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Let’s Talk Cameras!

There are many different cameras on the market today and for a person with no experience it can be pretty confusing. In my last blog post I laid out what the basics are to get a fully functioning security camera system up and running. This week I want to talk more about one of the critical pieces of that puzzle and break down what to look for based on your needs.

What is a PTZ Camera?

When you are looking for a camera you will run into two terms right away, PTZ and Fixed. All security cameras will fall into one of these two categories. PTZ stands for Pan/Tilt/Zoom. This type of camera will allow you to move the lens and look around almost 360 degrees. These cameras do very well inside shops and homes. They are also great for large areas such as parking lots and large floor plans. Another upside to PTZ cameras is that you can give control of the camera to a potential customer and allow them to experience your business before going in person. We put a camera on the Ocean Beach Hotel in Pacific Beach California that lets you see a live video of the beach that you can control. Check weather conditions, see the sand and surf, all from the comfort of home.

What is a Fixed Camera?

The second category is a “Fixed” camera. This is a camera that sits in one spot and covers one angle of viewing. It doesn’t move. These cameras are excellent for recording doorways and other access points. Most businesses have a camera that captures the image of everyone walking in to their store so that they have a visual record of who is coming and going. Lately, more and more families are adding cameras to their front entrances so that they can monitor who comes to their doors, when packages get dropped off and as a deterrent for burglars. In today’s security systems it is not uncommon to see a house with multiple cameras covering all the entrances and areas hidden from plain sight like side yards and garages.

How many MP's do I need?

After deciding whether you want a PTZ or Fixed camera you are probably running into the whole “megapixel” thing. Just like your digital camera, more megapixels equals a clearer image. I have found that 3 megapixels is a good number to go with. You get a clear picture that allows you to identify people and faces but it isn’t so expensive that you break the bank. However, if you are looking for something very inexpensive, you can go as low as 1 megapixel and still receive a decent image.

You might also see that every camera offers multiple ways of recording. The most common is H.264. All this really means is that the video is compressed (like an mp3) to make it easier to watch and send. You get excellent images and it doesn’t take a lot of data to do it.

So that is a short introduction into cameras. There are always more things to learn but that is a very basic breakdown and a few tips on how to get started looking. Here at Webcamproshop.com we try to make things simple and easy to understand. Our specialists are here to help you figure out the right system for your needs. Drop us a line! 

Sony Security Minidomes - HD Ready and Completely Affordable!

Leave it up to Sony Security to provide cutting edge network video technology at low prices! We've just added some new Sony Network Cameras to our store. 

We Strive to offer the LOWEST Sony Prices on the Web

Sony SNC-DH110 (Black or White models)
Competitor Price - $299.00
Our Price - $269.00

Sony SNC-DH110T (Impact Resistant)
Competitor Price - $329.00
Our Price - $299.00

Sony SNC-DH160 (Vandal Resistant)
Competitor Price - $729.00
Our Price - $669.00

Learn more about Sony Network Minidomes

Buying a Network Camera? Here's Some Suggestions!

This article originally appeared on http://www.sourcesecurity.com/  You can learn more about IP Cameras on our website http://www.webcamproshop.com, or contact us at 1-877-615-7669 if you need help choosing the perfect network surveillance system.

IP Network Camera Buyer’s Guide: Do’s and Don’ts

IP network-based surveillance cameras offer enticing possibilities. However, you need to evaluate several factors before deciding on the type of IP camera installation you'd like to go for. For example, do you want full or partial IP? How much bandwidth? Simon Nash, Senior Marketing Manager at Sony Europe explains the entire process.

Transition to IP surveillance

Network cameras for IP-based video surveillance systems have been around since 1996. These are attached directly to the network and send video to a network video recorder or to a server equipped with video management software, which stores, displays or broadcasts the images. While it will be another couple of years, according to consultancy and research firm Gartner, before the market favours IP over analogue, IP cameras are considered a fast-growing market; according to IMS Research, the global network video market grew will reach an expected $2.6 billion by 2010.

Experts say the reasons for analogue's continued dominance centre mainly around upgrade costs and a general lack of knowledge about networking technologies in many physical security departments.

