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IP cameras are small, often low cost, cameras which set up to watch all entrances to your property. IP cameras are better than the older types of CCTV camera, and cheaper. Rather than send their moving image output direct to a PC through, for example, a USB port (which would require a PC close-by and always switched on), they are given their own IP (Internet Protocol) number, and connect to your home or office LAN ( Local Area Network).
This means that they can send their images to a storage device on your network, which is designed to be low power, and always switched-on, but, better than that they can be seen by your Network Router, by you Wi-Fi remote network, and from there they acan easily, and for no additional cost, be made visible on the web from anywhere.
Many homes already have one of these Wi-Fi remote networks, connected to a Broadband connection through a telephone line, and these are also always kept switched on. That means for those that do, that after a simple set-up routine, and by using a Broadband service with a fixed IP number, they will be able to log-in to their IP camera, or camer, from anywhere.
Watch your drive and entrance from your office, while at work, or in your holiday hotel! See that your house and belongings are safe from anywhere that you have access to the internet.
Furthermore, most IP camera suppliers also support the use of a dynamic DNS service which gives those who's broadband service use "dynamic DNS numbers", can also use IP cameras to check up on their homes, and be alerted in the case of any problems, in the same way.
Many IP cameras now also support the streaming of your IP camera's video straight to your mobile phone, which for most of us is even simpler than using a PC.
So, how should you judge a good IP camera when selecting one for purchase?
1. So many cameras among the models available for sale, have motion detection at a reasonable cost, that we think you should include this feature as a number one requirement.
2. Similarly, we think that as a minimum requirement always ensure that your chosen model will allow you to upload its video feed, to a remote computer. This is important because many thieves will steal, or smash, the camera, thinking that by so doing they will remove the evidence of their theft. By uploading the video to another computer continuously and instantaneously, to a server anywhere on the internet, you will ensure that the record of the theft is not lost with the camera.
3. Beyond that, the IP camera you choose, should have the ability to email you when the motion detector is triggered, as an option. Just about all the good ones do this, so we suggest you include this feature in your "must haves".
4. Decide on the size of the area, or areas, you need to watch and read the specifications of each model available for sale, carefully. Many will be ruled out that do not for example have a wide enough viewing range, and you may find that an inexpensive motorised type of IP camera is necessary to view a particularly wide panorama.
5. Look into the way they handle sound, and choose a device that does include sound recording, remembering that early security cameras did not record sound so there is not yet a consistent method adopted. Recording sounds is a relatively recent innovation, and may add to the quality of the evidence collected.
The way any sound recording is done by the device varies between models, so decide to what degree sound recording is important to you, if at all, and then be sure you understand the description of how to achieve sound recording, in what you will be buying.
So, that completes our list of the most important features we think that the buyer of an IP camera will do well to consider, which if followed in detail, will we think, amount to a method you can use to choose your best, most suitable, IP camera model. This will help to bring you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that this clever technology is constantly on the alert, and watching out for your home, wherever you are.
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