mount allows you to adjust its angle of view with relative ease.

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This particular dome camera in the Pelco Spectra IV SE series is the SD4C22PGE1, the dome camera falls under Pelco’s ‘Environmental Pendant category which means it has a built in heater and fan and a sun shield. The cameras outer casing is colored light gray and it has a clear lower dome and it is constructed from aluminium. The camera uses both PAL and NTSC video signals and it has a color zoom lens, it has a 22X optical zoom and 12X digital zoom.

A ¼ inch EXview HAD CCD image sensor is built in to the camera, in NTSC mode the camera has a maximum pixel resolution of 768*494, in PAL mode the maximum resolution is 752*582. The camera is capable of capturing video footage in low level lighting, it has an automatic iris control but you can use its manual override if you need to set the iris to a specific position. The camera has a shutter speed range between ½ – 1/30,000 in NTSC mode, in PAL mode the shutter speed range is between 1/1.5 – 1/30,000.

The cameras lens has a 4-88mm focal length and there is a built in synch system, the camera also has a 2:1 interlace scanning system. The camera has a 128X wide dynamic range and it has automatic white balancing, this has a manual override so you can make specific adjustments. Motion detection is built in to the camera and it has electronic image stabilization, Pelco have also added surge protection to the device and this may prove useful if your premises should experience an electrical fault.

An internal memory has been added to the camera, this can be used to set the camera to a specific position if there is an interruption to its power source. The camera also has a password protection system so you can ensure only authorised personnel can operate its functions. The camera itself has 7 alarm inputs and there is also an RJ-45 data port, this can be used to upload software updates to the device.

You can set the cameras lens to follow a specific pattern, up to 8 patterns can be programmed, the camera also has pan, tilt and zoom functions. The camera has a 360 degree continuous pan rotation capability and an unobstructed vertical tilt range between +2 degrees and –92degrees. You can vary the speed that the cameras pan tilt and zoom functions operate by using a joystick or mouse interface, the preset pan speed is 400 degrees per second and the preset tilt speed is 200 degrees per second.

Here is the Pelco Spectra IV dome security camera and this particular model has a clear dome as opposed to a smoked one. The camera is fitted with a 16X zoom color zoom lens and as it is an environmental pendant model it has a couple of extra features, these include a built in heater and fan system as well as a sun shield. The outer casing of the dome camera is constructed with aluminium and has a gray finish.

As with other cameras in the Pelco Spectra IV range this one features their ‘Low light’ technology, this feature compensates for low light levels. Software updates for the camera can be uploaded directly to the device, it is fitted with an RJ-45 port for receiving software updates and this can also be as an interface for configuring its settings. To prevent unauthorised users from adjusting the cameras settings Pelco have added a password protection system to the dome camera, this ensures only authorised personnel can adjust its position.

The camera can transmit video using either a PAL or NTSC video signal, it is fitted with a ¼ inch interline transfer CCD image sensor. The image sensor for the dome cameras has a maximum pixel range of 768*494 in NTSC mode, in PAL mode the maximum pixel range is between 752*582. Image focusing is controlled by the camera automatically but if you need to make a specific adjustment the focus does have a manual override.

In NTSC mode the dome cameras has a shutter speed range is between ½ – 1/30,000, in PAL mode the shutter speed range is between 1/1.5 – 1/30,000. The Iris and gain controls for the camera are controlled automatically but both of these features also have a manual override. Although this particular Pelco dome camera is an IP camera it offers an alternative method for transmitting its video signal, this can be done through its passive UTP circuit that is used for transmitting video through twisted pair cabling.

As you would expect the camera has pan tilt and zoom functions, the speed at which the cameras lens pans and tilts adjusts automatically based on how much you zoom in on a scene. You can also program the scan speed and zoom speed of the lens if necessary or set the lens to a specific position by using one of its preset lens position settings.

The Q-See QSHI3512 is a dome security camera that is designed for indoor usage, the camera has numerous features including an on screen menu that enables you to configure its functions. The on screen tips of the camera allow you to monitor the temperature of the camera as well as its pan tilt and zoom co-ordinates.  The QSHI3512 has been designed to work in conjunction with Pelco dome cameras if needed, the camera is compatible with Pelco-P, Pelco-D and DH-SD protocols.

You can set the camera to adjust its own position automatically in a variety of ways, the cameras auto scan feature moves the device back and forth in a horizontal field.  When setting up the cameras auto scan feature you are given the option to specify how far it adjusts its position from left to right, you can also specify how fast you want the camera to automatically move from left to right.  The auto scan feature of the camera allows you to set a maximum of five scanning paths.

As well as the auto scan feature the dome camera also has a preset setup and recall feature, this allows you to set the cameras lens to a specific position at the press of a button.  At maximum you can set up to 80 preset positions for the dome cameras lens, this feature should prove useful if you need your camera to adjust to a specific position quickly.

