Geovision BL34100-001U vs Geovision BL3700: Specification Comparison
Both products are Geovision 3MP IP bullet cameras aimed at outdoor and commercial surveillance deployments. The 84-BL34100-001U is a motorized-zoom variant targeting installations where remote focal-length adjustment is operationally valuable, while the GV-BL3700 is a fixed P-Iris lens model emphasizing bandwidth efficiency through H.265 compression. A buyer evaluating either camera is weighing lens flexibility and VMS breadth against codec modernity and storage savings within the same resolution class.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 3MP resolution with WDR and IR-assisted low-light capability. The BL34100-001U uses a motorized 3x zoom lens, enabling remote focal-length adjustment after installation without physical access to the camera. The GV-BL3700 uses a fixed 3–9 mm P-Iris lens, which provides mechanical aperture control for improved exposure accuracy in variable lighting but requires on-site adjustment of the focal length at install time.
The GV-BL3700 lists 'Super Low Lux' as its minimum illumination rating, suggesting optimized low-light sensitivity beyond a standard IR specification. The BL34100-001U does not provide a specific minimum illumination figure in the supplied specs. Compression differs meaningfully: the BL34100-001U encodes in H.264, while the GV-BL3700 uses H.265, which typically reduces bitrate and storage consumption by approximately 50% at equivalent quality. Neither model's IR range, frame rate, or image sensor size is specified in the provided data.
What about installation and environment?
The BL34100-001U carries an IP67 ingress protection rating, indicating full dust-tight protection and resistance to temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter. The GV-BL3700's IP rating is not specified in the provided data, so a direct weatherproofing comparison cannot be made. The BL34100-001U is powered via PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at), which supplies up to 30W and accommodates the motorized lens drive. The GV-BL3700's power input specification is not listed. Operating temperature range, IK impact rating, dimensions, and weight are absent for both models.
Mount compatibility also differs: the BL34100-001U supports wall and ceiling mounting, while the GV-BL3700 supports wall and pole mounting. Neither specification set includes a pendant or corner-mount accessory note. Installers targeting pole-top deployments will find the GV-BL3700's pole-mount callout directly relevant; ceiling-grid or soffit installs align more naturally with the BL34100-001U's stated mount options.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The BL34100-001U lists explicit VMS compatibility with Geovision GV NVR, Milestone XProtect, and Axis Camera Station in addition to ONVIF conformance. The GV-BL3700 lists ONVIF as its sole stated VMS compatibility. Buyers running Milestone or Axis Camera Station environments gain documented, named compatibility assurance with the BL34100-001U; GV-BL3700 users would rely on ONVIF interoperability for those same platforms, which may work in practice but is not explicitly documented in the provided specs.
Edge analytics, on-board audio, and local storage (SD card) specifications are not provided for either model. Neither camera's connectivity specification beyond PoE (BL34100-001U) and standard RJ-45 (GV-BL3700 implied) is detailed. Buyers requiring audio input/output or edge-based motion analytics should consult the full datasheets linked in each product record before specifying either unit.
Which should you choose: the BL34100-001U or the BL3700?
Our take: The BL34100-001U is the stronger choice when VMS flexibility and post-install focal adjustment are the primary requirements. Its motorized 3x zoom lens allows remote repositioning of the field of view without a truck roll, and its documented compatibility with Milestone and Axis Camera Station removes integration uncertainty in mixed-platform environments. Its IP67 rating and PoE+ power are confirmed in the spec sheet. The GV-BL3700, by contrast, offers H.265 compression—saving roughly 50% in bandwidth and storage versus the BL34100-001U's H.264—a P-Iris lens for superior auto-exposure control, and a 'Super Low Lux' illumination rating suggesting stronger native low-light performance. Choose the BL34100-001U for motorized flexibility and broad named-VMS support; choose the GV-BL3700 where storage costs, low-light sensitivity, and pole-mount deployment are the deciding factors.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Geovision BL34100-001U | Geovision BL3700 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3 MP | 3 MP |
| Form Factor | Bullet | Bullet |
| Video Compression | H.264 | H.265 |
| Lens / Focal Length | Motorized 3x zoom | 3–9 mm P-Iris |
| Lens Adjustment | Remote (motorized) | Manual (on-site) |
| WDR | Yes | Yes |
| IR / Night Vision | IR | IR |
| Min Illumination | — | Super Low Lux |
| IP Rating | IP67 | — |
| Power Input | PoE+ | — |
| ONVIF | Yes | Yes |
| VMS Compatibility | ONVIF; GV NVR; Milestone; Axis Camera Station | ONVIF |
| Mount Type | Wall; Ceiling | Wall; Pole |
| Connectivity | PoE (RJ-45) | RJ-45 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the BL34100-001U or the BL3700?
The BL34100-001U is the stronger choice when VMS flexibility and post-install focal adjustment are the primary requirements. Its motorized 3x zoom lens allows remote repositioning of the field of view without a truck roll, and its documented compatibility with Milestone and Axis Camera Station removes integration uncertainty in mixed-platform environments. Its IP67 rating and PoE+ power are confirmed in the spec sheet. The GV-BL3700, by contrast, offers H.265 compression—saving roughly 50% in bandwidth and storage versus the BL34100-001U's H.264—a P-Iris lens for superior auto-exposure control, and a 'Super Low Lux' illumination rating suggesting stronger native low-light performance. Choose the BL34100-001U for motorized flexibility and broad named-VMS support; choose the GV-BL3700 where storage costs, low-light sensitivity, and pole-mount deployment are the deciding factors.
Is the BL34100-001U or BL3700 better for low light?
Based on the provided specs, the GV-BL3700 has an advantage: it lists 'Super Low Lux' minimum illumination, indicating optimized low-light sensitivity. The BL34100-001U does not include a minimum illumination figure in its specifications, so a numeric comparison cannot be made. Both cameras include IR night vision, but the GV-BL3700's P-Iris lens also provides finer aperture control that benefits low-light performance. Consult the full datasheets for lux values before making a final determination.
Can I use either camera with Milestone or Axis Camera Station?
The BL34100-001U explicitly lists Milestone and Axis Camera Station as named VMS platforms in its compatibility specs, in addition to ONVIF and Geovision GV NVR. The GV-BL3700 lists only ONVIF compatibility. In practice, ONVIF may allow integration with those platforms, but it is not documented in the GV-BL3700's supplied specifications. If named Milestone or Axis Camera Station support is a hard requirement, the BL34100-001U provides that assurance directly.
Which camera will use less storage and bandwidth?
The GV-BL3700 uses H.265 compression, which typically reduces bitrate and storage requirements by approximately 50% compared to H.264 at the same resolution and quality level. The BL34100-001U encodes in H.264. For deployments with constrained storage capacity or limited network bandwidth, the GV-BL3700's codec is a meaningful advantage. Note that H.265 decoding requires compatible NVR and VMS support; verify your recording platform supports H.265 before specifying the GV-BL3700.
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