Transcript Network Cameras - amishrabbit.com

Network Cameras
Andrew Brandt
Wyman St.
block captain
NCPC*at*amishrabbit*dot*com
As an introduction...
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PC World contributing editor
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Specialize in computer security & privacy
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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
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What they can & can't do
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Product comparisons
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Technical requirements
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Setup
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Costs involved
Network vs. CCTV cameras
(the good)
Network Camera
Pros
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Ethernet cable
Existing network
Inexpensive storage
(hard drives & flash
memory cards)
Decent picture
quality
CCTV
Pros
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TV cable
Inexpensive storage
(VHS video tapes)
Decent picture
quality
Network vs. CCTV cameras
(the bad)
Network Camera
Cons
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More features and
better picture quality
costs a bit more
CCTV
Cons
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Setup can be
complicated (but you
only have to do it
once)
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Prohibitively
expensive to buy
So-so picture quality
(can you ID the perp
from a fuzzy tape?)
Daily management
Network vs. CCTV cameras
(the wrapup)
Network Camera
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Easier setup
Can control cameras
over the net from
anywhere
Much simpler
recording
management
CCTV
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Difficult setup
Can't (cheaply) be
remotely controlled;
sharing = tapes
Requires you to
manually change &
store bulky tapes
So...
In my opinion, network
cameras are far superior
to 'traditional' CCTV
cameras for
a variety of reasons.
Let's compare features
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Wired and wireless
cameras
Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) vs
fixed-position
Mounting options
Image storage &
networking
Remote control panels &
user interface
Wireless vs Wired
Each has its advantages and drawbacks
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Wired
Requires some data
cabling
On some models,
power and data
travel on one wire
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Very dependable
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
Pan-tilt-zoom vs fixed position
More advantages and drawbacks
Fixed
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You have to manually
aim the camera
Motion detection
triggered only by true
motion
PTZ
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Subject to weatherrelated misalignment
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)
Mounting your camera
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Orbital mount (ball and socket)
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Wall and ceiling brackets
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Weatherproof housings
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Window mounts (suction cups)
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Good old-fashioned camera
tripod
Image storage:
Not all cameras do all of these
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FTP (file transfer protocol)
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Local file server
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Sends images over the 'net to a server
somewhere
Doesn't have to be at your home
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
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All cameras let you adjust the following:
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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:
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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 series
www.axis.com
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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 series
www.axis.com
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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 cameras
toshiba.com/taisisd/security
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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 Cam
www.swann.com.au
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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
Mobotix
www.mobotix.com
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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 Observer
www.veo.com
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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 LukWerks
www.lukwerks.com
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SRP is $300 for a starter kit, sold online or at
Radio Shack ($230 for add'l cameras)
Cool window mount
Screwy requirements:
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a Windows PC
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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
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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
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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
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Thanks!