AXIS COMMUNICATIONS AXIS COMPANION BULLET MINI LE - NETWORK SURVEILLANCE CAMERA - OUTDOOR - VANDAL / WEATHERPROOF - COLOR (DAY&NIGHT) POE

Keep in mind it's my first time setting up a camera. I have heard great things about this brand from zoneminder support perspective so that's why I went with them. turns out this model requires companion to work. Plugged it into my poe switch with a crossover cable. Only thing that would get the power light to turn on. I had to go online and find the docs and download the companion version 3. the version of companion 4 is insisting on using their capture/recording systems. Since I was planning on using zoneminder was not necessary for me just needed the camera operational. Axis software automatically found the camera .. didn't have to put the network on any special settings it picked up dhcp fine. Pretty good quality recording so far. I am seeing a little jitter in zoneminder but I'm guessing this isn't the camera.. probably network hiccups or perhaps it's just recording too agressively with fps (25 by default it appears). From what I've heard probably only need 5-10fps.

Purchased this camera to try out some software that can pull the data into a python script. Axis has disabled rtsp support.I've installed prior versions of the companion software - but no matter the RTSP url combination of usernames and passwords - even after setup with the old software - RTSP is still unapproved. Scoured the internet and attempted help in the discussion boards as well. No luck. Its clear this camera is meant only for Axis family of software.Probably a loss leader - but without some secret sauce it appears impossible to get the raw rtsp streams.The fact that I had to install the old software - just to get around the recorder hardware is also telling.Even attempted to get old firmware for the device - to see if that would open up RTSP - but Axis does not host that on their site.Stick with another vendor if you are not staying within complete Axis eco-system.It gets two stars because the hardware is nice - and the picture quality is great.

The negative reviews are from buyers that tried to use v4 of the Axis software that requires a recorder. Download version 3, find the camera then use the login credentials that you just created to setup your camera in ZoneMinder. I have ordered two more.

Requires Axis Companion software (free) AND Axis Companion Recorder (hardware, very much not free) to even configure it. Cannot configure directly in a browser via ip address. Also did not come with star bit tool necessary to disassemble/assemble it. I'm done with Axis. Will continue to use the 32 existing Axis cams we have, every additional will be non-Axis on a separate system from existing for 1/10 the price and every bit as good quality.