Wireless Network Cameras

TRENDnets TV-IP100W Wireless Internet Camera Server is the perfect device for remote monitoring and transmitting real-time events over the Internet. With the flexibility of IEEE 802.11b/g and 10/100Mbps LAN connectivity, the TV-IP100W functions as a video/surveillance camera allowing you to view live events with your web browser via Internet or Intranet. This Internet Camera Server has VGA quality streaming video, automatic image capture, and event notification via e-mail, making it the ideal solution for Internet video broadcasting applications. more info

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.

TV-IP201W Internet Camera Server is the perfect device for remote monitoring and transmitting real-time events over the Internet. The TV-IP201W functions as a video/audio/surveillance camera allowing you to view live events with your web browser via Internet or Intranet. Up to 16 cameras can be remotely managed with the bundled IPView software. This Internet Camera Server has M-JPEG quality streaming video, automatic image capture, and event notification via e-mail, making it the ideal solution for Internet video broadcasting applications. more info

Panasonic Outdoor Pan/Tilt PoE Network Camera more info

The Advanced Day/Night Wireless Internet Camera Server with Audio is perfect for transmitting real-time video over the Internet. This camera provides high quality streaming video with frame rates up to 30fps. This 802.11b/g camera transmits secured video wirelessly. Users can view up to 16 cameras on one screen at any time. more info

Wireless Network Camera Automatic Network Configuration, Universal Plug and Play, Set-up Wizard, Remote Pan/Tilt Control, Built in PIR motion detector more info

The ProView Wireless N Internet Camera transmits real-time high quality streaming video over the Internet. Manage your Internet Camera from any Internet connection. Wireless n technology provides unsurpassed wireless coverage and improved streaming video quality. Add this camera to your wireless network at the touch of a button with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Manage up to 32 TRENDnet cameras with the included complimentary camera management software. Advanced features include motion detection recording, email alerts, scheduled recording sessions, MPEG-4/MJPEG image compression, 2-way audio, input/output ports, a removable lens, digital zoom and a built-in SD card slot to store images directly to a memory card. A wall/ceiling mounting kit is included and the off-white IP camera housing blends into most environments. more info

The AXIS 207MW Network Camera offers compact and cost-effective solutions for indoor surveillance and remote monitoring. The AXIS 207MW provides the best image quality in its class, with excellent performance even in low light conditions. It offers Megapixel resolution with AXIS 207MW.The AXIS 207MW Network Camera also provides the best bandwidth efficiency, thanks to its MPEG-4 implementation that includes motion estimation. Simultaneous MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG streams allow systems to be optimized for both image quality and bandwidth. The built-in microphone enables remote users to not only view, but also listen in on an area and increase the monitoring options.Thanks to the built-in Web server, the AXIS 207MW Network Camera can be monitored from a standard browser on a Windows computer or a Macintosh. In addition to the included AXIS IP Utility tool for Windows, the camera supports both UPnP and Bonjour, for easy location on the network in a Windows or Macintosh environment.Video can be recorded directly from the Web interface or via the included video management software. Video can also be uploaded over FTP, e-mail or HTTP when the camera detects motion or is triggered by a sensor connected to the alarm input.The AXIS 207MW Network Camera is supplied with both wireless IEEE 802.11g and Ethernet network interfaces for flexible installation. It supports the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 protocols to provide the best security for wireless networks. The wide coverage provided by the high-performance wireless functionality gives the freedom to place the camera where required, instead of being restricted to network outlets.The AXIS 207MW is ideal for indoor surveillance of small businesses, home offices and residences, especially applications that require greater detail or wider field of view. more info

Axis 211W Network Camera is a high-performance camera designed for professional video surveillance, offering the choice of either a wireless or a wired connection to the network. Axis 211W provides superior image quality thanks to its progressive scan sensor and advanced image processing. This makes Axis 211W ideal for the video surveillance of locations such as retail stores, offices, hotels and university campuses.For optimal installation flexibility, Axis 211W offers either a wireless connection to the network, or a wired connection supporting Power over Ethernet. The camera only needs one outlet – either power or network – which facilitates installation or relocation, e.g. when monitoring product campaigns.Axis 211W provides high-performance wireless transmission with a wide coverage range according to the IEEE 802.11g standard, as well as backward compatibility with IEEE 802.11b. The omni-directional indoor antenna, which is included in the Axis 211W shipment, is exchangeable for further flexibility. more info

Introducing the Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera. For the price point this surveillance camera is feature-rich and comes with good overall performance characteristics. The body heat sensor is something that you won’t find on many network cameras. This is an important feature to have because it greatly reduces the false triggering that typical motion detectors are prone to. No more false recordings because it gets windy and your camera’s motion detector activates from the moving tree branches. That’s practically eliminated with heat sensor technology.

You’ll love this camera for its triple sensor technology. This Panasonic goes beyond the features found on many competing cameras. Crystal clear images with Pan, Tilt and Zoom capabilities make this unit a winner.

Triple Sensor Technology
Many cameras give you motion sensing features, others will give you heat sensors and yet others have sound sensing capabilities. Well, the BL-C230A gives you all three features to ensure that you’ll never miss a thing.

Body Heat Detection: Place the camera near entry ways to sense when somebody enters a room.

Sound Sensor: Perfect for baby’s room. Be alerted when the camera senses any audible noise.

Motion Sensor: Set it and forget it. Turn on motion sensing when you close your business for the night. If there’s a break in you’ll receive recorded images and video of the perpetrator. You can even have the images emailed to any email address of your choosing.

The built-in antenna connects wirelessly to your existing wireless network. The BL-C230A also has built memory storage for increased security and functionality.

Plan on expanding your surveillance capabilities in the future? The Panasonic BL-C230A is compatible with Panasonic’s Viera Cast™ Televisions. With a few easy clicks of the remote, watch up to eight connected cameras around your home or office.

more info