Points to consider when opting for a network video surveillance solution

When looking at your options, the first thing you need to consider is whether you should use full or partial IP. You can still get some of the advantages of IP while maintaining your investment in analogue by using video encoders that convert the analogue signal to one that can run over IP. Though this kind of system works well, it is not architected for growth. Full IP installations are more streamlined and efficient and require less maintenance. They're digital from one end to another and are very reliable because there are fewer moving parts. Second, consider if there is enough bandwidth on the corporate backbone.

Because IP-based surveillance places new demands on existing network infrastructures, the physical security department has to work with IT to implement or even choose the best system, which means overcoming a traditional barrier between the two groups. "The best decisions on network design will be made jointly between the two groups", says Jeff Vining, research vice president at Gartner. "For instance, because streaming live video is bandwidth-intensive, it can be too costly to upgrade networks or too difficult to use in situations where there are many users. To optimise bandwidth, you may need to use application delivery controllers and/or wide-area-network optimisation controllers," he says.

Evaluation Criteria for a network camera system

The range of features available on network cameras is constantly changing, but here are some basic things to look for, according to analysts.

Field of view: According to Vining, most surveillance applications call for a 240-degree field of view and a zoom capability of 500 feet. For those who need more, there are pan/tilt/ zoom (PTZ) cameras, which can provide 360-degree views. "These cameras can cost more than twice as much as fixed cameras", Vining says, "and normally require more maintenance because of their moving parts."

Bandwidth: "It's a huge issue, especially as demand grows for more cameras on the network and higher-resolution images. You can reduce bandwidth consumption by putting intelligence into the camera," says Simon Harris, senior analyst at IMS Research, so, for instance, only certain images are forwarded. However, that means you're not recording non-events that may supply needed context. "You need to use that selectively," he says.

Power source: The state-of-the-art approach for network cameras is to use power over Ethernet (POE), which means you power the camera through the same wire that sends the IP signal, saving up to $300 per camera. POE is not always available on PTZ cameras, however, because of the amount of power they consume.

Resolution: Many users are moving toward megapixel network cameras, which offer five times the resolution of video graphics array (VGA) cameras. Not only do you get a clearer image, but because of the higher resolution, you can also reduce the number of cameras you need.

Auto filtering: For image clarity in various lighting situations, it's important to get a network camera with adjustable lenses to control the amount of light that is received. This is especially important, Vining says, when a camera is facing east or west. However, he says, some organisations will simply elevate camera mounts and then angle downward to view the horizon rather than incur the additional costs of adjustable lenses.

Open platforms: Look for vendors that comply 100 percent with industry standards, such as in the areas of security (PSIA or ONVIF) and video compression (H.264), Gartner recommends. Also look for open application programming interfaces and multiple supported software applications.

Scalability: Companies with large installations will want the equipment to be compatible with tools that locate, update and monitor the status of the devices and their IP addresses.

Service/support: Make sure the camera vendor or reseller is able to send replacement parts quickly and can readily offer engineering support. Many network camera manufacturers sell indirectly through channel partners, which is common in the IT industry but not in the security industry. This takes some getting used to among traditional security personnel.

Do's and Don'ts

Don't let cost be your guiding light. Most people buy surveillance cameras with cost as their highest priority and effectiveness as the second, which results in grainy, out-of-focus images. There are tools available that help you choose the resolution and lens that fits your needs, based on factors like distance and camera height. Determine what you need to accomplish- whether it's reading a license plate number or simply knowing whether cars are moving through a tunnel.

Do understand the trade-offs to high-quality images. Industry experts advise people to favour a crisper image over smooth motion.

Do consider the benefits of centralising video surveillance

Don't assume everything is mix and match. While many network cameras claim compatibility with many vendors' video management software, some management software is more open than others.

Simon Nash is Senior Marketing Manager at Sony Europe

Panasonic IP Cameras - Latest Bullet, PTZs and Fixed Domes

In our latest WebCamProShop eBlast we highlighted some of the latest Panasonic IP Cameras.

Panasonic offers a variety of robust yet affordable security camera solutions! 