When monitoring the cameras output on a PC or DVR you can click on a specific area within the image you are monitoring, this causes the camera to zoom in on that area so you can see it up close.  The dome camera is fitted with seven alarm inputs and one alarm output, you can configure the camera to carry out specific actions based on what alarm attached to the device is activated.  The camera works well in low light conditions and it has a backlight that adjusts itself automatically dependant on what levels of brightness and darkness are contained within a scene.

The Q-See dome camera uses an NTSC video signal and has a maximum image resolution of 795*596, it is fitted with a ¼ inch CCD Hitachi image sensor.  The camera has an infinite pan range and can tilt up to 180 degrees, there is also a built 35x zoom.  The Q-See dome camera also has a proportional pan and tilt feature that prevents images from moving to fast when you zoom in up close on subjects.

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There are a variety of Pelco Spectra dome cameras available to choose from, this particular model is the DD4CBW35-X. The security camera is compatible with both PAL and NTSC video formats and it has a built in memory that stores information relating the settings of the camera. This feature is useful for reverting the camera back to a previous position should its lens move due to events such as alarm activation.

The outer casing of the camera is designed to withstand the elements, its metal casing is composed of aluminium, there is also a built in heater and fan. You can choose from a selection two different dome coverings, these vary slightly in that one is a clear dome and the other is smoked. A ¼ inch EXview HAD image sensor is built into the camera, in NTSC mode it has an effective pixel range of 768 (H)*494 (V), in PAL mode the range is 752 (H)*582 V.

The zoom capabilities of the camera are suitable for seeing far away objects in detail, there is a 35X optical zoom and a 12X digital zoom. The shutter speed can be controlled by the user or by the camera itself, the shutter speed range in NTSC mode is 1/2 ~ 1/30,000, in PAL mode the value changes to 1/1.5 ~ 1/30,000. The Spectra IV is designed to operate effectively in both day and night, the exact detail the camera picks up will vary depending on whether you select PAL or NTSC modes, you also have the option to select either color or black and white image settings.

A synchronization system is built in to the camera and you can adjust its phase mode with the use of a remote control. The camera is able to adjust its iris automatically, alternatively you can experiment with its manual iris control feature to get the best picture. White balancing can be adjusted by the user or the camera can control it automatically and there is built in image stabilization.

Pan, tilt and zoom functions are built in to the camera, the cameras lens is able to rotate 360 degrees continuously. The vertical tilt range of the Spectra IV is +2 degrees to –92 degrees. There are a number of preset speeds that you can select that have an impact on how quickly the PTZ functions respond, the lens can pan at a speed of 400 degrees per second and tilt at 200 degrees per second. You can control the cameras PTZ speeds manually but to do this you will need an appropriate control device.

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Designed specifically for network usage the Sony SNC-P5 is an IP camera with pan tilt and zoom functions. For communicating with individuals who are in the same area you choose to set up the camera, the device is fitted with a built in Electret condenser microphone. The camera use MPEG-4 and JPEG video compression and there are a number of options available in image resolution. At maximum the camera will enable you to view images at a resolution of 640*480 at 30 18 FPS in JPEG mode. You can increase the frame rate to 30 FPS by lowering the picture resolution to 320*240.

The SNC-P5 can operate in light levels of 3.5 lux and above, the cameras lens has a 3* optical zoom. The camera can be set up in a variety of positions and can be attached either to a wall or ceiling. A number of I/O ports are fitted to the camera, for attaching an external sensor the camera has two ports, you can also attach an external alarm one of the ports. Motion detection is built in to the camera and when motion is detected the camera can send a signal to an external alarm.

For networking the Sony SNC-P5 it has an 8-pin RJ-45 connector, the camera has a built in web server allowing you to control it remotely. When the camera is set up the first thing that you need to do is assign it an IP address. The software for the camera can automatically assign an IP address or you can set an IP address manually. Once the process is complete you can gain access to the cameras output and functions through Internet Explorer.

You can restrict access to the network camera by setting up a unique password for each individual you intend to give operating access. The system that operates the camera can send alerts to system administrators when specific events are triggered such as motion detection. To set up the Sony SNC-P5 on your PC it needs to have a Pentium 1GHz processor and 256MB of RAM. All in all the camera is not bad at all and you will be hard pushed to find a network camera with PTZ functions at the same price.

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The Axis 214 is a network camera that has two way audio, pant tilt and zoom features and a zoom lens. Due to the audio hardware of the speaker you can use it to communicate with anyone who is in the vicinity of the camera. The camera uses G.711 PCM and ADPCM audio compression and it can be connected to a PA system. Recording video at long range is possible with the Axis 214 due to its zoom hardware, the camera has an 18x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom. The lens is suitable for both day and night and has a 10mm wide focus range and auto focus capabilities.

