IP Cameras
For many people their home is their castle and rightly so, so securing a property correctly and preparing for the worst seems sensible. In the past the most expensive and time consumer task would have been the installation of security cameras to record the comings and goings around your property internally and externally, but with the dawn of the broadband internet age and the ubiquity of wireless networks in homes and businesses IP cameras are the perfect solution to this old problem.
It's useful to establish from the offset that IP Cameras are not exclusively designed and used for surveillance purposes and that they have many other uses around the home, but that for the most part they are the best way to create a CCTV system for minimal costs. The IP stands for internet protocol and basically lets you know that the camera will be able to connect to a network locally or the internet at wide and perform various beneficial functions.
Basic Purpose of IP Cameras
The main point of an IP camera is to operate like any security camera, mounted on a wall either inside or outside of a property. From their vantage point the IP Cameras will be able to either check up on the world outside, let you see who's approaching your property, or in the event of a break in or theft give you visual evidence of the perpetrators. They are also often used in order to monitor those who are vulnerable whilst you cannot be with them, whether it's children playing in the yard or other at risk groups in any area of the property.
Standard Functions
An IP Camera will be able to record video, usually in colour and vary in their construction depending on whether they are designed for internal or external mounting, able to weather all conditions. They can be discrete for camouflaging or deliberately obvious to serve as a visual deterrent to any potential miscreants. Some will include extras like infra-red recording for night time use, floodlights or motion-activated recording so that they're only operational when they detect movement in their field of vision. Some will even record audio so that every detail of the scene is captured. It really depends on what you intend to use them for and how much money you've got to spend. IP Cameras will record their video directly to a PC, a standalone hard drive Personal Video Recorder, a networked video recording device or even to a secure server at another location. Some can even send their images via email to you anywhere in the world. The main idea is that you won't need tapes or multiple monitors, instead just requiring a home network and a broadband internet connection as well as a PC to monitor and record the images.
Wired IP Cameras
Some IP cameras require a connection via an Ethernet cable, plugged into your home router or recording device, in order to transmit their images. This means they can be mounted anywhere that you can run an Ethernet cable to and provided you have the knowledge and skill to install them or pay a professional to help, they are reliable and won't suffer from any interference. You will of course need to power them via a mains connection in most instances.
Wireless IP Cameras
A more recent development is Wi-Fi enabled IP Cameras which take advantage of wireless networks which many people now have in their homes. As long as the camera is within range of the Wireless network you'll be able to mount it anywhere without the need to train an Ethernet cable across the house or burrow into the walls for installation.
IP Camera Kits
If you want a complete kit, including multiple cameras and a recording suite, then there are several options available which might reduce the overall cost of a kit through the bundle. This is also great if you've got little experience with networking or you don't have the necessary kit to take advantage of a single IP camera and since late 2008 a variety of IP Cameras with easy connect technology have made the job of installation and maintenance even easier.
Advantages of IP Cameras
The two main advantages over traditional CCTV systems are higher image quality and increased interactive functionality. Some IP cameras have high resolution capture capabilities to make sure the clearest picture is produced. Some IP Cameras can also get their power via the Ethernet cable to reduce the need for additional mains power to a unit. Wireless cameras can of course be placed virtually anywhere and you can even control the movement of individual cameras in certain systems thanks to IP technology. Of course because the captured images and audio are digital files they can be stored, copied and transferred with ease, protecting them from tampering and making them available anywhere in the world. On top of all this you can also set additional security on the system, including video encryption and password access to the video files you record. The fact that IP Cameras can be integrated into existing networks and be implemented in unison with other controls via a PC means they have many significant conveniences to consider.
Disadvantages of IP Cameras
The main issues with IP cameras are costs and network constraints. Initially they are more expensive than other alternatives, partly because there is less competition in what is a developing market. However, the costs can be spread out as it's easy to add extra cameras to a system that you've already got set up as and when it's necessary. The second issue is the performance of your network. For the best quality images, particularly using wireless IP cameras, you'll need a good quality network and a good level of network coverage in the area you intend to install them. The final consideration that may affect your choice is that most systems still require a certain amount of technical knowledge about networking in order to set up. If you're planning on doing this yourself you may need to learn a little about networking to make the process smooth, or consult or employ a specialist in order to get the best results.
