The bench test (1): Candid cameras

What our experts say...
The shape, design and even the cosmetics of general-purpose video surveillance cameras have changed comparatively little in the past quarter of a century. True, they have become progressively smaller, lighter and even more reliable, but the rectangular box layout has somehow survived in the face of major technical changes. Indeed, we have reached the absurd situation where a lot of cameras nowadays are mostly filled with nothing more technologically advanced than air, with the camera and lens assembly occupying only a fraction of the available space. Fair enough, there is a good case for CCTV cameras in public places to be conspicuous but surely they don't have to look as though they were designed at the same time as the Ark, or clash so violently with modern décor?

Over the years a few brave manufacturers have managed to prove that style and function can be combined, and that seems to be the thinking behind the eneo range of Candid Junior cameras. The two models we have been looking at are the VHP1 & 2 and they both fulfill the basic requirement of being highly visible, even if one of them isn't instantly recognisable as a camera. Nevertheless the eye is immediately drawn to the shape, and it is almost guaranteed to be a hit with interior designers. But are they up to the job?

Despite the radically different layouts, both cameras share a number of common design features. Inside the silver-finished cylindrical alloy housings there is a colour or black and white board camera module and lens, mounted on a circular plastic chassis. This fits snugly inside the tube and on both models the rear cover is held in place by an elegantly simple circular end plate and rubber ring. This expands to provide a rigid watertight seal when a central locking bolt is tightened.

A range of colour and black and white camera modules are available for the two housings based around 1/3 and 1/4-inch interline transfer CCD image sensors with low light sensitivities of 0.1 lux (F2) for the B&W models and 0.5 or 2.5 lux for the colour types. The two mono cameras have claimed resolutions of 380 and 500 lines respectively while the colour cameras are rated at 380 and 470 lines.

There is also a choice of lenses, the basic options are F2, 2.9 & 3.6mm, and F2, 4-8mm tele/wide; others types are available on request. The modules are fully self-contained with no user or installer settings, nor are there any exposure or white balance adjustments, both of which are handled automatically.

The VHP-1 housing is the more conventional of the two, with a domed rear end and a sealed feed-through for the single captive cable that carries both power (10 –15v DC) and the screened video output. The cable is approximately one metre in length and unterminated. On the underside of the VHP-1 is a threaded mounting block; a universal wall/ceiling stand with adjustable head is supplied, along with some mounting screws and an Allen key.

The VHP-2 housing has the same cylindrical 'front end' as the VHP-1 (but without the mounting block) and in place of the domed rear end is a simple double axis elbow joint, approximately 7.5cm in length. This is fixed at the other end to a circular alloy mounting plate. A flexible ribbed rubber gaiter, which gives the whole assembly a more solid appearance, surrounds the joint – it could easily be mistaken for a bendy spotlight — and it provides some additional weather protection. The joint allows the camera to rotate freely through 360 degrees and bend through approximately 220 degrees.

The video/supply cable emerges from the rear of the mounting plate. On both models a toughened glass cover, sealed to the inside of the cylindrical housing, protects the lens. Both types of camera housing are close to being hermetically sealed and appear to be very well protected against ingress of moisture or dust.

Due to the lack of any controls or adjustments there are no preliminaries, apart from mounting and orientation. The VHP-1 is very straight-forward. Fitting the VHP-2 takes a little longer due to the elbow joint and rubber gaiter getting in the way of the mounting plate; we found it easiest to detach the mounting plate by slackening off the clamp holding the joint together.

It is possible to access the lens on the VHP-2, should it be necessary to fine-tune the focus, but this proved to be unnecessary on our sample. The VHP-2 lens proved to be a lot harder to get at, which is unfortunate as we suspect that mid-field and distance focus may well have benefited from a minor tweak. The bare power/video cable and the requirement for a nearby junction box adds a little to the installation time and it is possible that the meagre 1m length could pose problems.

The colour camera module in the VHP-1 worked well. In spite of some misgivings concerning focus we were able to conduct our usual range of near-field resolution tests and our sample achieved well in excess of 400 lines. It has a broad contrast range, noise levels were below average and in good natural light colours were solid and natural looking. Low light performance was also impressive, producing a useable image in surprisingly poor conditions, though inevitably at the expense of much higher noise levels.

Given the simplicity of the exposure system it copes well with changing light levels though it lacks any serious backlight compensation so it is best to avoid bright lights or windows in the scene area. The image sensor on our sample had several faulty pixels; normally it's not a problem when they are near the edge of the image area but a couple of these were quite prominent in dark scenes and near to the centre of the screen.

The B&W module in the VHP-2 also gave a reasonably good account of itself, resolution was well above 450 lines and the image remained crisp and with comparatively low levels of noise down to near dark conditions. The dynamic range is reasonably wide, though the exposure system is quite lively and tends to over-compensate when there is a bright light in the scene, occasionally resulting in a noticeable loss of detail in dark corners and shadows. No instability problems were apparent during the traditional assault with the Bench Test rubber mallet and the video outputs on both cameras remained rock solid despite a good pounding.

What the manufacturer says ...
CCTV equipment normally comes in square, sober forms. The Candid Junior is impressive with simple elegance: camera, chassis and case combine into an elegantly proportioned system with a subdued design which makes it completely unobtrusive.

With a length of only 14cm and a diameter of 5.5cm, the filigree anodised-aluminium case harmoniously adapts to all settings. It cuts a particularly good figure in entrance areas.

Usage is nearly limitless: such as airports and hospitals, amusement arcades and museums. The system looks just as good in small corner shops as its does in front of your own door.

Users cannot find anything easier than the pre-configured plug & play packages. Choose between five colour options with a ¼ inch camera or the five inexpensive black and white sets with a 1/3 inch camera.

The board cameras have already been adjusted and the whole system is completely pre-cabled.

Installation is therefore user-friendly and can be carried out in a short time. This saves assembly time and therefore also saves cost. Whether it is installed using a wall mount or pedestal mount, the orientation options are as diverse as the ranges of application.

The wall arm and its ball joint mechanism included in the shipping package allow the Candid Junior to be accurately positioned both vertically and horizontally. Then simply connect the power (12v DC) and video cables and the Candid Junior is ready for operation.

Should the operational conditions be particularly hard you can choose one of the Candid Junior's optional extras, an electronically controlled screen heater. Customers will find both the technical specifications and the price are ideal.