Axis 213 PTZ Brochure

The bench test [ 1 ]
Network upgrade
The 213 PTZ Network Camera
from Axis has matured nicely
What our experts say ...
A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO IN OUR BENCH TEST
of the Axis 2130 network camera, we concluded
that the technology was still a work in progress.
Whilst that model had a few rough edges, it was
sufficiently well developed for it to be considered
an alternative to cabled CCTV and a valuable new
resource in its own right. How time flies...
Outwardly, its successor, the Axis 213 – which
we are looking at here – appears to be almost
identical, but like the network camera and remote
surveillance market as a whole, there has been a
lot of activity behind the scenes.
The 213 is an altogether more refined product,
and we're gratified to see that some of our
suggestions from the previous review have been
incorporated into the new design – but more
about those later.
The general specification, however,
remains largely unchanged, based
around a stylish looking camera module
with autofocus lens and built-in zoom,
mounted on a compact pan/tilt
mechanism.
The camera has its own IP (Internet
Protocol) address so it can connect
directly to a computer network,
effectively acting as a self-contained
'website', enabling any PC
connected to a local area network
(LAN) or the internet – with
appropriate authorisation – to
remotely view images and control
the camera via standard web
browser software.
In addition to camera
operations and housekeeping,
the camera's setup menu also
controls alarm functions and
scheduling, plus alarm
notification and image uploading
via email, TCP or HTTP.
Key differences between the old and
new models include a change from a 16x optical
zoom to a combination zoom with 26x optical
and 12x electronic magnification.
Low light performance has been improved,
from 6 lux down to 1 lux in normal operation,
with manual or scheduled day/night switching,
from colour to black and white, with a sliding IR
cut filter. The camera module now has 0 lux
functionality via an on-board IR illuminator, or it
securityinstaller
can control an external IR lamp for wider
area coverage.
Image resolutions and refresh rates have been
rationalised and bought into line with industry
standards. In PAL mode there are five choices
based on the Common Interface Format (CIF)
of 4CIF, 2CIF, CIF and QCIF, which translates to
between 768 x 576 and 176 x 144 pixels at
25 frames per second.
The compression ratio, which determines
image quality and file size, has five preset levels,
and Axis continues to use well established MJPEG
compression – but by the time you read this a
software upgrade should be available to allow
it to use the more efficient MPEG4 system.
This should result in better image quality at
higher compression levels and improved network
access. Exposure, white balance and backlight
compensation can be left in the hands of
automatic systems or configured manually from
the camera's setup menus.
PTZ functions have been slightly simplified,
and the 213 has 20 preset positions (as opposed
to 40 on the 2130) and one programmable
sequence, but the range of movement remains
the same, with a maximum pan angle range of
340 degrees and tilt angle of 100 degrees.
Up to 20 remote 'viewers' can connect to
the camera simultaneously; access is password
protected and IP filtered. An unlimited
number of connections can be made
when using MPEG4 or an optional
relay server.
The image buffer memory,
which stores pre and post-event
images, has been increased from 4 to
6Mb. The 213, like its predecessor, uses
a stripped down version of the Linux
operating system, which continues
to enjoy an excellent reputation
for reliability and stability.
We are very pleased to see
that Axis has responded to
our request to include a
facility to invert the
image from the setup
menu, so it can be used
in both ceiling mount
and 'table top'
configurations; the
2130 was available in
two separate versions.
Installation is now simpler and
quicker – another gripe we had
with the 2130 – and the assignment
of IP address and network settings is
carried out from a simple Windows based
utility included on the CD-ROM that
accompanies the camera. This also means the
manuals (printed and on disc) are shorter and a
lot easier to get to grips with.
Whilst the external appearance remains pretty
much the same, there have been some important
changes under the bonnet. The most significant
one is the switch to direct worm gear drive for
both pan and tilt mechanisms. Previously the
panning action was belt-driven, which we surmise
has enhanced positional accuracy, and speed, and
february 2005