Industrial 4:3 IP cameras

5MP IMX334 industrial IP camera with 4:3 output (2592x1994 pixels)

skoopia's 42mm x 42mm IP camera with 4:3 aspect ratio

skoopia provides a full range of industrial IP cameras to the market. Within this range, several cameras have implemented a Sony Starvis Exmor R sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio. So next to the key advantages of skoopia industrial IP cameras, you are also capable to stream 4:3 video footage over IP.

Why would you consider a 4:3 IP camera?

• The application requires more height versus width information compared to regular 16:9 IP cameras.

• The industrial IP camera replaces a camera that provided CVBS output (read 4:3 analog output).

Benefits of skoopia IP cameras in general, and 4:3 cameras specific are:

• Best in class sensors (Sony Starvis Exmor R series) * 1/2.8" sensor size for easy adoption and large choice combining with M12 lenses * 1/1.8" sensor size for very low light sensitivity Both 1/2.8" and 1/1.8" sensor sizes available from 2 MP up to 12 MP

• IP and CVBS parallel output available on all cameras * If IP camera is based on 4:3 sensor, it offers 4:3 IP output, but also 4:3 CVBS output. * If IP camera is based on 16:9 sensor, it offers CVBS output, but in 16:9 aspect ratio*.

• Best in class HiSilicon Digital Signal Processors / Ambarella based Digital Signal Processors to be released soon * Hi3516CV300 - capable up to Full HD / 2MP * Hi3516AV200 - capable up to 5MP * Hi3519V101 - capable up to 12 MP / 4K streaming

• Smart hardware combinations minimizing cost versus minimizing latency

• One platform serving all industrial IP cameras * All cameras have the same form factor and identical connectors (all IP cameras are single board 42mm x 42mm), irrespective of resolution or processor * All cameras have the same API. * Supporting all relevant communication and discovery protocols

• Easy and intuitive Graphical User Interface

• Customer specific firmware

• Long product availability without changes. Form, fit and function of replacement products to minimize impact.

* Nice read on going from 4:3 to 16:9 aspect ratio signals can be found in another blog of skoopia, discussing the impact of changing from 4:3 to 16:9 (monitor, lens, recording, overlays etc): https://www.skoopia.com/post/pipe-inspection-camera

* Another nice read on making the transition from 4:3 to 16:9 is found at: https://www.skoopia.com/post/cvbs-to-full-hd

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Industrial IP camera - advantages

skoopia markets its cameras as industrial IP cameras and Medical IP cameras. Whearas skoopia markets low latency cameras (AHD cameras, SDI cameras or CVBS cameras), IP cameras -due to compression (MJPEG, H.265 or H.264) - have greater latency. However, IP cameras provide great other benefits, particularly if latency is less of an issue, IP cameras quite often offer the most pragmatic approach to implement a vision solution. ​So, If latency of the video signal is less important or acceptable, IP as video signal has several advantages over other digital and analog transmission techniques.​ Key advantages of IP cameras over alternate video transmission protocol based cameras:

• Unique addressing: Each camera has a unique address (IP address), making cabling (network) significantly easier if multiple cameras are involved. EX-SDI* or HD-SDI cameras as well as AHD/TVI cameras or CVBS cameras require a dedicated peer to peer connection.

• Low bandwidth due to high compression rates via Codec (H.265 /H.264 / MJPEG)

• Multiple video streams parallel available in different resolution, frame rate, bit rate

• View and store the video from and to any locations

• IP cameras operate as stand alone unit, no need for (local) receiving end (DVR or computer).

• Very compact local storage (often on an SD card**) available, with buffering capability if there is a hick-up in communication.

• Simplified and secure (low voltage) powering of cameras via Power over Ethernet (PoE) , allowing camera operation merely using single wire (CAT cable, no power cable required)***

* some EX-SDI cameras allow daisy-chaining, but this is only true if TDM is supported. Moreover, daisy chaining still implies that all cameras are connected to each other and it is limited to a maximum of 8 cameras)

** skoopia's IP camera platform offers SD-card storage

*** available on all skoopia board cameras, special unit required for the 23Z36IP5-LL 36x optical zoom block camera, as it consumes more power.

