ACTi A415 vs Geovision BL34100-001U: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi A415 and Geovision BL34100-001U are 3MP motorized zoom bullet cameras designed for outdoor IP surveillance deployments. This comparison evaluates how each performs across imaging capability, physical installation requirements, and systems integration. The A415 is a current-generation ACTi offering with an extensive published specification set, while the BL34100-001U is a Geovision product with a more limited publicly available spec sheet. Buyers should weigh the trade-offs in certified ratings, power class, compression support, and analytics depth before selecting either unit.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 3MP resolution, but the ACTi A415 provides substantially more imaging detail in its published specifications. The A415 uses a 1/2.7-inch sensor, achieves a maximum frame rate of 30 fps at 2048×1536, and includes a motorized 2.8–12mm lens offering a 4.3x optical zoom range with an aperture of f/2.8–f/12. Minimum illumination is rated at 0.05 lux (color) and 0.005 lux (B/W) at F1.4 with AGC on. The Geovision BL34100-001U specifies a motorized 3x zoom lens but does not publish sensor size, focal length range, aperture, frame rate, or minimum illumination figures in the available specification data.
For wide dynamic range, the A415 specifies Extreme WDR at 142 dB — a quantified figure useful for scenes with mixed lighting such as building entrances or parking structures. The BL34100-001U lists WDR support but provides no dB rating, making a direct numerical comparison impossible. IR coverage on the A415 is rated at 30m using 850nm emitters with a Day/Night mechanical IR cut filter and Adaptive IR intensity control. The BL34100-001U confirms IR support but does not specify wavelength, working distance, or IR cut filter mechanism in the available specs.
What about installation and environment?
The ACTi A415 carries IP66 and IK10 certifications, confirmed under CE Class A and FCC Class A approvals, with a metal casing explicitly noted. IP66 protects against powerful water jets; IK10 is the highest standardized impact resistance rating. The Geovision BL34100-001U is rated IP67, which adds protection against temporary submersion up to 1m for 30 minutes, but no IK impact rating is published for this model. Installers working in vandal-prone environments should note the A415's confirmed IK10 rating; those in wash-down or flood-prone sites may favor the IP67 rating of the BL34100-001U.
Power delivery differs between the two units. The A415 accepts DC 12V (adapter not included) or PoE Class 3 per IEEE 802.3af, with the spec sheet also referencing PoE++ (802.3bt) Class 3 — installers should verify which standard is operative on their switch infrastructure. The BL34100-001U is specified as PoE+, implying IEEE 802.3at support, though no DC input option is listed. Operating temperature for the A415 is documented at -30°C to +50°C (-22°F to 122°F). No operating temperature range is published for the BL34100-001U. Both units mount in bullet form factor; the A415 lists pole and wall mount styles, while the BL34100-001U lists wall and ceiling. Weight for the A415 is 834g (1.839 lb); no weight is published for the BL34100-001U.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The ACTi A415 supports ONVIF Profile S, Profile G, Profile T, and Profile Q, providing broad VMS compatibility including edge recording (Profile G) and metadata streaming (Profile T). Video compression options include H.265 Adaptive Stream, H.264 (Baseline, Main, and High profiles), and MJPEG. The Geovision BL34100-001U confirms ONVIF compliance and lists explicit VMS compatibility with Geovision GV NVR, Milestone, and Axis Camera Station, but compression is listed only as H.264 — H.265 support is not documented in the available specifications.
On-board analytics for the A415 include Video Motion Detection (VMD) and People Counting, both documented in the spec set. The BL34100-001U does not list any edge analytics in its available specification data. Audio is another differentiator: the A415 provides a 2-way audio path with mic-in, line-in, and line-out, enabling two-way communication or local alarm integration. No audio capability is listed for the BL34100-001U. Neither camera publishes an onboard SD card / edge storage specification in the provided data.
Which should you choose: the A415 or the BL34100-001U?
