Here are some tips for selecting the right camera for your Video Surveillance system. High resolution IP cameras provide a superior video image with a resolution up to 5MP. When choosing IP video security cameras and video recorders, there are a number of options. This guide provides general information about IP video security systems.
Important Factors in choosing the right IP Security Camera
- Location
- Main Field of View
- Lighting conditions at night
- Resolution Requirements
- Aesthetics and Form Factor
An IP camera provides significantly higher resolution than traditional analog cameras, so you will be able to monitor your video security system much better. With a higher resolution camera system, you can see all the details in the views with a wider field of view reaching up to 90 degrees and the ability to zoom in post-record into critical areas.
Location
The cameras are housed in a weather-proof housing that can withstand the temperatures and moisture of the outdoors. Security cameras are used at outdoor facilities and at homes in both dome and bullet styles.
Indoor cameras tend to be smaller and lighter and are not weatherproof. Both types of cameras can have infrared night vision capabilities if required.
In choosing a camera for mounting location, first and foremost consider the best view the camera provides. Secondly, the camera’s security as well as the ability to run cable to the location are equally important. Placed in the wrong location, cameras can be stolen and you can sneak up on them.
Types of Video Surveillance Cameras
In addition to the camera form factor, several other factors must be considered. There are two types of cameras which are the most popular today: dome cameras and bullet-style cameras. They all offer a similar lens and video compression circuitry, so it’s a matter of personal preference.
There are several choices when choosing a surveillance camera style:
Location – Will it be intrusive? Can it be tampered with? Best Viewing Angle?
Infrared Requirements – Bullet-style cameras are available in longer IR lengths (up to 400 feet)
Deterrence Factor –
The mere sight of a video camera deters a security situation in many cases. How visible do you want the cameras to be? Deter or Discrete?
These cameras are typically placed in areas requiring higher intensity infrared and have larger lenses for a wider field of view. It is advisable to place bullet cameras out of reach since they aren’t vandal-proof.
Dome cameras are the most common camera package, are discrete, and can be mounted very effectively on drop-ceiling tiles. Dome cameras are available in vandal-proof packages that can be installed in almost any location without fear of theft or damage.
Camera Resolutions
The resolution of a camera is the size of the pixels on the screen that is being recorded. The higher the resolution of the camera, the more detail and clarity can be captured. More data, or more pixels, means more detailed image being captured.
Camera Lens
Camera lens are generally built-in to the dome and bullet style cameras. The lens is either fixed, vari-focal, or with a PTZ Manual and Auto Vari-Focal in the case of a Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Camera
- Fixed (example 3mm),
- Vari-Focal (example 2.8-12mm)
- Optical Zoom (5mm- 100mm)
Infrared Technology
There are many types of infrared cameras available today, including dome and bullet-style security cameras. IR cameras rely on reflected infrared light from objects they are monitoring.
During the day, an infrared camera provides a color image, but when the amount of light drops to a certain level (automatically or manually), the infrared automatically turns on. When the IR LEDs on the camera are activated, the IR camera will produce a black and white image with good detail depending on the camera quality.
IP Camera Networks
In most enterprises, IP cameras are setup on a private network and camera data is not shared across the local network due to bandwidth concerns. HD cameras can require up to 5MPS, so IP cameras and Network Video Recorders are connected by a private and local network. Local and remote access to cameras is made possible through a connection to this.
PoE – Power-Over-Ethernet has made installation of IP Cameras a plug and play method achieved by most Network Video Recorders as IP addressing and configurations are a thing of the past. NVRs of high quality provide configuration tools and systems that make IP camera systems quiet and easy to install. NVRs today provide onboard PoE, so external power sources for the cameras are not necessary. The NVR device also includes a data network for the cameras.
Advanced Features of IP Camera Systems
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) –
In high quality camera systems, WDR provides a dynamic contrast and balance between shadows (dark areas) and bright areas. The old cameras treated the whole FOV and tried to balance the brightness, which resulted in poor quality in areas with contrasting lighting. Within the same FOV, WDR provides bright areas in shadows and lower brightness at window areas with a setting sun.
