One of the biggest benefits of a smart home is being able to know what's going on when you're not actually there. Whether you're checking in on your kids, pets, or an exotic jewel collection, a home security camera is a great tool for keeping an eye on things from afar.

We've tested lots of home surveillance cameras over the last few years, so we know what's important to look for. For instance, you want a camera that's simple to set up and use. Additionally, one of the very first qualities we notice is an attractive—though discreet—design. It's important that the camera looks like something you actually want in your home, but depending on your needs, you may not want it to stand out too much.

Device support is critical as well. Our favorite cameras allow you to check in from anywhere, whether it's an app on your phone or a Web browser. Additional features vary from camera to camera, and each of our top picks offer just enough variety to set them apart from the rest of the competition.

Here are some other important factors to consider when buying a home security cam:

The View

Even though 1080p is generally the standard resolution for cameras we've tested, and you won't find any that stream or record in 4K any time soon, there are benefits to cameras with higher resolution sensors. Few home security cameras have optical zoom lenses, but almost all have digital zoom, which crop and enlarge whatever the camera is recording. The more megapixels a camera sensor has, the more you can digitally zoom in and still be able to see things clearly.

Besides resolution, consider the field of view as well. All security cameras have wide-angle lenses, but not all angles are created equal. Depending on the lens' field of view, it can see between 100 and 180 degrees. That's a big range in terms of the camera's vision cone. If you want to watch a large area, you should consider a camera with a very wide field of view.

Placement

If you want to keep an eye on the rooms of your home, there are plenty of options. If you want to keep an eye on your driveway, backyard, or front porch, you need to be more choosy. Not all home security cameras are rugged enough to be mounted outdoors. You need a camera that's waterproof and can stand up to rain, snow, and sun, and survive the extreme temperatures of summer and winter. The Nest Cam Outdoor and Netgear Arlo are two models built specifically for use outdoors, while the Nest Cam Indoor and the Netgear Arlo-Q might not survive the next rainstorm if you mount them over your garage door.

Connectivity

Most security cameras use Wi-Fi, but not all rely on it exclusively. Some add Bluetooth for local control and easier setup through your smartphone, while others incorporate separate home automation networking standards to interact with other devices, like ZigBee or Z-Wave. For most cameras, all you need to do is follow instructions on an app to connect them to your home network.

Once your camera is connected, you'll almost certainly be able to access it through your smartphone or tablet. The vast majority of home security cameras today have mobile apps, and many focus entirely around those apps for doing everything. Some have Web portals as well, which add flexibility for accessing your videos and alerts from anywhere.

Cloud Storage

The videos your camera records probably won't be stored on the camera itself. Most home security cameras use cloud services to store and offer remote access to footage. Some models have microSD card slots so you can physically pull the video from them when you want to review footage, but this is a rare feature.

Keep in mind that not all cloud services are alike, even for the same camera. Depending on the manufacturer, your home security camera will store different amounts of footage for different lengths of time. This service is often a paid subscription on top of the price of the camera itself, though some cameras offer free cloud storage to varying degrees. Cloud storage service is usually offered in tiers, letting you choose between keeping footage for a week, a month, or more.

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Research firm IHS Markit predicts that by the end of 2016, networked surveillance cameras will account for one-third of the installed base of 62 million cameras in North America.  In fact, almost all new security devices are IP-based: access control panels, access control readers, door locks and fire detectors. Whether you have a handful or hundreds of these devices in your network, they are vulnerable to a growing number of security threats. 

The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets recently reported on a massive denial-of-service attack launched by network cameras. According to the Journal, “Attackers used an army of hijacked security cameras and video recorders to launch several massive Internet attacks…” on French web host provider OVH and U.S. security researcher Brian Krebs. These and similar breaches are becoming more common and have been a wake-up call to the physical security industry.

Do not take for granted that your internal staff or your vendors are fully hardening your video surveillance system against security breaches. Here are the security vulnerabilities to be aware of and automation capabilities that can help.

Emerging Vulnerabilities

Many IP-based security systems have inherent vulnerabilities that can be exploited to perform cyber attacks due to the following:  

• Physical Exposure: By necessity, many security devices are installed outside or near doors on the network perimeter, leaving physical network ports accessible and vulnerable to a rogue laptop or other devices.  There have been instances where rogue laptops have been used as intermediaries to siphon a lot of sensitive data from an organization.
• Lack of Awareness: Fully hardening networked cameras against a security breach often requires a detailed understanding of network operations and a labor-intensive process. Indeed, the AXIS Communications Hardening Guide, an industry standard, has 24 pages of best practices for organizations large and small.

Unfortunately, many installers and physical security pros are not familiar with cyber security measures and do not have the expertise to address these issues. In addition, they rarely contemplate cyber security within the camera installation design. Even initially well-protected and isolated “camera-only” networks can suffer security weaknesses brought about by unintended connections that bridge to the main corporate network.

