Advantages of Network Security Camera Software
There are many advantages to network security cameras for both business and home use that have been thoroughly discussed. What few people bother to mention or give credit is the network security camera software that makes the functionality of the equipment as robust as it is. Using the right combination or equipment and software to run the entire system can significantly improve the usefulness of all applications involved.
The network security camera software allows the owner to have a centralized location where they can perform all the administrative tasks you normally would expect at a traditional surveillance command center with the added benefits and conveniences typical of digital technologies. The command console is only a virtual center meaning it can be accessed from almost anywhere in the world that has an internet connection. This is one of the greatest benefits that common users enjoy with their network cameras.
By creating a command center in the virtual world, the security software eliminates the need for costly single purpose equipment that cluttered a traditional analog system. This greatly reduces the cost to do things such as managing, storing, converting or even editing surveillance video. The editing is often done to enhance pictures and frames to make the intended object more clearly recognizable from the rest of the environment and with the security camera software this can be done on the fly and saved from any computer in the world.
Of course this means the virtual command center is very powerful since it allows you to perform all and more tasks related to surveillance video management. Its function ranges from the aforementioned editing but also manages the video being recorded, allows for live streams and even the monitoring of equipment statuses. This means that from anywhere in the world, you can see whether you equipment has been tampered with or if any of the security cameras in your system are offline or failing to operate properly. It also gives the administrator control to pan the room or zoom the camera lens in and out as long as the equipment has such capability.
Finally, the network security camera software is always improving and therefore is becoming more efficient and offering even greater functionality than ever before. Most software for network security cameras today can handle a very high frame rate and can accommodate an almost endless number of security cameras so you can scale your entire system without incurring additional cost to your command center. This flexibility is a huge advantage that traditional analog systems never would have dreamed of.
Pros and Cons of a Wireless Security Camera System
A wireless security camera works much the same way as any wireless device. There is a transmitter and a receiver that will usually come together in a package. Most wireless cameras come with built in transmitters which sends the video signal to the receiver that is connected to a security monitor, some recording system, or whatever monitoring system that may be set up in more complex security systems.
The upside to a wireless camera system is great if you can make the little details work. Its great not having to deal with extra video cables, we live in a world of cables galore as it is with all this technology. Wireless cameras are also much more covert which works when you don’t need people to be aware they are being monitored. Such as babysitters, or leisure activities like parties and get-togethers.
But wireless on almost all cameras only means wireless video transmitting. Cameras still need to be powered by a cable, unless you want to save the environment at the same time and go solar. Unless you go solar, the camera will be powered by an AC plug or a battery pack. Most battery packs can’t be mounted with the camera so you still have a cable from the battery stored somewhere nearby. Don’t forget the transmitter, if not built into the camera, would need to be powered as well. If the transmitter is not built in with the camera there would be a video cable connecting the camera to the transmitter.
Another downside is the limit number of frequencies. Most wireless security cameras are limited to four frequencies per range meaning the maximum number of cameras in your system is limited to four. That number can be expanded by buying wireless camera systems that are on different ranges. Commercially common ranges are 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz; combining the two will allow up to eight cameras in one system.
As with your cell phone, or any wireless device, thick walls or metal objects will severely hinder the signal strength and range of your wireless transmission. Keep this in mind when planning your security camera system.
If you already have a wired camera, you can buy transmitters and receivers separate from the camera and turn your camera to a wireless. The camera will hook up to the transmitter instead of your monitoring/recording system and that in turn will be connected to a receiver. Remember to buy a transmitter and receiver together as they will ‘talk’ to each other much more reliably.
Intro To Network Security Cameras
Network security camera is basically a camera that is connected to the internet and allows for remote monitoring from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s a popular option for many home uses. It’s similar to the TV commercial of office workers gathered around a cubicle watching a co-worker’s dog through the web cam at home. Until the fat, hairy husband walks into the scene in his underwear for a little comic relief. The only difference is the purpose changes from killing office productivity to a more serious security reason such as catching the baby sitter mistreat your children.
When you buy a network security camera system, it comes with a camera, a recording device to store the video, and the required wires too connect everything. You will need a router and computer to manage communication between the different devices. In this case, the biggest variability is your video quality. It’s another case of the quality of the system is only as good as the weakest link. Choose your components carefully so you don’t waste a high quality device by connecting it to low quality counterparts. The same rules apply when it comes to picking the right camera. In short, outdoor security cameras will definitely require some level of durability while indoors you need to determine the scope and distance of the object/area you are monitoring.
It’s also possible to turn your regular security camera system into a network camera by installing the appropriate hardware. This depends on your current hardware and setup but typically it boils down to a receiver with an Ethernet capabilities. Talk to a supplier about the system you current own and whether the network receiver will fit into your set up.
On the higher end, there are all-inclusive systems you would purchase to secure your property if it measures in the acres, are a high profile much hated global politician, or a famous musician whose fan base consists of hemophiliac tweens. They come full service with monitoring centers of the supporting security company and usually really nice cameras you see in movies. With pan-zoom features, sectored monitoring, and all that fancy stuff.
In 2007 a luxury suite owner at the Staples Center decided to hire a San Diego based provider of IP-based video security camera systems to install a network video camera outside the suite. Because of the quality of the camera, it brings the money laden fans much closer to the action and even into the huddles of teams. Now that’s creative use of security equipment why didn’t he think of spying on the opposing team. Oh yeah, that’s in the rules somewhere.
DIY $10 Motion Sensing Security Camera
Sometimes you wonder what happens in and around your house when you’re not home. I want to show you how I set up a motion sensing security camera using a webcam and your PC. This is a hobby level surveillance system which I used to prove the uninvited traffic through my outdoor property is more than a mild case of paranoia. I’ve used it as an outdoor camera as well as indoors. But if you do decide to set up your itty bitty security camera outdoors, don’t hold me accountable for damages that are guaranteed to happen to your ten dollar webcam.
Indoors, it’s great for unwelcomed family members coming over using your stuff. Or if you just want to catch squirrels stealing food from the birdfeed (through your window, otherwise it becomes an extremely vulnerable and probably be destroyed). Whatever you can imagine and your webcam can reach, you can capture. By the way, you can always get USB extensions if you want a further reach. Let’s get to it.
Firstly, if it’s not already, install your webcam as normal. Download and install Dorgem. It’s free and should be easy to install. Launch Dorgem and select your webcam from the “Camera Selection” drop-down list. Click “Preview” to see what the camera will see and adjust the camera as needed. Click “Source” and adjust the brightness until you’re happy. Click “Options” and check “Use motion detection” and click “OK”.
Now click “Store settings” and choose “File” and click “OK”. Give it a name, make sure “Enable” is checked, and set “Interval” to 1 or 2 seconds or a higher number if there’s a lot of traffic in the area you’re monitoring. Now click the “…” next to “Filename” and point it to where you want to save the pictures. Use %g to give your filenames a timestamp and %G to give it a year stamp. For example I call mine, “balcony-%G%g”. So the images will be saved as “balcony-20090306165001.jpg” which is
balcony – the current year – the current month, day, hour, minute and second. Click “OK”, click “close” and now is time to play with it a little to test the setup. Walk around in front of the camera and adjust as needed. There you have it, a motion sensing security camera for about ten dollars.