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Sony Starvis Exmor R sensors - Best in Class

skoopia uses the best sensors, i.e. Sony Starvis Exmor R sensors for all her industrial and medical IP cameras. Underneath table shows the Sony sensor nomenclature that are used for the different resolutions and sensor sizes, for each skoopia camera name:

Product Name Resolution Sensor Name Dimension Aspect ratio board cameras

21C42IP5 2 MP IMX290 1/ 2.8” 16:9 22C42IP5 2 MP IMX307 1/ 2.8” 16:9

23C42IP5 2 MP IMX327 1/ 2.8” 16:9

23C42IP5-LL 2 MP IMX385 1/ 2” 16:9 32C42IP5 3 MP IMX123 1/ 2.8” 4:3 51C42IP5 5 MP IMX335 1/ 2.8” 4:3 64C42IP5-LL 6 MP IMX178 1/ 1.8” 4:3 85C42IP 8 MP IMX274 1/ 2.8” 16:9 82C42IP5-LL 8 MP IMX334 1/ 1.8” 16:9 124C42IP5-LL 12 MP IMX226 1/ 1.7” 4:3

123C42IP5 12 MP IMX412 1/ 2.3” 4:3

block cameras

23Z36IP5-LL 2MP IMX385 1/2" 16:9*

This block camera provides 36x optical zoom without resolution loss

All IP cameras are using a Sony Starvis Exmor R sensor with 4:3 aspect ratio or 16:9 aspect ratio respectively. Output in frames per second depends on the output of the highest resolution in frames per second.

3 MP IP camera (IMX123) 5 MP IP camera (IMX335) 12 MP IP camera (IMX226)

31C42IP5 51C42IP5 124C42IP5-LL

Front view of several industrial 4:3 IP cameras skoopia markets

In the near future we expect to have block cameras based on the industrial IP cameras, offering block cameras with native onboard IP output. First two resolutions will be 2MP (IMX385) and 12MP (IMX226) block cameras.

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HiSilicon / Ambarella Digital Signal Processors

As indicated, current skoopia IP cameras make use of HiSilicon Digital Signal Processors. However, we will soon release the same series with Ambarella DSP, primarily to accomodate requests that imply HiSilicon is not desired. The combination of Digital Signal Processors and camera resolution is mostly chosen as the most cost effective solution, but there are some exceptions, indicated by *.

21C42IP5, 22C42IP5, and 23C42IP5 make use of the Hi3516CV DSP.

23C42IP5-LL (* 60fps / low latency), 32C42IP5 and 51C42IP5 make use of the Hi3516AV DSP. 64C42IP5-LL (* lower latency), 85C42IP, 82C42IP5-LL, 124C42IP5-LL and 123C42IP5 make use of the Hi3519V DSP.

The zoom block 23Z36IP5-LL (Industrial IP zoom block with 36x optical magnification) makes use of the Hi3516AV DSP.

List of Ambarella DSP will follow soon.

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One platform serving all industrial IP cameras

skoopia IP cameras can be easily upgraded to higher resolution or driven via a single platform, as all industrial IP board cameras have the same size, the same API, and the same discovery and communication protocols and pinning, making the exchange of different cameras straightforward and easy.

* All cameras (except for the 36x optical IP zoom block camera (23Z36IP5-LL) have the same form factor and identical connectors (all IP cameras are single board 42mm x 42mm), irrespective of resolution or processor * All cameras have the same API. * All cameras have the same communication and discovery protocols

You benefit having a single platform:

* Upgrade to higher resolution, without any problem

* Single development effort for plural products and/or plural product configurations

* Cameras with different resolutions can be steered identically within one setup.

Limiting software engineering effort

Since all communication protocols are identical (skoopia industrial IP cameras support: TCP/IP, UDP, IPv4/v6, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, UPnP, RTP, RTSP, RTCP, DHCP, ARP/Bonjour, Zeroconf, etc.), all compression protocols are identical (all have H.265, H.264 (base, main, high) and MJPG) and the fact that the API is identical for the entire IP portfolio implies that the software engineering effort to integrate the first camera is required, but any other skoopia medical IP camera added (whether it is higher resolution, more sensitive sensor or even just higher performance DSP for lower latency) requires no further software engineering effort.

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skoopia industrial IP camera API 
     IP discovery API           -> find your camera
     IP event streaming API     -> video/photo on demand/trigger
     IP media streaming API     -> video/photo to your pref. app.
     IP HTTP API                -> full control in your app.
 

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Limiting mechanical engineering effort

Every skoopia IP camera is either a single board 42mm x 42mm or a dual board 42mm x 42mm (dual board for specific situations in which heat dissipation is more difficult). skoopia offers multiple resolutions on products easy and straightforward, and effectively allows you to market different products with e.g. 2MP (1080p), 5MP (1440p, but also 2592x1944p) and 8MP (2160p) without the effort to change the design of your product.

Test the market demand for higher resolutions

Although numerous customers have requested demo units of high resolution industrial IP cameras, nearly all indicate that industrial markets are conservative. Most customers prefer to keep an existing system running, and avoid change. skoopia does not force you to market plural products or demand upgrading to higher resolution (something that e.g. Sony has done with block cameras, simply cancelling all CVBS, HD and Full-HD block cameras, so that customers would transfer to 4K). However, we do advise you to test market demand / market response on higher resolution, faster processing - ergo- lower latency, etc. and secure you are ready when the market demands higher resolution. Why, because you can test the market with at near zero cost. Moreover, your customers will likely feel comfortable knowing the higher resolution platform is readily available should their customers desire 4K Industrial IP cameras or 12 MP Medical IP cameras.

