Basic Components of an IP Surveillance System

IP video surveillance systems can be as simple as a few IP cameras, a Network Video Recorder (NVR), and a monitor, or it can be a complex system that includes network switches, routers and other infrastructure that make security networks a web of cables, cameras, and monitors. However, for home and small business environments, a simple network of IP cameras connected to an NVR works just as well.

We will briefly discuss the IP Camera and the Network Video Recorder as the basic components of a video surveillance infrastructure.

IP Camera

The Internet Protocol (IP) camera is a digital camera commonly referred to as a webcam, but in the security industry, the preferred term Is Netcam or IP Camera, particularly when these are used for surveillance. The IP camera transmits data over an Ethernet link and is much more superior to analog CCTV (closed-circuit television) in its applications.

The shift from analog to the digital technology of IP cameras provides users with benefits that include the following:

• Remote viewing and control of the security system
• Images and video are accessible from any location that has an Internet connection
• Better quality of images
• Digital zoom
• Provides two-way communication
• Can be programmed to send alerts through email and other communication systems when unusual activity is detected
• Capable to play and record simultaneously
• Higher storage capability through compression of content
• Ease of use

• Video analytics technologies that automatically analyze video to detect and determine events not based on a single image but upon the change in the video stream.

IP surveillance cameras are appropriate for busy homeowners and business persons who are away from their homes or offices most of the time. Remote control and two-way communication allow them to access video in real time, search archives, and modify security settings. They can keep abreast of events at home and office without being physically present.

IP cameras come in different types and capabilities, for example, wired and wireless, dome or bullet, indoor and outdoor models, and day vs night vision cameras. The choice of lenses can vary from the fixed lens, varifocal lens with a range of focal lengths, megapixel, and PTZ (pan, tilt, and zoom) cameras. This may look daunting at first glance, but to make the selection process easier, you have to go through the camera features methodically. Create a security plan or diagram for home or establishment since this will give you the number of cameras that you will need, with specific numbers for outdoors and indoors. The location of each camera will help you decide whether a fixed or varifocal camera is more appropriate, where to install night vision cameras for 24/7 monitoring, and on down the line until you are satisfied with your camera choices. Our IP Cameras can shoot in HD at 720p, 1080p, 3MP, 4K, and 12MP. One has a variety of choices to make when it comes to IP Cameras.

 Network Video Recorder (NVR)

The Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a crucial component of the video surveillance system for the management of the IP cameras. As long as the NVR is connected to the same local area network (LAN) as the IP cameras, you can install this device virtually anywhere and still capture video streams and images, store the footages on a hard disk, or transmit the images to a remote PC or smartphone for viewing. The network video recorder is the software program has no dedicated video capture hardware. It receives video streams from the IP cameras for storage in a disk drive, SD memory card, or other mass storage devices. The software runs on a dedicated device that has an embedded operating system.

IP Bullet Cameras are network cameras that are bullet-like in shape. Our IP Bullet Cameras shoot in HD at 1080p, 3MP, 4MP (about 2x 1080P), 4K, or 12MP.

IP Bullet Cameras are easily mounted to the side of a wall, just like network dome cameras easily mount from the ceiling. So, if you want to mount a camera to a wall, a bullet network camera is often the way to go. Also, most bullet IP cameras are weatherproof so if you are looking for an Outdoor IP Camera, you are going to be looking at mostly IP bullet cameras. Bullet Cameras are also very adaptable, easily mounted, and as such can easily be repositioned should your security needs change. IP bullet cameras are mostly used in warehouses, banks, and outdoor locations.

Another great thing about IP bullet cameras is the video compression. Because these cameras are setup to run independent of operating systems, or standalone firmware, they have awesome video codecs embedded into the camera's internal circuitry. This is great because for a low cost, you can experience high quality video. H.264 and MPEG4 are the absolute best video codecs and compression available. This is like seeing in hi-definition. H.264 combines hi-tech chip processing with some small A.I. and software functionality. These two pair to digitize the video and render a higher quality of video captured by a bullet camera's chip-set. The pixels spread across a chip-set, never achieve the right efficiency or quality initially, this is where the codecs come into play. After the image taken by the pixel has been processed, the codecs continue to improve the picture until it is sent to the Internet, DVR, or PC's motherboard for processing. This is how it all works and it is all inside just a camera! IP bullet cameras can offer great solutions to anyone looking for the best quality video for their video surveillance application.

Our IP Dome Cameras shoot in HD at 1080p, 3MP, 4MP (about 2x 1080P), 4K, or 12MP.

