If you’re starting an IP surveillance network from scratch, congrats! You have either a) waited it out until the technology has come down in price or b) waited until the technology advanced to maximize the efficiency of your network…or c) you just happened to join the party right now.
The necessary elements of a residential or small shop IP surveillance network system are few and simple. Even a large system can be easily integrated into a manageable network. However like all quality things it takes time and dedication to get it that way. Conveniently, once it’s created, even if something has to be switched out due to a failure or need to expand to keep up with demands, it won’t destroy all your hard work—you …

Love your analog camera but the CCTV system isn’t cutting it for you?  You’re not alone.  A lot of analog cameras are still going strong after the rest of the system bites the dust.  In fact, manufacturers have hardware that lets you keep your favorite cameras and give them the network surveillance lift.

The main reason you’re looking for a solution is most likely because the monitor, DVR or VCR gave out…or you can’t find any more VHS tapes.  That’s ok, surveillance has prepared for this.  Nowadays you can use a PC for video processing and back-up with your analog cameras.  There are just a few components you need to have:

Video Encoder: This piece of equipment is what makes it possible to keep your …

In a not too distant past, we’ll say 20 years ago, it was common to be sitting in the cold glow of Dateline watching some surveillance recording of a convenient store being robbed and all you could make out was black and white static footage that barely resembled a dark hoodie and a blurred face.

The old days of just comprehensible analog footage has been completely left behind and digital video has taken its place and moved on.

To no fault of analog; the history and technology of the time is fascinating—interlaced scanning, the absolute need for sturdy coax cable, VHS tapes being changed out every 8 hours—but it just doesn’t have the wow factor anymore.  Even modern analog cameras maxing out at 976×494 resolution …

If you’ve never considered having an audio component with your surveillance system that may be because analog CCTV systms require separate audio and video cables to be installed from end to end which becomes difficult and costly over long distances.  IP cameras make the implementation of audio a lot simpler because the audio and video information are sent over the same network cable eliminating the need for extra cabling.

More and more IP camera audio is becoming a common feature not only because it’s easier to process over a network cable but also because the importance of this additional surveillance medium is now being recognized.…

MPEG4 = MPEG4 is a newer codec and supports 3D content, low bit rate encoding, and support for Digital Rights Management, which controls the use of copyrighted digital work. MPEG4 is used for web-streaming media, broadcast television, videophones, and CD distribution. MPEG4 is widely used in video surveillance, and has recently been improved to the AVC standard. As the two formats, MJPEG and MPEG4, usually target different applications, MPEG4 is not expected to replace MJPEG. MJPEG is recommended for surveillance applications and recording, thanks to its ease of use, wide compatibility and high image quality. MPEG4 is recommended for live viewing and for applications where bandwidth and storage limitations are important factors.…

Russian Office Security Camera in use

Warning: this video is graphic in nature. It had been making it’s way across the webosphere this past week, and I was encouraged to post it by both my friends and colleagues.

This video shows the ‘why,’ we here at IPCS are here to show you ‘how.’

What’s important about commercial or office security cameras is that they enable businesses to keep an eye on threats to the company from the outside and the inside of the building. Especially when using IP Camera surveillance technology which allows remote access by simply going to the correct IP address. Office IP surveillance cameras are used regularly to ensure that the building remains safe from breaking and entering, but at the same …

IR= Infrared, assists with recording in near or total darkness. Many cameras have IR capabilities, both analog and IP. Some cameras have IR LEDs surrounding the lens of the camera that will kick on in low light or dark conditions, generating IR light which is invisible to the human eye, but which the camera can see. Think of it like an “invisible flashlight.” IR is often necessary when users want their security cameras to be able to continue to monitor events under low light conditions, or total darkness.…

Our good friend Jon Arnold plugged this very site yesterday on his blog and pointed out that we have the best answers for IP Camera questions. We really are striving to create a conversation regarding anything that you may want to know, and you can ask us anonymously if you wish. Whatever the IP Camera topic, feel free to contact us with questions, news, ideas, anything you want. And Jon–thanks for the nod!

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