IP Cameras Make Video Surveillance a Snap

Ten years ago when I installed my first video surveillance camera at my home, people thought I was a drug dealer, in the witness protection program or something else bizarre. The truth is, I'm a geek and I wanted it. IP cameras were no where in sight yet.

Back then video surveillance cameras were all connected with expensive coax cable with difficult to install ends; and needed a transformer somewhere and a power cable besides. Ideally, the cable had to run from the camera to the VCR or monitor in one continuous piece.

IP cameras have changed all of that. Now you can connect a video surveillance camera much more easily using easy to install category 5e twisted pair cable, connected to multiple switches or hubs if necessary. Or, you can forget the cabling altogether with wireless IP cameras.

Wired and wireless IP cameras have taken video surveillance to a whole new level. Wired IP cameras, if equipped with PoE (Power over Ethernet) can function with only the category 5e cable, no power cord required. Since cat5e cable is easy to install in most modern construction, this means a high resolution IP camera can be installed almost anywhere indoors. (Outdoor installations may require power for a heated, protective housing depending on climate.)

Ease of installation is just one benefit of IP cameras. Another is accessibility for viewing. All you need is a web browser and you can see what the IP camera sees. Many relatively inexpensive cameras will also allow you to hear what's going on via MPEG4 connection. Some can even be viewed with a mobile phone.

IP cameras, whether wired or wireless, offer you the ability to monitor your home, office or property while you are away. Not only can you monitor your location remotely, you can record that surveillance also.

Many of the IP cameras on the market today will come with complimentary proprietary software that will record activity that the camera sees, record on a schedule or even record on motion. These latter two recording options allow you more days of recording coverage on the same size hard disk.

Paid versions of IP camera recording software will allow you to view cameras remotely more conveniently, record or play back recordings on a remote computer such as your laptop, and in some cases allow you to view cameras via a mobile phone that you might not otherwise be able to.

When choosing an IP camera to purchase you will want to consider these features: installation, monitoring and recording software.

Please see the websites listed in the resource area for more information on IP cameras for home, office or property video surveillance.