ACTi A49 vs Geovision BL34000-002U: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi A49 and Geovision BL34000-002U are 3MP outdoor IP bullet cameras powered by 802.3af PoE, targeting perimeter and entrance surveillance in commercial and light-industrial deployments. This comparison evaluates how they differ across imaging performance, environmental hardening, and VMS/analytics integration — areas where spec differences directly affect installation decisions and long-term suitability. Neither model includes PTZ; both are fixed-lens varifocal bullets in the same resolution class, making them genuine cross-shop candidates for a buyer specifying a mid-tier outdoor bullet.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
The ACTi A49 uses a 1/2.8-inch sensor with a 2.8–12mm varifocal lens delivering 4.3x optical zoom, a meaningful advantage over the Geovision BL34000-002U's 3–9mm varifocal lens (3x optical zoom). The A49's wider zoom range lets installers frame a scene more precisely from a fixed mount without moving the camera. Both cameras top out at 3MP resolution. The A49 specifies a maximum frame rate of 30 fps; the BL34000-002U does not state a maximum frame rate in its provided specifications.
On low-light performance, the A49 specifies minimum illumination of 0.05 lux color and 0.005 lux B/W at F1.4, with an adaptive IR LED array and an IR range of 30 meters. The BL34000-002U lists IR low-light capability but provides no minimum illumination figure, no IR range, and no aperture rating in the provided specifications. The A49 also specifies 142dB Extreme WDR; the BL34000-002U lists WDR without a dB rating, making direct comparison of dynamic-range performance impossible from available data.
What about installation and environment?
The A49 carries IP66, NEMA 4X, and IK10 ratings — IP66 blocks high-pressure water jets and dust ingress; IK10 certifies resistance to 20-joule impacts; NEMA 4X adds corrosion resistance. The BL34000-002U is rated IP67, which adds tolerance for temporary submersion (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) but the provided specifications list no IK impact rating, making it unsuitable for verified vandal-resistance applications. For environments where physical impact is a concern, the A49's IK10 rating is a concrete differentiator.
The A49 operates from −30°C to 50°C (−22°F to 122°F) and accepts DC 12V or PoE Class 3 (802.3af, 13W maximum). The BL34000-002U operates across a wider range of −40°C to 60°C, an advantage in extreme-cold or high-heat deployments such as unheated northern enclosures or rooftop mounts in hot climates. Both cameras draw under 13W on PoE. The A49 connects via RJ-45 pigtail; the BL34000-002U's connector type is not specified. The A49 lists pole and rack mount types; the BL34000-002U lists wall, eave, and bracket mounting options.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The A49 supports ONVIF Profile S and Profile T, H.265, H.264 (Baseline/Main/High), and MJPEG compression. Profile T adds H.265 and metadata streaming support, which benefits modern VMS platforms that consume motion or object metadata over ONVIF. The BL34000-002U supports ONVIF Profile S and the Geovision GeoVision VMS platform; it does not list Profile T or H.265 support in the provided specifications, and its compression formats are not enumerated. For open-VMS environments requiring H.265 bandwidth savings, the A49 has a clear spec advantage.
On edge analytics, the A49 specifies VMD (video motion detection) and people counting as on-board analytics. The BL34000-002U lists no edge analytics in the provided specifications. Neither camera lists audio input/output or on-board storage (SD card) support in the provided specifications, so those capabilities cannot be compared. GPS positioning on the A49 is listed as manual setting only — not autonomous GPS hardware.
Which should you choose: the A49 or the BL34000-002U?
Our take: The A49 is the stronger choice when imaging flexibility, vandal resistance, and open-VMS integration are priorities. Concretely: the A49's 4.3x optical zoom (2.8–12mm) outranges the BL34000-002U's 3x (3–9mm), giving installers more framing latitude from a fixed mount; the A49's 142dB Extreme WDR rating versus an unquantified WDR claim on the BL34000-002U is a meaningful differentiator in high-contrast scenes; and the A49's IK10 impact rating provides verified vandal resistance the BL34000-002U's specifications do not address. The BL34000-002U holds two specific advantages: a wider operating temperature range (−40°C to 60°C vs −30°C to 50°C) and IP67 submersion tolerance versus the A49's IP66. Choose the BL34000-002U for extreme-cold or potential-submersion environments tied to the Geovision VMS platform; specify the A49 for open-VMS deployments requiring H.265, ONVIF Profile T, edge analytics, or confirmed impact protection.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A49 | Geovision BL34000-002U |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3 MP | 3 MP |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.8 inch | — |
| Lens / Focal Length | 2.8–12mm varifocal (4.3x optical zoom) | 3–9mm varifocal (3x optical zoom) |
| Min Illumination | 0.05 lux color / 0.005 lux B/W @ F1.4 | — |
| IR Range | 30 m | — |
| WDR | Extreme WDR (142 dB) | WDR (dB not specified) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps | — |
| Video Compression | H.265; H.264 (Baseline/Main/High); MJPEG | — |
| IP Rating | IP66 / NEMA 4X | IP67 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | — |
| Operating Temperature | −30°C to 50°C | −40°C to 60°C |
| Power Input / PoE Class | DC 12V or PoE Class 3 (802.3af), 13W max | PoE 802.3af, under 13W max |
| ONVIF | Profile S; Profile T | Profile S |
| Edge Analytics | VMD; People Counting | — |
| Dimensions | Ø 80mm × 258.30mm | — |
| Weight | 694 g (1.53 lb) | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A49 or the BL34000-002U?
The A49 is the stronger choice when imaging flexibility, vandal resistance, and open-VMS integration are priorities. Concretely: the A49's 4.3x optical zoom (2.8–12mm) outranges the BL34000-002U's 3x (3–9mm), giving installers more framing latitude from a fixed mount; the A49's 142dB Extreme WDR rating versus an unquantified WDR claim on the BL34000-002U is a meaningful differentiator in high-contrast scenes; and the A49's IK10 impact rating provides verified vandal resistance the BL34000-002U's specifications do not address. The BL34000-002U holds two specific advantages: a wider operating temperature range (−40°C to 60°C vs −30°C to 50°C) and IP67 submersion tolerance versus the A49's IP66. Choose the BL34000-002U for extreme-cold or potential-submersion environments tied to the Geovision VMS platform; specify the A49 for open-VMS deployments requiring H.265, ONVIF Profile T, edge analytics, or confirmed impact protection.
Is the A49 or BL34000-002U better for low-light performance?
Based on available specifications, the A49 is more fully documented for low-light use: it specifies 0.05 lux color / 0.005 lux B/W minimum illumination at F1.4 and a 30-meter IR range. The BL34000-002U lists IR capability but provides no minimum illumination figure, no IR range, and no aperture rating in its specifications, so a direct numerical comparison cannot be made.
Which camera handles wider temperature extremes?
The BL34000-002U's specified operating range of −40°C to 60°C is wider than the A49's −30°C to 50°C. If the installation site reaches temperatures below −30°C or above 50°C — such as an unheated northern outdoor enclosure or a rooftop in a hot climate — the BL34000-002U's rated range is the differentiator.
Will either camera work with a third-party VMS like Milestone or Genetec?
The A49 supports ONVIF Profile S and Profile T, which are widely adopted by third-party VMS platforms including Milestone and Genetec. The BL34000-002U supports ONVIF Profile S and the Geovision GeoVision platform; Profile T is not listed in the provided specifications. For broadest third-party VMS compatibility — especially platforms leveraging Profile T metadata — the A49 is the better-documented option.
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