Closed-circuit television systems are no longer just used in large businesses with big budgets. We, at OHEAP, are now able to offer these security systems to small businesses and even individuals wanting to protect their homes and possessions. Due to huge advancements in technology, standard CCTV camera systems have become cheaper, easier to use and more accessible than ever before. In addition, there are various types of high-quality CCTV systems out there so it’s important to choose one that will best suit your needs. This blog has been written to outline the IP camera and its benefits. IP camera CCTV has become far superior to analogue systems and is fast becoming the better option across many key industries.
Lastly, we understand that there are many different models and brands on the market. This can be quite confusing for many businesses to know which brand to trust. In this post, we’ll cover what you need when getting started with IP camera CCTV systems.
What Are IP Camera CCTV Systems?
CCTV cameras are a necessary tool for many businesses. CCTV is the most cost-effective way to protect your business. Through the use of CCTV, we can deter and identify criminals threatening to access our premises without permission. This can be especially important if you have a high-risk business like a jewellery store or warehouse filled with valuable goods.
An IP (Internet Protocol) camera is a type of digital video camera that uses a local area network (LAN) cable to send and receive image data. IP camera CCTV uses the same internet infrastructure as other devices on your home Wi-Fi network.
IP camera systems require a simple plug-and-play method. Once activated you will have many key features including remote access to high-definition video and audio. These cameras can be viewed remotely from any device with an internet connection, such as a smartphone or computer.
The Benefits Of IP Camera CCTV Systems
The benefits of using IP CCTV cameras are numerous. They help to protect your business, employees and customers. It is always recommended that you have a minimum of one camera in every room in the building where someone could get hurt if there was an accident or crime committed. Additionally, focusing your security on likely entrance points is recommended e.g. windows and doors.
You should also consider installing cameras on the outside of your business, as well as inside it. This is so that all areas can be monitored at all times. When something happens by way of motion detection, alerts can be sent to a security operative on either their phone or computer screen.
1) Easy Installation
You’ll find that IP cameras are a breeze to install. IP cameras are easy to install because they plug directly into a network router. They connect via a single cable, whereas analogue cameras require two wires to function.
You don’t need to be an expert in electronics or computer science. Simply follow the instructions that come with your camera, plug it in and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Not only do they take less time to install than traditional analogue cameras, but they can also be installed in more locations due to the singular wire. Read more here on how CCTV can benefit schools.
2) Excellent Image Quality
You can have an excellent image resolution with the help of IP cameras. These cameras have a high video quality and provide up to 20 times better imaging than their analogue counterparts. It is easy for you to see things clearly from a long distance as well due to improved zoom functions. You can easily install an IP camera at your workplace without any issues and once installed you can focus on the finer details remotely.
3) Increased Security
IP cameras are more secure than traditional analogue cameras. They come with their own built-in web servers which remain encrypted video files.
4) Data Storage
With the IP camera being directly connected to the internet, all footage can be captured and deposited straight into a centralised server. Additionally, IP cameras do not require storage disks or tapes meaning that internal business server space is saved.
5) Analogue Is Outdated
Analogue cameras cost more in the long term. When the cost of maintenance, upgrades and replacements occur, analogue begins to become more costly than IP systems. These systems begin to become more unreliable with time meaning they are far more likely to fail.
The Disadvantages Of IP Camera CCTV Systems
The first thing to understand about IP CCTV is that it’s complicated. There are many different factors that come into play with IP CCTV, and these can be difficult to explain. But I’m going to make this easy for you by breaking down the cons of IP CCTV.
1) Higher Costs
The cost of an IP camera is higher than the cost of a traditional analogue camera. The reason for this is that the equipment needs to be more sophisticated in order to transmit over the network and it also has to be able to adapt to different protocols. This means that there will always be a difference between IP cameras and analogue systems, even though they are both told as “CCTV” systems.
However, once the system is installed it can be scaled up and down with ease as needed.
2) Bandwidth Demands
One of the biggest disadvantages of IP CCTV is that it requires more bandwidth than analogue. Of course, these cameras are connected to the internet and therefore it will affect the internet connection of other devices. Especially if your existing internet cannot handle multiple devices.
Visit here for 10 ways to conserve bandwidth
The Advantages VS The Disadvantages
I hope you have gained a better understanding of the pros and cons of IP camera CCTV. It is important to know why we are moving towards internet protocols and what the advantages are. However, we also need to be aware of some potential problems with this technology.
We can now use cameras in different ways for many different purposes.
Where Are IP Camera CCTV Systems Used?
Retail Stores
Retailers use IP cameras to monitor the activities of both employees and customers inside stores. Security cameras can be used to identify ways to enhance security, reduce theft, improve employee efficiency and lastly customer satisfaction.
Schools
IP cameras are also commonly found in schools. Schools use IP cameras to monitor students’ behaviour in hallways, entrances, stairwells and playgrounds.
