Eight new camera models incorporate the new WisenetIII DSP chipset, which has been developed by Samsung as a result of a market research programme which identified what users and installers felt were the key ‘must haves’ in order for high definition IP network cameras to automatically become the preferred choice when a new video surveillance system was being specified, or an existing system was being upgraded.

“Price is always an important consideration and it was also not a surprise to learn that customers wanted to see further improvements in image quality particularly in low light conditions,” said Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager for Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd. “Also high up on the wish list was smarter utilisation of network bandwidth and the need for cameras to be more installer friendly by making them easier to install and configure.”

Samsung’s response to the feedback from its existing and potential customers has been to pack the new models, with a long list of new technically advanced features, many of which ensure that superb quality images can be captured and recorded regardless of the lighting or environmental conditions.

The new full HD camera range, which can capture high quality images when the lighting level is as low as 0.01 lux, has an ultra fast frame rate of 60fps at 1080p which results in latency free clear images. This can be particularly beneficial in a scene with moving subjects by ensuring image edges are kept sharp and clear. The enhanced wide dynamic range built into the WisenetIII DSP chipset, when working with performance greater than 100dB, can accurately produce images in scenes that simultaneously contain very bright and very dark areas, whilst correct colour is maintained by adopting regional adaptive tone mapping, and motion blur is reduced by using Samsung’s motion artefact reduction technology. P-iris technology optimises the iris when multiple lighting conditions exist within a single field of view to create images with better clarity and depth of field. A defog feature can be used to help improve the clarity of images captured in poor weather conditions such as rain or fog, whilst digital image stabilisation (DIS), previously only seen in analogue chipsets, negates the effects of a camera shaking due to high winds or building vibration.

“All these features may sound complicated but we are confident that installers will find them easy to set up,” said Tim Biddulph. “We are also certain that installers will value the time saving simple focus feature which is built into most of the models that automatically focus the camera. All that is needed is one simple push of a button on the back of the camera to achieve optical focus.”

An additional benefit offered by this very clever feature is that when the camera mode changes from colour to monochrome with the help of the camera’s true day and night function, the simple focus automatically optimises the back-focus required for clear sharp images.

Samsung has introduced a new cabling system to further improve the ease and speed at which the new WisenetIII models can be installed. Cables and glands are supplied separately in the box, making it easy for installers to choose the alternative option of directly connecting their own existing or new network cables, and in the case of a dome, they can do so without having to remove the electronics from the back box.