Is Axis Communications' P-1428E 4K the New Wave of Video Surveillance?

Most of us were raised seeing media images of surveillance footage on the nightly news. From the Kennedy assassination to the Ray Rice debacle, recorded footage is as important historically as it is personally. But we are close to seeing the end of days when security cameras captured video in indecipherable, grainy black-and-white and the footage required hours or even days of sifting through. Recent advances in video surveillance technology have sparked a host of exciting innovations that have not only improved image resolution but have also made it faster and easier to comb through large amounts of stored media. This is thanks to new video-analytics technologies, such as facial recognition and automated digital auto-tracking that are now being used to identify and track movement in indoor and outdoor public and private spaces. 

The Axis Communications P1428-E wired network camera is part of this new generation of smart cameras that not only helps to facilitate forensic examination but also plays a critical role in security and crisis management. Featuring 4K video technology and video management software with a range of image control settings, motion detection, alarm triggers, and event notifications, the P1428-E records crystal-clear, high-resolution images, as well as maintains your database with smart monitoring technologies. Additionally, the camera gives users the ability to add external devices as a backup memory option.

Axis’s P1428-E camera has a 2.5" progressive scanning CMOS image sensor that captures 8.3MP images in exceptional detail and true-to-life colors. However, what truly makes this camera stand out is its ability to capture 4K video in 3840 x 2160 resolution at a rate of 30 frames per second. The camera’s Ultra HD resolution is especially beneficial for monitoring residential complexes, malls, city centers, corporate headquarters, college campuses, and anyplace where high-resolution details matter.

Due to the 4K resolution’s high pixel density, the scope of the camera’s 3.3mm to 9.8mm wide-to-narrow angle varifocal lens is enhanced and results in sharper, more defined images at a wide range of magnifications.

These features, combined with an NAS or NVR, make full use of the camera’s intelligent video analysis and reporting software by giving users the ability to capture and analyze transactions and interactions in real time, which can subsequently improve operational efficiency, help prevent financial loss, and capture violent crimes, as well as ensure the compliance of safety and security procedures.

In addition to offering three times higher resolution than analog cameras, the P1428-E also offers digital auto-tracking, an adaptive and adjustable feature that automatically detects, zooms-in and follows moving people, vehicles, and animals, which is especially useful in low-traffic environments to help surveillance staff discover incidents without manually adjusting the camera. Beyond enhancing security response times, digital auto-tracking also helps to reduce bandwidth and conserves valuable storage space by discarding areas of scenes with no activity. Combined with the camera’s H.264 video compression format, a technology that greatly reduces lag and latency issues associated with wireless video steaming, the P1428-E reduces media file sizes while streaming uninterrupted, high-resolution video to ensure that critical incidents aren’t accidently lost or dropped. 

Furthermore, the camera has a built-in microSD slot for onboard storage that can support a memory card with a capacity up to 64GB. This type of edge storage is especially useful in the event that power is disrupted from the network switch to the camera or from the camera to an NAS or NVR. In these cases, video will continue to be recorded to the microSD card despite the connection loss, and will give technicians extra time to identify and solve connectivity issues without losing crucial footage or disrupting surveillance operations. 

The P1428-E is suitable for indoor or outdoor applications. The camera’s housing is IP66 weatherproof rated to withstand rain, snow, dust, and corrosion. It is also NEMA 4X rated to withstand impacts, such as strong gusts of wind or tampering by thieves and vandals. Additionally, users receive an immediate onscreen alert if the camera has been compromised, or if the video feed has been obstructed, thanks to the camera’s built-in tamper detection technology. Users can also receive alarm notifications on their Android and iOS smart devices in the event that they are not in front of a monitor.

To further enhance the video monitoring and management, the camera has one input port and one output port for connecting to external devices. The digital input supports a device that can toggle between an open/closed circuit, such as Passive-Infrared (PIR) motion detectors and door/window glass break detectors to further enhance the camera’s video motion detection. When one of these devices is connected to a camera, a signal is received that changes the input from inactive to active and can alert surveillance staff to movement, break-ins, accidental damages, and more. The camera’s digital output can also connect to an external device, such as a relay, microphone, or PA system. This can allow surveillance staff to address a crowd or an individual trespasser, as well as make announcements that can be especially critical in large and noisy buildings, terminals, and outdoor venues.

Lastly, the digital output can also be used to connect an external IR lamp or LED relay to enhance visibility in poor lighting conditions. The P1428-E has a built-in IR-cut filter that automatically switches from color video capture to black-and-white video as light levels diminish. The camera captures color video at 1.4 lux at 30 IRE at f/1.6 and black-and-white video at 0.3 lux at 30 IRE at f/1.6 and gives users the option to shift values to ensure that clear, high-contrast video is captured under challenging lighting conditions.

All this and more, makes the P1428-E a powerful, next-generation 4K video surveillance camera that can be easily integrated into an existing network surveillance system.