Avigilon, a Motorola Solutions company, delivers one of the most comprehensive physical security platforms on the market. The Avigilon Alta cloud-native platform unifies video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, visitor management, and environmental sensors under a single dashboard. For businesses seeking an integrated, enterprise-grade security solution, Avigilon offers camera families ranging from compact 2MP mini domes to 32MP multi-sensor panoramic cameras.
Avigilon Alta: Cloud-Native Security Platform
Avigilon Alta is a 100% cloud-native platform that eliminates the need for on-premise servers. Cameras store footage locally on the device and sync to the cloud automatically. Administrators manage cameras, door access, sensors, and intrusion detection from a single web or mobile interface across unlimited locations. The platform features ISO/IEC 27001 certification, end-to-end encryption, automatic OTA firmware updates, and 100+ integrations with an open API and ONVIF support.
Avigilon Unity: Enterprise On-Premise Security
For organizations requiring full on-premise control, Avigilon Unity provides a complete on-site video management system built around Unity Video 8 software and dedicated recording hardware. Unity is designed for enterprise-scale deployments (up to 10,000+ cameras and 4,000 doors per site) where data sovereignty, compliance, or limited internet bandwidth make cloud storage impractical.
Unity Video 8 introduces several capabilities exclusive to the on-premise platform: Visible Firearm Detection provides real-time alarms when brandished firearms are detected on camera. Dynamic Privacy Masking automatically tracks and blurs people and vehicles in video, with authorized personnel able to lift masking during investigations. The Decision Management System streamlines investigations by unifying video, access control, and intrusion events in a single interface. All video encryption is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified, meeting government-grade security requirements for classified and critical infrastructure environments.
Unity deployments record footage to dedicated NVR appliances rather than on-camera storage. The flagship AI NVR 2 runs on a custom Hardened OS (not Windows) and provides server-side AdaptAI 5 analytics for cameras that lack on-board AI processing. Storage capacities range from 6TB to 440TB, supporting up to 400 cameras per recorder. The NVR6 offers a Windows Server-based alternative for organizations that prefer standard IT management tools. For smaller offices, the NVR5 Workstation combines recording and client viewing in a compact desktop form factor.
Unity also supports a dedicated on-premise access control system (Unity Access) with up to 4,000 doors per appliance, wireless lock integrations from ASSA ABLOY, Salto, Schlage, SimonsVoss, and Von Duprin, and intrusion panel integration for unified alarm management. The H4 Video Intercom adds two-way SIP audio with a 3MP fisheye camera at building entry points.
Alta vs Unity: Which Platform?
Both platforms share the same Avigilon camera hardware — H6-generation cameras work on either Alta or Unity. The choice between platforms depends on your organization's infrastructure preferences and compliance requirements. Alta is the right fit for organizations that want simple cloud deployment, automatic updates, and multi-location management without on-site servers. Our recommendation for most businesses is to start with Alta. Unity is the right fit for government facilities, critical infrastructure, or any environment where video data must stay on-premise, internet bandwidth is limited, or FIPS 140-2 encryption is required. Many organizations deploy both platforms, using Alta at smaller sites and Unity at enterprise headquarters.
Avigilon Camera Product Lines
The H6-generation cameras listed below work on both the Alta (cloud) and Unity (on-premise) platforms. Avigilon also manufactures a full line of Unity-only H5-generation cameras including the H5 Pro (up to 61MP), H5A Corner Camera (anti-ligature for jails and hospitals), H5A IR PTZ (300m IR range), H5A Rugged PTZ (MIL-STD military-grade), and H5A Thermal (heat-sensing perimeter protection). See the full camera and device lineup for complete specs.
Fixed Cameras
The Ava Dome and Bullet series are Avigilon's premium fixed cameras, available in 4K and 5MP with built-in microphones for audio analytics. The H6SL Dome and Bullet series is the value line, manufactured in North America with 42 SKU variants across 2MP, 3MP, and 5MP resolutions. For compact installations, the H6 Mini Dome is the smallest Avigilon dome form factor, available in 2MP and 5MP with indoor and outdoor models. The Ava Compact Dome features 4 built-in microphones for indoor acoustic sensing, while the Ava Flex provides a WiFi-enabled 2MP camera with color night vision for small businesses.
PTZ and Specialty Cameras
The H6A PTZ delivers 360-degree pan-tilt-zoom coverage with 30x optical zoom and auto-tracking in 2MP and 4MP configurations. It stores up to 365 days of footage on-camera and is available in in-ceiling (discreet indoor) and pendant (weatherproof outdoor) mounts.
