IP cameras are the need of the hour; these are essential for the security and 24/7 surveillance of your house, office, or commercial property.
If you want to buy an IP camera and are a bit confused about which one to buy and what to look for, this is a guide for you. We will explain what an IP camera is, its types, important features, and applications. We will also share some of the best IP cameras to make your selection easier.
What is an IP Camera?
An IP camera is a digital camera that works through an IP (Internet Protocol) network. It has a distinct IP address and requires a network or internet to transmit data.
The biggest advantage of IP cameras is the remote due. Due to a separate IP address, they can be accessed remotely and work similarly to other devices connected to a network like a smartphone or laptop.
An IP camera captures the video and processes itself. After processing, the data is sent through a network to the NVR. The data can be transmitted through a Wi-Fi or ethernet cable. Once the data is stored, it can be accessed remotely.
Different Types of IP Cameras
IP cameras can be classified into three types:
Wireless IP Camera
Wireless IP cameras do not need any wire or cable for data transmission. They can be further classified into three types.
The DC-powered IP cameras transmit data over Wi-Fi. However, they are powered through a wired DC adapter, which is connected to a nearby wall socket.
The battery-powered cameras also transmit data through Wi-Fi. They have a built-in battery to power the device, and it is charged through a solar panel connected to the device.
The last type is a 4G IP camera, which is also battery-powered. It requires a SIM card to use the 4G connection for data transfer. It is a standalone device that can be placed anywhere.
PoE IP Camera
A PoE IP camera requires an ethernet cable for data transmission as well as power. It does not need any extra cable for power.
It is connected to a PoE switch, which helps in data transmission to the network and powering the device. It is a more reliable option than Wi-Fi cameras as it offers better speed and security.
IP Camera System/NVR
An IP camera system consists of multiple cameras and a recorder (NVR). The cameras can be wireless or PoE and be placed at different locations. They transmit their data to one NVR, where all the data is collected. It is a complete system that covers a vast area and manages multiple cameras in a network.
Features and Capabilities of IP Camera
Here are a few important things you need to consider while buying IP cameras.
High Resolution
Resolution plays an important role in defining the video quality and details. The more the resolution, the better it is. You can go with a 2K camera if you are on a tight budget, but getting a 4K camera should be your preference. It works well for various purposes and offers incredible quality and crisp and clear results.
You can also look at the megapixels of a camera to get an idea of the total number of pixels or image quality. Its megapixels should be 8MP, 12MP, or 16MP for great visuals.
Night Vision
Night vision is a must in cameras to capture videos at night and in low-light conditions. Cameras have IR LEDs to capture black-white images, but it is better to go with color night visions.
You’ll be able to visualize true colors even at night and without any light nearby. These cameras have spotlights or floodlights to illuminate the area and capture true colors.
Smart Detection
If your camera can’t distinguish between a pet, person, or vehicle, you’ll get the wrong alerts on your device.
IP cameras with smart detection can distinguish between these and send instant alerts. They can track the movements and even zoom in for more details.
Moreover, you can keep intruders away through the siren and spotlight after detecting any person in the vicinity.
Local/Cloud Storage
The storage of an IP camera also plays an important role. You should check out the storage option. It could be local storage, cloud, or microSD card.
If you want to store recordings of months and weeks, it would be better to go with an NVR.
Otherwise, you can get a cloud subscription from the service provider.
If you are looking for a standalone device or don’t want to spend on an NVR, you should go with the microSD card feature. However, it is only suitable for storing recordings for a few days or a week.
Video Data Encryption
The encryption of data is essential to prevent data leakage and ensure privacy. The camera should offer encryption to protect your data from hackers. AES-256 is a common encryption standard.
Best IP Security Camera Recommendation
16MP PoE Dual Lens IP Camera - Reolink Duo 3 PoE
Duo 3 PoE is a powerful outdoor surveillance camera. It has a 16MP sensor, which ensures crisp and clear videos with fine details. It is a PoE IP camera, so you only need one Ethernet cable to power it and transfer data.
With the help of its dual lens, it can capture a 180⁰ field of view in one frame. It can track the movement with utmost accuracy. It offers color night vision, two-way audio, a spotlight, a siren, and other features for 24/7 surveillance.
