Why Buy an IP Security Camera System?
Internet Security Cameras are the future of video surveillance systems. They are extremely flexible and easy to install and use. They can stream video to users located anywhere in the world, and they offer non-centralized viewing and recording options.
In addition to the flexibility, ease of use and non-centralized design of a web based security camera system, another huge benefit to IP based web cameras is that many of them support wireless video transmission using your existing 802.11g wireless LAN.
The use of 802.11g wireless is far superior to traditional 900mhz or even 2.4ghz wireless video transmission systems. The 802.11 protocol works by sub-dividing the entire 2.4 GHz frequency into channels and switching between them during transmissions. As the signal is sent, it sends a packet of data at one frequency and then hops to the next channel and sends another packet and so on, until the entire data package is sent.
Because 802.11g wireless networks support a bandwidth of 108 Mbps of data, the days of cost effective, reliable and secure wireless video transmission have finally arrived.
What can an IP Internet Camera System Do For You?
Web ready IP internet security cameras can literally provide you with eyes and ears all over the planet. A web based security camera system can let you see, hear and even talk to your dog when he is home alone. Want to check on your vacation home and see if it is snowing? With an IP based security camera the answer is just a click away.
If you own a chain of convenience stores in 4 different cities, an IP based security camera system can provide you with the ability to view and record video from every store simultaneously from a remote location. Want to show people your new store front? Install a web based security camera and place a link on your website for live viewing.
Are you managing a large scale construction project? Place a web ready IP based security camera on the construction trailer and allow your investors to monitor the construction progress live!
Need to have a face to face meeting with your business partner or a client in another country? Simply install an internet based security camera with streaming video and audio in both locations and you have a cost effective video teleconference system.
As networks and computer use continues to expand, the applications for internet based security cameras are endless. Web based security cameras are the future of video surveillance and Security Kits has a large selection of IP security cameras for you to choose from.
Who Else Uses IP Security Camera Systems?
From homeowners who need to keep an eye on their property, children or pets to the multi-national corporation with assets spread out across the globe, IP web based security cameras are quickly becoming the standard in the security industry.
Homeowners, resort owners, convenience store managers, construction and facility management companies, police & fire departments, universities, ski resorts and transportation departments have all used digital IP web based security cameras. People have installed internet IP cameras anywhere a standard security camera can be used and with their added features and benefits, they often provide a much more flexible solution that can solve a variety of problems and issues.
How Do Internet IP Security Cameras Work?
Recent innovations have allowed IP security cameras have become very similar in design and capabilities as standard CCTV video surveillance cameras. The main difference between a standard CCTV camera and a web based video surveillance camera is the way that the video signal is treated after it leaves the camera.
Standard CCTV cameras require a dedicated transmission path (closed circuit) from the security camera to the digital video recorder or the security monitor. This normally requires a centralized and dedicated location for monitoring and or recording of the video signals.
IP security cameras stream video over a dedicated network connection using internet protocol. The IP web based signal can be received and de-coded from any computer or workstation that is properly equipped. Web based security cameras can support multiple users in multiple locations. This provides for a completely non-centralized video surveillance system that can be monitored and recorded from multiple locations, simultaneously from anywhere in the world.
With a web based security camera system, you can monitor locations in India, Europe and America from a site in Mexico City. You can also monitor and record that same video from your office in Canada. Take your laptop on a business trip and you can check on your production line during a business meeting in Moscow. Imagine showing your customer their product being produced and packaged live!
Many of the web security cameras offered by Security Kits provide dual streaming digital video outputs as well as a traditional analog video output signal for local viewing and recording. This allows you to view and record locally with a traditional digital video recorder as well as view and record the video from a remote location right through the camera.
Some people shy away from IP and network security camera solutions because they appear to be complicated and difficult to set up. The fact is the initial set up does require some expertise and knowledge but the operation and day to day use of the systems are no different than using any other PC based security camera system.
Modern IP addressable security cameras are actually much easier to install and set up than most any other type of video security system. The steps to install a web based security camera on your local area network are as follows.
1. Mount the IP Security camera. Make sure the location is near a power outlet and there is an available network connection.
2. Connect the IP Security Camera to the network connection.
3. Plug in the web based security camera.
4. Load the viewing-configuration software on your computer.
5. When powered, the PC will automatically search for available IP security cameras and connect to them. This process will repeat until all the cameras are connected and streaming video to the PC/DVR.
The added features and benefits of using IP Cameras in a Security Application are many.
Feature: Digital Bi-Directional Communication Format.
Benefit: The 802.11g protocol utilizes digital bi-directional signals which support the use of pan/tilt/zoom functions and presets found in many newer cameras. The digital signal used is duplex (bi-directional) as opposed to the simplex (one-way) binary signal used in analog type systems.
Feature: Longer Transmission Range with Less Interference.
Benefit: Because 802.11g utilizes the entire 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, interference is greatly reduced and longer transmission ranges can be expected. If an area of the frequency is noisy then the transmitter/receivers will adapt the signal by sending smaller packets in the noisy affected area and larger packets in the non-effected areas of the frequency. The Wireless IP Video Systems offer the same performance as professional grade wired system with a reliable transmission range of 150-200 feet.
If the camera is to be located further than 200 feet, directional antennas are available which can increase the distance to 600 or more feet. If a greater distance than 600 feet is required, point to point, long range directional type systems can increase the distance to several miles.
Feature: Higher Security for Data and Video Streams.
Benefit: In addition to standard 64/128-bit WEP Security, 802.11g protocol allows data packets to be encrypted using a 40-bit RCA key. When considered in conjunction with the inherent security built into DSSS digital spread spectrum technology, the data signals are at least as secure as data traveling over a wired network.
Feature: Supports Multiple Wireless Cameras without Interference.
Benefit: The 802.11g protocol can support a much larger number of wireless cameras by using a medium access control or MAC layer called CSMA/CA or Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance. The Collision Avoidance in 802.11g supports the use of CTS/RTS signals (clear to send/ready to send) which tell each camera on the system when it is O.K. to begin transmitting or receiving data thereby avoiding interference.
Feature: Offers Hybrid Integration with Wired IP Cameras.
Benefit: Any hardwired IP Camera that is installed on your intranet or internet that is using the same CODEC (Coding & Decoding) algorithm can be integrated into the same software viewing and recording system.
Feature: Non-Centralized Viewing and Control.
Benefit: An IP addressable camera system can be viewed or recorded from a properly equipped computer from any location in the world. This can allow you the freedom to move anywhere on the planet while still keeping track of your assets. In addition, if you ever decide to move your head end recording equipment to a different location, you simply pick it up and move it. No wires to re-route.
