IP Camera Learning blog

Evaluation: JVC VN-C215V4U

June 27th, 2008 by Greg Innes

The JVC VN-C215V4U claims discrete surveillance with high quality video output and a triple axis rotation lens for flexible installations. We’ve got one in the office so let’s see how it stands up.

VN-C215V4U Overview

The JVC VN-215V4U is a fixed dome camera and it’s fairly compact measuring 145mm diameter and 145mm high, which is only about half a foot. Aimed at the security market the camera has a 3-axis fixed lens mechanism which allows adjustment of the pan (175°), tilt (80°) and the rotation (175°) of the lens so it can be easily directed at any desired angle. The camera can be powered by 12V DC adaptor (not supplied) or by IEEE802.3af Power over Ethernet which we would always use as it makes installation very straight-forward. The camera also includes an analog output (Phono RCA out) so a monitor can be used at the point of installation to help with lens positioning and focus. The analog output is tucked inside the dome though so it’s purely an installation aid and cannot be used on a permanent basis. This isn’t a hybrid camera.

Network installation

Initial configuration of the camera is simple. JVC have laid out how they want users to configure the camera:

It works well enough and will see non-technical users through the process quite happily but if you’re a little more experienced you can also skip a lot of steps by accessing the camera directly using a crossover cable and its default IP address (192.168.0.2).

But where is my HTTP port setting?

This was the first clue to the camera’s true market. There is no easy way to change the camera’s HTTP port. This means that it will play well with others on a local network and be content when used in any security system application but it will start to fight when we try to access it remotely across the internet as generally you would only have one public IP address. This makes the camera not so ideal for remote web access and even more so if you have more than one. There is a solution however but it involves HTTP API instructions which would scare a lot of users.

Market

So where does this camera sit in the market and how should we be looking at it? The recognisable brand name may suggest the camera is destined for home users but that’s not the case. JVC have been present in the traditional analog CCTV market for some time and are now starting to look at the IP CCTV industry with their new IP models. The VN-C215V4U is a serious, fixed dome security camera designed to compete with the likes of an Axis 216FD or Sony SNC-DF50 in the IP CCTV market. It even comes as a vandal resistant option (JVC VN-C215VP4U).

Does it compete?

We think it does and this is based on the camera’s performance rather than the limitations of the user interface. You see, the camera produces a great image and although subjective we think that the quality of the image is probably the most important feature of any camera. The images it delivers are clear and the color tones are natural. It has a slightly higher spec sensor than a comparable Axis camera which may account for the results.

How does it stand up?

The Camera isn’t without its downsides. The web interface is pretty awful (the live video only accessible through a pop-up window), using the API to perform remote reboots or changing the HTTP port is awkward and there’s generally no ‘live’ support for any browser other than IE but that’s not what the camera is for.

It’s not really designed for home use. It’s not designed to be a web cam and even though it has the option to transfer images by email or FTP, it’s not really designed for that. It’s designed to sit in an IP CCTV surveillance system, to be installed into its own video surveillance software or third-party option, and provide clear, high-quality images to help protect your business and staff. And when it does that it does it well.

More information

JVC VN-C215V4U Fixed Dome Camera

Product Specification (584KB)