Suitable Dome IP Camera For Home Security

There are many types of  Dome IP camera, Dome type, Box type, Bullet type. However, it should not be our first consideration. 

First of all, we have to consider where the camera will be installed, Indoor or Outdoor? For outdoor, we suggest to choose waterproof camera, or weatherproof, or vandal proof, they are usually made by metal or alloy. But for indoor, waterproof is not very important factor. 

 Secondly, see if we need Dome IP camera with PTZ function that helps us avoid dead areas. PTZ means pan/ tilt/ zoom, such camera usually cover up to 350 degrees at pan and up to 90 degrees at tilt. However, if you just monitor a particular scene, like baby room, fixed lens IP camera is more suitable. 

 Thirdly, we have to think about Image Quality (Resolution). So, how important the image to you? Megapixel IP camera (H.264 image compression) provides much higher resolution than VGA camera (MJPEG image compression). If you need detailed pictures, megapixel IP camera is your choice. 

 Fourthly, Wired or Wireless (WiFi)? If IP camera is far away from router/ hubs or where signal is not strong enough, obviously you do not need wireless. But you have to notice that, if the wired IP camera is installed where power outlet is not available, you may consider PoE IP camera, or PoE splitter cable, or DC power pigtail. 

Last but not the least, to avoid complicated DDNS network setup, P2P function should take into account. It is the easiest and fastest one-step network setup function, no technical knowledge needed.

ELP 720P Mini IR LED Day&Night HD Dome IP Camera is a cool little dome camera. No, it is not PTZ, but a fixed lens that can be rotated and aimed at will. Installing requires you to remove the back housing entirely, and mount it to a wall via the mounting holes. Then you reattach and aim the lens as desired. Just unscrew the base a little to loosen the camera socket, manipulate it to point in any direction you like, then tighten the base back up to lock into place. Naturally, you should do this while watching a live feed of your camera so you can get the exact placement you want. The cam is solidly built out of metal, so it's durable and can withstand some impacts. The night vision is superb, with an intense IR spotlight that makes everything completely visible, even in total darkness.

 Setting up the camera itself can be rather convoluted if you've never done it before, so let me break it down for you as easily as I can:

 >> Install the Device Manager off the included disk and ignore everything else. Open the program and click IP Search to find your new cam, which should obviously be powered on and connected to your network via Ethernet cable. Change the IP address of the cam to anything you want, and make sure the gateway IP is correct.

 >> Open Internet Explorer and type in the newly assigned IP address for your camera. Be sure to approve the Active X plugins. Then select English from the drop-down menu on the upper right. (this step doesn't work with Firefox or Chrome.) Now og into the web interface with user name "admin" and the password left blank. Once inside, this is where you can make all the tweaks, changes and adjustments to your camera, including, user name and password, contrast, brightness and remove the date and time stamp if you want.

 >> For Blue Iris - add a new camera using the new IP address you created. Select generic camera RTSP H264/JPEG/MPEG 4 and insert this line of text into path field: /user={id}&password={pw}&channel=1&stream=0.sdp/trackID=3 Next, add the user name and password you created into the fields on the upper right, or leave it admin with a blank password if you did not set your own user and password. Your new cam is now live on Blue Iris.