An Introduction to the IP Camera World

Today, no matter where you go, an IP (Internet Protocol, [1]) camera could have an EYE on you. This blog is about the world of IP cameras; IMHO, an emerging world about to explode with cameras almost everywhere, looking at almost everything!

And just as phones become larger, like tablets, and tablets become ubiquitous,  I believe IP Cameras are on the threshold of exploding onto the INTERNET scene. And it's a good thing we have all that dark fibre laying around-

..CAUSE WERE GONNA NEED IT!

Think about ALL the places that you'd like to watch? Wildlife, traffic, your children at play, weather cams, sports events, concerts and entertainment, airports, scenic areas, and every room in your house and every door and your yard, when you're away?

For starters...

Your interest in IP cameras is well-timed, because they are becoming affordable for *regular users*, even as the technology is improving (read about H.264). Yet, it's early enough where you can still get some darned good domains. I just picked up "ipcameras"- just goes to show ya it's not too late.

But the problem IS...  Where do you go to learn about IP cameras? What can one do for you? Which ones can you view now?  What kinds are there? Are they difficult to set up? To maintain? Expensive? Complex? Reliable? Secure?

You can go to a camera seller's site- all they'll tell you about is their products. 

Popular video sites normally tell you how to set up a specific camera.. No one is going to buy 12 cameras, and COMPARE them for you. It's hard to get general IP camera info from one place.

And IP camera forums? HMM I joined one AGES ago and I'm hoping SOME DAY the admin visits his own forum and APPROVES me so I can read the posts there! It's SO SECURE, NO ONE CAN join. It's been many days now- still waiting.  Maybe I just chose poorly :)

This blog is for and about IP cameras and the users who use them :) Is that you? Probably, if you read this far, it is.. It's not about any specific manufacturer, or camera type, class, feature, etc. I've been setting up and using IP cameras for years now, and the motivation to blog this is that I had a HARD TIME learning about the technology because the information is spread all over the net.

I'm trying to put it all here, in ONE place for you. One stop shopping.

I will of course NOT meet that objective, since I don't know everything about IP cameras, nor can I preconceive every question you might have.

Who am I to instruct you? I hold advanced degrees from major US Universities, in both sciences, and engineering. My specialties include optical properties, databases, computer networking, materials, and so on. Many of these are related to the world of IP cameras.

And I've been *fooling* with IP cameras for years.

So let's have some fun and look at the exciting world of IP cameras!




[1] - An IP , or Internet Protocol Camera, for our purposes, is a camera connected directly to a LAN network, as opposed to one connected to a USB (webcam) or an analog port (CCTV).

OK I Bought One, now Where Should I Locate my Camera?

Careful selection of your IP Camera location is critical for effective monitoring. Often an IP camera will have no operator to move, focus, or adjust the image quality, so where the camera is located is where it stays. There are many considerations.

General objectives are :

1. to maximize coverage area
2. to point at interesting things, or the things you want to monitor, in range and in frame
3. to avoid obstacles like trees, or furniture that could block the view
4.  to avoid pointing at harsh, or minimal light
5. to be in a good location for Wireless reception, or wired access
6. in a location with power source access
7. sometimes, to be concealed
8.  to avoid theft or abuse of the camera
9. to maximize aesthetics
10. to locate where the camera can easily be removed or repositioned
11. to avoid harsh environment with dust, vibration, or interference
12. to avoid very loud, or audio-isolated locations  
13. if you want to cover an area with MULTIPLE cameras, do they overlap?
14. center the camera on the most interesting or more vital area 
15. to be close enough to distinguish objects, faces, etc

One approach is to work backwards.  Place the camera in a approximate location, then walk into the room or area and see if you can see the camera from all the locations you want to monitor. A PTZ (see post on camera types) camera can generally see almost ANYWHERE that you can see the camera, but a fixed camera can only see what the lens is pointed it.

Once you locate your camera, you'll want to look at the image on-screen (read later blog entries to see how to do this) to be sure you can see all you wish to see. You might also want to check it at different times-of-day to see how sunlight, traffic, or other changes affect the view.

In general, its preferable to have a camera INDOORS, or under cover, when possible. So if you want to monitor an entrance, its often better to place a camera indoors and monitor through a window. An indoor camera is not exposed to elements, is less prone to theft or vandalism, and is easier to configure and move. The only exception might be for cases where glare, or tinting attenuates or degrades the video quality, or where outdoor audio monitoring is required.