Learn more about theses Panasonic IP Products:

WV-SP102 -- Our Price: $229.00

WV-SP105 -- Our Price: $289.00

WV-SF335 -- Our Price: 539.00

WV-SC385 -- Our Price: $1079.00

Napolitano gives first State of Homeland Security address

This article originally appeared on www.securitydirectornres.com. We specialize in building all levels of surveillance systems, from home, small business, corporate and government level surveillance. Have questions about building the perfect solution? Give us a call at 1-877-615-7669 or chat with us from 9 am to 5 pm PST

This afternoon, Secretary Napolitano started a new tradition for the Department of Homeland Security. Just days after President Obama gave the annual State of the Union address, Napolitano decided to specifically address the nation’s security position. While DHS remains a nascent agency, it has obviously garnered a lot of attention (and funding) since its inception and I think it’s only appropriate for the public to hear about its progress and future goals.

The theme of the speech was this continued effort of “shared responsibility.” DHS has really been advocating the various roles that everyone, from law enforcement to the public, shares the collective responsibility of securing the homeland.

In case you forgot: “Homeland security starts with hometown security.”

She emphasized that DHS is working with other agencies to ensure that intelligence collected makes its way to the appropriate group of people, whether that be local law enforcement or members of the private sector.

Napolitano made a few big announcements including the formal end to the color-coded threat advisory system. “In its place, we will implement a new system built on a simple and clear premise: When a threat develops that impacts you, the public, we will tell you. We will provide you with whatever information we can so know how protect yourself, your families and your communities,” she said. This new National Terrorism Advisory System “means the days are numbered for automated recordings at airports about the color code system.” Here’s the link to the official DHS announcement.

She also highlighted four areas that DHS will focus on in the coming year:

1. Counter-terrorism efforts. “We’ve worked hard to strengthen and build information-sharing architecture by increasing the capacity of our state’s fusion centers and analytic centers of excellence,” she said. She also discussed the department’s effort to strengthen the global supply chain.

2. Border security and immigration enforcement. She discussed the improvements the government is making to increase technology and personnel to secure our borders. (No mention of the recent announcement to end the SBInet program, though.)

3. Cybersecurity. She discussed continuing to make the infrastructure more resilient to attacks.

4. Improving national preparedness. She touched on the President’s announcement to designate the D Block spectrum for public safety communication and further improving technology and interoperability (Check out a recent SDN article on the topic based on a speech by the former director of FEMA.). She also announced that FEMA will run the largest exercise to date based on a massive earthquake scenario.

Overall, I wouldn’t say there was anything particularly groundbreaking in this speech, but rather Napolitano’s continued effort to encourage everyone to play their part and take national security seriously.

Attikis End-User Surveillance At a Fraction of the Cost - But is it Worth it?

Attikis (in Beta) is a new essentially free way to provide surveillance to your home with an existing alarm system. But instead of paying a monitoring system company $400+ per year to notify you when there is an intruder, Attikis states you only pay when they notify you, and you can be notified via phone call, SMS text or email. For instance if your alarm goes off a mere 5 times per year you would only pay for those 5 instances. Phone call alerts will cost you a very small amount, however email alerts are completely free. 

Learn more about home monitoring and IP surveillance at WebCamProShop.com

Most Americans are cutting different types of home services these days in order cut down on costs in a struggling economy. Although this may seem like an affordable alternative to an actual alarm system, it should be tested in several different scenarios by consumers before jumping to conclusions, hoping that it will work in a time of crisis. 

Learn more about Attikis (and if you test it let us know) at www.attikis.com

Delivering on the Promise of IP

Here's a great article about the revolution of HD network cameras in the growing IP market. This article originally appeared on securityinfowatch.com

By Marek Robinson, Honeywell Security
1-18-2011 12:58 pm

Many will look at 2010 as the year in which the security industry finally began to deliver on the promise of IP the way end users have long expected. And the answer hasn't come in the form of anything too unfamiliar. In fact, the answer is fairly clear, both literally and figuratively: High-definition (HD) cameras. At long last, HD is delivering the value long promised by IP.

