Increase security without sacrificing bandwidth: 2N video intercoms with Axis Zipstream

 

 Camilla Ashdown, 01. 12. 2023 | 5 min read

What is Zipstream, how can it help you, and which 2N IP video intercoms support it?

video intercoms

 

IP video intercom cameras are getting better and better – and for good reason! High-quality images from Full HD intercom cameras are valuable for increased security and clear visitor verification. 

With this, however, comes a challenge: better images mean increased demands on bandwidth and storage. The solution? 2N IP video intercoms that support Axis Zipstream technology! 

Both the 2N® IP Verso 2.0 and the 2N® IP Style support Zipstream: let’s delve into what Zipstream is, how it works, and what quality IP video intercoms that support it can offer high-security commercial projects that require Full HD camera streams.

What is Zipstream, and who needs it? 

Quite often, office buildings require a high level of security. One of the ways they achieve this is by streaming and downloading continuous video feeds of the last 30 days from their security cameras and video intercoms within the VMS. Why? For more effective incident reporting – security admins can go back to these feeds in the event of a security breach or other incident. 

However, for this to be as effective as possible, security personnel need Full HD video. Which, if they’ve installed 2N IP video intercoms and Axis IP cameras, is not a problem. What is a problem, however, is that a 30-day-long stream from multiple devices requires a lot of memory storage, which is expensive. 

Axis Zipstream technology intelligently optimizes video streams to preserve all the crucial forensic details while reducing bandwidth and storage requirements by over 50%. In a nutshell, it compresses the video but keeps the quality – and therefore saves money! 

How does it work?

The technology employs three key intelligent algorithms: Dynamic ROI (Region of Interest), Dynamic GOP (Group of Pictures), and Dynamic FPS (Frames Per Second).

Dynamic ROI (Region of Interest):

  • Zipstream identifies and focuses on specific regions of interest within the video frame where important details, such as faces, tattoos, license plate numbers, or objects, are located.
  • These regions are compressed at much lower levels, ensuring critical forensic information is preserved at full quality compared to less critical areas.

Dynamic GOP (Group of Pictures):

  • Zipstream dynamically adjusts the Group of Pictures structure based on the content of the video.
  • By intelligently selecting when to include full frames (I-frames) and when to rely on predictive frames (P-frames), the technology optimizes compression while maintaining video quality.

Dynamic FPS (Frames Per Second):

  • Zipstream adapts the frame rate dynamically according to the motion within the video.
  • During periods of high motion, the frame rate is maintained to capture all relevant details, while during low-motion scenes, the frame rate is reduced, conserving bandwidth and storage space.

By combining these three dynamic algorithms, Axis Zipstream technology ensures that all relevant forensic information is identified, recorded, and transmitted in full resolution and at the optimal frame rate. This results in a more efficient use of resources, allowing users to benefit from extended retention times, lower storage costs, and minimized bandwidth usage —all without compromising the essential details captured by the IP video intercoms. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with a wide range of media players for easy video playback.

The technology is evolving, too. Originally, Zipstream set itself apart by identifying and preserving areas of forensic interest. Now, it excels at distinguishing between crucial and less important data, which makes it even more efficient. 

With a simple click, users can enable a storage profile to achieve the optimal level of Zipstream for their video storage, irrespective of the VMS. Every upgrade to Zipstream is made available through firmware updates, ensuring the 2N IP intercoms, as well as the integrated Axis cameras, consistently deliver peak performance with demands on bandwidth and storage.

All you need to do to enable it is choose your desired Zipstream level in the web interface of supported 2N IP video intercoms! 

Which 2N IP video intercoms support Zipstream? 

2N® IP Style

The 2N® IP Style is a video intercom like no other! It features a 10’’ touchscreen display that can be used in commercial projects to display business directories and important notifications. It also supports four access technologies: fast and reliable mobile access control via WakeKey, RFID, PIN codes, and QR codes - which are great one-time access credentials for visitors.

Of course, the camera is just as exceptional as the intercom itself – perhaps the best on the market! It boasts crystal-clear color images (even in low light) and the ability to handle multiple simultaneous full HD streams, a 5 MPx chip, a super wide-angle lens, and WDR capability. 

Also, with features like adaptive Face Zooming, the 2N® IP Style sets itself apart – automatically detecting faces, zooming in on them, and providing a clearer image of who's at the door.

2N® IP Verso 2.0

The 2N® IP Verso 2.0 is the second generation of our best-selling modular intercom, the 2N® IP Verso. It preserves the unique modular design of its predecessor, making it a flexible and entirely versatile device suitable for any project. 

It also features a top-tier camera that provides Full HD quality and maintains vivid color - even in challenging lighting conditions. And, unlike some intercom cameras that transition to night mode at dusk, the 2N® IP Verso 2.0 only activates full night mode in total darkness.

What’s more, the Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) capabilities, powered by the robust Axis ARTPEC-7 processor embedded in the intercom, ensure optimal image balance even when the sun is behind the visitor. Wave goodbye to black silhouettes – with the 2N® IP Verso 2.0, perfect clarity is achieved every time.

Enhance the security of your project – without compromising on storage or bandwidth. Install 2N video intercoms that support Axis Zipstream technology and ensure high-quality images, efficient incident reporting - and safer buildings.