The H6A Dual Head combines two independent varifocal cameras in a single housing, requiring only one cable run and one license. Available in 6MP (2x3MP), 10MP (2x5MP), and 16MP (2x8MP) configurations, the Dual Head includes advanced audio analytics capable of detecting gunshots, breaking glass, and screeching tires.
The H5A Modular is a covert camera with ultra-small detached imager heads (right angle or micro bullet) connected to a separate processing unit. It supports 1 or 2 imagers per main unit and stores up to 365 days of footage, making it ideal for ATMs, door frames, and self-checkout kiosks.
Panoramic and Multi-Sensor Cameras
The H5A Multisensor is a configurable panoramic camera with 3 or 4 independent sensors, each up to 8MP, delivering total resolutions from 9MP to 32MP. Each sensor runs independent AI analytics and the unit covers 180°, 270°, or 360° fields of view from a single installation. Manufactured in North America.
The Ava 360 is a 12MP fisheye panoramic dome providing 360-degree coverage with AI video and audio analytics, IR illumination, and a compact form factor suited for lobbies, warehouses, and open floor plans.
Beyond Cameras: Avigilon's Unified Platform
Alta Access Control
Avigilon Alta integrates cloud-managed access control with Smart Hub door controllers (4, 8, and 16-door configurations), mobile credentials, Apple Wallet support, video intercom readers, Wave to Unlock hands-free entry, and Schlage XE360 smart lock integration. Emergency lockdown plans can be triggered from mobile, web, or IoT devices with one tap.
HALO Smart Sensors
HALO Smart Sensors detect vape, smoke, gas, chemicals, and abnormal noise levels in privacy-sensitive areas where cameras are not appropriate, such as restrooms, school bathrooms, and hospital rooms. They integrate directly with Alta Video cameras for correlated event responses.
Alta Horn Speaker
The cloud-connected horn speaker enables live two-way audio talk-down, pre-recorded deterrence messaging, and built-in audio analytics for glass break and loud noise detection. It provides active deterrence for perimeter security and trespassing prevention.
Alta Protect
Alta Protect is a cloud-native intrusion detection system that uses cameras, access control points, and sensors with AI analytics to detect people, suspicious activity, and audio events after hours. Video-validated alerts include full video clips for each alarm event. An optional 24/7 professional monitoring service provides trained operators with authority dispatch capability.
Key Features of Avigilon Cameras
AI-Powered Video Analytics
Every Avigilon camera includes on-device AI processing for classified object detection (people, vehicles), facial recognition, appearance search, license plate recognition, crowd counting, heat maps, loitering detection, and smart motion search. Analytics run on the camera edge without requiring cloud processing.
Flexible Storage Options
On the Alta platform, cameras store footage locally on-device (from 30 days on the Ava Flex up to 365 days on the H6 Mini Dome 2MP and H6A PTZ) with cloud backup for redundancy and remote access — no on-premise DVRs or NVRs required. On the Unity platform, footage is recorded to dedicated NVR appliances (AI NVR 2 or NVR6) with storage capacities up to 440TB per recorder, supporting enterprise-scale retention requirements.
North American Manufacturing
Avigilon-branded cameras including the H6SL, H6 Mini Dome, H5A Multisensor, H5A Modular, and H6A series are manufactured in North America by Motorola Solutions, with ISO/IEC 27001 certification and end-to-end encryption throughout.
Benefits of Choosing Avigilon for Your Business
- Unified Platform: Video, access control, intrusion detection, visitor management, and sensors all managed from one dashboard, reducing vendor complexity.
- Scalable Architecture: Scale from a single site to thousands of locations worldwide. Cameras, doors, and sensors are managed from a unified console with role-based permissions.
- 10-Year Warranty: Most Alta cameras carry a 10-year warranty with an active video license, backed by Motorola Solutions.
- Open Platform: 100+ integrations, open API, ONVIF support, Mercury controller compatibility, and HID hardware support.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: ISO 27001 certified, AES-256 encryption, end-to-end encrypted streams, automatic firmware updates, and tamper-resistant hardware.
Professional Avigilon Installation
Getting the most out of an Avigilon deployment requires proper camera placement, network configuration, access control integration, and analytics tuning. As a Motorola Solutions Preferred Channel Partner, Unio Digital provides certified installation and ongoing management of Avigilon Alta and Unity systems for commercial facilities nationwide. Learn more about Avigilon or view the full camera and device lineup.