Smart Search Functions –
The ability to search on motion detection is a great feature and Smart Search provides motion within any area in the FOV.
The motion detection feature detects movements across the entire field of view and the smart search feature does the same for any area of the field of view. You can, for example, search the front parking area or the lower right portion of the FOV to see who went through the door there.
Alarm Notifications –
Most DVRs and NVRs in the market offer the option of receiving notifications via text message or email. By being alerted via text or email if hard drive failures, video loss, etc. occur, you can take proactive steps to maintain your critical video security system. Motion detection in certain cameras can also provide a video snapshot of the event, rather than just a text or email alert.
Facial Recognition and Analytics –
While facial recognition is the most well-known video security analytics feature, pro-active video surveillance features that can track movements and alert monitors to special events are also valuable. Crowd detection and aggressive behavior patterns are observed in large complex systems that require a proactive monitoring program.
Network Video Recorders
NVRs (Network Video Recorders) are the core of a video surveillance system and provide Live and Recorded Video on multiple channels that are typically 4,8,16,32,64,128 Channel (or camera). NVRs provide network management for IP cameras, and many come with a PoE switch built in. The NVR maintains the video recordings, which are archived on the hard drive. Large NVRs can store up to 32 TB of video files on their hard drives.
Remote Access via any Device
Secure connections to the Network Video Recorder allow remote and local access to IP cameras. Application software such as CMS Software on a PC and/or remote client applications for iPhone, Android and Tablets.
Using a smartphone application to access the facility cameras on a cell phone is increasingly common today due to the ease with which the facility can be accessed from anywhere. Monitoring residential and business premises 24×7 from any location is a great tool for managing a facility or enhancing your home’s security.
Benefits of IP Video Security
IP Cameras deliver detailed high definition images. The resolution of IP cameras is now reaching 3-5 megapixels and compression technology is moving towards 4K video security. As more IP cameras enter the market, IP camera prices continue to drop.
IP Video Cameras can now scale in the thousands thanks to multiple NVR servers, and PoE connections make setting up cameras as simple as installing a Cat5 cable.
Cameras are ONVIF compliant and can be interchanged, so you can choose the best camera for the project. ONVIUF is the standard for IP manufacturers allowing cross-vendor integration. Integrating the best camera for the requirement no matter the manufacture allows Video Security projects to have greater quality and reduced project costs.
IP Video Camera systems can be accessed remotely from any device including PC, iPhone, Android or Tablet. Using this on-demand application, you can quickly access your facility’s video cameras.
Top 5 things you should consider in IP Camera Systems:
- Only consider cameras with a resolution of 1080p or higher. The quality and performance are superior to 720p, and the cost difference is minimal in 2015. By 2017, we will be saying the same thing about 4K resolution cameras.
- Not all ONVIF-compliant cameras are the same. The IP camera may take a picture, but not all IP cameras have the capability to detect motion, so you end up having to record continuously. Make sure IP cameras and NVRs have been tested and certified.
- IP Camera Networks should be on their own VLAN or self-contained networks, not directly connected to the enterprise LAN. When a Local Network connection is required, it should be routed to it through a routing statement. Most NVRs provide its own VLAN.
- Consider the iPhone, Android, or Tablet interface when selecting NVR/cameras since it has a significant impact on monitoring/accessing the security system.
- You can find many import cameras of inferior quality with very limited warranty options if you opt for a name-brand camera.
Now if you are welling to buy or know more about IP Camera or any other CCTV camera installations then Doris CCTV is the company you should visit.
Doris CCTV is a leading Hikvision Wholesaler in the UK CCTV industry. We supply a wide range of equipment at competitive pricing including Digital Recording, Network Recording, IP cameras, Door Entry systems, Doorbells and Alarms.
Doris CCTV are trusted, reliable and provide affordable all-inclusive CCTV installation packages at discounted prices, our experienced CCTV engineers cover all of London. We will improve the security and safety of your home or business premises. Please click here to enquire.
