Summary: - “We foresee Network IP
cameras being in every home or workplace within the next 5 years or so” said a
spokesman from PC Recovery. “They are an invaluable tool that is going to drastically
reduce crime and will add peace of mind to elderly and vulnerable people.”
An IP Camera is a stand-alone device that transmits video and sometimes audio through a
computer network, using either network cable or wireless technology. It has a built-in web
server which allows the camera to run individually without being connected to a PC. It
also allows you to view the audio and video by connecting directly to the camera with your
internet browser without any software being installed. This allows you access the camera
from any location on the planet from any PC. IP cameras have many advantages over
traditional CCTV security cameras. Features such as wireless connectivity, remote viewing
over the internet, the ability to record to a remote location plus no more changing video
tapes as all data is digitally recorded onto a PC. Advanced features of network cameras
can offer added security for certain applications. These features include infrared, motion
detection and pan/tilt/zoom.
Infrared
If low light is an issue then infrared is a must. Cameras
can come with a built-in IR (Infrared) lens or the ability for an add-on IR lens to be
equipped. Infrared is a wave of light that is outside of the visible part of the color
spectrum. Infrared illuminators shine this wave of light which the lens picks up. If
infrared is not necessary then do not bother as a normal lens will pick up a much better
picture in normal light.
Motion Detection
Many network cameras come with a feature called motion
detection. Hot-Spots can be setup within the video frame to detect motion. Once motion is
detected, the camera will begin recording or generate a snapshot which can be emailed to
you or sent to a web server. Snapshots can also be sent to a mobile phone or PDA.
Pan/Tilt/Zoom
Having the ability to pan and tilt adds greater security if
you have a large viewing area. Once logged into a network camera with pan and tilt
capabilities, controls appear next to your video allowing you to move the camera left,
right, up and down. The controls can even be used even over the internet. As well as pan
and tilt, many cameras come with zoom. Zooming is also handy when a greater detail of
video is needed. Network Cameras can come with two methods of Zooming: Optical and
Digital. Optical is best as digital simply enlarges the given area and does not add
anything further to the image. Why are they useful?
An IP network camera can be useful in a number of
situations.
Office or shop
For the boss who needs to keep an eye on his staff to make
sure they working and do not have their hands in the till at any time of day and from
anywhere in the world.
In a lock up or warehouse
This offers the more security than usual as recordings can
be done off site so any potential intruders would not be able to sabotage any recordings.
In the home
Whether at work or on holiday the peace of mind of being
able to check up on your home is invaluable.
To check up on an elderly relative or babysitter
More and more people are having them fitted at the home of
an elderly relative to check on their well being in the event that they are not
contactable by phone. They are also useful to check in on a babysitter or cleaner who you
may have suspicions of.
“We foresee Network IP cameras being in every home or
workplace within the next 5 years or so” said a spokesman from PC Recovery.
“They are an invaluable tool that is going to drastically reduce crime and will add
peace of mind to elderly and vulnerable people.” |
