Network IP Camera Finder / Solution Builder

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Basic Features

Brands

Brands and Manufacturers
Please select your prefered brand or leave at "All Brands" to search all brands of cameras.

Resolution (Video Image Size)

Resolution (Video Image Size)
Resolution is the video image size. The larger the resolution, the better the detail of the image. Examples of situations requiring a high resolution are license plate recognition, facial recognition or surveillance areas that are very large such as parking lots. For home use, a standard VGA resolution is sufficient however some prefer megapixel resolution for better quality.

Camera Style

Camera Style
Each camera style is suitable for specific applications. Cube cameras are ideal for any indoor application. Bullet style is best for both indoor and outdoor applications. Domes are less inconspicuous and ideal for indoor and outdoor applications. Please note, for outdoor applications, it is highly recommended to use a camera with a built-in heater and blower.

Video Compression Codecs

Video Compression Codecs
Video compression codecs offer better bandwidth (or memory consumption) for high quality images. MJPEG is the lowest compression as it takes the most bandwidth. Next is MPEG4. H.264 offers the best bandwidth consumption to quality ratio.

Indoor / Outdoor

Indoor / Outdoor
Indoor cameras do not include built-in heaters and blowers. Outdoor cameras include heaters and blowers (fans) for better circulation of air and operating temperature. Outdoor cameras also come in various outdoor "IP" ratings for durability vs rain, wind, sand and other outdoor elements.

Power & PoE

Power & PoE
Each IP camera requires different voltage. Power over Ethernet is also an option on some cameras which allows you to power the camera and provide network connectivity via a single Ethernet cable. In order to add power to the Ethernet cable, you will need a PoE injector or a router/switch or midspan that is PoE capable.

Maximum Frame Rate

Maximum Frame Rate
Frame rate is calculated by the number of image refreshes per second (frames per second). The higher the frame rate, the faster the image refreshes. The standard frame rate is 30fps however some cameras now come up to 60fps. The higher the frame rate, the better the quality of moving persons or objects.

Infra-red Night Vision

Infra-red Night Vision
Infra-red IR illuminators offer visibility in zero lighting conditions. IR will turn on when the camera determines not enough light is present to provide adequate video. IR will only go a specified distance depending on the strength of the IR.

Wireless Connectivity

Wireless Connectivity
IP cameras with wireless connectivity offer easier installation in locations where there is no Ethernet cable. When selecting a wireless IP camera, be sure to evaluate the location for objects that can interfere with the wireless signal and for obstacles that can lower the wireless signal strength.

Audio Support

Audio Support
IP cameras with one-way audio support allow you to record audio at the location of the camera. Some IP cameras have built-in microphones and some do not. Most cameras have a microphone input allowing you to install an external mic. Two-way audio is the ability for the user to communicate to the location of the camera via their PC from a remote location. A small number of cameras have built-in speakers however most require an external speaker to be connected to an audio line-out or the I/O block of the camera.

Onboard Memory Card Slot

Onboard Memory Card Slot
Some IP cameras offer onboard memory card slots. Most use MicroSD cards which are smaller than traditional SD cards used in digital cameras. The ability for onboard memory creates the option of recording snapshots or video directly on the camera. These recordings and snapshots can then be downloaded via your PC by connecting to the web interface of the camera.

Browser Compatibility

Browser Compatibility
It is best to verify your IP camera will work with your favorite browser. Some IP cameras only offer support for Internet Explorer. Most cameras offer support not only for IE but also for FireFox, Chrome and Safari.

Mac Compatible

Mac Compatible
Mac compatible IP cameras allow you to view video via Safari or by streaming through QuickTime. Some IP cameras also come with Mac compatible recording software. Be sure to verify it works with your version of Mac OS.

iPhone Support

iPhone Support
IP cameras with iPhone support allow you to view live video via an iPhone.

Android Phone Support

Android Phone Support
IP cameras with Android support allow you to view live video via an iPhone.

BlackBerry Support

BlackBerry Support
IP cameras with BlackBerry support allow you to view live video via an iPhone.

IR-Cut Filter

IR-Cut Filter
IR-cut filters offer filtering of infra-red light when the camera is not using the infra-red illuminators. This helps provide cleared images and more accurate colors. IP cameras that offer infra-red viewing and do not include an IR-cut filter, will not provide accurate colors.

Advanced Features

Simultaneous Streaming

Simultaneous Streaming
Simultaneous streaming is the ability to offer different streams to specific users with customized settings including frame rate, video quality, resolution and video compression. This allows for optimized bandwidth as you can have a high quality stream being sent to your recording software and a low quality stream being sent to your mobile device.

Minimum Lux Rating

Minimum Lux Rating
The lux rating of the camera is a specification of how much light is needed for the camera to provide usable image quality. The lower the lux rating, the less light that is needed.

True Day/Night

True Day/Night
True Day/Night cameras offer a low light sensitivity rating offer clearer video quality in very low light situations. Light sensitivity is measured by lux ratings. The lower the lux, the less light that is needed to provide usable video.

Image Sensor Type

Image Sensor Type
CCD image sensors offer slightly better light sensitivity (and better quality in lower light conditions) and produce less noise than CMOS image sensors. CCD image sensors are known to use more power than CMOS however. CMOS image sensors have improved drastically over the years and are becoming very comparable to CCD in terms of video quality. They are more cost effective and have become very common in megapixel cameras.

Image Sensor Size

Image Sensor Size
Image sensor sizes are measured by inch. They, along with focal length offer measurement of field of view.