• Working in Silos: Physical security and IT departments need to work in coordination to follow the organization’s network security policies and clearly define responsibility for deploying updated camera firmware issued by manufacturers to address vulnerabilities.
• Device Vulnerabilities: While many security device manufacturers are better protecting their products, many network cameras and access control devices are not sufficiently hardened to protect against potential attack from emerging cyber threats.  

Reducing Risk with Automation

Physical security professionals should not have to be Certified Cisco Network Associates (CCNA) to install and maintain security systems. Automated cyber protection mechanisms can reduce threats by implementing best practices for hardening IP cameras and other security devices. Automation reduces the workload and knowledge required to properly install these systems and maintains adequate protections as threats evolve.

Security managers need visibility into and control over the entire physical security ecosystem. Monitoring to the server or switch is insufficient. Visibility is needed down to the source cameras, with alerts to the security manager when cameras are damaged or settings are incorrect.

On the front end, automation tools can configure best practices such as enabling a protected VLAN for the security system, changing a camera’s default login credentials and binding the camera’s MAC-ID to switch ports to ensure that other rogue devices are not plugged into exposed Ethernet ports on the perimeter of the network.

Once the system is installed, automated cyber protections can also monitor network flows, detect abnormalities and respond immediately to suspected attacks. For example, automation tools can alert and intervene when the following threats are detected:

• Cable changes: disconnecting or changing cable lengths
• Connecting a new device or disconnecting an existing one
• Data flow/ direction changes
• Abnormal bandwidth consumption
• Abnormal power consumption
• Camera image quality changes
• Camera connecting directly to external IP addresses

When abnormal behavior is detected, automation tools can generate alerts and take proactive interventions such as disabling a device’s data or power port.  

The last thing you want is to discover that your video surveillance system was not working when a potentially devastating security incident occurred. Ensure that your physical security employees and vendors – as well as your IT staff – are fully educated and prepared to secure your video surveillance system. Look for automation to help fill in the gaps and put your security firmly where it belongs: under your full control.

Contact us today for we don't just sell you surveillance products, we ensure that the system is hardened from external attacks. Our technicians are trained on cyber security issues that affect surveillance systems.

Though nowadays IP video surveillance equipment becomes more and more easy to setup and use, some users may still encounter some problems if they are newbies to the IP video surveillance system. We herein present you the easy, but very useful IP camera and NVR troubleshooting info that can help you to find and solve the problem, then use your equipment smoothly.

5. NVR can discover the IP camera in the same local network, however can’t be added and shows “connection timeout error”.

If NVR can discover the IP camera but shows connection timeout error, users should check the NVR’s IP address conflicts with the IP address of connected IP camera. If both IP camera and NVR have the same IP address, please modify NVR’s IP address. If there is no conflict, please check the network switch functionality, or replace another network switch to test.

4. What’s the reason when the NVR connected to the IP camera but other channel image disappeared?

When the NVR connected to the IP camera, but one of other channel’s image disappeared, please check five things as below:

• Making sure network switch’s LEDs are light up, if all LED indicators are off, then power supply should be the problem.
• Making sure network switch’s LEDs are light up, if all LED indicators are off, then please check network switch and power cable connection problem.
• Making sure IP camera is working, if IP camera doesn’t work, please check the power supply if it causes the problem.
• If using optical fiber equipment, please check optical fiber transceiver’s LEDs are light up, if all LED indicators are off, then the problem comes from power adapter.
• If using optical fiber equipment, please check optical fiber transceiver’s LEDs are light up, if all LED indicators are off, then the problem comes from transceiver itself or fiber cable connection.

3. Why after connected the camera, the image keeps flicking or disconnecting?

If this problem occurs, please the 3 things as below:

• Check if all network switches connected to the same quantity of IP cameras, making sure each of IP camera can have average/balanced network resources.
• Making sure the NVR has sufficient network bandwidth, if not, please connect the NVR to the Gigabit network switch.
• Check the RJ45 socket, making sure the cables are firmly connected with the socket.

2. Why the NVR can’t find/discover the new IP cameras?

If your NVR can’t discover the IP cameras, please check the following things:

• Confirm if the NVR has an unique IP address, if not, please manually assign an IP address to the camera. Please note each of IP camera may have the exact same IP address as the factory default setting.
• Check the LED indicators on IP camera, all LED indicators are light up and Yellow LED is flicking, but Green LED doesn’t flick that mean the camera is working normally. Please check the power supply of the camera.  If LED indicators show correctly, you may use the P2P App to access the camera through Internet, then manual change the IP address to DHCP method. If there is only LAN available, please plug the IP camera to your computer directly, then modify your computer’s IP address to 192.168.0.* (*>1), also change the gateway IP address accordingly, after discovered the equipment by using search software provided by your supplier, you should manually change the IP camera’s IP address to DHCP method. If both LEDs are on, but don’t flick, please reboot your IP camera.
• Please check if you had selected/ticked all protocols when searched the IP camera on NVR. Please check if both devices are compatible with ONVIF standard.

