Bosch Releases ONVIF-Ready H.264 Cameras

Bosch Security Systems Inc., a full-line manufacturer of security solutions, today announced the company’s entire portfolio of IP cameras is now available with H.264 compression technology. These IP cameras deliver high-resolution video with reduced bandwidth and storage consumption -- resulting in storage costs that are up to 30 percent less than systems that use traditional MPEG-4 encoding.

“In addition to the improved image quality and the cost benefit, H.264 compression technology also gives end users increased retention times and the option to use lower bandwidth wide area networks (WANs) for surveillance video,” said Dr. Bob Banerjee, product marketing manager, with Bosch Security Systems Inc. “In short, better video with less bandwidth.”

Customers with installed Bosch IP cameras are able to download Firmware 4.0 to upgrade to H.264. The new firmware is available for Dinion IP, FlexiDome IP, Extreme Series IP and AutoDome IP cameras, as well as the VideoJet X series of encoders and VIP X1600 multi-channel encoders and decoders. Bosch H.264 cameras and encoders can be viewed with either VIDOS v4.0, Bosch’s video management system, or by using the Bosch Divar XF Hybrid Recorder. The cameras and encoders can also be recorded to the Divar XF Hybrid Recorder, local storage on a Bosch encoder or direct-to-iSCSI using Bosch’s NVR-less iSCSI RAID storage units, also known as a storage area network (SAN).

Customers may optionally use Bosch’s Video Recording Manager to manage large numbers of iSCSI RAIDs. VRM also simplifies the installation and maintenance process of large systems and assists with managing appropriate storage capacities that change due to factors such as increasing camera counts, improved image quality and higher framerates.

With the new firmware, Bosch IP cameras are ready to work with the recent Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) standard, which provides interoperability with other network surveillance products that conform to the standard, regardless of manufacturer. ONVIF compliance gives customers greater flexibility for future upgrades of their IP video systems.

Firmware 4.0 also allows for live control of video using only an IntuiKey keyboard and decoder, requiring no PCs or software. The firmware adds greater intelligence to Bosch IP video products, enabling the creation of a virtual matrix to view and control up to 32 cameras on 10 monitors without video management software. This capability helps end users streamline their systems and further reduce costs.

New orders of Bosch cameras and encoders will be shipped already equipped with H.264 support and the additional Firmware 4.0 features. The new firmware offers traditional MPEG-4 and JPEG modes if required for compatibility with systems that do not yet support H.264.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.