Features
The P3384-VE is powered via its network connector, drawing 12W of power from a standard PoE connection. It also has the capability to provide two-way audio from the camera and can be configured to alert the end user. The camera can also be configured to alert on remote alarm contacts, which can allow the camera to do “double duty” at a location. Another nice feature of the P33 Series is the ability to remotely focus a fixed network camera. I can’t count the number of times I thought I had the image “just right” on an IP camera with my laptop only to get back to the head-end and see my eyes must need adjustment.
The P3384-VE also has a built-in slot for a SDHC memory card. The M3005-V is also powered via its network connector, drawing 2.7W of power from a standard PoE source. The camera, with the use of the Axis P8221 network I/O module, has the ability to provide two-way audio from the camera’s installation point. The M3005-V also has a built-in slot for a Micro SD memory card.
Setup
Axis still ships every camera with the same default IP address, which to me is much preferred over having to use proprietary software to assign a camera’s IP address and other parameters. I prefer to always test a new camera before it is installed in the field and knowing the IP address makes it much easier to perform the initial setup on the test bench. I did discover an issue with MS IE 11 when performing my evaluation. The setup menu on Axis cameras and video encoders has the same basic design for the older and newer cameras. This is a plus to me as it allows an installer to readily set up a camera or encoder on the fly without having to remember a bunch of programming parameters for different cameras.
Testing
Both the P3384-VE and M3005-V, like all Axis cameras, are shipped from the factory “ready to go.” Just install the camera, configure the IP address and place it into service. More complicated installations take just a bit more configuring. The system setup menu for Axis cameras is generally the same. Some models, such as the P3384-VE, have additional tabs with optional system settings. The P3384-VE’s adjustments were easy to accomplish and the camera’s performance was excellent. The camera easily switched from color to black & white and provided a very good image in low light.
The M3005-V has a system setting I really like for hallway coverage (see my review on Axis M3024-V for more details). I did notice the M3005-V’s horizontal look angle is somewhat restricted by the camera design. This design will not allow the camera to be ceiling mounted and point down a hallway, for example. It appears the best coverage this camera can provide would be through the use of the wall mount option.
Conclusions
The Axis P3384-VE is a solid network camera. The design is first-rate and the camera’s programming and operation settings are very easy to navigate. This camera would be a welcome addition to a company’s CCTV system.
The M3005-V is a good network camera. The design is adequate for the cost of the camera and its programming and operation settings are very easy to navigate. This product would be useful in specific applications, but I would not make it one of my “go-to” cameras for a CCTV system.