Easy, intuitive GUI, smooth integration in dedicated applications

skoopia's medical and industrial IP cameras can be viewed by:

* any browser

* a dedicated applications (e.g. VLC player, AMCap)

* a video management system (e.g. Milestone)

Your application likely determines which solution is most suitable. skoopia focuses on three key aspects when developing industrial and medical IP cameras:

a) Image quality by choosing the best sensors, i.e. IP cameras with Sony Starvis Exmor R sensors

b) Best possible image to video processing, i.e HiSilicon (and soon Ambarella) as DSP

c) Smooth integration in your preferred application or video assessment platform.

For initial tests, skoopia provides medical IP cameras with a PoE board and lens mount / M12 lens, so you can assess what is most important immediately, ie. the video quality. A fast assessment is possible using a web browser to get an initial "feel" for the image quality and powering the camera over PoE.

skoopia's IP cameras have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which is identical across its entire industrial IP cameras that is easy and straightforward. Competitive applications also claim a user friendly GUI. We therefore urge customers/ prospects to test for themselves, and provide a 30 days loan period to test the industrial IP camera. On user friendliness, but perhaps more importantly so, on video quality, camera capability and easy API commands.

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skoopia Industrial IP cameras have the ability to stream multiple resolutions. Moreover skoopia wants to secure that all will display an image in any browser, but most browsers per default only support the MJPG stream. To assure that all (even older) computers with a browser support an image, we default have set a low resolution video stream on MJPG , just to make sure you see a camera image as default. skoopia has tested 5 different browsers. A short summary of our our observations using the different browsers and different operating systems is below.

OS tested: Windows (Win7Pro, Win10Home), iOs (Apple) Linux (Ubuntu, Android)

Browsers tested: Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Opera, Firefox and Edge.

Edge is the only browser potentially causing issues. If you prefer a Microsoft product, please use Internet Explorer. All other browsers are available under the Windows operating system, but under Windows, Internet Explorer provides the easiest upgrade to H.265 viewing. H.264 viewing is possible for all other browsers by upgrading. MJPEG is possible on all browsers.

Under Ubuntu and iOS, Internet Explorer is not (realistically*) supported. Browser upgrades/add-ons are available for H.264 and H.265 running Safari, Opera, Firefox or Chrome. Performance and results are operating system version dependent as well as browser dependent. In rare occasions -either trying to view high resolution video on older hardware- processing of the video data is not possible.

skoopia does not understand why most browsers - knowing how long H.265 has been around still cannot cope with H.265 and sometimes even H.264.

Problem solving

Are you confronted with video streaming issues, use VLC player as an application https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html . VLC is free of charge, available on nearly all platforms.

If you prefer not to use a media player, and require a viewer. skoopia has tested with AMcap.

https://amcap.en.softonic.com/

If you want to test our industrial IP cameras using a Video Management System, please inform us. Upon request we provide you small video management system that we provide free of charge. While this VMS is open, it is only tested with skoopia IP cameras. skoopia has also secured that its cameras work well with Milestone, a leading vendor of VMS.

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Customized industrial IP cameras

skoopia offers three levels of customized IP cameras;

Low level customization, settings replication

skoopia Industrial IP cameras offer the capability to reset all settings, and/or to upgrade your system to your preferred setting via replication. Configuration files can be imported and exported. Where most other brands only allow replication of the settings at the camera with an identical MAC address, skoopia industrial IP camera configurations can be transferred from 1 camera to the next IP cameras. This seems a "bogus" feature, but the near-all security cameras only allow for replication of settings to IP cameras having a different MAC address. This allows you to replicate settings for any industrial or medical application using an IP camera. This feature is a must have for any industrial or medical IP camera implementation, while for security cameras, cameras get uniquely configured once and then never again.

Full customization

For all industrial IP camera applications implementing more than 100+ units per year, skoopia offers full settings as default implementation. If you require the IP cameras to have unique default settings (e.g. fixed IP address, or fixed settings for B&W and pre-configured IP streams, or evena camera specific name (e.g. to be found via ONVIF), skoopia offers full customization services.

Your own brand

If your volume exceeds the 200+ units/year volume, skoopia offers OEM GUI (Original Equipment Manufacturing branded Graphical User Interfacing). The GUI will resemble your organizations branding in color and logo.

skoopia thanks you for reading this blog. Feel free to comment at any time.