When finalized, secure the camera mount, secure the connections, then celebrate with a beverage of your choice!

What Kinds of Cameras Are Available?

There are many types of cameras.  Some cameras can be multiple types- for example BOTH wireless, and fixed.  This is a glossary of various camera types, and some associated terms. To read manufactrurer specs, or forums, you'll need to have an understanding of these terms.

Here are some you might encounter,  in no particular order:

IP (CAMERA):   a camera the connects directly to a LAN (Local Area Network) on a switch or router port, generally with its OWN webserver.  Opposed to a...

WEB (CAMERA): A camera, NOT AN IP Camera, normally connected through a USB port or capture card, to a computer, and normally accessed through windows services, or a manufactures proprietary system. These cameras do not have their own webserver, and need a computer to function.

PTZ (CAMERA): This is a common term in the IP Camera world, and it means PAN/TILT/ZOOM. I've noticed that it is used loosely- i.e. a PT (no zoom) camera might still be described as a PTZ camera. These cameras cover MUCH more area than their less-agile cousin, the FIXED camera. Pan and tilt are often measured in degrees- 320 degree pan is excellent. Tilt is typically 90 degrees or less.

FIXED (CAMERA): A camera with no pan/tilt control. A fixed camera MIGHT have zoom capability, but often it will not even have that. These cameras can usually be repositioned physically by moving their mount.

WIRELESS (CAMERA): A camera that can connect, usually securely, to a wireless LAN. A wireless camera might be PTZ, or Fixed. It might be indoor, or outdoor. Nearly always, a wireless camera will also have the ability to connect to the LAN wired (with a CAT-V connection). Most wireless cameras STILL require a wired power source, although some solar-powered camera discussions are starting to pop up.

WIRED (CAMERA): A camera that can connect only wired to the LAN  (with a CAT-V connection).

CCTV (CAMERA): generally these are not considered as IP Cameras per-se, although often the system to which they connect has a webserver, so they can functionally LOOK like an IP Camera. These cameras usually have an analog A/V connection to a central computer, or a stand-alone DVR that records from them. They are often used it sets of 2,4, or 8, for video surveillance.

H.264 (CAMERA): this is a rather new HD standard inspired by BluRay Technology with superior video compression. Oddly, some cameras boast H.264 capability, but offer only 640x480 pixels, which most would NOT consider HD video. When camera shopping, this is a useful term to search for, as only the latest, and most capable cameras would support this standard.

Blue Iris (software): this is a software package that supports IP and other cameras.

 DVR - a recording system, normally digital, and almost always onto a hard drive, and often with multiple camera sources.

Video Capture: a camera such as a video camcorder, with an interface that allows it to communicate to a computer.

Motion Detect (Camera): This type of camera has firmware that can trigger events such as ftp, email, or alarms, when motion is detected (a threshold of pixels change at a threshold rate).

IR (Camera): Normally a camera capable of night vision. A camera of this class that cannot be CUT (see below) often has perceptible washed out colour. IR camera nighrt vision is usually reported in meters, or feet, of night vision, which is also a function of how many LED's it has. Some have 1 ring, some 2, some 3. Generally the more meters or IR capability, the better the night vision quality.

IR-CUT (Camera): An IR camera that has the capability to CUT the IR function in lighted views. These are now emerging as a new requirement as users are generally unhappy with IR camera quality in lighted areas, with no cut.  IR cameras, without IR-Cut, might try to minimize the IR effects by attenuating the IR level. This generally is not sufficient to remediate the image color problems (washing).

Audio (Camera): A camera that can also detect and transmit audio signals.

2-way audio (Camera): A camera  that can also detect and transmit audio signals, but ALSO can BROADCAST audio into the area. These are useful as 2-way communication, or to make broadcasts such as WARNING- YOU ARE PRESENTLY BEING MONITORED!

Hidden (Camera): In some situations, a camera might be hidden to avoid detection.

LED (Camera): A camera with a blinking or static LED, to announce its connection, power, or other status.

Torpedo (Camera):  A tubular-shaped camera normally with a fixed mount. These are often also fixed.

