Axis Communications recently launched its first dedicated surveillance product, the Axis 2400 video server, a self-contained network video server designed to make remote surveillance powerful, easy and low cost. Capable of transmitting live, high-quality Motion JPEG images up to 30 fps; it brings realtime video transmission over any network including the Internet to a remote PC for instant viewing. Images can be automatically stored in the internal buffer or to a remote PC.
To instal it, users attach up to four video sources to the Axis 2400, then directly connect the video server to a 10/100 MB Ethernet network, assign it a network address, then using any PC, employ the built-in installation Wizards to do simple configuration and customisation of user applications. Users then launch their favourite web browser (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer) on any PC, type in the assigned IP address and instantly they are able to view live video and control the Axis 2400. The product is easily integrated with an existing CCTV system and has built-in control for many popular pan/tilt/zoom units through its two serial ports. In addition, these units can be programmed with preset positions to perform guard tours and controlled live by a user-friendly point-and-click interface. All video sources can be viewed simultaneously in quad mode.
"Until now video transmission systems have been in the dark ages requiring complicated multi-box transceiver/receiver solutions that carried high price tags, the revolving expense of leased lines and limited viewing capabilities," said Joacim Tullberg, Product Manager for the Axis Camera Division. "With its single box design the Axis 2400 allows users to take advantage of cutting edge network/Internet technology and use their existing PCs and software to view live video from anywhere in the world at half the cost."
The Axis 2400 breaks the price/performance barrier of alternative solutions. Unlike traditional video transmission systems, the Axis 2400 is a one-box solution. No additional computer hardware, software or cabling is required, further reducing the solution cost as there are considerably lower installation and maintenance costs.
The Axis 2400 video server is ideal for virtually any surveillance applications where close to realtime monitoring is needed on-site or remotely. These include remote monitoring, security systems, alarms verification, traffic surveillance, railway monitoring, airports, banks, manufacturing plants, process monitoring, remote image archiving, remote administration, shops, gas stations, car parks and more.
In addition to its video-quality transmissions, its four alarm inputs and one output allow it to monitor and control alarms as well as automatically store video in the Axis 2400's pre/post alarm buffer, to a remote PC or send an e-mail alert with images of the event. By adding the Axis 2400 to existing cameras via an Ethernet network, users have their own remote monitoring capability or they can outsource the central surveillance to locations and time zones that lower their round-the-clock security costs.
The Axis 2400's serial ports support key industry standards such as RS232, RS485 and RS422 protocols and its four coax inputs support both NTSC and PAL video. These are key features for allowing the AXIS 2400 to augment new and existing CCTV systems.
ThinServer technology
All Axis products leverage Axis' own ThinServer technology which allows any peripheral device to be directly attached to the network without a file server or PC. These devices are displayed on any desktop without changing client software and can be accessed and used by multiple clients using virtually any desktop and network operating system. At the core of the ThinServer technology is embedded software consisting of self-contained, 'thin' versions of popular operating systems, a web server for consistent, network-wide management and an optimised 32 bit RISC chip complete with device I/O and network controllers for high-speed data transport.
Axis is represented in South Africa by Aritech and SCS Distribution. Contact Brett Birch at Aritech on (021) 946 3595 or Vaughn Marran of SCS Distribution on (011) 658 1431, fax (011) 658 1436 or e-mail: vaughnm@scsd.co.za
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