There are different ways to secure a property. O cameras guarantee clear video footage of an unwanted guest. It varies from other surveillance systems in how they record and deliver footage, as these cameras require a local network instead of a recording device. However, the benefits for your home are incomparable, outweighing the overall cost.
Read on to understand its basic features and tips to install the camera better.
What Are IP Cameras?
An Internet protocol or IP camera is a digital device that relies on a local network to capture footage. It is a surveillance system made for both residential and commercial uses. And also a counterpart of analog security cameras in terms of how each one plays a certain purpose.
How Does IP Camera Work?
IP cameras are often compared to analog cameras, but they vary a lot. For instance, analog cameras can transmit footage only when connected with a coaxial cable to the digital video recorder. While IP cameras are more versatile in gathering footage via USB, cable, or a wireless connection.
The image resolution of these cameras can reach up to 16 megapixels. Choose a camera model that you think will suit your surveillance requirements. Accordingly, higher image and video definition may consume additional storage and bandwidth.
A processing chip helps to compress data to maximize the storage space of the camera system. It transmits HD images and videos to a network more efficiently. The camera applies compression standards, such as MPEG-4 and h. 264 so that the data can go straight to other devices without dropping their quality.
Three Ways to Install IP Cameras
As you can see, IP cameras are not that complicated to manage. They are also easy to install in three different ways, such as:
Wired
In this installation, an Ethernet cable is needed to set up the IP camera. This is more efficient in securing footage than a WI-FI connection. Users can avoid signal interruption and won’t permit unauthorized access to the security system. As a result, the camera will transfer footage a lot faster when it is wired.Â
Hiring an expert to install a wired IP camera for your home is crucial to obtain its full benefits.
Wireless
This one requires a WI-FI network and a modem to get started. It is similar to other smart devices of home that connect to the internet to deliver services.
The surveillance system relies on a web browser to permit users to view the footage. All you need to do is enter an IP address to access the footage fully. It can be static or dynamic, but the prior is much better for easy access. Speak to the provider if the camera is set with a dynamic IP address.
Cellular
Among the ways you can establish an IP camera in your home, the cellular network can assure users’ convenience. The camera package comes with a transmitter ready for installation. However, it is a bit slower in sharing footage to any device.
Advantages of Using IP Cameras
The following benefits are the reason why people opt for IP cameras over CCTV systems you must install IP Cameras for the purpose of the safety of your home
Higher Resolution
A high-definition camera helps to gather clear footage in case of a crime. That said, IP cameras can provide 4x as good images as analog ones. It applies to both day and night monitoring, which is necessary because the bad guys may invade your home at any time.
Easy to Install
There is no need for a power supply but a few cables to operate IP cameras. It would take asking for professional advice to get started.
Accessible
The footage can be viewed live on any smart device, even from a distance. Only authorized individuals will have access to the footage for better privacy.
Other Special Features
IP cameras also highlight two-way audio that benefits homeowners to speak and listen to strangers without going outside. With less hassle, this works well upon receiving a package at the front door.
Tips to Secure IP Cameras
To better secure IP cameras, you must know some important things. It includes asking the provider about its login credentials and whether the device performs via a private network. These factors matter as, according to studies, many IP cameras remain unsecured. This is because the default login stays the same, making it easier to hack by unauthorized people.
There are two ways to avoid such trouble. First, change the camera’s login details by consulting an expert on how to do it. Those who have direct access to the WI-FI can view the camera footage. Therefore, make your WI-FI network private to eliminate public access over the IP camera.
In addition, set a WI-FI Protected Access (WPA) to prevent unauthorized access all the time. New modems may demand the use of WPA3 for better security.
Final Words
The next question is, how fast should your connection be for IP cameras? No one wants to receive late notifications when a crime takes place. Hence, internet speed plays a vital role in using IP cameras.
Many home devices also need stable connectivity to acquire real-time footage. That is why you need to maintain a strong WI-FI network to ensure better protection.
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