Frequently asked questions for IP cameras

IP cameras are widely used video security devices. It plays vital important role as video capturing component. Nowadays people can find various types of IP cameras from residential usage to industrial standard. Different from traditional cctv cameras, IP camera utilized the latest technology, it with capability to capture megapixel (1.3MP, 2MP, 3MP, 5MP) resolution images in digital format then being compressed with industrial standard H.264 format for video streaming. The camera not only can offer ultra high quality or even HD video, but also reduce the whole cost for installation, as well with many powerful advanced functions. Undoubtedly,the IP cameras are replacing the CCTV camera to become the new trend for security & protection field.

What are IP cameras?

IP cameras are different from traditional cctv analogue security cameras. They are transmitting digital video signal (and also including audio signal) for surveillance purpose, and can be connected directly to an ADSL router or to a hub in a local network. Users can view the live images within a local network (LAN) or through any computer connected to the Internet (WAN) anywhere in the world.

Additionally, the IP cameras with many advanced functions such as motion detection and alarm via E-mail, video loss alarm, which allowing user to verify what has happened in the monitored areas.

What is required to use IP cameras?

IP cameras can be installed anywhere that has internet connection via ADSL or xDSL Router (with fixed IP address, also some models allow dynamic IP). They can be connected to local network (LAN) for local remotely surveillance. More over, IP cameras can connect to network work video recorder for video recording and management.

What's inside of IP camera?

This IP camera consist of video component (lens, image sensor, digital signal processor) for video capturing and also video compression (which compress all the information of images with standard compression format, for example: H.264) and a mini computer (CPU, FLash, DRAM, ETHERNET/WIFI module) which will exclusively mange themselves for image compression, video streaming, management of alarms, and remote users accessing.

Hit in nutshell, the IP cameras are completely self-contained, it can be connected to ADSL router with RJ45 interface, the camera can utilize the network for video streaming. You can also connect the IP camera to a local network (LAN) which avoid outside accessing to protect the data.

What are applications for ip cameras?

Some of the most common applications of IP surveillance cameras are:

• Residential, allowing viewing one's home from the office, from a hotel when on holiday.
• Business, enables control, for example, several branches of a chain store, gas station.
• Industrial plants, warehouses, parking areas, loading docks, entrances, .... even certain processes Machinery meters. Hotels, restaurants, sports facilities.
• Sightseeing, every day is the tourism promoting greatest landmarks of each country, implemented in the Web pages of Travel and Tourism images from IP cameras strategically placed in those places.
These are summarized, some of the applications of IP cameras with demand.

What are the advantages of IP cameras compared to traditional CCTV surveillance systems?

The IP cameras have many advantages over traditional surveillance systems Closed Circuit TV ( CCTV) , the advantages are:

• HD resolution: The IP camera can capture 1.3 megapixel, 2 megapixel, 3 megapixel, even 5 megapixel resolution with progressive scan system to prevent interlaced motion blur.
• Remote Access : The remote access and recording of events can not be supported for CCTV systems.
• Reduced Cost : Installation is much more flexible as it is based on the existing infrastructure Local Network or new, or in direct connection to a router , either wired or wireless (Wireless LAN). The cost of digital recording systems of CCTV is eliminated , since the IP camera recordings are made on the hard disk of a PC in the local network or on a remote PC.
• Flexibility versus enlargement system : Traditional CCTV systems generally require duplicate monitoring systems when the system is extended , IP camera systems allow their extension without investing in new monitoring systems.

Is it possible to transform the existing CCTV surveillance system to ip cameras system?

Yes, it is possible to convert a CCTV cameras System to IP surveillance through IP Video Servers .

A video server is one of the built inside an ip camera parts . The Video Server is internally composed of one or more " converters " Analog- Digital (chip converting the analog video signal from the cameras to digital format) , "Encoder" image compression ( compress chip responsible for the most of the information contained in the images ) , and a mini " computer " (CPU , FLASH , DRAM, and ETHERNET module) exclusively managing own processes, such as image compression , video streaming output , alarm management and events, management of authorizations for viewing images.

