Common Questions About Z3 Technology Products and Capabilities

Z3 Technology’s products are made in the USA! We manufacture high quality video compression solutions and design our hardware and software in house. Our outstanding product line offers a wide variety of encoding and decoding solutions that have a user-friendly control interface. Z3 has several off the shelf options but also designs custom solutions to meet unique feature or form factor requirements.

Z3 Technology is a Sony Authorized Integrator which allows us to have early access to Sony’s new camera blocks. We are able to integrate Sony’s new cameras and features before the camera is even available for general release, allowing our customers to be first to market with New Sony camera solutions and integrated product offerings.  

The 4K Sony camera blocks that Z3 solutions are compatible with are: FCB-ER8530/ER8550/ER8300/ES8230.

Sony’s HD camera blocks that Z3’s Encoders support include the FCB-EV7520(A)/EV7100/EW9500. Additional Visible Camera Manufactures that Z3 Encoders are compatible with include the Tameron, KTNC and Wonwoo cameras.

Z3 Technology also has encoder solutions for Thermal Cameras. Integrated Thermal cameras include the DRS Tamarisk, DRS Zafiro, Flir Boson, Flir Tau® 2, Flir Duo Pro R and different types of cameralink cameras.

A few examples of how Z3 Solutions are utilized include: Live Secure Streaming, Real-time Recording, Event Broadcasting, YouTube Live + Facebook Live Streaming, Live Streaming of a PC display, Unmanned FOV for Control and Recording, Microwave Link, and Streaming to a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Please reference our application tabs for industry examples. 

All of our Camera Solutions products support PTZ control through the user interface. The video preview allows users to view near real-time PTZ responses from a live video feed available in the Web User Interface. 

The Z3-Q603-RPS, weighing 43 grams and measuring 50mm by 38mm, is the smallest off the shelf encoder option with an application board that has an Ethernet transformer. Either 4K or HD cameras are supported on the Z3-Q603-RPS. Customers also have the option of integrating the encoder for a board to board connection for an even smaller form factor design and lighter weight option.

The Z3-Q603-RPS, user interface and streaming output are accessible through Wifi and Bluetooth available through the encoder. Other Camera Solutions products also support Wifi via a Wifi-USB adaptor.

The scheduler allows users to set specific times and Pan Tilt Zoom locations to capture video recordings, snapshots and/or camera positioning at multi-location capture points to start and stop the video or snapshots automatically.

Scheduled video events, snapshots, and live video can be recorded to USB, Micro SD Card, or Network File System (NFS). Removable storage has up to a two terabyte maximum.

A video encoder compresses raw video to enable low latency video transmission over ethernet. Compressing the stream eases the pull on the network so that high quality video can be transmitted over the network. Video encoders use compression algorithms such as H.265, H.264 or MJPEG to reduce the file size while maintaining image quality. Encoders are essential for live streaming, broadcasting, and video conferencing.

An IP (Internet Protocol) camera is a type of digital video camera that transmits footage over a network. Unlike analog CCTV cameras, IP cameras offer higher resolution, remote access, and advanced features such as motion detection and video analytics.

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is a video compression standard that offers better quality at lower bitrates than its predecessor, H.264. It is widely used in 4K and HD video streaming, broadcasting, and video storage for its efficiency.

Z3 encoders support a range of streaming protocols including RTSP, RTMP, MPEG-TS over UDP, RTP, and SRT. This versatility ensures compatibility with a wide variety of streaming platforms and network environments.

Z3 hardware encoders are optimized for low-latency performance while using low-power requirements. The encoder latency is 25m/s to 30 m/s. The end to end latency depends on network conditions and the configuration with end to end latency less than 100m/s.

Z3 encoders support secure video streaming through encrypted protocols such as SRT and HTTPS. This helps protect your content from interception or tampering during transmission, ensuring confidentiality and integrity in sensitive applications.

Yes, Z3 encoders are compatible with third-party VMS platforms via standard protocols such as ONVIF Profile S, T and M Compliance along with RTSP streaming support.. This allows for seamless integration into existing security and monitoring infrastructures so users have the option of using their Video Management System (VMS) to control and view their video

Z3 hardware encoders typically require 12V DC power input with some encoder options requiring 6V DC Power Input with very low power consumption, with the max power consumption of 5 watts for most encoder solutions that Z3 offers. Z3 also supports POE power with some encoder options. When POE Power is present, Z3 gives the user the option of using DC or POE power. Z3 encoders are built for energy-efficiency and are suitable for portable embedded applications.

Z3 encoders support a wide range of resolutions including standard definition NTSC or PAL Video Encoding, frame rates from 5 FPS -60FPS including 29.97 and 59.94, Full HD  at 1080p60, and 4K at frame rates up to 60 fps. This flexibility makes them suitable for both high-performance and bandwidth-sensitive applications.