1. NVR can discover/find IP cameras, but it can’t show image.

• If your NVR can discover and find IP cameras, however they can’t show image. Then you need to change the NVR’s video stream type. You can either increase the NVR’s decoding resolution, or decrease the IP camera’s stream resolution. 
• If the NVR can’t show thumbnail/preview image, you need to check the Sub-stream/secondary stream setting. If the NVR can display thumbnail/preview image but after double click it to enlarge, the image disappear, then you need to check the Main stream setting.

Are security concerns taking away from your peace of mind?

The scenario of rapidly increasing crime demands increased security. The best way to protect you against such crimes is by installing a security system. Surveillance systems have redefined the protection of homes and businesses. Installing a high-tech security camera will help in deterring crimes, thus, protecting you from falling prey to any threats.

The following reasons state why you should install security cameras:

• Scares away intruders: Deterring a criminal is the best method of prevention. Installing an outdoor security camera dissuades would be burglars from entering your home. Even the cleverest thieves would change their mind as soon as they spot a security camera. Decrease the threat by installing a security system and prevent your family from becoming victims of crime.

• Assisting police: Incase a theft takes place, security cameras can provide the police with required and reliable information. A good quality security camera captures faces and all activities clearly. This in turn will help the police catch hold of the intruders and possibly retrieve your stolen goods as well.
• Ensure elders /children are safe and sound: It’s always good to know that your children and aging relatives are safe even when you are not around. Ensuring that your family is out of harm’s way will allow you to go about your day worry free. The remote viewing feature will allow you to check up on them from your tablet, desktop or mobile phone at any time.

• Reduced insurance premiums: Major insurance companies and agents will offer lower premiums if you protect your property against theft with a professionally installed home security systems.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that you are in a safer environment gives you confidence and peace of mind. You can always have that sense of security when you know that IP security cameras are there to protect you.

Now that you know the benefits of installing a security camera systems, get yourself and your family protected today.

IP cameras are the latest advancement in the field of surveillance. They offer astounding features and promise to give you better security! Here are some reasons why you should invest in an IP security camera system:

High Resolution

IP camera systems come with gorgeous megapixel resolution! The IP camera provides you with super-high resolution images as data is recorded digitally. With crystal clear images, you can easily discern faces, objects and other details captured by the high performing indoor and outdoor IP security camera systems. The sharp and crisp images let you see better!

Easy Installation

It’s a common misconception that NAS based installations are much more complex than DVR-based. But the truth is, installing an IP security camera is easier and more convenient task. Features like universal plug-and-play camera recognition make installation as simple as possible. Using PoE (Power over Ethernet), IP cameras can be powered through the same cable that transmits the video signal and any PTZ commands.

Budget Friendly

The good news is, prices of IP security cameras continue to drop! Plus the cost of installation can be more than half of an analog system.

View video from anywhere, anytime

Well, this is what makes IP systems the best security cameras today. With these systems, there is virtually no limitation to where video can be captured or can be viewed. You just need good network connectivity to view anything, from anywhere!

Easy to use

Using an IP security camera system is the easiest thing. If you know how to use a mouse then you can easily use IP surveillance systems. The easy to use menus of an IP system can make first timers look like experts!

With commendable advantages like easy installation, high resolution low cost, and many more, IP security systems are sure to rule the market!

The U.S. solar workforce is growing faster than ever, and that is made especially clear in The Solar Foundation’s 2016 National Solar Jobs Census, which shows the industry now employs more than 260,000 Americans.

As the number of solar installations in the U.S. raced past 1 million in 2016, solar companies were hiring tens of thousands of Americans in good, high-paying jobs and growing the solar workforce by 51,000 workers, or 25 percent nationwide since 2015. This is the largest annual growth since The Solar Foundation began the Solar Jobs Census in 2010.

When put in context with overall U.S. job growth, the solar industry is among the best job creators in the country. One out of every 50 new American jobs was in the solar industry last year, which is creating jobs 17 times faster than the rest of the U.S. economy. These are not minimum wage jobs, either. The median wage for a solar installer, more than half of the solar workforce, is $26 per hour.

“With a near tripling of solar jobs since 2010, the solar industry is an American success story that has created hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of The Solar Foundation.

Much of the solar jobs story, however, is told at the state level, as jobs increased in 44 out of the 50 states in 2016. California maintains the highest total number of solar jobs, followed by Massachusetts, Texas, Nevada and Florida.

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The Maryland Senate, following the lead of the House, completed the expected veto override this afternoon, sending Gov. Larry Hogan a stunning rebuke and reflecting the will of the overwhelming pro-solar Maryland population.

Perhaps the federal legislature could take a lesson on how to do what their constituents want from the Maryland legislature.

The Maryland Senate, following the lead of the Maryland House on Tuesday, voted to override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which passed overwhelmingly last spring before the governor nixed it.

In the wake of the stunning rebuke of Hogan, the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) rise 5% (from 20 to 25%) and one-half of a percent rise in the solar carve-out portion of the bill (which would rise to 2.5 percent from its current level of 2 percent) by 2020. The previous RPS required utilities to provide 20% of their power by 2022.

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