Security Cameras 101: How To Buy IP Security Cameras

If you’ve bought your first home, or if you live in a less than desirable neighborhood an you’ve got stuff worth stealing (and lets face ut that includes most of us) you’re going to want to get yourself some security cameras and surveillance equipment.

The problem is knowing exactly what type of security camera to get.

While Jing Zhang put together an excellent beginners guide to buying security cameras he didn’t take that close a look at the wonderful world of IP cameras.

These days, a wide range of security camera equipment and capabilities exists which can make any security surveillance system extremely able and highly functional.

Many wireless systems exist which make use of different means of getting their image signals from the camera to the receiver/monitor/recorder devices. WiFi is now one of those.

WiFi stands for “wireless fidelity” and it’s the wonderful thing that allows you to browse the internet in places like Starbucks from your smart phone. But it can also be used for the security system as well.

The good thing about WiFi cameras is that they come equipped with an IP number and it is possible to set up a ‘website’ which you can log into anywhere in the world to see what’s going on in your home (Read Ali Dayekh’s blog Setting Up IP Camera Software, The Dummies Guide for more on how to do this).

 

Security cameras like these are capable of transmitting their footage anywhere, while only allowing YOU access.So it’s worthwhile to consider installing an IP camera if you’re going to be traveling a lot, but what should you look for in an IP camera?

When considering whether or not to get a WiFi security camera it is important to take the following things into consideration (besides all the items listed in Jing Zhang’s beginners guide to buying security cameras):

• Software
• Transmission signal strength

 

 

Software Support

 

 

Like everything else that relies heavily on computers IP cameras need good software to work well.

While there are free options out there like Vitamin D (Read redferret.net/?p=18647 for more about this service) it always helps to have a software package that works out of the box and doesn’t require too much head scratching to set up.

The Skynet One – IP Security Camera (WIFI, DVR, Night Vision), IP Surveillance Camera with Angle Control and USB Webcam Server and IP Surveillance Camera with Angle Control and Motion Detection all come with excellent software that supports all sorts of encryption and can handle multiple connection protocols.

 

Transmission Signal Strength

 

 

It’s important, if you’re dealing with a wireless IP camera, that it can send a signal over at least 250 feet, or have the means to send footage directly into a ethernet cable.

If the signal is not able to get from the camera to the server then there is no point for the camera to have internet capabilities.

But that’s about it, by shopping around for WiFi security cameras you should be able to make sure that your home is safe, no matter where you are in the world.