AXIS 206M: Questions & Answers

Specific Q&As on the AXIS 206M:

Q: What is the light sensitivity of the AXIS 206M?
 
A: The AXIS 206M works in a range from 10 to 10,000 lux. Ten lux is normal (but not low) indoor light. Both the AXIS 206M and the AXIS 205 are specified to 10 lux but the light sensitivity of the AXIS 206M is much better than the AXIS 205. If better light sensitivity is required, Axis recommends the use of another camera such as the AXIS 211 or AXIS 210.

Q: Why is the AXIS 206M less sensitive than the AXIS 206W?
 
A: As the AXIS 206M supports megapixel resolution, it has a less light sensitive lens and a more noise sensitive sensor, resulting in less light sensitivity.

Q: What is the frame rate of the AXIS 206M?
 
A: The AXIS 206M delivers up to 12 frames per second in all its resolutions. Having a smaller resolution does not improve the frame rate. In low light situations, the frame rate drops in order to maintain the images.

Q: Which resolutions and aspect ratios are supported by the AXIS 206M?
 
A: 

• 1280x1024 has an aspect ratio of 1.25, which is the maximum size available from the image sensor
• 1280x960 has standard 4:3 aspect ratio
• 640x480 which has standard 4:3 aspect ratio
• 320x240 which has standard 4:3 aspect ratio
• 1280x720 which uses HDTV format, 16:9 aspect ratio
• 640x360 which uses HDTV format, 16:9 aspect ratio

Q: Why does the image have a yellow or blue color tint after restarting the 206M?
 
A: In order to provide stable colors, the camera optimizes the white balance and color correction slowly, which means that it can take up to 30 seconds to reach a correct setting in the Automatic mode.

Q: What is the benefit of the 16:9 aspect ratio resolutions?
 
A: The 16:9 resolutions optimize for a scenario where the reduced bandwidth associated with a flatter image outweighs the loss in the vertical area. In many cases, the 16:9 resolution suits the typical application where the camera is mounted so that it would see only a floor and ceiling at the bottom and top of the image. The reduced height of the image can also provide for a less cluttered desktop while viewing the video in a browser.

Q: What is the difference between an AXIS 205 and AXIS 206M?
 
A: Besides the megapixel resolution, the following are some of the differences:

• The AXIS 206M has superior image quality using a state-of-the-art CMOS sensor, which gives clearer colors.
• The AXIS 205 produces up to 30 frames per second whereas the AXIS 206M only provides 12
• The AXIS 206M comes with an video management software, the AXIS Camera Explorer, which can view, administrate and manually record images.
• The AXIS 206M offers multiple language support in its Web pages
• The AXIS 206M offers many smaller feature improvements such as UPnP, enhanced Mac support and more internal memory.

Generic Q&As on the AXIS 206 product series:

Q: Can I use the AXIS 206 series outdoors?
 
A: No, the AXIS 206 series is designed for indoor use only. For outdoor use, one would need an iris and an outdoor enclosure to make it weatherproof. Axis does not currently offer such options for the AXIS 206 series.

Q: What happens if I were to use the AXIS 206 series outdoors?
  
A: The AXIS 206 will produce nice images for some time, but after a while, the color filter of the camera will bleach--as any colored object will do--from the strong light. As a result, the camera will give a bad image quality with stripes in its view. This is not covered by the warranty since the AXIS 206 is for indoor use only.

Q: What is the difference between a Web camera and a network camera? 
 
A Web camera is connected to a PC, normally through a USB port, and uses the PC to make video available to other viewers. A Web camera only works if it is directly attached to a PC.
 
A network camera combines the functionalities of a high-end Web camera, the PC and network interface into one network-ready product.

Q: Where can I buy another lens for my AXIS 206 camera?
 
A: Axis does not know of a supplier of different lenses as the AXIS 206 series cameras are custom made. The AXIS 206W has a 1/4 inch image sensor.

Q: You talk about the One-click installation. What is that and do I need this?
 
A: For AXIS 206 customers, Axis offers a free service that allows users to connect to the camera using a customer friendly name (such as http://axis123456.axiscam.net) instead of the more cumbersome use of IP addresses. If the IP address is changed, it will automatically update the DNS service. It is a convenient way to access cameras when you have access to the Internet.

Q: Can I save video from the camera?
 