Dome (Camera): A camera mounted inside a glass or plastic, and often smoked dome. These cameras generally cannot support night-vision because the dome prevents IR detection.  These are often seen in store or casino surveillance systems, or mounted in parking lots on poles, etc. They are often PTZ cameras. Sometimes the dome assembly can be purchased separately to house an IP camera. Normally, Dome cameras are mounted inverted, so the image must be reversed and mirrored with software.

TF or SD (Camera): A camera with a slot for an SD or TF card to record photos or video.

Embedded ap, or firmware: The manufacturer's webserver and PTZ control software embedded into the camera, and usually can be updated with revisions.

Open IP (Camera):  A IP camera with no password, or a public password, that is generally accessible by the public through a browser. Some of these are intentionally accessible, some may not be, but none-the-less, are. There seems to be controversy and much discussion over whether its permissible or proper to view an open IP camera that was not INTENDED to be open. The consensus seems to be if its NOT pass-worded, its OK to visit. I cannot comment on the legalities of this position, but it *seems* as if that's probably true.

Home IP (Camera): A hobbiest-quality camera, often under $100, most often plastic, with limited zoom or recording ability.

Pro IP (Camera): A professional camera, often over $1000, far more durable and reliable than a home camera.

Zoom (Camera): A camera with optical zoom capability. Lower-end camera support 2-3X zoom , hi-end (over $1000) cameras might support 16X zoom or better.

Dummy or Fake  (Camera): A device that LOOKS like a camera, but in fact is not. These sometimes have LED's to make them look more real.

Where is YOUR IP Camera?

Send me your info I'll review it and I may share it with the readers!

Can I power my camera with SOLAR power?

..as it turns out, you can! 

Configurations, as the one shown above, are emerging.  

Solar configurations are particularly useful when conventional power isn't readily available. However, it has it's drawbacks:

1.  more components mean more failures
2. generally batteries are part of the configuration, requiring maintenance
3. not too effective in lo-sunlite regions, or sites
4. the camera and power systems may be tied to each other so if one fails, they can't be used with other camera or power sources

An alternative to consider, in WIRED network settings, is POWER-OVER-ETHERNET. This is a low-voltage power supply over the CAT-V cable-  a more stable, robust solution for remote power applications. The current standard offers up to 15w (about 1A @ 12VDC for you other EE's out there).. There is a POE+ standard that looks to offer 25-50w.

What is a SWIR camera?

Government and military technology eventually seems to find it way to consumer markets- GPS and night-vision being two great examples.

There is a new technology in early development called SWIR, or Short Wave Infrared camera technology.

Users want to use camera to see in darkness, and the ubiquitous technology uses IR sensors (often arrayed in a ring surrounding the lens) to detect Infrared waves. Being outside the spectrum of visible light, these waves can be detected in darkness, but often with very limited range. A typical IR range might be 10-30 meters for a home camera, and IR detection tends to consume a lot of power.

Along comes SWIR which actually still uses IR, but at the fringe of visible light. Instead of detecting classical IR wavelengths (aka, HEAT), these detect reflected IR energies. They offer advantages in power consumption and perhaps even camera range. The technology is new, using GaAs detectors (which few semiconductor companies can produce).

Watch for SWIR technology to start finding it's way into consumer camera in the next few years!

IP and CCTV Cameras- What's the Diff?

What are the distinctions between a CCTV (Closed-Circuit) and an IP camera? (a) the data interface, and (B) the internal software.

The camera hardware, housing, mount, power and other features may have interoperability. And although an IP camera could have a CCTV type of connection (a BNC, VA, or composite connector), a CCTV camera would not have a CAT-V network (LAN) connector, nor would it have an internal webserver.

A CCTV camera is designed to provide an analog video and audio signal to a receiver such as a DVR, or a monitor, or both.

Modern interfaces may include some digital output as well such as DVI. Could a CCTV camera be interfaced to *look like* an IP camera? Yes, interfaced to a computer, a CCTV camera could image and audio signal could be hosted on a webpage. It's not easily accomplished, and requires a host computer which can *serve up* the camera image to a webpage. But that's STILL not an IP camera.

Could an IP camera be interfaced to act as a CCTV camera? Often, yes, since IP cameras sometimes offer other connections - BNC, RCA, etc. It has limitations however- such as a potential loss of PTZ functionality, or a degraded, noisy image due to lossy analog signals.

Clearly the world is going digital, and Camera technology, while perhaps not leading the way, is certainly in the mix!