Video surveillance systems allow you to receive visual and audio information, being at a certain distance from the place of observation. IP video surveillance makes it possible to view data from cameras from anywhere where there is Internet access.
IP Camera Definition and Operation
IP surveillance cameras are often called network cameras because they capture video in digital format and use a computer network for broadcasting, transmitting data through nodes of a local computer network to an end user over long distances. Modern IP cameras have high resolution and are equipped with various additional functions:
- translation of the image in the desired format;
- scaling
- incline;
- pan;
- intelligent image analysis, in particular face recognition;
- Motion Detection;
- audio tracking;
- automatic alerts.
The network camera has its own IP address, so it can be found through a computer on the local network.
Network devices differ in type of execution:
- Case - have a sealed casing that protects from the influence of the external environment.
- Case multimedia - are installed indoors, equipped with a microphone and a connector for a flash card.
- Dome - provide 360 ° visibility, are usually installed indoors on the ceiling, and there are outdoor devices.
- Swivel - used to track an object, change the viewing angle, equipped with a zoom.
- Cylindrical - universal, installed inside and out.
The first IP video camera was created in 1996. She had a resolution of only 0.3 megapixels and at that time could not compete with analog systems.
Differences of IP-camera from analog
Analog and IP cameras find their customers. The choice between analog and IP equipment is fundamental, because these devices are significantly different from each other, have objective advantages and disadvantages.
The classic analog camera is characterized by a low resolution. Video is transmitted via cable as a low-frequency signal. Benefits:
- work does not depend on the degree of illumination;
- show better when shooting in motion;
- unlimited bandwidth;
- not subject to hacker attacks.
When choosing systems based on analog cameras, you should be prepared for the disadvantages:
- limited recording duration;
- analog interference due to exposure to electromagnetic fields (the longer the cable, the more interference);
- poor image quality;
- problems storing a large number of videos.
Gradually, classic devices replace video cameras, which are also designed for analog surveillance, but have high resolution. Currently there are three standards: AHD, CVI, TVI. The differences between them are minimal, but they are not compatible with each other:
- A TVI standard video signal broadcasts a picture with a resolution of up to 1920 × 1080 pixels. The main difference: separation of the luminance and color signal for a clearer image.
- CVI translates as composite high-definition video interface. The video signal is also transmitted via coaxial cable. Technology controlled by Dahua.
- The AHD standard camera transmits an image that is geometrically close to a digital signal, and the frame dimension is 1280 × 720 pixels.
Analog cameras have the following advantages:
- It’s easier to connect, because they do not require network settings, calculating network bandwidth, connecting to a router, switches. When connecting AHD equipment, you can use the old cable route left over from the classic analog system, you just need to change the cameras and the recorder.
- There are no delays or freezes during signal transmission. In real time, video from analog devices is broadcast at a speed of 25 frames per second, so the picture is smooth.
- If a high-quality cable is used for laying the track, the video signal is transmitted without interference and amplifiers to a distance of 500 m, and using active transceivers, you can increase the transmission range to 1500 m.
- AHD equipment from different manufacturers is compatible with each other thanks to a single standard.
- At night, analog cameras shoot better video, because they have a higher light sensitivity compared to IP cameras.
Using AHD cameras, you can create an analog-type system with image quality approaching the quality of IP systems, while avoiding complex settings. If necessary, AHD cameras are connected to an analog video recorder, having previously transferred them to the analog video surveillance mode of the PAL standard.
IP cameras are more expensive, but this does not stop those who care about the advantages of an IP video surveillance system:
- IP cameras are much more functional than analog devices. They can be integrated into a common security system, which also includes an access control management system and a fire safety system.
- Advanced IP cameras allow you to recognize faces, car numbers, take screenshots, send notifications when an object disappears from a given area.
- Ultra-high resolution so far has only network equipment. If the absolute maximum for analog devices is 3 megapixels, then network cameras can be with a resolution of 10-12 megapixels or even higher. Their installation is justified where high image detail is required.
- Individual models can shoot with an increased frame rate, provide an opportunity to view 360 °, without blind spots.
- Network video surveillance system is installed on the basis of a computer or DVR. The latter is optional.
- Since a network cable is used to connect IP cameras that support POE technology, which simultaneously transmits video and audio signals, power, no additional lines are required.
- A network video recorder costs significantly less than a hybrid video recorder. Devices only for connecting analog cameras are no longer available.
