Wireless Network Cameras
Wireless network cameras, or network IP cameras, allows the average household consumer to enter into the security surveillance arena much more easily and affordably than ever before.
The range of available options has increased significantly while the cost of the technology has come down. This is the perfect combination that allows the average home or small business owner to have reliable property monitoring without having to invest thousands of dollars into a surveillance system.
With cameras like the clever Panasonic BL-C230A, you really can have a full-featured security camera at an affordable price for home or business.
The number of homes with high-speed internet access and wireless networks have sky rocketed in the last several years.
Since wireless networks are already in place, it doesn’t take much more expense or effort to add network security cameras.
Burglary and property crime are on the rise and having a standard alarm system may not be enough to adequately protect your home and family. The presence of a security camera further deters any potential burglar from entering your home.
In the past, closed circuit security systems were the main way businesses, and to a lesser extent homes, provided on-site surveillance monitoring to their properties. These systems were expensive, hard to install and limited on features. Systems like this could easily cost thousands of dollars. Today, a single wireless network camera can start under $100. The price goes up as you add features such as pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) and night vision.
We’ve helped many home owners install network IP cameras and we’re here to cater to the person that’s interested in providing security monitoring in their homes. It’s not nearly as difficult as you might expect to setup your own cameras. You should remember a few things however so you can better understand the technology.
Network cameras are also called IP cameras. IP stands for Internet Protocol. It’s just a term that describes the “language” that network devices use to communicate with each other. An IP address is a unique set of numbers (like a house address) that all network devices need in order to “talk” to other devices.
The IP address usually looks something like 192.168.2.35. If you have a wireless network then you already have network devices attached to it (see the network diagram). Mainly this would include your computer, laptop and/or printer. Adding a camera to the network is just like adding another computer or printer. It’s just another device that will be communicating on your network.
At the center of your wireless network is your router. The router is where all network traffic routes through to get to its final destination. The router also assigns the unique IP address to each device. So adding wireless network cameras would just require that you turn on the camera and let your wireless router assign an IP address to it (initially, you may have to connect your camera to the router with a network cable for the first time IP setup. Your specific camera manual will have the exact process for your particular model and type of camera).
Once the camera has been assigned an IP address and is functioning on the network, you will be able to view and control the camera’s settings with the included software program that comes with the wireless network camera. You will install the camera management software on one of the computers on your network. From the camera management software you will be able to control the camera’s movements if it’s PTZ (capable of pan, tilt and zoom features), change recording frequency, motion detector triggers and many other settings.
Some things to keep in mind:
With security cameras, price almost always dictates quality. Even though you can get a camera for less than $100 dollars, you will soon discover that the quality of these budget cameras are not very good, especially in low light conditions. We definitely DO NOT recommend any cameras made by X10. Their products are inexpensive and well known, but unless you have optimum daytime lighting conditions and don’t need low light capabilities, you’re better served using other options. X10 cameras are also prone to grainy pictures due to signal interference, much like a cordless phones. Many X10 cameras are not network IP cameras and don’t offer the same features or security as a true network camera.
Better options include Linksys or Panasonic wireless network cameras. A good price point here is $200 and up per camera.
However, we have found that Axis network cameras by far are more reliable with better visual quality, even in low light conditions. Our favorite Axis camera is the 207W and starts around $299. This model is probably the best all around camera for those who are budget conscious but still want good video quality.
We know that you’re part of a growing trend of homeowners who are adding video monitoring to your homes. It doesn’t need to be difficult and the benefits are well worth it. Please feel free to browse our site and see the various camera models available. We have links to other related resources that will also help you get on the right track.
Security camera technology is constantly changing. This is good for us, the consumers, because we are able to acquire better technology and lower prices as time goes by. Protecting are families and property is a high priority and it shouldn’t be cost prohibitive to those who want to incorporate cameras into their overall plans. Be sure to use other security measures such as alarm systems and proper door locks. In addition to these items, cameras will round out your security plan for a more complete and total solution to crime on your property.
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