Video surveillance used to be done using CCTV (closed circuit television) systems, where analog video cameras were connected to video tape recorders (VCR devices) using coaxial cable. Today you can get video surveillance cameras that have a CCD sensor, which can capture video images in a digital form. These surveillance cameras, called IP surveillance cameras, transmit digital video data using either a network cable, or via wireless networking transmission.
- A LAN (local area network) with one or more PCs connected to the network
- To a standalone PC
- A DVR (digital video recorder) device
If connected to a LAN (local area network), the video from the surveillance camera can be viewed by any PC on the network. The camera is normally connected to a network hub or network router (which can be a modem network router), to which all the other PCs in the LAN are all connected to. If the LAN is connected to the Internet, the video data feed from the camera can be viewed anywhere in the world using a standard web browser or smartphone.
An IP surveillance camera can be connected to a standalone PC by connecting directly to a broadband modem router which is the internet modem for that PC. If the IP camera is wireless, it can be connected to a wireless modem router. This allows the video data feed from the camera to be viewed on the PC, and also remotely over the Internet (web browser or smartphone). It’s also common for IP surveillance camera/s to come packaged with a receiver hub, to which one or many IP cameras can connect to. This receiver hub is usually connected to the PC via a USB cable.
A DVR system is a specialized hardware server used only with surveillance cameras. A DVR device is used to view, record, search and retrieve video from multiple surveillance cameras. Most DVR devices can be connected to an existing computer network, or to a broadband modem router so that surveillance video can be viewed over the Internet.
- A wireless IP surveillance camera can connect to a DVR device or to a PC server without requiring the installation of any wiring. Wireless IP surveillance camera systems are easier to set up than wired systems.
- A wireless IP camera can also be placed in locations where it would be difficult (or impossible) to route the network cabling required for wired IP cameras.
- A wireless IP surveillance camera is also easier to move from one location to another within the premises being protected – the camera location can easily be changed on a daily basis, depending on where the perceived threat is.
- The transmission range of wireless IP cameras today is quite impressive. A standard wireless IP surveillance camera (2.4 GHz) can transmit up to 700 feet in a direct line-of-sight (LOS). This equates to about 300 feet if the signal is transmitted through 6 interior walls. More than enough range for any home setup.
- There is a possibility that other electronic devices may interfere with wireless IP cameras. A wireless IP surveillance camera may operate on a variety of frequencies, but most operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. A cordless phone or wireless network router may cause interference if placed in close proximity to a wireless IP camera. Microwave ovens also use the 2.4 Ghz frequency, and may cause interference. Some of the new wireless IP cameras on the market today use the 5.8 GHz frequency, which is not used by other electronic devices.
- A wireless IP surveillance camera also costs more than wired IP camera – Although in recent years wireless IP surveillance cameras have become a lot more affordable, and now there is not too much of a price difference between wired and wireless IP systems. Also you need to take into account the cost of buying the required networking cable for wired camera systems, and the installation costs required for this network cabling.
- Most wireless IP surveillance camera systems are not truly wireless, as the wireless camera units still require a power cord plugged into mains electricity. The exception to this is battery-powered IP cameras, but with these you have the additional hassle of periodically changing batteries.
- Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) – Wireless IP Cameras with pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) capability allow the remote operator to pan the camera view (left and right), tilt the camera view (up and down), and zoom the camera view in and out. This can be done remotely from any PC.
- Weatherproof Camera – To be able to use a wireless IP surveillance camera outdoors, the camera will need to be enclosed in a weatherproof housing.
- Night Vision Capability – Some wireless IP surveillance cameras have built in infrared LEDs, which give the camera night vision capability (up to a certain distance).
- Video Motion Detection – Some wireless IP cameras have built-in motion detectors. This is handy, as the surveillance system can be configured to only display and record video from a camera if motion is detected in front of that camera. This can reduce the amount of hard-drive space required for surveillance video recordings. Cameras with motion detection can also send out an alarm notification to a PC, or even send out an email notification if motion is detected.
- Audio – A wireless IP surveillance camera may have one-way audio, which allows users to listen to sound near the camera. IP cameras with two-way audio allow users to listen to sound near the camera, and communicate with people at the camera’s end.
Tags: home security camera, ip camera, wireless camera, wireless ip camera, wireless ip surveillance camera
