The M22M includes the ability to monitor sounds as well as video images and delivers up to 30 frames per second at 640-by-480-pixel resolution, which is about the same as it appears on a Standard Definition digital TV image from a broadcaster. The camera can also deliver a slightly slower frame rate at 1,280 by 960 pixels, or nearly the same resolution as HDTV.

According to a company spokesperson, the new camera is extremely rugged. Its designed for continuous operation from -30 degrees Celsius to +60 degrees Celsius. In addition, the spokesperson said that each camera contains a terabyte of storage so that images can be kept for later viewing, or for viewing by multiple people at the same time.

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Peter McKee, director of international sales, said that the M22M has been ruggedized to the point that earlier versions are being used in some of the most hostile environments in the world, including at the bottom of mines, where other cameras last only a month but the Mobotix has lasted over a year, with no end in sight.

The Mobotix cameras work with either wired or wireless Ethernet, and can be used with Power over Ethernet as a way to reduce complexity. Sound is delivered using VOIP (voice over IP). The Mobotix M22M starts at $698 and goes up depending on storage capacity, resolution and performance. A less-expensive version will be announced in July.

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