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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 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 • We don't have time to cover all the companies that make these types of cameras
Network Cameras • What they can & can't do • Product comparisons • Technical requirements • Setup • Costs involved
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
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)
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
So... In my opinion, network cameras are far superior to 'traditional' CCTV cameras for a variety of reasons.
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
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
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
Mounting your camera • Orbital mount (ball and socket) • Wall and ceiling brackets • Weatherproof housings • Window mounts (suction cups) • Good old-fashioned camera tripod
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
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
Let's look at the cameras It's about time
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
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
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
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
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
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!)
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)
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
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?
Questions? • Andrew Brandt NCPC [at] amishrabbit [dot] com Thanks!