As we begin 2011, let's take a step back and look at where we've been. When IP first emerged, the industry was abuzz with how IP cameras were going to immediately revolutionize the industry. The reality was, however, that IP was still expensive, took up a significant amount of bandwidth and there were a limited number of cameras available.

Many end users argue that IP cameras haven't been better than analog, citing high costs and complex installation and support requirements among the commonly-faced challenges. The industry has tried various remedies to address these issues, including looking to more megapixel cameras to meet surveillance needs. This still doesn't, however, provide the type of all-encompassing solution that users seek.

Consider why: While adding more megapixels can increase image quality, this typically only applies to situations in which the lighting is good. So, one might look at a megapixel camera and be satisfied, but that all changes once the lights go out. Adding megapixels also increases the cost of the technology, as well as network requirements -- which drive up costs, too. Add bandwidth and storage issues to the mix, and you're back to where you started.

Hitting the Sweet Spot with HD

That's where HD comes in. Now, we're seeing more HD technologies emerge that hit the sweet spot between standard definition analog cameras and high-end megapixel cameras. HD cameras are providing what many end users are looking for--namely, better picture quality, color saturation and low-light performance at a lower cost of ownership. Costs are typically comparable to analog, and users get three times the resolution level of standard definition. Users also can zoom in after the fact, which is a paramount requirement for most security surveillance settings today, and the cameras themselves do not impact storage capacity any more than analog technology.

The key to making HD video work for an end user is developing a solid platform first, followed by establishing the imaging technology. Most end users want better picture quality so they can capture crisp images of incidents and limit any uncertainty. Megapixel cameras can provide the resolution, but they lack the crisp color and clean image provided by HD technology.

IT directors in particular are embracing these types of cameras because their cost is only marginally more than conventional video graphics array (VGA) systems, and also because of standards and the ability to house HD video technologies on a network. Of course, standards discussions continue to permeate the marketplace, and the HD space is no exception. As the industry moves toward recognized standards, we will see more of a plug-and-play world.

Today's HD cameras are built on open platforms because of this new reality, so integration with other cameras and recording systems is easier and consequently driving adoption. End users don't have to change their platforms to get the benefit of a powerful camera. And housing HD video technologies on the network improves overall performance because bandwidth requirements remain largely the same as those required for analog, while picture quality becomes three or four times better.

Addressing Real Surveillance Challenges

Imagine a bell curve of cameras ideal for different end user needs. HD falls in the middle. Standard definition analog cameras rest at one end, and at the other far end of the curve, you'll find high-end megapixel cameras -- the kind that let you see all the way across a football stadium, for example.

That type of megapixel need belongs to a totally different market than the segment HD best serves. HD technology is ideal for those who want to see more detail in a frame of something like a building or a parking lot. HD's ability to zoom in three times the normal amount gives end users that ability. Again, another key benefit is the technology's ability to maintain the same level of performance in low-lighting situations, like the floor of a casino--one of the lowest lighting environments our customers face. End-user environments like casinos, however, present the surveillance challenges that HD technology can best address.

With HD video cameras, casino surveillance departments can easily monitor gaming tables as if they were looking at them in full daylight--something that can't be done with most megapixel cameras. Other environmental elements like high ceilings with high-mounted cameras make tight camera shots a challenge. However, with the zoom and resolution factors of HD technology, surveillance personnel can view specific details like chips and the numbers on dice, without having to spend more money on storage or invest in network redesign. Overall, no two end users are alike, and casinos are the extreme. But this flexibility makes HD technology a good fit for versatile environments.

Evolving Benefits

The development path for HD is also a compelling factor that will continue to improve the technology's capabilities and, in turn, enhance its appeal as a "sweet spot" technology. Driving this development is the way in which the industry is continuing to embrace technology at the edge. Technology at the edge enables faster processors and chipsets, among other things. This enables capabilities such as analytics at the edge and smart cameras, which further reduce cost of ownership, bandwidth and storage requirements.

As with any technology, challenges will accompany benefits as HD continues to evolve. But IP video technology is here, and new ways of leveraging its promise are coming into focus, thanks to HD. There will always be applications that require much higher resolution, but HD is hitting the sweet spot of high picture quality and low light performance that end users need.