A: Yes. The AXIS 206 series has full support for AXIS API and comes with an video management software called the AXIS Camera Explorer. This is a software for simplified viewing and manual video recording.
 
You may also use other Axis video management software, such as the AXIS Camera Station or the AXIS Camera Recorder for advanced recording functionalities. These software also allow you to view and manage a large number of cameras. If you need more advanced or specific recording tools, there is a wide range of third party software solutions available for Windows and Linux platforms. Click here to find out more about them.

Q: Must I have an Internet connection to use the camera?
 
A: No. The camera works also on a local area network without an Internet connection.

Q: How can I control the bandwidth use?
 
A: Bandwidth use is dependent on selected image resolution, quality, frame rate and number of users and applications accessing the camera simultaneously. All of these can be adjusted to meet the requirements.

Q: Can I use the AXIS 206 series as an alarm device?
 
A: No. There is no I/O or Video Motion Detection in the AXIS 206 series. If there is a need for this, you need a higher end camera such as the AXIS 210 or AXIS 211.

Q: Can I use the camera with my Mac?
 
A: Yes. The AXIS 206 series will work with Mac and several other platforms, but functionality may be limited when using certain combinations of operating systems and browsers. The Mac support will be improved in future versions. Currently the recommended browser is Mozilla or Camino.

Q: I don't want to draw people's attention to the camera. Can I turn off the LEDs in the front?
 
A: Yes. The LEDs can be controlled from the Setup section in the Web interface, but will require Administrator rights. The LED on the wireless antenna of the AXIS 206W may not be shut off. If needed, it can be hidden with the use of a small piece of black tape.

Q: Does AXIS 206 series support NetMeeting, Windows Media Player or similar Webcam applications?
 
A: No. The AXIS 206 is not a Webcam designed for those applications; it is a complete network camera with a built-in Web server and IP address.

Q: Does AXIS 206 Network Cameras support Power over Ethernet?
 
A: No. For Power over Ethernet support, we recommend the AXIS 211.

Q: Does AXIS 206 Network Camera support audio?
 
A: No, there is no support for audio. For audio, we recommend that you use other Axis products.

Q: Does AXIS 206 Network Camera have any serial interfaces or capabilities?
 
A: No. The USB interface on the AXIS 206W may not be used for anything except setup. It emulates a disk device and is not USB-host compatible.

Q: How much bandwidth does the camera require?
 
A: The file size of a JPEG image depends on factors such as selected resolution, compression level and the actual content of the image. Typical image sizes for 640x480, using medium compression and normal daytime indoor office lighting levels, are in the range of 30 to 40 KB. The size for an image of 320x240 at medium compression is in the range of 8 to 9 KB. The image size is then multiplied by the actual frame rate to define the bandwidth utilized. The user can limit the frame rate and number of simultaneous viewers if desired. On a 100 Mbps Ethernet network, a network camera will typically use 1% to 3% of the available bandwidth.

Q: What is the benefit of the UPnP support?
 
A: Supported in Microsoft Windows XP, UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is a network discovery mechanism for intelligent network devices such as network cameras. When enabled (by default it is not enabled in Windows XP), all UPnP network devices will automatically appear in "My network places" to simplify installation and use.

Q: In home or small business installations, if I only have one IP address from my ISP into my DSL or cable modem connection, how can I access several cameras on the network from the Internet?
 
A: Two issues need to be resolved. First, you need to find out which IP address your connection has from the outside--it is not the same as on your LAN. This can be done using AXIS Internet Dynamic DNS Service. Secondly, each camera on the local network needs to be set up with a unique port number which the broadband router can map to reach to the cameras' local IP addresses. Please refer to your router's documentation for port forwarding. 
 
Example:
Camera1 is set up to port 80 (default), and Camera2 to port 8080. Their local IP addresses are 192.168.0.52 and 192.168.0.53 respectively. The Internet/WAN address of the DSL connection is found out, by using AXIS Internet Dynamic DNS service, to be 123.61.102.112. The broadband router is now set up to map port 80 to 192.168.52 and port 8080 to 192.168.0.53. Camera1 can now be accessed with http://123.61.102.112:80 and Camera2 with http://123.61.102.112:8080 (or more likely by using the AXIS Internet Dynamic DNS Service name as your ISP may change your assigned Internet/WAN address every time you power off your router, but the principle of port mapping in the router is the same).