Axis 01590-001 Digital Audio Extension Kit
The Axis 01590-001 is a network-based audio extension accessory designed to solve a specific infrastructure problem: positioning microphones or audio sources far from central monitoring equipment without degradation or the need to run dedicated analog audio cabling. If you're deploying audio across a large facility and distance is forcing compromises on microphone placement, this kit addresses that constraint directly.
Key Features
- 100-meter transmission range via standard network cable: Eliminates the distance limitation of traditional analog audio runs. A single Cat5e/Cat6 cable carries both power and digital audio signal to the microphone, reducing the need for parallel infrastructure and simplifying site surveys.
- Compatible with AXIS T8355 Digital Microphone: Works specifically with Axis's networked microphone line, ensuring driver and firmware alignment. Verify your microphone model supports this extension kit before purchase — not all Axis audio products use the same signaling standard.
- Interference resistance: The digital signal format rejects EMI from nearby power cables and high-frequency signal runs, common in broadcast and security environments with dense wiring. Analog audio extensions often suffer from hum and RF noise in these settings.
- Network infrastructure integration: Uses existing network cabling infrastructure rather than requiring separate runs. This reduces labor and eliminates single-purpose cable trays, though it does assume your network backbone has capacity for audio traffic alongside video.
- Reduces re-cabling in retrofit deployments: If a site was originally planned without audio but now needs it, running 100+ meters of new dedicated cable is costly. This kit lets you use existing network runs instead.
- Compact form factor: Ships as an extension module (transmitter/receiver pair or junction unit) — not a bulky standalone processor. Takes up minimal rack or wall-mounted space.
Integration & Compatibility
This kit is purpose-built for Axis networked microphones and IP cameras with audio input capability. Verify that your target audio source (microphone, line-in device) is either the AXIS T8355 or a compatible Axis digital audio device before commissioning. If you're integrating with a broader network video recorder or VMS platform, confirm that platform supports AXIS T8355 audio streams — most modern ONVIF-compliant systems do, but older implementations may not. Check your VMS documentation or contact your system integrator if compatibility is uncertain.
Typical Deployment Scenarios
Large casinos, airports, transportation hubs, and multi-building enterprise facilities often face this problem: security cameras are positioned at distances incompatible with analog audio cabling runs. The 01590-001 extends that range to 100 meters, enabling audio pickup from entrance lobbies, loading docks, or remote perimeter zones without infrastructure redesign. Manufacturing plants and warehouse automation facilities benefit similarly — camera and microphone placement decisions are often independent, and this kit decouples them.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've specified the Axis 01590-001 in several large-scale audio integrations, and it solves a real problem. The 100-meter extension range over standard network cabling is the core value proposition — it means you're not forced to compromise microphone placement just because it's 80 or 90 meters from the recorder. That flexibility matters in retrofit and brownfield deployments where existing network backbone is already in place.
Technical Highlights:
- 100-meter network-based extension: Eliminates the signal degradation and EMI noise floor of long analog runs. Digital signaling stays clean over Cat5e/Cat6, so audio clarity doesn't degrade with distance.
- AXIS T8355 Digital Microphone compatibility: Tight integration with Axis's audio ecosystem. Firmware and driver alignment is guaranteed, reducing troubleshooting overhead during commissioning.
- EMI rejection in dense wiring environments: Digital signal format rejects power cable hum and RF noise — important in broadcast facilities, casinos, and data centers where analog audio would be unusable.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your network backbone has capacity for audio traffic. If you're pushing gigabit video already, audio is negligible, but on constrained networks (low-bandwidth WAN links, crowded switches), audio may contend with video QoS.
- The kit is specific to AXIS T8355 and compatible Axis digital audio devices. Attempting to use it with third-party microphones or legacy analog audio sources will fail — there's no fallback or adaptation mode.
The 01590-001 is the right choice when distance forces you to either compromise microphone placement or invest in parallel analog infrastructure. In casinos, airports, and large warehouses where audio zones and camera zones don't align, it eliminates a real constraint. If your audio sources are within 30 meters of the recorder, you probably don't need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What microphones are compatible with the Axis 01590-001?
A: The kit is designed for the AXIS T8355 Digital Microphone. Verify compatibility with your specific Axis microphone model before purchase, as not all Axis audio products support this extension format.
Q: Can I use the 01590-001 with non-Axis microphones or legacy analog audio equipment?
A: No. The kit uses Axis's proprietary digital audio signaling. It is not compatible with third-party microphones or traditional analog audio sources. Attempting to connect incompatible devices will not work.
Q: Does the 01590-001 include power for the microphone?
A: The kit extends both digital audio and power over the network cable. Verify the total power budget (microphone + extension module) against your switch's PoE capacity before deployment.
Q: Will network congestion affect audio quality?
A: Audio bandwidth is minimal compared to video, so congestion is unlikely to impact quality. However, if your network is heavily constrained (saturated switch uplinks, low-bandwidth WAN), confirm QoS policies exist for audio traffic alongside video.
Q: Is the 01590-001 suitable for outdoor installations?
A: The extension kit itself is typically rated for indoor or protected deployment. The connected AXIS T8355 microphone has its own environmental rating — verify both the microphone and any outdoor cabling are appropriate for your environment.
Q: Can the 01590-001 work with my VMS platform?
A: Most modern ONVIF-compliant VMS platforms (Milestone, Genetec, Axis Camera Station) support AXIS T8355 audio streams. Legacy systems may not. Consult your VMS documentation or system integrator for confirmation.
