Suppliers highlight product quality and variety to enhance competitiveness.

South Korea makers of IR and day/night cameras focus on keeping the line buoyant as product standardization has stalled technological advancements and competition drives down prices. Some strive for an advantage in terms of better quality, fast delivery and aftersales support while considering subcontracting a few manufacturing processes to cut costs. A number of suppliers continue to bank on traditional subcategories, including analog and lower-resolution variants, while offering advanced types.

Q&S System, for instance, contracts out development and design. "Though we do circuit design through our partner, quick response is available whenever issues concerning the products come up. That is because our partner is almost like one of us,” said CEO Chae-Yong Lim. To ensure product reliability, the company uses high-end components and implements three-stage QC, including dark-room and aging tests.

WatchCam Co. Ltd is mulling over the same strategy to reduce overall outlay and quotes. "As one of those specializing in IR cameras, we plan to outsource low-priced products with good technology in China and include them in our lineup," said sales manager Patrick Joo. Despite its stress on HD-SDI units, the supplier accepts requests for analog kinds, which still have a larger market share.

Kumoh Electronics Co. Ltd differs by de-emphasizing high-resolution releases, citing limited demand. The maker has added 1.3MP single-board cameras to its range of 2, 3 and 5MP units to attract more orders overseas and compete with China rivals. It uses two-motor lenses for easy operation.

Under efforts to establish differentiation and reach more markets, companies such as WatchCam invest in molds to broaden options. A relatively small venture, the supplier has an in-house design team. Kumoh, meanwhile, plans to enhance its selection with Wi-Fi-enabled models by end-2014.

South Korea manufacturers are keeping up with the trend for network surveillance cameras, counting on the projected market growth of 10 to 20 percent in three to five years. WatchCam is preparing to enter IP camera production in 2H14, eyeing climbing requirement locally and in key export destinations the US and Europe. Kumoh will release 2MP single-board IP versions in the future.

So far, only five or six domestic companies can manufacture network surveillance types. Other makers rely on this small pool for support, according to Chae-Uk Lim, Kumoh director.

Encouraging makers to pursue these initiatives is healthy demand globally, which is expected to result in 30 to 40 percent market growth. They are anticipating greater opportunities in Southeast Asia, thanks to spreadingsecurity awareness.

Product gallery

Kumoh Electronics Co. Ltd
(South Korea)

Model: KID-A1000PO
Description: IP; 1/2.9in HD CMOS image sensor; H.264, M-JPEG video compression; 720p, D1, VGA, CIF; 0.2 lux minimum illumination in color, 0.01 lux b/w, 0 lux LED on; 1/30 to 1/1,000s electronic shutter speed; motion detection; 10/100BaseT; 4mm board lens; two high-power IR LEDs; CE, FCC, KC

Kumoh Electronics Co. Ltd
(South Korea)

Model: KIS-A2100PO
Description: IP; 1/2.8in Sony IMX136 CMOS image sensor; H.264, MPEG-4, M-JPEG video compression; QCIF, CIF, VGA, D1, 720p, 1080p; 0.2 lux minimum illumination in color, 0.01 lux b/w, 0 lux LED on; 1/30 to 1/3,000s electronic shutter speed; privacy masking; 10/100BaseT, 802.3af; 2.8 to 12mm motorized zoom lens; 12 IR LEDs; CE, FCC, KC, RoHS

Q&S System
(South Korea)

Model: IB-Q63ABI28
MOQ: 50 units
Delivery: 15 days
Description: 2.1MP HD-SDI; 1/2.9in Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor; 0 lux minimum illumination; 3D noise reduction, digital wide dynamic range; 2.8 to 11mm or F1.4 varifocal lens; 36 IR LEDs; IP66 rating

WatchCam Co. Ltd
(South Korea)

Model: WHVC-PE21D8
MOQ: 50 units
Delivery: 20 days
Price: $250.00
Description: True D/N; 2.1MP full HD, 30fps; 1/3in Panasonic CMOS image sensor; NSTC, PAL; 3D noise reduction; 5 to 50mm lens; RS-485; eight 160mW high-power LEDs; 100m IR range; built-in fan, heater; 178x562x149mm; 4.5kg; CE, FCC, RoHS

WatchCam Co. Ltd
(South Korea)

Model: WIV-CSN21D54
MOQ: 50 units
Delivery: 15 days
Price: $160.00
Description: True D/N; 2.1MP full HD, 30fps; 1/3in Panasonic CMOS image sensor; NSTC, PAL; external focus/zoom, 3D noise reduction, wide dynamic range; 2.8 to 12mm lens; 54 IR LEDs; die-cast aluminum housing; 109x142x223mm; 1.3kg; CE, FCC, RoHS