Our take: The A415 is the stronger choice when forensic image quality, cold-climate deployment, vandal resistance, and VMS flexibility are priorities. On quantified imaging, the A415's 142 dB Extreme WDR versus an unquantified WDR claim on the BL34100-001U, a documented 30m IR range versus no published figure for the Geovision, and H.265 Adaptive Stream compression versus H.264 only on the BL34100-001U represent meaningful specification advantages. The A415 also adds onboard People Counting analytics and 2-way audio — neither of which appears in the BL34100-001U's published specs. The BL34100-001U's IP67 rating edges the A415's IP66 for submersion scenarios, and its native integration list explicitly names Milestone and Axis Camera Station. Where the BL34100-001U's specification gaps are acceptable and the deployment is Geovision or Milestone-centric without analytics requirements, it remains a viable option — but buyers cannot fully evaluate it without the manufacturer publishing complete sensor, illumination, and temperature specifications.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A415 | Geovision BL34100-001U |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3 MP | 3 MP |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.7 inch | — |
| Lens / Focal Length | Motorized 2.8–12 mm (4.3x optical zoom), f/2.8–f/12 | Motorized 3x zoom (focal length not published) |
| Min Illumination | Color: 0.05 lux @ F1.4; B/W: 0.005 lux @ F1.4 (AGC on) | — |
| IR Range | 30 m (850 nm, Adaptive IR) | — |
| WDR | Extreme WDR, 142 dB | WDR (no dB rating published) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps @ 2048×1536 | — |
| Video Compression | H.265 Adaptive Stream; H.264 (Baseline/Main/High); MJPEG | H.264 |
| ONVIF Profiles | Profile S, G, T, Q | ONVIF (profiles not specified) |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP67 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 (metal casing) | — |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to +50°C (-22°F to +122°F) | — |
| Power Input / PoE Class | PoE Class 3 (IEEE 802.3af); DC 12V | PoE+ |
| Audio | 2-way (Mic-in, Line-in, Line-out) | — |
| Edge Analytics | VMD; People Counting | — |
| Weight | 834 g (1.839 lb) | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A415 or the BL34100-001U?
The A415 is the stronger choice when forensic image quality, cold-climate deployment, vandal resistance, and VMS flexibility are priorities. On quantified imaging, the A415's 142 dB Extreme WDR versus an unquantified WDR claim on the BL34100-001U, a documented 30m IR range versus no published figure for the Geovision, and H.265 Adaptive Stream compression versus H.264 only on the BL34100-001U represent meaningful specification advantages. The A415 also adds onboard People Counting analytics and 2-way audio — neither of which appears in the BL34100-001U's published specs. The BL34100-001U's IP67 rating edges the A415's IP66 for submersion scenarios, and its native integration list explicitly names Milestone and Axis Camera Station. Where the BL34100-001U's specification gaps are acceptable and the deployment is Geovision or Milestone-centric without analytics requirements, it remains a viable option — but buyers cannot fully evaluate it without the manufacturer publishing complete sensor, illumination, and temperature specifications.
Is the A415 or BL34100-001U better for low-light performance?
Based on published specifications, the A415 is better documented for low-light use: it lists minimum illumination of 0.05 lux (color) and 0.005 lux (B/W) at F1.4 with AGC on, an 850nm IR range of 30m, and a Day/Night mechanical IR cut filter with Adaptive IR. The BL34100-001U confirms IR support but publishes no minimum illumination figure, no IR wavelength, and no working distance, so a direct comparison cannot be made from available specs.
Which camera is more resistant to physical tampering or harsh weather?
The A415 holds both IP66 (protection against powerful water jets) and IK10 (highest standardized impact resistance) certifications, verified under CE and FCC approvals with a metal casing noted. The BL34100-001U carries IP67 (temporary submersion to 1m) but publishes no IK impact rating. For vandal-resistant applications, the A415's IK10 is the documented advantage; for submersion or flood-prone environments, the BL34100-001U's IP67 is the stronger published rating.
Will either camera work with Milestone or Axis Camera Station VMS?
Both cameras claim ONVIF compliance, which provides baseline interoperability with most major VMS platforms including Milestone and Axis Camera Station. The BL34100-001U additionally lists Milestone and Axis Camera Station as explicitly verified compatible platforms. The A415 publishes ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and Q conformance but does not list Milestone or Axis Camera Station by name in the available spec data. Installers should verify VMS-specific plugin or driver availability with each manufacturer before deployment.
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