How to choose network ip camera for home?
I know
you may read many articles about this topic, but I'd like to share my some
thoughts on this selection of Network IP camera. Choosing the appropriate
network IP camera including many factors. IP cameras are widely used in many
fields including industrial, military, civilian...etc. Today, we are going to
narrow its scope, and merely discussing the selection of IP cameras for home.
No perfect solution, only good network ip security camera to meet your needs,
let me share my thoughts.
1.
Indoor or outdoor surveillance
When
choose the network IP camera, you need to consider where the IP camera will be
installed. Typically, Indoor IP camera is suitable for indoor video
surveillance, hence these cameras are compact size with aesthetic design, which
can be easy blend into your home decoration. For outdoor monitoring, you have
to use the outdoor cam, since it has weatherproof (waterproof) design to resist
rain, dust..etc. Outdoor security network ip camera is also can be installed
indoor, but since almost outdoor IP camera with heavy-duty
"Professional" design, which makes it so intrusive in your home.
2.
Do-it-yourself or professional installation
Will
you install the ip camera by yourself? If you are going to install thenetwork
IP camera by yourself, WiFi wireless IP camera is the ideal product to you. The second choice
is PoE IP camera. WiFi
means users can install the camera anywhere within wireless WiFi coverage.
Without wired connection, just need to connect the power supply, your network
camera will start to work, but limited to short transmission distance is the
setback for WiFi, the distance is much shorter when environment has barriers.
For long distance, and house already had network infrastructure, PoE can be
your choice. The advantage of PoE is camera only uses single Ethernet cable for
both data and power supply transmission. Please note you need to use a PoE
injector which is able to provide power supply (DC12V) to PoE network IP
camera.
In conclusion, WiFi ip camera is ideal for short distance, PoE is
ideal for middle range distance. WiFi camera is really easy to setup product
for Do-it-yourself installation, PoE or Non-PoE cameras are ideal for
professional installation. Wired connection is the most reliable way to
transmit video signal. If you want to setup a complete surveillance system,
WiFi IP camera isn't your choice.
3.
When consider the price, cheap or expensive?
Obviously,
if I am rich, then I would like to choose expensive network IP camera which has
well-known brand name. High price equals high quality and service, generally
this is true. For IP network camera, since the rapid development of digital
technology, many small manufacturers also have capability to produce good
products with high quality. Typically, there is not too much differences
between a cheap IP camera or expensive camera. If you want to buy a cheap IP
camera, you may follow these tips:
1.
Comparing the hardware performance such as resolution, viewing angle, video
storage, smart video analysis.
2.
Before purchasing the product, download the software to check its web-interface
and App UI design.
3. If
possible, asking for a demo.
4.
Considering the warranty and after sales.
4.
Do you want to record video footage?
I know almost all IP cameras can allow user to save the video
footage. But I have realized that outdated IP cameras are stilling selling on
market, you may want to buy one since they are extremely cheap. Taking 300,000
pixel IP cameras, these network cameras definitely can record the video and
upload to FTP server. For video recording, protocol or standard is required.
When buy the network ip security camera, read its specification carefully, and
check whether it supports Onvif or RTSP protocol. Generally, an Onvif compliant IP camera is much
expensive than traditional network IP camera.
5.
Considering resolution, 0.3MP, 720P or 1080P
As we know, the higher of the resolution, the better of the image
quality. In my personal opinion, 0.3MP is outdated, and it's provide you
maximum a VGA format resolution which is 640x480. If you only want to watch the
live video through your smartphone, I think this resolution can meet this
requirement, but 720P is the trend and this resolution provides 1280x720 high definition
video. Why don't I recommend the 1080P? Except the resolution, you also need to
realize that network video streaming occupy your network bandwidth. Although
1080P can provide you full HD video, it also requires much higher network
bandwidth. One 1080P network IP camera will occupy approximate 4Mbps bandwidth.
For smooth video streaming,720P security IP camera is good choice.
6.
Is the camera expandable?
In the
past,Network IP camera is designed for video monitoring. Now things have been
changed with rapid technology development. People want the IP network camera
can work smartly, they require the camera can analysis video such as detect
motion, or object missing, mask...etc. For system integration such as connects
to alarm system or access control, home automation system, Alarm I/O
(input/output) is the current solution for IP network camera. Now let me
introduce our Network IP camera -Erobots which adopts complete different method
to achieve smart home security. Different from other IP cameras, this camera has
wireless RF design, which enable camera can work with wireless intrusion
detection sensors. This function enable user not only watch live video, but
also passively protect your home like a home alarm system. When you leave home,
you just need to arm the Network IP camera through your smartphone App or
remote controls. Once window or door breaks-in, you will receive alarm
notification that tells you where is the sensor triggered.
7.
Day or night surveillance?
Certainly,
you want the Network ip camera watch your home at day/night. A day/night IP cam
can provide you color images at day, and B/W (Black and White) images at night.
What does make camera see at night? Typically, similar to our human eyes, Network
ip camera also can't see under complete darkness. The camera utilizes infrared
illuminator to help them see at night. Infrared light is invisible light for
human being, but image sensor can see, with this feature, it becomes ideal
light sources for network network camera. How far the illumination of Infrared
determines the night vision range. For interior protection, the night vision
range shouldn't less than 5 meters, 10 meters is the minimum range for outdoor
monitoring.
IR-CUT (ICR) filter is used to block unnatural light enter into
network ip camera at day for offering you true color reproduction images.
8.
When consider the viewing angle
What's
the coverage of surveillance? A 3.6mm fixed lens can provide you approximate 72
degree field of view, it can cover the whole lobby. What if you want to cover
much larger area? An IP pan/tilt ip security network ip camera is the solution.
Touch the video, you can rotate the camera in 355 degree horizontally or 120
degree vertically, all the things are under your surveillance. In conclusion, a
traditional 3.6mm network IP camera is qualified as a baby or pet monitor, but
a Pan/Tilt network ip camera can make feel more secure.
A zoom lens can also allow you zoom in and zoom out, but put a
zoom lens into camera will increase dimension of camera, this the reason why
you can find many IP PTZ cameras for outdoor, but few models for indoor.
Apparently,
there are many aspects I haven't mentioned on this topic. I planned to list
ten, but..... If you want to implement this list, please share your thoughts on
below comment column. To help understanding this article, I listed the glossary
for IP camera.
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See more network ip camera at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KA4OGF6
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