Disadvantages of network equipment is:
- Low light sensitivity and color rendering quality.
- In the case of IP cameras, the transmission range is not more than 100 meters, provided that a high-quality copper cable with a core thickness of at least 0.5 mm is used. If you lay a network cable made of copper-coated aluminum and in cold conditions, the transmission range is reduced to 25-30 m. To transmit a signal over long distances, you must use switches that relay the signal.
- High-resolution IP equipment does not always transmit a video signal at a speed of 25 frames per second, often the frequency is only 17 frames per second or lower, so the video sequence is more "ragged". In addition, delays in transmitting images for 1–2 seconds are common.
- Connecting an IP camera can be a difficult or even impossible task for a person who is not well versed in computer technology.
- Involving devices from different manufacturers in the system can be fraught with various malfunctions, for example, the lack of sound recording.
The most popular resolution: 1 MP, 1.3 MP, 2 MP provide both network and analog equipment.
Connection and installation of IP video surveillance
Connecting and installing a network camera are tasks that require special skills and knowledge. Users have to turn to specialists because of problems encountered in the process.
Camera pinout
Cameras are connected using special patch cord cables. It may be included. Cable crimping is performed using a special crimping tool - crimper. It is important to observe the pinout.
A cable with pinout according to the T568A standard is used to connect a switch or modem to a computer. When the terminal is located flat side down, the circuit reads from right to left:
- white-green;
- green;
- white-orange;
- blue;
- white and blue;
- Orange;
- white-brown;
- brown.
To connect two computer devices via a network card, the T568B standard is used. The diagram is also read from right to left:
- white-orange;
- Orange;
- white-green;
- blue;
- white and blue;
- green;
- white-brown;
- brown.
To connect IP cameras, an 8-wire UTP cable is used - twisted pair cable. The insulation from the end of the cable is removed. The cores are inserted into the RJ-45 connector in accordance with the T568B standard. Since with a simple Internet connection only 1, 2, 3 and 6 conductors are used, free conductors can be used to power the camera, for example, 4 - blue and 8 - brown. In this case, brown and blue conductors are stripped and fixed in the power connector: brown - in "+", blue - in "-".
If the network camera uses a Wi-Fi connection, only the power cable is needed.
Then the conductors are cut to 1 cm and fixed in the RJ-45 connector in the corresponding color sequence. Crimp with a crimper.
Ready-made connectors are inserted into the IP camera sockets and routed wires to the DVR, switch or laptop / computer. The second side of the cable is also crimped according to the diagram and connected to the existing device. The power wire is connected to the power source, always observing the polarity.
Wiring diagram
According to a typical connection scheme, to create a full-fledged IP video surveillance system, several IP cameras are required. The image from them can be viewed through an Internet connection using a computer or phone, tablet. For devices to work properly, you need a switch or switch. It integrates cameras into a local network. You may need a network video recorder whose function is to record, display, and store recorded material. To access IP video surveillance, you need to organize access to the Internet. To this end, the switch connects to the router. The server is a computer. It is necessary for direct interaction with cameras: requesting images, transferring them, saving.
The equipment is interconnected using twisted pairs: UTP, FTS and STP. These varieties differ in the type of shielding. After that, settings are made to access the cameras and the recorder. Access to viewing video from an IP camera is configured through an Internet browser or a client program. The first allows you to remotely view videos, but to control multiple cameras, special software is required.
Special software has a graphical interface and sufficient functionality for comfortable viewing and analysis:
- rewind;
- viewing in the recording;
- frame rate change;
- video extraction;
- initiating a recording;
- scaling
- tilt the camera.
Popular free software products include:
- XProject Go;
- Zone Minder
- Axxon Next;
- Xeoma.
Sometimes the software comes with the camera on disk.
Connect directly to a laptop and through a browser
The IP camcorder can be directly connected to a laptop or PC, because it has its own web server. However, a maximum of one camera can be used and the LAN port will be busy. If you connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, the port can be used to connect an IP camera.
It will be required:
- camera;
- complete power supply;
- twisted pair cable.
Complete with a video camera there is a connecting cord with through pinout (patch cord). One side is crimped in 568A, the other in 568B. The end of the patch cord is inserted into the RJ-45 connector, and the other into the laptop / computer. A power supply is connected to the camera, which is inserted into an outlet.
