Candid camera

Image quality was a priority when basler Vision technologies turned
its attention to the ip camera market


Basler Vision Technologies is one of the world’s leading vision technology companies. Founded in 1988, it now employees more than 300 staff, with headquarters in Germany and subsidiaries in the US, Singapore, and Taiwan. Since 1997, Basler Components has been designing, manufacturing, and selling leading-edge digital cameras for industrial, medical, and surveillance applications.

Just recently they entered the market for video surveillance. Based on more than 20 years of experience in image processing and more than 10 years in manufacturing digital cameras, Basler launched a series of new IP cameras at IFSEC 2008.

The growing IP camera market has attracted new suppliers in recent years, usually, firms from a network engineering background or from the analogue video market. Many IP camera customers welcome the advantages of network technology, but are not satisfied with the image quality and reliability of current digital camera products.

Basler wants to close this gap. It applied a core competence gained through 10 years of experience in digital camera technology to the new IP camera range, staying in close contact with well-known security companies to make sure it was able to meet the specific needs and requirements of this market.

Basler’s IP cameras made their first appearance at IFSEC 2008. The company introduced a total of five different models, ranging from VGA to 2 megapixel resolution. The Basler IP camera series comprises a selection of Sony CCD sensors as well as Micron CMOS sensors. The cameras feature a complete image compressing set-up without a limitation to any resolution.

All offer not only multi-level MJPEG compression with multi-streaming options, but also a simultaneous and independent MPEG-4 or H.264 streaming possibility, while frame rates are kept at their highest. This comprehensive set of network security and management capabilities is amplified by a large range of standard features such as built-in support for compliant power over ethernet (IEEE 802.3af), DC auto-iris control functionality and adaptive bit rate control.

The Basler IP camera family comes with an ultra compact all-metal housing (89.2mm x 44mm x 29mm), which makes it the smallest IP camera of its class. They are tailored by using a bundle of latest technologies for excellent image quality and outstanding reliability. Another unique selling point is the performance and particularly the flexibility of image compression.

Basler IP cameras are addressed to professional installers of video surveillance systems. The cameras are flexible and can be used in various applications and vertical markets.


Performance first

The Basler IP camera product line offers flexible, highperformance solutions for a wide range of applications in the area of video surveillance. The cameras meet the market’s requirements for exceptional image quality and an excellent price/performance ratio. All Basler IP colour cameras have the following performance characteristics:

• Progressive scan for all image sensors (CCD and CMOS sensors with resolutions from VGA to 2 megapixels) as the basis for exceptional image quality with reduced motion blur.
• Ideal image quality assured via a set of flexible control functions. The use of configurable measurement windows for exposure control makes it possible to obtain the best backlight compensation for a scene. White balance can either be automatically controlled or manually adjusted resulting in ideal colour fidelity. Configurable gain control and an iris drive with DC control guarantee the best representation of objects under surveillance even if lighting conditions are poor or changing.
• Video compression with standards-compliant MJPEG, MPEG-4, or H.264 encoding. This flexible approach allows the customised use of multiple MJPEG streams while also using an MPEG-4 or H.264 encoded stream. The resolution and frame rate of the MJPEG image streams and the MPEG-4 or H.264 stream can be independently adjusted.
• Scaling and AOI functionalities support customised resolutions. Displaying a maximum of detail with the highest precision, any image format and aspect ratio can be configured. Only relevant image data will be transmitted, leading to a significant reduction in bandwidth use and maximising storage utilisation.
• Motion detection with an array of 32 x 24 definable fields. Motion detection can be combined with extensive event and alarm management functionality. Configurable internal ring buffer storage makes it possible to access pre and post alarm images
• Multifunctional interface for connecting peripheral equipment. The 6-pin interface connector not only provides an alternate means of applying camera power, but also makes it possible to control peripheral equipment via RS-232 or a digital I/O interface.
• Power over ethernet (IEEE 802.3af) capability means that power can be supplied to the camera via the same cable used for the network connection.
• Compact metal housing with an 89.2mm x 29mm x 44mm size and a weight of only 230g.

Checks and balances

To ensure consistently high product quality, Basler employs several inspection procedures during manufacturing. Basler’s advanced Camera Test Tool (CTT+), the first fully automated inspection system for digital cameras, checks all of the significant quality aspects of each camera they produce.

The CTT+ is a unique combination of optics, hardware, and software that can be quickly used to calibrate a camera and to measure its performance against a set of standards. For defined sets of conditions, an automated software program examines the camera’s output, makes any calibration adjustments necessary, and compares the output to a strictly defined set of performance criteria.

Due to higher resolutions and smaller pixels, depth of focus and the exact positioning of the imaging sensor in the camera are becoming more and more critical. An area scan sensor must be aligned in six degrees of freedom.

The back focal length on each camera is carefully measured and adjusted by our patented “CSAT” procedure. This guarantees an optimum distance between the lens flange and the sensor and ensures outstanding image quality based on compliance with optics standards.

As a final check, the cameras pass a stress test. Cameras are tested over the entire temperature range specified in the documentation. By doing this, Basler can identify and remove temperature sensitive weak spots in the camera. This guarantees consistent image quality in conditions with quickly changing temperatures.