RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Update on ASIS and AVOT64 - I see what you are saying, but I think you need to look at it a little differently.
For the most part you are correct, the software is more of a differentiator than the hardware in the current market. The software still competes mostly on features where the cameras compete more on price since the majority of the camera companies all have a good enough image and features.
What makes it complex for Avigilon is the end to end approach vs. the best of breed approach. Avigilon wants to sell all the pieces, and they've built excessive manufacturing capacity to build the cameras. ACC also works best with AVO cameras, easier setup, more features, etc.
For clarity purposes we generally have 3 categories when talking about video:
End-to-end systems - Avigilon, FLIR, IndigoVision and Hikvision. They sell cameras and recorders or software somewhat equally.
Camera Companies - Arecont, Axis (tho Axis is also trying to sell low-end recorders now), Mobotix
VMS companies - Genetec, Milestone, Salient, Exacq (tho Tyco is selling crappy cameras to go with Exacq).
You are correct though Genetec and Avigilon are very competitive and in a head to head deal would talk more about the software than the cameras.