Axis Announces Fixed Network Cameras with Dynamic Capture Abilities

Axis Communications, the market leader in network video, announces two outstanding fixed network cameras, AXIS Q1604 and AXIS Q1604-E Network Cameras. These cameras offer ideal solutions for surveillance in highly variable lighting conditions, for instance when light comes through a glass window or entrance creating both dark and bright zones. In these demanding scenarios, AXIS Q1604/-E Network Cameras allows the user to easily and clearly identify both people and objects.“Adapted for wide dynamic range scenarios, Axis’ exceptional ‘dynamic capture’ capability allows these cameras to handle blinding light and to provide superb images in difficult lighting conditions,” says Erik Frännlid, Director of Product Management, Axis Communications. “AXIS Q1604/-E Network Cameras provide clear images even under backlight conditions where intensity of illumination can vary greatly.”

Wide Dynamic Range with ‘dynamic capture’ works by acquiring several images with different exposure times. Together with advanced image processing, the result is video with exceptional clarity and sharpness, ensuring that no part of the image is too dark or too bright. This will be especially beneficial in environments where backlight or intense contrasts are an issue. The new AXIS Q1604/-E Network Cameras are perfectly suited for monitoring of entrances, buildings with large windows and tunnel passages, in e.g. airport, train stations, government and city surveillance applications.

The indoor AXIS Q1604 and the outdoor-ready AXIS Q1604-E deliver progressive scan image quality at 1MP / HDTV 720p resolution and multiple, individually configurable H.264 and Motion JPEG video streams simultaneously. The cameras’ other features include day and night functionality, varifocal lens, remote back focus and support for two-way audio. The IP66- and NEMA 4X-rated AXIS Q1604-E, which comes with a wall mount bracket and a sunshield, is protected from dust, rain, snow and sun, and can operate in temperatures from -40 °C to 50°C (-40 °F to 122 °F).

AXIS Q1604/-E Network Cameras are supported by the industry’s largest base of video management software through the Axis Application Development Partner Program and
AXIS Camera Station. In addition, the cameras include support for AXIS Camera Application Platform and AXIS Video Hosting System (AVHS) with One-Click Camera connection for managing video monitoring services over the Internet.

The cameras will be available in Q4 2011 at the suggested retail price of US$ 999 for AXIS Q1604, and US$ 1299 for AXIS Q1604-E.

Axis Announces New Small Wireless Cameras with Support for Edge Storage

Axis Communications announces small and affordable AXIS M1043-W and AXIS M1044-W Network Cameras, with local recording of video and audio, wireless capability and smart video surveillance features. They are suitable for securing locations such as small businesses, boutiques, restaurants, hotels and residences.
“AXIS M1043-W and AXIS M1044-W are an attractive addition to AXIS M10 Series. New features include edge storage and support for wireless 802.11n standard with WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) for easy and secure wireless network” says Erik Frännlid, Director of Product Management, Axis Communications. “We believe that the small and smart design, together with new features will make these cameras the ideal choice for small businesses, retail and residential video surveillance.”

These latest models of the AXIS M10 Series provide excellent video quality at 30 frames per second in both SVGA (AXIS M1043-W) and HDTV 720p (AXIS M1044-W) resolutions. They feature wireless capabilities with WiFi Protected Setup protocol, which simplify the process of configuring security on wireless networks. The combination of the wireless 802.11n standard and the WPS protocol guarantees user-friendliness and high network security.

Edge storage includes support for local storage on micro-SDHC cards as well as recording to network shares such as Network-Attached Storage (NAS). Edge storage creates the possibility to build cost-efficient and reliable recording solutions, and can for example be used to achieve redundancy in a system. The cameras further feature a passive infrared (PIR) sensor for detecting movement even in the dark, and a white LED light for illuminating the scene automatically when motion is detected or when requested by the user. They support two-way audio with an integrated microphone and speaker, allowing remote users to listen in on an area as well as communicate with visitors or intruders. In addition to these features, they include I/O ports (1 input and 1 output) for connecting devices such as sensors and external relays to activate lights or open/close doors.

