We recently had the pleasure of speaking with InterTest, a valued partner of Watec Cameras for over two decades. Our discussion centered around InterTest as a company, their partnership with Watec and some of the technical insights to their custom product developments.
InterTest: Before we get started, I wanted to say that Jason is the primary reason why we’re able to work and do these amazing projects with Watec. We love the Watec products, obviously. There’s the technical aspects of the cameras and what they achieve for us, but it’s also having an approachable person, who we can actually reach out to and have a conversation with and explain issues or difficulties. Someone we can talk to who can translate our issues and get this back to Japan for help. And Jason’s been fundamental in that role. So I wanted to say that up front before we get started.
Watec: Well, I appreciate that, and that’s a two-way road. InterTest has been super open with everything, and that’s what makes it easy for our partnership. So lets start with Watec’s IP cameras. What about the IP cameras, really drove InterTest to commit to the WAT-933 and the WAT-2400S? Is there anything specific?
InterTest: Yes, I think with all Watec cameras, one of the main reasons why we love Watec is because of their all-light performance, both day and night. Not just their low-light performance. And that is accomplished without having a big bulky block camera module with a variable iris, shutter assembly in there and all these other various things. For being such a physically small, profiled camera, Watec’s cameras outperform just about everything that’s out there. All these things add up to really be home runs for our customers and what they’re looking for out of the performance. And, you know, there’s obviously a lot of different USB cameras out there. But none of them in our testing have even gotten close to the performance that we’ve gotten out of Watec.
Watec: Would you say it’s the flexibility of the dynamic range for lack of better words?
InterTest: Absolutely. The image processing is the key. For that size package, both in the IP and the USB side, they both perform extremely well.
Watec: What do you think about the Watec firmware? How has that worked out for you? InterTest uses so many different digital type of cameras. Where do we stand with, usability and user friendliness?
InterTest: Well, the USB is kind of a plug-and-play type of concept. It’s UVC compliant and Windows compliant. So if I plug the camera into a computer or if I plug the camera into a phone or a tablet, both will come up and both are, recognized as a video device and I can generally get an image out of it, which is exactly what we’re looking for. There’s no special drivers required or anything else. As far as the IP cameras, Watec obviously supports Onvif. But also, the codecs that you’re using are all pretty industry standard. And I’ve been able to integrate any of the cameras that you’ve provided directly into various VMS applications without any issues. And when pulling in, if we need 30 frames a second or we need 15, everything is brought out. So in that regards, it’s been fantastic to actually have a camera that can really plug and play on both the USB and the IP side of things and integrate into other third-party software programs for recording and doing other things to analyze the video.
Watec: How’s the process been in getting cameras? Has there been a wait for our IP cameras?
InterTest: A couple of months ago we were. But you guys managed to pull that in for us in the time frame that we needed, and get us the product when we needed it. So we were able to dot the I’s, cross the T’s, and we didn’t have to go through any crazy paperwork or run around to do it. And again, that was you helping us to fulfill these orders and get those units here.
Watec: Have you had our cameras exposed to the outside elements? If so how have they handled?
InterTest: I have. It’s impressive that your cameras are built to keep going where others fail. When designing a system, I’m often more concerned about the other components than the camera itself. The camera’s efficiency and low power make it the least of my worries. Usually, it’s the computers or connected devices that struggle under tough conditions, not the camera. That’s one of the big advantages of using your cameras. If they’re subjected to high temperatures, they won’t burn out like some others do. Not many cameras can handle high-stakes, mission-critical environments. And that’s why we stick with Watec— it’s dependable when it really counts.
Watec: I appreciate that. How would you say Watec cameras stack up against other low-light models on the market?
InterTest: In terms of performance, I haven’t found anything else that delivers the same quality in low light, especially at this power level and price range. Other cameras either consume more power or generate too much heat. It’s tough to find anything that matches the image quality in both daylight and nighttime settings.
Watec:And even though image processing can help, it’s all about starting with a good quality sensor. Otherwise, you’re just amplifying noise, which then requires extra processing and power.
InterTest: That’s true. The better the raw image, the less post-processing is needed, which is crucial for keeping power use low—especially when running on batteries. That’s one reason we love Watec. Your low voltage requirements make it much easier to manage power in systems designed for long battery life. Every component needs to work together efficiently to optimize power use. And, since Watec products are low-power by design, it’s easier to extend battery life. You guys have done a great job with the camera’s power efficiency. It’s one of the key reasons we keep choosing Watec for plug-and-play setups, whether USB or IP.
Watec: And we’re thrilled to keep pushing the boundaries. Japan is constantly working on getting the power requirements lower and lower. It’s tricky without switching to entirely different tech, like SWIR cameras, but we’re making strides.
InterTest: That’s exciting. Lower power and high efficiency are game-changers, especially when you start integrating these cameras into systems with limited power sources, like VMS or battery-based setups.
Watec: I don’t know if you’re using any network video recorders (NVRs) with Watec cameras, but I imagine a lot of users benefit from that integration.
InterTest: Most of our setups are PC- or Linux-based rather than dedicated NVRs. This approach gives more flexibility, especially when it comes to image processing, like detecting motion or recognizing license plates.
Watec: That makes sense. A PC-based setup allows for third-party software and image processing, which adds a lot of versatility.
InterTest: Exactly. With a video management system (VMS), you can integrate applications that let you extract and analyze data from recorded video, especially useful with AI-driven analytics.
Watec: Do Watec cameras integrate well with those kinds of advanced environments, like VMS or AI-driven systems?
InterTest: Definitely. While image processing is important, starting with high-quality video is key. If you’re dealing with low-quality video, even the best software can only do so much to enhance it. Some of the newer security cameras are starting to handle basic image processing at the camera level, like detecting changes in a scene and adapting frame rates in real time. That’s helpful for applications like security. For example, if a parking lot is empty for hours, the frame rate can be low, but it ramps up as soon as a car pulls in. Cameras are getting smarter, detecting when changes happen and adjusting settings accordingly. It’s similar to how smartphone cameras detect faces.
Watec: One last question—are there any systems or types of setups you can share with our readers, that would give people an idea of the custom work you’re doing? Without disclosing too much, of course.
InterTest: Sure. Think of us as a system integrator. We tailor solutions by choosing the best components from trusted vendors like Watec, based on our clients’ unique requirements, especially for IP, low-light, or USB cameras.
Watec: So, you’re able to customize kits specifically for high-performance, mission-critical applications?
InterTest: Exactly. We’re all about creating solutions where failure is not an option. We aim to provide reliable setups for customers who need robust performance in challenging environments.
Watec: Well, it has been a great conversation. Where can people find out more about InterTest?
InterTest: Thank you Jason. You can find out more about InterTest on our website: https://intertest.com.
ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION LINKS
InterTest and Watec Projects: https://intertest.com/collections/watec
InterTest Customization Projects: https://intertest.com/collections/intertest-custom-engineering-capabilities
InterTest’s WAT-08U2 and WAT-09U2 Information: https://intertest.com/products/watec-custom-1-4-20-mount-housing-cable-for-wat-08u2-09u2-usb-cameras
