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Network cameras in and around your home

Even though they are predominantly used for monitoring and securing business premises, network cameras, also known as Internet Protocol (IP) cameras have an important role to play in home security.

No longer are surveillance cameras bulky and unsightly contraptions that stick out at the side of a building like a sore thumb. Nowadays manufacturers are designing cameras that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional, and at prices that will fit home-users’ budgets.

Besides aesthetics, there are several other benefits that make IP surveillance systems suitable for private home surveillance and these are discussed here:

Lower total cost of ownership

Private home owners do not always have the capital corporate users do, making affordability one of their main concerns when it comes to choosing a home surveillance system. A recent study showed that IP-based systems offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than similarly sized analogue-based surveillance systems. The study also showed that, if a complete IP infrastructure is in place, the IP-based video surveillance system will always cost less. Even though the initial purchase may seem higher, the total cost of ownership places IP surveillance well within reach for private users.

Remote accessibility

Through IP video solutions, it is possible to remotely access a camera over the Internet and view the footage it is capturing from anywhere in the world where there is Internet connectivity, something that is not possible with analogue systems. Whether you are at work or on holiday, you will always have the peace of mind of knowing what is happening in and around your house.

Simpler storage

IP video surveillance practically brought an end to the use of video cassettes as a medium for saving footage captured on surveillance cameras. For the home-user, this is good news as they no longer have to make provisions for storage space to keep their surveillance footage. Instead of cassette tapes, footage from IP surveillance cameras can be stored on PCs making it easier to manage and upgrade the system if necessary.

Furthermore, new compression standards such as H.264, which is available in IP cameras, have taken the storage benefits of IP systems to the next level by enabling the transmission and storage of high quality images at significantly reduced bandwidth, fulfilling the need for storage efficiency.

Intelligent solutions

IP video surveillance solutions have reached a level of intelligence that would have been thought to be improbable not so long ago. Active Tampering Alarm is an example of this. It is a feature in IP cameras that enables the detection of disrupted camera operations by automatically alerting the owner by text message when a camera is re-directed, blocked or manipulated.

Other intelligent features include passive infrared (PIR) sensor for detecting movement, even in the dark, and a white LED light for illuminating the scene automatically if an intruder is detected or when requested by the user. Some models of network cameras also include two-way audio support with an integrated microphone and speaker, allowing remote listening in on an area as well as communication with individuals directly or using uploaded or recorded audio clips.

Image quality

Image quality is arguably one of the most important features of any camera. IP cameras have always been known for providing image quality that, by far surpasses that of any other surveillance camera. High-end models are now capable of delivering HDTV quality resolution, with day and night functionality enabling these cameras to provide exceptional quality images even of fast moving objects in all lighting conditions – without any motion blur.

Integration

Those already running analogue surveillance systems do not have to despair. By adding a video server, analogue cameras that are already installed can be incorporated into an IP-surveillance network enabling users to reap the benefits of an IP system.

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