Networked Security Camera

[hennessy1]

I am looking for a networked security camera. 2-way audio is not required but one way is preferred. Image quality must be good. I prefer wireless but if wired is really the better way to go then so be it. I have wireless-n at my disposal. Price I am more interested in the options as of right now. I was looking at the cisco ones just because of the name but they don't really get rave reviews.

 

[Eug]

I'm using a Vivotek IP8332 (wired only).

This is what it looks like at night (my backyard):
http://vimeo.com/24497181

This is what it looks like during the day (some random video off YouTube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8szVMqjZ6jg

 

[hennessy1]

Is wired the way to go with these or is wireless ok as well?

 

[Eug]

Dunno how reliable wireless ones are, because I've never used one. I guess it depends on how strong the signal is, and how well made the camera is in terms of stability with WiFi on.

It also depends on what bitrate you plan on using. For HD the bitrates can go really high quite quickly, and if you don't have a consistent high bitrate network connection, then you'll lose the stream. I ran into this issue trying higher bitrate streams over powerline networking. Low bitrate streams were fine. However, with CAT5e this has never been a problem obviously.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881180012

 

[hennessy1]

@Jack is that the one to go with or is an HD one a better one to go with.

The wireless AP will be in the same room so the bitrate can be high and it won't really effect it.

 

[JackMDS]

HD and Wireless for these type of Cameras is a little bit of an Oxymoron.

The main problem is controling the Depth of Field and Focus, unless you get a real total remote control camera No matter what the quality it is always compromised

This camera has Higher resolution and more control.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881119006

I used some of these but I did Not look for HD performance so I can not specifically can relate to it.

It is also important to get a brand name that is known for optic devices,most other Brands tend to compromise on the optic per-se.

 

[spidey07]

Wired has the added benefit of not needing power. power over ethernet. I've looked into this before, and good cameras with acceptable infrared and night are not cheap.

 

[mammador]

Axis and Arecont are makers I would recommend.

802.11n may handle the bandwidth, but as others have stated wi-fi may not be stable enough.

 

[alkemyst]

Saying good image quality is very subjective. I use a trendnet wireless/wired PTZ (TV-IP422W) inside and it's decent. It's only wireless G so it will slow down your N network if you use that (I have a dual band / dual radio access point). It also doesn't interface with the iPhone. There is a Mole out there that's pretty comparable at Costco. I believe it is N wireless and it does have android and iphone compatibilty.

If you are looking for license plate clarity and the like then that gets more expensive.

cctvcamerapros.com is a good site and they have great tech support. They did a few seminars locally I attended.

 

[hennessy1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881119019

How about that one pretty high res. I have a wall outlet close to the place for the camera so I think I'll stick with wireless.




Upon further reading there is only a digital zoom on that camera but this trendnet one has a 10X optical zoom

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881102042

 

[Eug]

Wired has the added benefit of not needing power. power over ethernet. I've looked into this before, and good cameras with acceptable infrared and night are not cheap.

What do you consider acceptable infrared and cheap? Is this good enough?

http://vimeo.com/24497181

The IP8332 I was talking about is under $350, and includes:

PoE support
Outdoor sealed (IP67)
Infrared, with IR cut filter for daylight.
HD H.264 1280x800
MicroSD/SDHC slot, with built-in ftp server.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881119019

How about that one pretty high res. I have a wall outlet close to the place for the camera so I think I'll stick with wireless.




Upon further reading there is only a digital zoom on that camera but this trendnet one has a 10X optical zoom

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881102042

Optical beyond 2/3 is useless in these camera if you want to maintain quality.

The Toshiba in your link looks worth while to try.

It is returnable, so if it does not work as you expected you take a lose only of the Restocking fee.

 

[rsutoratosu]

Eug, that camera is sharp.. i have the panasonic and sets of dlink p&t and they both look blocky and blurry, almost not usable...

 

[hennessy1]

Only thing I didn't see that appealing about the toshiba camera is it is purely digital zoom no optical at all.

 

[Mediaga]

I'm using a Vivotek IP8332 (wired only).

This is what it looks like at night (my backyard):
http://vimeo.com/24497181

This is what it looks like during the day (some random video off YouTube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8szVMqjZ6jg

Looks great! My only concern would be vulnerability to theft, especially when installed in a single story structure (on the eve?). Is there a method to install these securely, i.e. where someone standing on a chair or small step ladder couldn't remove it? Other than that, it looks perfect.

 

[Eug]

You'd probably have to get a secure housing, which is $$.

Either that, or get a dome camera.

---

P.S. That IP8332 had an issue where it wouldn't always switch to infrared at night. Happened to me a couple of times in the last 4 months. However, they just updated the firmware a few weeks ago to address this issue. I haven't seen the issue since, but then again it hasn't been very long since I updated this camera's firmware.

Actually, out of the 2 times it happened, once was the first day I had it, so I'm not 100% sure I hadn't set it correctly or something, and the other time it happened was the day of a lightning storm when my neighbour's house got hit by lightning. There must have been a surge because my old 10/100 desktop switch locked up for the first time ever, and the infrared didn't work on this camera. I reset everything and then it was all fine. But like I said, I've since updated the firmware too.

BTW, my neighbour's patio, which is cement reinforced by metal wire, got cracked everywhere, and inside the house he lost his TV and part of his phone system. I think I'm gonna take down my rooftop TV antenna, since I don't use it anyway.

 

[Mediaga]

You'd probably have to get a secure housing, which is $$.

Either that, or get a dome camera.

---

It seems like exactly what I'm looking for in price/quality. I just have to figure out a way to secure or hide it from view.

BTW, my neighbour's patio, which is cement reinforced by metal wire, got cracked everywhere, and inside the house he lost his TV and part of his phone system. I think I'm gonna take down my rooftop TV antenna, since I don't use it anyway.

Now that's an intense lightning storm. Maybe you should replace the antenna with a lightning rod! Thanks for the info!