In short it is a completely self-contained , which allows you to connect , in the simplest case directly to an ADSL Router and the local network and thus to convey images of traditional CCTV system.

Is it possible in a system of IP cameras have rotation controls of the camera, as in traditional CCTV systems?

Yes, it is possible to control the IP cameras like the traditional CCTV Surveillance System. Depending on the application that you go to use, there are a variety of IP cameras for selection. In general, there are Fixed cameras and PTZ cameras. The "Pan-Tilt" ( P / T), named for having possibility of horizontal and vertical rotation, allow you to create a surveillance system with great coverage and great flexibility , since in many cases can replace multiple fixed cameras.

Utilization of IP cameras with rotation and handling of them can be performed remotely through Internet Explorer or VMS (video management software), simply typing the IP address of the private or public IP that are seen from the LAN or WAN. It will be asked to enter a username and password, and it will display the images. In the display software tools that allow you to rotate the camera to the preset position and zoom in/out, also perform other advanced pattern/cruise function.

Is it possible to connect external alarm sensors to IP cameras?

Yes, you can connect external sensors to IP cameras, majority of IP cameras and video servers with alarm inputs which allow system connects to external sensors, such as conventional intrusion detection sensors; PIR motion sensor that can accurately sense the human movement in large area.

In general, IP cameras and video servers, have a complex system of motion detection with instant analysis and continuous changes that occur in the video frames that records optical sensor. This system allows the graduate level detection and motion in the scene, for example, to discriminate if the scene has entered a "car" or "pedestrian", even on some models may generate different areas within the scene, and each with different sensitivity to movement.

Is it possible to operate devices remotely from the IP cameras?

Yes, it is possible to connect a relay to achieve this feature, for example, turning on lights, or opening a door. The IP cameras and Video Servers have an NC output which is controlled by the surveillance software.

Is it possible to install the IP camera in outdoor environment?

The IP cameras, and in general all the CCTV cameras are designed for indoor use in normal dust and humidity and temperature.

For the use of IP cameras or CCTV cameras outdoors or indoors where working conditions are extreme, you must use appropriate Protective Case for the use to which it will provide. There are a variety of cases: Waterproof, with Ventilation with Heating, Metal, Plastic, ... each application advise choosing the right model.

How many users can connect simultaneously to IP cameras?

For IP cameras and video servers, the number of simultaneous users that supported is generally between 10 and 20. The users with authorization to watch video footage in real time, also perform PTZ functions.

Is it possible to transmit audio from ip cameras?

In general most IP cameras feature high sensitivity microphones built into the camera itself, in order to transmit audio via UDP protocol connection.

What's video compression format for IP cameras?

Almost IP cameras use the industrial standard H.264 video compression format. H.264 is a new standard for video compression which has more advanced compression methods than the basic MPEG-4 compression. One of the advantages of H.264 is the high compression rate. It is about 1.5 to 2 times more efficient than MPEG-4 encoding. This high compression rate makes it possible to record more information on the same hard disk. The image quality is also better and playback is more fluent than with basic MPEG-4 compression. The most interesting feature however is the lower bit-rate required for network transmission.

Is there any specific software needed for access to IP cameras?

To display the IP camera, all that is needed is the computer installed with Internet Explorer. Using the internet explorer, you can access the IP camera to watch what is happening at remote sites (your home or warehouse, factory). This is very useful, as it will be able to view the camera from any computer and anywhere in the world without having a specific software installed.

However, some IP cameras with video management software which can allow user to manage more than one or even hundreds of IP cameras, allowing simultaneously display the different cameras, and manage the cameras, as well as video recording with multiply recording modes such as scheduled recording, manual recording, alarm detection recording, or motion detection recording.

Is it possible to configure ip cameras remotely?

The IP cameras and Video Servers only need to connect directly to a PC via a cable "crossover" network when first installed. Once installed, any changes in the configuration settings of image quality, access passwords, will be performed remotely from anywhere in the world, it is permitted to connect to the camera in "Administrator" mode.