Mobile Device and PC-Friendly Surveillance Systems from Axis Communications

The idea of having a computer network in your home or small business used to seem futuristic and prohibitively complex, but today they’re as common as toasters and cash registers. Similarly, the idea of having an Internet-connected surveillance system in your home or business—one that you can view remotely with a smartphone—shouldn’t seem beyond reach either. A Swedish company called AXIS Communications offers a fairly simple way for you to keep an eye on your property from near and far with their P12 series of network-connected cameras.

The P12 cameras exist in two parts: the Sensor Unit and the Main Unit. As the name suggests, the Sensor Unit contains a 1/4-inch progressive scan RGB CMOS sensor, but it also houses a fast wide-angle lens. The reason this system exists in two parts is to give you more options for how you can set it up. When you separate the small Sensor Unit from the somewhat bulkier Main Unit, you can fit them into a larger variety of installations.

Their operation is quite simple. You install the P12 model of your choice where you need it. This could be in a wall, a ceiling or even in a location where there’s severely limited space, such as inside a kiosk or a doorway. The Sensor Unit is really compact, so it can fit into tight spaces; however, it needs to connect to the Main Unit with an included cable, and they can be separated by as much as 26 feet (8 meters). The Main Unit needs to be plugged into a wired computer network. It uses PoE technology, so a basic Ethernet connection supplies this system with all the power it needs, and connects it to the Internet. The huge advantage here is that you don’t have to run power cables to these cameras.

Once connected to a network, you can access the live video feed from the camera by logging in through a custom Web interface. You can access this Web interface with a regular browser, such as Internet Explorer on a Windows PC, or Safari on a Mac or iOS device. If you set up more than one P12 camera, you can access them each individually through a browser, or you can utilize the included AXIS Camera Companion software, which enables you to view up to 16 cameras at the same time. The software is only compatible with Windows computers. However, third-party apps that offer multi-camera view capabilities are available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

Images from an Axis P12 Camera installed eye-level.

The Main Unit on each of the P12 models features a microSD card slot, which enables you to record video footage without the need for a DVR or separate storage device. You can control the recording from the Web interface, or through the Camera Companion software. You can set the cameras to start recording when motion or tampering is detected, and they can be set to send you automated notifications of these activities as well. Tampering is always an issue with surveillance cameras—but the Sensor Units on the P12 series are so small that it’s likely that passersby won’t even notice them.

The P12 series consists of three different models. The P1204 features a space-saving right-angle Sensor Unit. When you need to squeeze a camera into confined quarters indoors, the P1204 is the way to go. It’s possible to mount the P1204 flat or angled onto surfaces with the included brackets. The right-angle camera makes the P1204 a great option when you can’t drill through a wall from the opposite side for installation. When it is possible to install inside a wall or ceiling, the P1214 is a great choice because it can be set up to be flush with the surface. If you want the option to install a camera either indoors or out, you should use the P1214-E, which features an IP66 and Nema 4X-rated aluminum casing with an outdoor housing. All three of these cameras come with different mounts to suit their intended uses.

The P12 series of surveillance cameras is capable of providing 720p HD video streams. Since you can view the video from these cameras while you’re in the same room, accessing them from a LAN (local area network), and you can also access the video from these cameras when you’re on the other side of the planet using a mobile device, you may not always need the bandwidth-hungry HD video feed. That’s why the P12 cameras supply multiple kinds of streaming formats. For example, when you’re accessing the cameras from a smartphone, you can select a less data-intensive H.264 stream. When you have more bandwidth, you can opt for a motion JPEG stream.

Although each unit can be powered over an Ethernet connection for simplified installation with fewer wires, every P12 model also features an external power connection. This gives you the added flexibility of being able to choose between multiple power sources. In addition, a 26-foot (8-meter) extension cable is included with your purchase, so you can mount the Sensor Unit a considerable distance away from the Main Unit. If you don’t need that much distance between the two, detailed instructions for how to cut and reattach the cable are provided in the product manual.

If you have any questions about the P12 series of cameras, or about surveillance systems in general, we encourage you to stop by our SuperStore in New York City to speak to a B&H Sales Professional. You can also reach us by phone at 1-800-606-6969 or via live chat. You are welcome to submit a Comment, below, as well.