How to choose a security camera, Surveillance: CCTV or IP camera

When you want to protect your home or business, one of the best way is through the use of security cameras. You have to decide whether to go for the classic television closed circuit (Closed Circuit TV) based surveillance, webcams connected to your PC, or IP cameras.
Security video can be both a defense and a deterrent. As they say: Prevention is better than cure! If you are considering the installation or update of video surveillance for your company or your home, understanding how different video surveillance systems work is essential to make the right decision.

CCTV

Originally, video surveillance was performed using a closed circuit television. This technology uses analog video cameras, coaxial cable and video recorders. The CCTV security cameras transmit a signal to a specific and limited set of monitors. CCTV systems usually include a fixed communications link between cameras and monitors, using wires and cables. This method records what is happening, but does not send you alerts. CCTV works like a video player, you have to change the cassettes, the image quality is average, storage tapes wear out over time, and the storage is bulky. In addition, cameras, monitors and recorders must be physically close enough to be connected by cables.

Web cameras

A webcam is connected to the PC, most often through a USB port, and uses the PC to make the video available to other viewers. The images of a webcam, can be accessed through the Internet with the help of monitoring software. Webcam images can be uploaded to a web server, continuously or at regular intervals.
Webcams are being used effectively for security purposes. These cameras can be used to monitor and record activity in small offices, stores and homes. Monitoring software, such as WebCam Monitor, which is needed to complete a video security system. A webcam works only if it is connected directly to a PC. You will need a lon g Cable if you want to monitor something that is not close to the webcam's PC is connected. Webcams can only be read directly controlled by the host computer and cannot be shared on a network.

IP cameras

IP Camera is a digital video camera designed for surveillance, and that can be viewed through the Internet. IP cameras are stand-a lon electronic devices that connect to your Ethernet or wireless network. You can monitor several cameras in different places from a PC through the Internet.

Benefits of an IP camera through CCTV.

• Remote Live Monitoring: Multiple location monitoring becomes easy and economical with IP cameras. The camera does not need to be connected to a PC. You can view camera images from anywhere that has an Internet connection. All you need is a PC with Internet access to see all the activity live.
• Motion detection and alarms: When IP cameras are used with motion detection software, such as Security Monitor Pro, you will be informed and alerted immediately when motion is detected. The software allows you to view and control multiple IP cameras from a single PC interface.
• Better to see and control: Some IP cameras have features such as Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ). You can control the camera remotely, adjust the focus, angle and field of view without actually being present at the camera location. You can track and zoom to reveal more about the exact person, place or thing you care about.
• IP camera based systems are the future of video surveillance. In the short term they may be a bit more expensive, but it is obviously an investment in superior quality and flexibility. As the surveillance technology of the future, it will not exceed a video surveillance system based on IP cameras at any time soon. You will be able to update and improve this system in the coming years, while older systems will become obsolete. IP network cameras are a proven technology that has many advantages over traditional analog CCTV systems. An IP camera may be the best used for surveillance, since it covers a large area.