Interchangeable Lens

Interchangeable Lens
Interchangeable lenses offer additional customization by purchasing specific lenses for wider or more focused viewing angles. Be sure to match lenses to the camera lens specifications to make sure the lens will fit and offer a clear video for the type of image sensor being used.

Lens Mount

Lens Mount
IP cameras offering interchangeable lenses have a specific type of lens mount. When purchases a lens, be sure to take the cameras lens mount type into consideration to make sure the lens will fit.

Iris Type

Iris Type
The IP camera iris is very important for image quality as it controls how much light is sent to the image sensor. An optimal amount of light means a clear crisp image. A manual iris requires manual adjustment of the lens. Auto-iris is motor driven and automatic so no manual adjustment is necessary. P-iris offers more precise control of the iris both with software and the built-in motor. P-iris is known for providing better image quality, contrast and clarity.

Auto Focus

Auto Focus
Auto focus is an automatic feature allowing the camera to focus the video without any manual adjusting of the lens. Auto focus is present on cameras that provide an optical zoom lens for viewing long distance range.

Auto White Balance

Auto White Balance
Auto White Balance (AWB) is the ability to automatically adjust the video color to provide a consistent quality in white areas and other colors in the video image.

Max Power Consumption

Max Power Consumption
Each IP camera consumes a different wattage of power depending on the built-in features such as outdoor climate controls (heaters & blowers) and pan/tilt/zoom.

Warranty

Warranty
Each manufacturer offers a set amount of time for warranty varying from 1 to 3 years.

Minimum Operating Temp.

Minimum Operating Temp.
Network IP camera operating temperature is an important specification when dealing with cold climates. It is best to purchase an IP camera that operates within the climate of the location as cameras will become damaged or stop operating if the temperature drops beyond the minimum operating temperature. Outdoor enclosures can be purchased that offer better resistance to cold climates.

Maximum Operating Temp.

Maximum Operating Temp.
Just as with the minimum operating temperature, the maximum operating temperature should be evaluated to make sure the location will not get too hot for the camera. Heat can damage or cause the camera to stop operating. Outdoor enclosures can be purchased to help cameras resist from extreme heat conditions.

Vandal Proof

Vandal Proof
Vandal proof designs in IP cameras offer protection from vandals by providing resistance to shocks and attacks in an effort to damage the camera. They are best used in high traffic areas such as bus stations, subway stations and walkways.

Ruggedized

Ruggedized
Rugged network IP cameras are best suited for mobile applications. Ruggedized cameras offer resistance to vibration and shock from mobile use. They are best used in buses, trains and cars.

Analog BNC Output

Analog BNC Output
Some network IP cameras offer BNC outputs allowing you to connect the camera not only to your network but also to a analog CCTV system or DVR.

Built-In Motion Detection

Built-In Motion Detection
Many IP cameras offer built-in motion detection. This is the process of detecting pixel changes in the video. The firmware of the camera allows you to customize the sensitivity and size of the pixel change for it to be deemed true motion. One downside is considering motion is pixel based, it cannot distinguish between shapes of people or cars vs moving trees and bushes. Most cameras offer motion detection windows that allow you to detect motion in specific spots of the video. This allows for better customization to avoid fake motion.

Video Analytics

Video Analytics
Video analytics is a more sophisticated motion detection. Video analytics can detect shapes offer true motion detection of cars, people or objects. Video analytics can also include detection of loitering, tailgating, foreign objects or missing objects. License plate and facial recognition also also types of video analytics. Be sure to verify that the camera offers the specific type of video analytics required for your application.

Alarm Inputs

Alarm Inputs
Alarm inputs via I/O blocks allow for integration of external security systems, access controls and alarms. The IP camera can be configured to record on alarm or provide alerts to security personnel.

Privacy Zones

Privacy Zones
Privacy zones allow you to configure areas of the video that you do not want to be visible and recorded. Privacy zones usually show up as a black box in the video.

Digital Cropping

Digital Cropping
Digital cropping allows you to specific a specific area of the video to record.

PSIA Support

PSIA Support
PSIA is one IP camera standard offering interoperability for software and video streaming. PSIA is run by Cisco and various other manufacturers. While trying to offer the same ability as ONVIF, it currently seems to be tailing the popularity of ONVIF

ONVIF Support

ONVIF Support
ONVIF is one IP camera standard offering interoperability for software and video streaming. It is run by Axis, Bosch, Sony and many other manufacturers. It is currently the most common standard for IP cameras.

Pan/Tilt/Zoom

Pan/Tilt/Zoom
Cameras with motorized Pan/Tilt/Zoom offer the ability for local or remote control of the camera. This allows the viewer to pan and tilt the camera to specified areas and zoom in for better clarity. Some cameras only offer a digital or ePTZ function. These cameras are usually megapixel and do not have a motorized pan/tilt system. The panning and tilting is done within the fixed video of the camera.

Speed Pan/Tilt

Speed Pan/Tilt
IP cameras with speed pan and tilt offer faster movement than traditional pan/tilt cameras.

Optical Zoom

Optical Zoom
Optical zoom is a motorized zoom built into the lens and not a digital zoom that only zooms in on the video. Optical zoom is measured in "times" ratio. The greater the zoom, the further the distance the lens can capture.

Pan Range

Pan Range
The minimum degrees the IP camera can rotate horizontally. 360 degrees offers complete panning.

Tilt Range

Tilt Range
The minimum degrees the IP camera can rotate vertically.

Panoramic

Panoramic
Panoramic network cameras offer wider viewing angles, up to 360 degrees. This is accomplished with single fisheye lenses or multiple lenses.

SNMP Support

SNMP Support
SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP allows for easier management of IP cameras on your network.

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