Axis Communications news from ASIS Seminar

The company has introduced three new products: the AXIS P7701 Video Decoder with support for H.264; AXIS P8221 Network I/O Audio Module; and AXIS T8412 Installation Display, a device which makes it easier to set up cameras.

The P7701 Video Decoder provides a simple monitoring solution by enabling analog or digital monitors/projectors to connect to and display live video from Axis network cameras and video encoders.

The video decoder can decode full frame rate video streams in H.264, MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG in all resolutions up to D1 (720x480 pixels in NTSC, 720x576 in PAL) and provide either digital or analog video output.

The P8221 Network I/O Audio Module provides eight configurable input/output (I/O) ports and audio capabilities to a network video system that either does not have such support or require additional support.

Sensors such as a door switch, smoke detector, IR detector or glass break detector-used for triggering an alarm event-can be connected as inputs on AXIS P8221.

Output ports can be connected to control devices or relays, for instance, to open/close doors or turn on/off lights upon alarm.

The T8412 Installation Display is a battery-powered handheld device that greatly simplifies the field installation of both Axis network cameras and analog cameras.

It displays live video from a camera and makes setting a camera's viewing angle and focus at the installation site easier than with the use of a laptop or remote computer.

Axis has also announced its first network video camera with ONVIF support.

Firmware version 5.10 for the AXIS P3301 Fixed Dome Network Camera includes support for ONVIF, the global interface specification for network video products.

ONVIF was founded in 2008 with the goal to develop a global standard for the interface of network video products.

The forum has already attracted more than 90 member companies and according to a recent analysis by IMS Research, ONVIF members command nearly 60 per cent of the market revenues for network video surveillance equipment.

In other Axis news, the company has presented its highest video quality pan/tilt/zoom camera with HDTV performance and 18x zoom for indoor surveillance applications.

Together with an IP51-rated protection against dust and dripping water, the AXIS P5534 PTZ Dome Network Camera offers HDTV 720p in compliance with the SMPTE 296M standard of 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, full frame rate, high color fidelity and a 16:9 format.

Finally, Axis has launched the AXIS Camera Application Platform, which allows third-party development of applications that can be downloaded and installed on Axis network cameras and video encoders.

Axis is the first company to completely open its network video products for third-party applications.