Video resolution for the Axis 214 is 704*576 in PAL and 704*480 in NTSC, there are also 4 lower preset video resolutions available. Although the camera has PTZ functions take note that the feature has limits. If you plan to use the cameras PTZ functions regularly you may want to consider another camera in the Axis range more suitable for regular PTZ usage. The Axis 214 uses both MPEG-4 and JPEG video compression and is capable of recording images at 30 frames per second.

Axis camera station is compatible with the Axis 214, the camera is fully network compatible and includes software for setting up the required IP address. The surveillance camera camera includes Axis IP utility and this software runs on Windows and handles the job of setting up an IP address. Once the camera is networked you can view and control the device through an Internet browser so you can control it even if your away from your home or business.

Networking the camera gives you a number of options when it comes to notifying you or the relevant personnel about events that are detected by the camera. Once networked you can receive emails or messages to your mobile when the Axis 214 detects motion or if there is a camera outage. You can also receive images picked up by the Axis 214 via email that could prove useful if you want to inform your personnel about the appearance of a specific individual

For added security the camera is fitted with a terminal block for the input of 1 alarm, this can be triggered when the camera detects motion. Image processing by the camera is not completely dependent on the system the camera is attached to as it contains significant internal hardware. The Axis 214 contains an ETRAX 100LX 32 bit CPU and 32 megabytes of RAM, on top of this the camera has 8MB of flash memory.

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If installing a camera suitable for a professional application is necessary, consider the Sony SNC-RZ30N. The camera has pan tilt and zoom capabilities and the sound produced when it operates are kept to a minimum. Much of the hardware inside the camera improves its operation and reduces the load on the system that you attach it to. More specifically the camera contains a 32 bit RISC processor, 32MB of RAM and 8MB of embedded flash memory. The added memory in the camera supplements image quality and 8mb acts as an alarm buffer.

The cameras sensor is a 1/6 type charged coupled device and has a signal to noise ratio of 48 dB. Numerous white balancing modes are available focus control can be set to automatic or you can adjust the focus manually. Images can be recorded with clarity from quite a distance as the camera has 25* optical zoom and 300*full zoom. The RZ30N operates well in low level lighting and can record images at 2.5 lux. JPEG image compression is used by the camera and it can record images at resolutions of 736*480 as well as a number of lower resolutions. Images are smooth as the camera can record video at 30 frames per second.

The camera has been designed with networks in mind and is fully compatible with HTTP, TCP/IP, ARP and a variety of other network protocols. Up to 50 users on the network can access the cameras functions and users can be provided with their own unique password. Camera users can be informed about potential threats picked up by the surveillance system via email, mobile phone or PDA. The camera does not feature power over Ethernet, it does include an AC power adaptor, power consumption is 21.6W.

What you don’t see on everyday surveillance cameras are PCMCIA type two card slots, the camera has two for increasing its storage capacity. You can route images to your monitor or recording device through the BNC connector at the rear of the SNC-RZ30N. A decent PC is needed for the camera to perform at its best, it’s recommended that you have a Pentium 4 1GHz with 128MB of RAM or better. If you don’t intend to attach the camera to a PC you can connect it to a DVR or standard VCR. To beef up your installation you can attach a passive Infrared sensor to the camera and connect it to your alarm system.

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The Axis 232D+ makes no compromises when it comes to image quality and functionality. The surveillance camera is designed to record high quality high-resolution video at both day and night and it has high zoom capabilities. High quality recording is possible with the camera even when light conditions are as low as 0.005 lux. You can install the camera indoors or outdoors, the Axis 232D+ is best suited to large areas of surveillance. If the camera is to be installed indoors it would be ideal for large public venues, warehouses or factories. You can zoom in on specific areas with the cameras 12* digital zoom that works in tandem with its 18* optical zoom.

Axis have fitted a ¼” Sony EXview HAD CCD image sensor to the camera, Pan tilt and zoom functions are also included. The camera has 23 MPEG-4 video compression settings and a multitude of image settings that are user configurable. You can set the levels of brightness and sharpness of images recorded by the Axis 232D+, it also has white balancing and exposure control. Installation costs are kept to a minimum when installing the Axis 232D+, the camera uses power over Ethernet reducing your cabling requirements.

Software included with the camera makes it possible for you to receive notification about activities that are recorded. You can receive email alerts or alerts to your mobile phone when motion is detected by the camera or if an alarm is triggered. The same software gives you control of the cameras level of motion detection, this is done through the software’s motion detection menu. Within the motion detection menu you can specify whether activities recorded by the Axis 232D+ should be ignored or should trigger an alarm.

Images recorded by the camera are managed by its internal ETRAX 100 LX 32 bit processor, the camera also has 32MB of RAM. If your premises experiences a power outage the Axis 232D+ retains the time with its real time clock. All of the necessary hardware and software needed to set up the Axis 232D+ are included with its package. The hardware includes hard ceiling mounting brackets and drop ceiling mounting brackets; a user manual and a 24V AC power supply.

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