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Network Cameras

Network Cameras. Andrew Brandt Wyman St. block captain NCPC*at*amishrabbit*dot*com. As an introduction. PC World contributing editor Specialize in computer security & privacy I don't work for any of the companies whose products are represented here I do use these myself, at home

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Network Cameras

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  1. Network Cameras Andrew Brandt Wyman St. block captain NCPC*at*amishrabbit*dot*com

  2. As an introduction... • PC World contributing editor • Specialize in computer security & privacy • I don't work for any of the companies whose products are represented here • I do use these myself, at home • We don't have time to cover all the companies that make these types of cameras

  3. Network Cameras • What they can & can't do • Product comparisons • Technical requirements • Setup • Costs involved

  4. CCTV Pros TV cable Inexpensive storage (VHS video tapes) Decent picture quality Network vs. CCTV cameras(the good) Network Camera Pros • Ethernet cable • Existing network • Inexpensive storage (hard drives & flash memory cards) • Decent picture quality

  5. CCTV Cons Prohibitively expensive to buy So-so picture quality (can you ID the perp from a fuzzy tape?) Daily management Network vs. CCTV cameras(the bad) Network Camera Cons • More features and better picture quality costs a bit more • Setup can be complicated (but you only have to do it once)

  6. CCTV Difficult setup Can't (cheaply) be remotely controlled; sharing = tapes Requires you to manually change & store bulky tapes Network vs. CCTV cameras(the wrapup) Network Camera • Easier setup • Can control cameras over the net from anywhere • Much simpler recording management

  7. So... In my opinion, network cameras are far superior to 'traditional' CCTV cameras for a variety of reasons.

  8. Let's compare features • Wired and wireless cameras • Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) vs fixed-position • Mounting options • Image storage & networking • Remote control panels & user interface

  9. Wireless Requires Wi-Fi gateway to work You still have to run electricity to the cam Not always entirely dependable, due to Wi-Fi problems Wireless vs Wired Each has its advantages and drawbacks Wired • Requires some data cabling • On some models, power and data travel on one wire • Very dependable

  10. PTZ You can redirect it at different locations Panning is often slow and kind of clunky Better for watching multiple spots (but not at the same time) Pan-tilt-zoom vs fixed position More advantages and drawbacks Fixed • You have to manually aim the camera • Motion detection triggered only by true motion • Subject to weather-related misalignment

  11. Mounting your camera • Orbital mount (ball and socket) • Wall and ceiling brackets • Weatherproof housings • Window mounts (suction cups) • Good old-fashioned camera tripod

  12. Image storage:Not all cameras do all of these • FTP (file transfer protocol) • Sends images over the 'net to a server somewhere • Doesn't have to be at your home • Local file server • Images go to a 'server' (a computer) on the same network • Emailed file attachments • Built-in flash memory • Removable flash memory cards in the camera

  13. Control panels • All cameras let you adjust the following: • Brightness and contrast • Image size and compression • "Triggers" to take photos (timed and/or motion) • Basic network settings they need to function • Some have additional features: • Built in microphone and/or speaker • Can compensate for changing lighting conditions (DC iris) • Support for multiple users, with different permissions for each user

  14. Let's look at the cameras It's about time

  15. Axis 20x serieswww.axis.com • Extremely small cameras with decent image quality (640x480) • Prices around $300 for Axis 207w • True network camera-does not require PC • 20x series cannot FTP images • Wired and wireless models available • Manually-focusable lens • Not weatherproof - mount in sheltered spot • Well-established Swedish company with a track record for high quality products, and good service and support

  16. Axis 21x and 22x serieswww.axis.com • Standard-size cameras with very good to excellent image quality (640x480) • Prices start around $500 for Axis 210 • Wired and wireless • Can FTP, email, or move files to server • Manually-focusable and -zoomable lenses with DC iris; hookups for passive IR receiver • Some are weatherproof (housing anyway) • Extremely reliable-run for years without needing any management whatsoever

  17. Toshiba network camerastoshiba.com/taisisd/security • Standard and dome-style cameras with good to very good image quality (640x480 to 1280x960) • Prices start around $470 for IK-WB02A • Wired and wireless • Optional SD flash memory card slot • No focus, digital zoom, pan-and-tilt • Most are weatherproof • User interface is quirky • Definitely would be noticed: They're big

  18. Swann Max-IP Camwww.swann.com.au • Smallish standard-size camera with OK image quality (640x480) • $250 (available online) • Wired model only • Manual focus • Not weatherproof • Includes built-in infrared illumination (nice feature!) • Upload images or store on SD card in cam • Established Australian CC camera company making an intro to the US with this product

  19. Mobotixwww.mobotix.com • Large cameras that look kind of like the "Number 5" robot from the movie Short Circuit • Models include one or two lenses, speaker and microphone, passive IR detector • Wired & wireless models • Manual focus, wide-angle, daylight & infrared • Most are weatherproof, built like a tank • German company makes security cameras used by many European & Asian banks • Really, really attention-getting • Expensive: Prices start at $1200

  20. Veo Wireless Observerwww.veo.com • Smallish, odd-sized (UFO on a cone) camera with OK image quality (640x480) • $350 (available from mfr. website only) • Wired & wireless models • Fixed-focus lens, built in microphone • Not weatherproof • Comes with wall mount • Almost all Veo network cameras are PTZ • Has a few gimmicky features (LCD display on cam for IP setup, external antenna) • Requires Windows to view images (bleh!)

  21. WiLife LukWerkswww.lukwerks.com • SRP is $300 for a starter kit, sold online or at Radio Shack ($230 for add'l cameras) • Cool window mount • Screwy requirements: • a Windows PC • The PC has to be on all the time for it to record • All recording is done using software running on the always-on PC • It won't work on Macs • a wired network hub or router with a free ethernet port (but it's not precisely a wired camera)

  22. Other companies that make or sell rebranded network cameras • D-Link -- haven't been impressed • Panasonic -- expensive • StarDot Technologies • Hawking Technologies • IQeye -- very pricey but amazing quality • Linksys -- bizarre-looking egg-shaped model • Q-SEE -- many models, some rebranded from other OEMs • Googling "network cameras" will get you 135,000,000 results

  23. Other considerations • If several people decide on a single company's product to buy, we could easily negotiate a bulk order discount. • Do we make the images from everyone's cameras available on a Web site? (it's easy to do) • Do we let everyone see the images, or just certain people? • Who pays for the online image storage?

  24. Questions? • Andrew Brandt NCPC [at] amishrabbit [dot] com Thanks!

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