IP cameras are also used to monitor classrooms, cafeterias and other areas where students congregate. A school can use IP cameras for a variety of purposes.
Traffic Management
Traffic Management uses IP cameras to monitor traffic on roads and in tunnels. The cameras can be used to detect accidents, traffic flow and malfunctions with the traffic lights.
Additionally, parking garages use IP cameras to monitor and detect abandoned vehicles, vandalism, theft and other illegal activities that may occur.
Residential
With safety consciousness coming to the forefront of most people’s minds, technology is rapidly developing. Modern societies are facing new challenges. We are using IP cameras to keep our towns and villages safe. Both domestic and commercial premises can heavily benefit from incorporating CCTV systems into their spaces.
Commercial or Business Offices
Many businesses use IP cameras for security. These cameras can monitor the inside of a building, monitor traffic in and out of the building and monitor employees’ activities. They can also be used to watch building access points and reception areas.
IP cameras are particularly useful for businesses that need to monitor a lot of activity. Also, they are used by companies that have multiple locations and need to keep track of what’s going on at each site.
Banking and Finance
Banks use IP cameras to monitor both employees and customers. They’re also used to monitor cash registers, ATM machines and other sensitive areas. The use of IP cameras is a proactive way to detect fraud before it occurs.
IP cameras can be installed in teller lines to ensure that an employee is not stealing money from the register. Also, to ensure that employees aren’t depositing extra bank notes into a customer’s account without their knowledge. It’s also important for monitoring the passing of counterfeit notes.
Government Buildings
Government buildings use IP cameras for security purposes in courtrooms, city halls, fire stations, parliament and other government buildings.
Industrial Sites
IP camera systems are used to monitor high-traffic areas of dangerous equipment or critical infrastructure components. Also, they are used to monitor areas of concern such as secure warehouses, employee entrances or restricted access areas.
IP cameras provide 24/7 video surveillance all the time so there is no need to hire an outside security company when your facility is not staffed.
Traffic Enforcement
Intelligent traffic systems can be deployed worldwide in the hope to prevent accidents and save lives. We can use IP camera CCTV systems to flag parking violations, bus lane enforcement and unauthorised access to car parks. The captured footage is then sent to a remote operator via our CCTV management system.
IP Camera CCTV Shapes
IP cameras can be used for a wide variety of applications. CCTV camera shapes are often chosen based on the application and the type of security system you want to install. While most cameras are designed to be mounted on a wall or ceiling, there are some that can be placed on tables or poles as well. It’s also important for businesses and homeowners to consider how easy it will be for intruders to spot their cameras before choosing an IP camera shape.
Dome Cameras
IP dome cameras get their name based on their shape. The dome camera is a popular choice for indoor use, as it can be used in any room. It typically has a wide angle lens and is easy to mount on walls or ceilings, making them great for areas with a lot of activity. They are also commonly used outdoors with IP60 weather ratings due to their weatherproof design.
Turret Cameras
Turret cameras are often referred to as eyeball cameras. A turret camera uses a ball and socket design whereby the camera can pivot in any direction inside the socket mount. These cameras are small, round, and ideal for installation in tight spaces. They’re also one of the most popular camera styles for indoor use.
Bullet Cameras
A bullet camera is named based on its small and sleek design, resembling a bullet. They’re perfect for outdoor use and can be used in a variety of locations such as retail stores, offices, warehouses and parking lots.
Their small design makes them ideal for covert surveillance because they’re discreet enough to be hidden from view yet powerful enough to capture clear images at long distances.
Linking IP Cameras to a Network Video Recorder
Although not always required, an IP camera CCTV system may connect with a network video recorder (NVR). Firstly, the main purpose of an NVR is to store the video recordings captured by the camera.
Secondly, alarm management. The OHEAP range can accommodate higher quality, and more intelligent NVR devices if needed. These network video recorders will utilise alarm management features to detect and capture motion detection. Once motion is detected, an alarm will trigger mobile and desktop notifications along with footage capturing.
Using alarm management features, you can:
- Set up perimeter protection.
- Unwanted motion detection.
- Facial detection and recognition.
- Descriptive metadata including (human, motor vehicle, non-vehicle) etc.
- People counting
- Crowd distribution
- Monitor storage errors.
- Monitor when cameras are offline.
Conclusion
IP cameras are a great option. Anyone who wants to expand their home security system or monitor their business remotely can do so. They are easy to install and offer many features. Get instant live streaming and recording capabilities.
We have seen that IP cameras are the most reliable and accessible invention for video surveillance. IP cameras can send and receive data via a computer network and the internet, which makes them flexible and cost-effective.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful in getting started with IP CCTV cameras. It can be confusing at first, but once you understand the basics, it’s easy to get started. We hope that now you can make your own decision about what type of system you want to use.