Home CCTV

The choice of IP camera solutions for the home is simply huge with a wide range of alternative designs and system permutations available depending upon individual requirements: The choice of the right package is dependant upon many factors however most may be defined as being on of the following

Type

1) Key choices one needs to make to arrive at the most appropriate choice of system are as follows:

We need to establish

• Analogue or Digital
• What type of recording do you want - Local or FTP recording
• Do I need fixed or Pan Tilt Cameras
• How do I choose which cameras to choose from

The following will help to you decide the right choice of package for your particular circumstances.

What type of recording do I need - Local Recording or FTP

When considering recording methods alternatives consider the following:

·       A PC based system uses your own PC with a frame grabber card installed. The PC must be connected to a broadband connection.  This  allows remote access to live and recorded images via a browser

·       A DVR recorder is a ‘black box’ recorder typically with no online connection and no online access to stored or live images

·       An FTP server.  This is essentially a hard disk reorder located within a data centre managed on behalf of IViewCameras by a company called Intamac. Users have the opportunity automatically download images to the server immediately an event occurs where they are stored safely.  Images are transmitted via a router connected to a broadband connection. Images are permanently kept off-site and can be accessed via password protected web site.  Configuration is simple and easy on line.  Furthermore specific event details and associated video clips can be relayed automatically to a mobile phone or PDA.

Local recording refers specifically to the location of the recording image.  If you choose to use a PC to record your CCTV images locally you need ask the following questions:

1.     Are you happy with the PC being permanently left  running.  In a holiday home or if the computer is in a bedroom in your home then you may not want to do this.

2.     Are you happy installing a frame grabber card in your PC yourself

If the answer to either of these questions is no then your choice is must be to purchase a dedicated DVR for your home or opt to FTP your images to a virtual central control room.

The DVR is a modest investment which in itself has pitfalls:  When considering a DVR ask yourself:

1.     Is it more cost effective to purchase a DVR rather than FTP (images to a central server.  Whilst IP cameras are more expensive than analogue cameras to purchase the cost of total ownership is often lower when one adds the cost of the DVR.  Which system gives me the best value for money?

2.     Is there a risk that the recording system may be stolen or damaged if the property is broken into.  If yes then the FTP server is always the better option as images are immediately transmitted offsite

3.     Does access to a FTP file server give me greater flexibility and freedom than a DVR.  Provided you want greater flexibility and freedom then the FTP server is the obvious choice.

Do I need Fixed or Pan / Tilt cameras ? (for IP camera installations)

Cameras used inside private homes for surveillance are more likely to be pan tilt cameras as they offer the opportunity to see a great deal more than a fixed camera which has a very limited field of view.  Internally they are likely to be considered better value for money than fixed cameras.  Externally it is likely you will want to focus on a specific location.  This is likely to be a car or an entrance.  On large properties several cameras may be used  to protect the perimeter of a building or property though this is unusual.

Pan tilt cameras are more unusual but do have a value particularly when used to ‘show off a property’ such as a holiday home.

Internal IP cameras

Fixed cameras are more likely to be used as web cameras  connected directly to a PC to enable video conferencing.  IViewCameras offer only one fixed camera for domestic internal use.  This is the Linksys camera.  IViewCameras offer two alternative brands of pan tilt cameras which are the Panasonic BL C10 (wired) and BL(C30) wireless cameras and the Veo wired and wireless range of pan tilt cameras.

To view these cameras online click View here against each brand:

Panasonic                               View Here

Veo                                         View here

The Panasonic range is a premium quality product with a recognised brand.  Whilst Veo brand is a less known brand it offers exceedingly high performance and a very rich list of functions as standard.  Whilst many of the functions available are similar in both cameras a unique feature of the Panasonic camera is the privacy button that inhibits viewing whenever the button is pressed.  This has real benefits in many applications.

External Cameras

Cameras mounted externally are required to operate in adverse weather conditions and in low light.  Regrettably the range of suitable fixed and pan/tilt cameras is limited in the domestic market. Unfortunately cameras may not always be suitable either because of price, weather protection or performance in low light.  We therefore advise caution in the selection of external pan tilt cameras used for domestic applications.

Our recommended fixed camera for external use in external applications is either of the following:

Fixed cameras

·       Standard analogue Day / Night camera connected to an Axis Video Server.  This is a reliable high performance solution overcoming the low light and weatherproofing performance issues encountered with currently available IP cameras.  The downside is the higher cost resulting from the purchase of two separate products. Lower cost alternative video servers (analogue to digital converters) will make these more affordable in the near future.

·       Mobotox 10D Night camera.  This is the ultimate external night time MegaPixel high performance camera with every conceivable function.  Whilst appropriately priced for the commercial market the unit price is perhaps beyond the means on most domestic consumers.  It is nevertheless the ideal solution for large estates and private houses requiring integration and monitoring through a manned central station.

Pan / Tilt cameras

·       Panasonic BB-HCM331 camera with weather-proof hood.  This camera is an excellen camera but with perfornace down to 0.2 lux only is not suitable for true night time performance.  Furthermore it is recommended that they don’t get exposed to extreme weather.

To view and control each of the above camera select the appropriate camera:

Mobotix 10D Night              Click Here

Panasonic BB-HCM331      Click Here

Packages

For guidance we recommend a range of packaged solutions that meet the requirements of each of these scenarios.