The IP address of the camera is set by default. It can be indicated in the instructions, on the box, on the sticker. It can be changed through a web browser. The laptop and device must be on the same subnet. This means that the digits of the IP address, except those that come after the last point, must match. To change the default IP, you need to open the "Network and Sharing Center", then go to the "Status" tab and go to "Properties". The properties of the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4) component indicate any subnet address. Sometimes a colon is specified separately through a colon.
To check the connection, you need to enter the IP camera address in the address bar of the web browser. If there is a connection, the system will require you to enter a login and password to view the image. Next, special software for recording video is installed. Thus, video from an IP camera can be viewed from any device that accesses the Internet through a standard web browser. The address bar indicates the IP address and port number.
Common IP Camera Resolution
When choosing the resolution of an IP camera, you need to clearly understand whether the use of an oversized image will be of benefit. You can purchase a network camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels, but the aspect ratio of the image 16: 9 has only a resolution of 1 megapixel and 2 megapixel, respectively, 1280 × 720 pixels and 1980 × 1080 pixels. Cameras with higher resolution transmit a picture with an aspect ratio of 4: 3, so in fact video from a 4-megapixel video camera may look worse on the same screen than video from a 2-megapixel device. All other things being equal, the higher the resolution, the more informative the image.
Do not rely on a simple description of the technical specifications. To evaluate the quality of the video recording, it is worth looking at the demo recording made by a specific model. If the resolution increases due to the processor, in fact it is equal to Full HD, but the image quality is poor.
Configure IP Security Camera
The quality of the video stream from the IP camera can be adjusted. For the MJPEG format, the following parameters are regulated: resolution, frame rate, quality. For MPEG-4 and H.264 - resolution, transmission speed, quality. The frame rate is the number of frames per unit time, and the transmission rate is determined by the amount of bandwidth. The higher these values, the smoother the video will be and the more video files will “weigh”. However, the frame rate is limited by bandwidth, so these parameters should not be overestimated. For a smooth video sequence, a frame rate of 24 frames per second is enough, if this characteristic does not matter, you can use professional recommendations:
- ticket office - 12-15 frames / s;
- corridors of schools and offices - 5 frames / s;
- parking - 1-3 frames / s;
- stadiums in the absence of competition - 1 frame / s.
The required frame rate depends on the speed and direction of movement of the object. Greater frequency is required when the object is moving at high speed in the horizontal direction.
Rating of the best IP cameras for video surveillance
IP cameras can be designed for indoor and outdoor monitoring, and since the requirements for the use vary, it is necessary to separate the rating of cameras for outdoor and indoor surveillance.
TOP 3 outdoor IP cameras:
- Hikvision DS-2CD2023G0-I. The camera is protected from moisture and dust. Protection level corresponds to IP67. There are built-in motion sensors, infrared illumination with a range of 30 m. The shooting speed is 25 frames / s. Resolution - 1920 × 1080 pixels. The only drawback is not the smallest cost.
- Dahua DH-IPC-HDBW1431EP-S-0360B. Dome outdoor camera, operating in the range from –30 ° C to + 60 ° C. The main advantages: high resolution - 2688 × 1520 pixels, IP67 protection, infrared illumination and cost less than the leader of the rating.
- TRASSIR TR-D3111IR1. Inexpensive but decent camera with a resolution of 1280 × 960 pixels. There is a built-in microphone, the protection level is IP66. Moreover, the quality of shooting in low light is quite good.
TOP-3 IP cameras for internal video surveillance:
- EZVIZ C6T. High-quality mid-range camera with Wi-Fi. Differs in miniature, the presence of a built-in microphone and speaker. Added the ability to configure via smartphone. The image is high-quality: rich and clear, but the frame rate is only 15 frames / s.
- Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080P. Budget home camera with wide functionality with a viewing angle of 130 °, good image. The only drawback is the not very high-quality microphone.
- TRASSIR TR-D7111IR1W. Inexpensive model of a home camera that can work as a baby monitor. It functions both in low light conditions and in night mode with IR illumination. Of the shortcomings, only a setting that requires certain skills.
It is necessary to select a video surveillance system for the needs, taking into account the initial conditions.
IP cameras make up a significant part of the market for video surveillance equipment. These are devices that allow you to monitor an object via the Internet. Despite the development of AHD technology, network equipment has no analogues.
