Compro Technologies IP540 PTZ Camera

There are currently many choices in IP cameras for those looking to monitor their homes and business locations. Anandtech recently reviewed one such camera, the Dropcam Echo, which was geared towards the non technical consumer. Today we are looking at an IP camera offering from Compro Technologies which hopes to provide advanced features for small businesses and technical home users, while still paying close attention to the ease of installation for the end user.

First off, some information about Compro Technology Inc, as many readers may not have heard of them and they are trying to enter the US market just now.

Compro was Originally founded in 1988, based out of Taipei, Taiwan. Compro manufactures PC-TV, digital audio/video and IP security products for the IT consumer markets. They have been developing PC based TV tuners and data broadcast receiver products since 2003. However they have just recently in 2008 released consumer oriented analog/digital TV tuner products that some of you may be familiar with. Compro's IP security products include a full range of IP camera types from static ones to full PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) offerings with high resolution.

Today we are looking at Compro's mid-range PTZ (Pan-Tilt- Zoom) IP Camera, the IP540. The Compro IP540 lists the following as key features of the product.

• 1/3" CMOS Megapixel progressive scan sensor
• Pan, Tilt, 4x digital zoom (Pan of 340 degrees, Tilt of 100 degrees)
• Day and night functionality with mechanical IR cut filter switching
• Built-in IR lamps
• Supports real-time H.264, MPEG-4 and MJPEG compression (Triple Codec)
• Supports dual streams simultaneously
• Image frame rate is up to 15 frames per second at 1280x1024 resolution
• Smart motion detection
• Two way audio with built-in MIC (External speaker required)
• Easy and smart installer --- iWizard IP camera utility
• Support UPnP (Universal plug and play)
• Support 10/100 802.3/Ethernet
• Upgradable WiFi USB module to 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN
• Supports local storage (MicroSD and MicroSDHC)
• Exclusive multiple channels viewing and installation-free mobile phone PTZ control --- WebVuer
• Web browser support via MJPEG mode (video only) on wide range of iphone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Mobile and PDA devices to view the IP camera live video anytime, anywhere, anyplace
• Remote monitoring from 3G mobile or phone with web browser
• Bundled with powerful 32-channel IP video management software --- ComproView
• Optional Digital I/O box for External Sensor and Alarm (3 In/3 Out)