AXIS M1043-W and AXIS M1044-W Network Cameras are supported by the industry’s largest base of video management software through the Axis’ Application Development Partner Program and
AXIS Camera Station. In addition, the cameras include support for AXIS Camera Application Platform and AXIS Video Hosting System (AVHS) with One-Click Camera connection for managing video monitoring services over the Internet.

The cameras will be available in Q4 2011 at the suggested retail price of US$ 299 for AXIS M1043-W, and US$ 379 for AXIS M1044-W.


Axis Announces Tightly Integrated Edge Storage for More Robust Video Surveillance Systems

Axis Communications announces that edge storage is now available in Axis network cameras, with the market’s first tight integration of the capability with leading video management software (VMS) partners such as Aimetis, Genetec, Milestone, OnSSI and SeeTec. The integration of Axis’ edge storage with VMS enables more reliable video surveillance solutions.

“Edge storage is a critical concept for improving reliability and flexibility in an IP-Surveillance system”, says Peter Friberg, Director of Systems and Services, Axis Communications. “It allows cameras to record video locally in the camera to an SD/SDHC card, or to a network device such as Network-Attached Storage (NAS). But the major benefits of edge storage are only realized when it is integrated with the video management system, and we are proud to be the first vendor on the market to provide edge storage solutions in cooperation with leading VMS partners. Together, we can help customers build even more robust and reliable video surveillance solutions.”

Edge storage – sometimes referred to as local storage or onboard recording – has been available on the market for some years, but up until now there has been no full-featured solution available that integrates edge storage cameras with leading video management systems. With the new solution, edge storage can be used to enhance redundancy and reliability in a system. It can for example be set up to store video in the camera during a power or network failure, or when the VMS is taken down for maintenance – and then automatically feed the recorded clips back to the VMS when the system is up again, ensuring the user gets seamless, uninterrupted video recordings. The capability is especially useful in mission-critical installations, such as airport or mass transit hubs, where edge storage in cameras that are covering entrances and exits could be a critical part of the strategic backup plan.

“Axis’ edge storage is a critical enabler for the innovative Video Trickling feature we launched earlier this year in Omnicast,” says Morgan Pasnon, Senior Technology Alliance Manager of Genetec. “It allows our customers to optimize bandwidth usage by transferring and storing only video of interest on schedule, on event or manually, and also offers a serverless option for remote site recording. These combined capabilities ultimately provide our customers with more flexibility and reliability in their video surveillance deployments”.

“We’re very happy to provide support for Axis’ edge storage in our SeeTec 5 video management system,” says Roland Keiser, Chief Technology Officer at SeeTec AG. “Using storage on the edge device for failover recording is an important way to increase the reliability of flexible video surveillance systems in case of a network loss.”

Marc Holtenhoff, CEO of Aimetis echoes the excitement to support Axis in its Aimetis Symphony video management system and adds: “Edge storage is a critical enabler for our system redundancy feature, which helps Aimetis provide new ways of building dependable and fail-safe video surveillance solutions.

“We have a large, satisfied global customer base using Milestone XProtect® video management software with Axis network cameras and encoders, so it is a high priority to support the interoperability of new technology offerings” says Christian Bohn, VP Marketing & Product Management at Milestone Systems. “By integrating the Axis’ edge storage with XProtect, we provide new ways of building even more reliable video surveillance: the key driver for edge storage implementations is to ensure continuous recording and complete archives of video evidence, in case of network or server hardware failures.”

Another benefit of edge storage arises in systems with low network bandwidth where scenes could be monitored in a low bandwidth configuration, but recorded locally in very high quality. After an incident, the system can upon request retrieve high-quality recordings from the cameras. Moving forward, edge storage can also be a powerful strategy for handling video recording in installations where network access is not constantly available, for example at very remote locations, or in mobile surveillance installations, such as on a train.

Edge storage is available now in a selection of Axis’ cameras and video encoders and will be introduced in the majority of Axis’ products over time.