Groundbreaking 16MP Dual-Lens PoE Camera
16MP UHD, Dual-Lens, Motion Track, 180° Wide Viewing Angle, Power over Ethernet, Color Night Vision.
4K Wi-Fi 6 IP Camera - Reolink RLC-810WA
This is a 4K 8MP IP camera for outdoor security. It offers Ultra-HD video recordings that uncover fine details and clear visuals. It is a Wi-Fi 6 camera that supports dual-band, offering faster and reliable performance.
The camera offers colorful visuals at night with optimal clarity. It is IP-67 rated, which makes it ideal for all weather conditions. It also has flexible local storage; you can use a microSD card or NVR.
4K WiFi 6 Surveillance Camera
4K 8MP Ultra HD, Dual-Band WiFi 6, Color Night Vision, IP67 Waterproof, Smart Detection, Two-Way Audio, Built-in Siren.
4K Wireless Battery IP Camera - Reolink Argus 3 Ultra
Argus 3 Ultra is a standalone IP camera powered by batteries, which can be charged using a solar panel. It has dual-band Wi-Fi for a smooth visual experience 24/7. The 4K resolution gives sharp and clear recordings.
The camera can be installed anywhere without wires. It detects any movement and sends instant alerts on your device. It is also equipped with double-warning, two-way audio, and color night vision for better surveillance and security.
4K 8MP Standalone Wire-Free Camera
4K 8MP; Smart Detection; 5/2.4GHz Dual-Band WiFi; Battery/Solar Powered; Color Night Vision; Alerts Without Subscription.
4K Powerful IP Camera System - Reolink RLK12-800WB4
This is a complete IP camera system with four cameras and an NVR. These four cameras can cover a vast outdoor area. Each camera offers 4K resolutions for clear details and dual-band Wi-Fi for stable and smooth videos. They can also detect persons, pets, and vehicles and send accurate alerts.
The NVR can accommodate 12 cameras, so you can also add more cameras in the future. It has a 2TB storage space, which is more than enough. It is a perfect system for your home and office security.
4K Security Kit with Next-Gen WiFi 6
4 pcs 4K Ultra HD Security Cameras; Dual-Band WiFi 6; 2TB HDD 12-Channel NVR for 24/7 Recording; Peron/Vehicle/Animal Detection; IP67 Weatherproof.
Applications of IP CCTV Cameras
Home Security
IP cameras are ideal for 24/7 home surveillance and security. You can access them from anywhere and even talk to the person at the door. These cameras give you instant alerts about the person, pet, or vehicle in the vicinity, and you can also scare intruders with the siren. It makes your home secure.
Business Security
IP cameras are commonly used in offices and commercial places. These assist in optimal security and surveillance. You can keep an eye on office employees and people entering/leaving an area and record the activities. It is a great option to gather evidence and assist the security team in monitoring a large area while sitting in a room.
Public Security
For public security, IP cameras are used. These are placed in public places, such as roads, parks, malls, government places, etc. These monitor the activities 24/7 and help in mitigating crimes. They collect evidence to find the suspect and make the job security departments easier.
FAQs
1. Is IP camera the same as Wi-Fi camera?
A Wi-Fi camera is a type of IP camera. It uses Wi-Fi to connect to an IP network for data transmission.
2. What is the difference between IP and security cameras?
An IP camera is a digital camera that uses an IP network for data transmission and is commonly used for security and surveillance. In contrast, security camera is a broad term that encapsulates all types of cameras used for security and surveillance, such as IP cameras, CCTV cameras, etc. So, an IP camera is a type of security camera.
3. Do IP cameras slow down your network?
IP cameras consume data and require bandwidth for transmission. They can slow down your network if you are streaming high-quality videos. However, if you have fast internet, you won’t feel the difference.
Conclusion
IP cameras are far better than the old analog cameras, and that’s why they are preferred. These offer some exceptional features, such as remote access, excellent video quality, live preview, color night vision, two-way audio, etc. They improve the security of your house, office, or commercial space, and you can monitor from anywhere.