Hi-Tech Security Solutions was recently given the opportunity to test-drive the Compro IP70 Day/Night network camera. The camera is not designed for multiple enterprise installations, but is a treat for those looking to start some form of surveillance solution at home or in small businesses.
Retailing at around R1200, the IP70 is a steal for what you get. You are not getting incredible optical zoom or motorised motion from the IP70, but it does offer a cost-effective surveillance option for observing driveways, gardens, receptions areas, parking lots etc. The camera offers dual video output streams in case you want to check up on your camera from your mobile as well as your screen.
The IP70 sports a 1/3-inch CMOS megapixel sensor, an IR lamp with a light sensor built-in for night viewing, as well as motion detection. Moreover, it also offers two-way audio, so you can hear what is happening around the camera There are audio input and output slots on the camera in case you want to add some vocal impact to your surveillance.
Compro also allows you to download updates to its software and we found the ComproView management software a simple, but useful tool to manage the camera. The management software also updates the cameras firmware seamlessly after asking for a password – which users set on installation to ensure nobody changes the preferred settings.
A MicroSD slot allows for on-camera recording, while snapshots and recordings can be made from the management software as well as the browser interface (as long as you use Internet Explorer). You can view a single camera or more from both the browser and ComproView.
Installation
The installation wizard is simple, allowing you to set up your camera in minutes. All you need to do is plug the (very) short power cable into an outlet and the camera, connect the LAN cable supplied to your router and the slot in the camera and run the supplied software (or preferably check for updated software and download it first). Unless you have specific preferences about IP addresses and online access, it is a few clicks and you are off.
A USB port is provided to add in a wireless LAN adaptor (not supplied in the box), which will do away with the need for the LAN cable. Viewing and customising your video feeds is all done through the browser or application interface.
Compro offers the ability to access the video image from any browser anywhere via the iDDNS service while still in the installation wizard, which unfortunately did not work for us. A service such as dyndns.com may offer better results if you want to remotely view your camera.
The camera allows users to change the quality of the video to suit their needs, or their available bandwidth, offering the ability to broadcast a second stream for mobile devices. The primary stream offers resolutions of QQVGA (160x120), QVGA (320x240), VGA (640x480) and SVGA (800x600) in Turbo mode. Turbo mode reduces the frames per second (fps) to a maximum of 15, which will be sufficient for anyone. In Motion Adaptive mode, users can get up to 30fps, but at a maximum of VGA resolution. The mobile stream obviously offers less quality taking up less bandwidth to make use of 3G networks.
Users can choose to use MPEG-4 or H.264 codecs and a maximum quality feed of 3 Mbps. For home and small business use, this should be sufficient.
Operation
The IP70 performs well right from the start and automatically adapts to poor lighting conditions to offer efficient night surveillance over limited distances. In small home and office areas it should be able to alert to almost any intrusions. It also includes a 7-pin I/O connector on the camera.
The motion detection offered is a little more complex to set up, but it does an adequate job. You can also set up audio detection at varying levels of sensitivity. It will not catch intruders on your diamond mine, but will notice someone fiddling with your car or banging on your door.
Using ComproView, you can record to your computer continually, on an event or at specific times. It offers additional functionality similar to most low-end management consoles and is simple to use.
Overall, the Compro IP70 delivers beyond what you expect at the price range and is one of the few cameras that are actually simple to set up and use. We preferred the browser interface to the application, but that is a personal choice.
Compro is distributed in South Africa by Frontosa (www.frontosa.co.za).
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