The Wireless IP Camera

It used to be in the old days that neighbors watched each other’s homes. There was a sort of unspoken “Neighborhood Watch” that went on and gave everyone a certain peace of mind. But today times have changed. We feel more isolated and we worry more about our homes and our possessions. So more and more we turn to electronic systems to help us protect what really matters to us.

Filling that need has been home security and home surveillance industry. And the fastest growing segment of that market consists of systems built around the wireless IP camera. Systems such as these are an evolutionary upgrade to the aging analog systems they’re replacing. Wireless IP network cameras provide more capability, better performance, and they’re easy to use too.

What is a Wireless IP Camera?

A wireless IP Camera is a stand-alone camera that can broadcast full-motion video to a receiver using IP (the “Internet Protocol”). Using this same connectivity, the camera can receive data as well. So network IP cameras are capable of two-way communication.

Now there are several advantages to this type of communication but the most obvious one is that these network IP cameras allow homeowners to see what their cameras see through normal PC Internet connections using their browsers – or even using their 3G or 4G phones. That means a homeowner could have an IP camera hooked up in home in New York and view its video from a laptop over the Internet in Los Angeles. Amazing! 

And it’s not just the Internet connectivity that’s making these security cameras so popular. There are other reasons too. For one, these cameras have higher resolutions than their analog competitors; from one Megapixel all the way up to 5 or more. This gives them better imaging and also a wider coverage area.

Plus, since they’re wireless, these security cameras can be placed just about anywhere. This gives homeowners more ability to keep close watch over just about anything inside and outside of their home. And the fact that they’re digital means they can hook up to just about any other digital device too.

Wireless IP Camera Types

Most IP cameras come with very similar feature sets. But they’re designed to perform in different environments. Basically that means they’re made to be more rugged, more decorative, or more clandestine.

1. Outdoor IP Cameras. These cameras are built to withstand all sorts of weather extremes – from heat and cold to rain and sun. They can also resist vandals and critters too.  They’re designed to deliver quality video in any light – during the day, in dim light (dusk/dawn), and at night (night vision/infrared). Keep in mind that they need to be set up close to a power source which should be weatherproofed as well.

2. Indoor IP Cameras. These cameras are not built to withstand weather but rather to fit in with your home’s décor - or, at the very least, to not stick out like a sore thumb. They’re smaller than their outdoor brothers but that also means they can fit into smaller spaces too. They can be set up literally anywhere there’s a power source. 

3. Wireless Spy Camera. Several companies make IP cameras that are meant to be small and stealthy. In some cases, they’re made to look like something other than a camera entirely. In fact one popular spy-cam is also a legitimate clock radio. Cameras like this are obviously designed to record video without anyone knowing they’re doing so.

The Cool Features

1. Remote Viewing. Obviously it’s pretty hard to beat being able to view what your wireless network ip camera is streaming from a remote PC or phone. It’s also pretty cool to be able to control it remotely and send the camera PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) commands to it.

2. Motion Detection. Most IP cameras come with motion detection so that recording can be initiated when a motion detection event occurs. This saves a lot of useless video and ultimately storage space on your hard drive.

3. Automated Alerting. This goes hand-in-hand with motion detection. This functionality allows the camera to trigger an email or FTP alert to you if a motion detection event occurs. So if you’re in a remote location, you know it’s time to tune in and see what’s going on.

4. Off-Site Video Storage. Some companies take the storage burden right off your shoulders by allowing you to send your video stream to their Servers. There’s usually a monthly fee charged, but it not only saves you space but it also secures your video so that it can’t be lost or destroyed at its source.

5. Future-Proof Technology. Most cameras and systems are upgradeable via software or firmware download. This makes them easy to maintain and configure and less likely to need replacement in the short-term.

The Not-So-Cool Features

1. Higher Initial Cost. Wireless IP Cameras are more expensive than the analog cameras they’re now out-performing. This creates a small barrier to getting started but prices are coming down and products are being designed to be more budget-friendly.

2. Complicated Set Up. Some manufacturers have products that require more difficult set ups than others. In some cases, to take advantage of most of the IP connectivity requires a little bit of Network understanding and know-how. However this is changing as more uncomplicated products hit the scene. 

3. Motion Detection – Outdoors. It can be really difficult to screen out extraneous motion with an outdoor IP camera. With insects, wind, etc. the chances of a camera streaming a lot during the day and night are high. This feature works best on the indoor cameras.

4. Automated Alerting. Just as in the “Cool” section above, this goes hand-in-hand with motion detection. Extraneous triggers for video recording also trigger extraneous alerts. So these alerts work best if they’re triggered by motion on an indoor camera. 

Wrapping Up

Wireless IP cameras are replacing analog surveillance cameras in both homes and businesses. They can just flat out do more than analog cameras can and that’s driving their growth. And now as more and more products are being designed for ordinary homeowners, they’re really hitting their stride.

Some of the newer WiFi products are incredibly easy to set up and use. You literally just plug in a camera to an AC outlet and it immediately begins broadcasting to a receiver that you can hook up to your computer or even your TV. Taking advantage of some of the higher end Internet connectivity is still a little challenging for some of these products, but they’re getting there. 

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