Weatherproof and great for indoor or outdoor use because Domes hang from the Ceiling / Soffit

Although Dome cameras have a similar shape to PTZ cameras, dome cameras cannot be controlled remotely.

About IP Dome Cameras

IP Dome Cameras are network cameras that are dome-like in shape. Dome Cameras, exactly like they sound, have a spherical shape and hang from the ceiling. Those who end up buying IP Dome Cameras, are often choosing between Dome and Bullet Cameras.

Advantages of Dome Network Cameras

By far the biggest advantage has to do with ease of mounting. If you want to hang a network camera from the ceiling, a dome camera is almost always the way to go. Other advantages include the ability to have a vandal resistant shell or a “smoke dome shell” which makes it difficult to tell where the camera is pointed.

Limitations on IP Dome Cameras

Since IP Dome Cameras are designed to hang from a ceiling, most network dome cameras are not weatherproof and are mostly used indoors.

Network Dome Camera uses

Most network dome cameras are used in offices, hospitals, and retail locations. A good rule of thumb is that if where you are trying to secure has ceiling tiles, it is often easier to use a Dome IP camera than anything else.

HD Cameras that can Pan, Tilt, and Zoom when controlled by our NVRs, Software, Webview, or Joystick

Zoom capabilities from 4x to 36x

Most often used by governments and large retailers.

About IP PTZ Cameras

IP PTZ Cameras are cameras that possess the ability to Pan Tilt and Zoom in on targets and areas by use of a surveillance team and a joystick / mouse and keyboard combo. IP PTZ Cameras are used by the military, private security companies, large retailers, airports, shipping yards, ports, and industrial compounds. One of the main benefits of PTZ cameras is the ability to zoom in and investigate further without alerting the person who is being recorded.

Network PTZ Camera Uses

PTZ Cameras are also used frequently in scenarios where human being's health can be at risk but highly adaptable surveillance is necessary, such as nuclear facilities and science labs.

Sometimes IP PTZ Cameras are referred to as “High Speed Domes.” Although they are supposed to describe PTZ Cameras with a dome shell, the definitions are not as solid as they seem as there can be many combination of features sets within the PTZ/Dome Hybrids. Because of this, some people refer to all PTZ Cameras as High Speed Dome Cameras.

IP PTZ Camera Recommendations

It is our recommendation that when looking at PTZ network cameras, that you worry less with the digital zoom and more about the optical zoom. Optical zoom actually increases the number of pixels being recorded while digital zoom only make those pictures appear larger. Optical zoom is vastly better than digital.

Our box IP camera models are a popular choice for a variety of surveillance applications as they use industry-standard C/CS-mount lenses. High-definition image sensors offer up to 6.0 megapixel resolution video for ultra-sharp, detailed images which can be zoomed in on during live or recorded viewing. Our network box cameras are ONVIF and PSIA compliant for seamless compatibility with network recording devices. Power over Ethernet makes installation easy, with fewer wires to pull. Our box IP camera comes standard with advanced imaging features such as day/night, digital wide dynamic range and digital noise reduction, for clearer images in even the most challenging lighting conditions. A wide range of megapixel lenses are available for these box cameras, so you can easily get the surveillance coverage that you need.

IP Panoramic Security Cameras

Panoramic Security Cameras are surveillance cameras that can see in either 180 or 360 degrees at once.

Panoramic CCTV Cameras come in two basic model types: fisheye cameras which use a wide angle lens which can distort image but are much more cost effective and multi-lens surveillance cameras which "stitches" together several video streams.

Blind spots can seriously undermine the reliability of your video surveillance solution. With our IP panoramic cameras, you will never have to deal with blind spots again. Our panoramic cameras offer a full 180-degree or 360-degree overview in one single image. Thanks to a choice of 5 or 12 megapixel resolution at high frame rates combined with a fish eye lens, you see a complete overview without blind spots. Moving objects are captured easily and the quality of every video surveillance operation is significantly improved. With built-in intelligence video data is minimized and easier to manage. You see only relevant images, at the relevant time, and the relevant place with lowest network strain. So you can oversee everything in superb clarity and get all the information you need at a glance.

Our IP wireless cameras and cloud cameras allow you set up a security system without the need to run wires around your home or business.

A wireless security system acts as a visible deterrent to criminals, allowing you to record events at home and have visibility of what is going on in your business. Some of our wireless cameras also connect to wireless monitors allowing you monitor and record footage from your wireless camera to review at a later date.