Watching Your Home from Afar
To many people, video surveillance systems are the exclusive domain of banks, fancy restaurants, corner groceries, and Bond villains. But thanks to the advent of IP cameras, the technology is much more accessible than ever before. In fact, many homeowners deploy IP cameras to watch over their property while they're at work or on vacation, at a fraction of the cost of high-end professional systems. IP camera systems aren't perfect--there are still some drawbacks, particularly in terms of lens resolution and bandwidth requirements--but they're getting better all the time.
The defining feature of an IP camera is that it functions as a standalone device but can transmit images over the Internet to any location in the world. Unlike USB webcams, for example, IP cameras don't rely on a single piece of software to capture images, but instead use open Internet protocols and standards to broadcast the video across a local area network or the Web. So if you're vacationing in Istanbul, you can easily pull up a live feed of your living room or backyard patio and remotely monitor the situation. Many IP cameras are also programmed to detect motion in your home, and then e-mail or text you with an alert. Some can even upload video by FTP so you can watch the footage. Other common features include 360-degree panning, two-way audio, and infrared illumination.
A variety of companies offer both wired (commonly via Ethernet) and wireless IP cameras, including Panasonic, TRENDnet, Sony, Mobotix, and JVC. To learn more, check out the IP Camera Learning & Resource Center.
gazgaz on November 19, 2008 at 03:48 AM
Are people actually interested in this kind of home surveillance proposition? This kind of technology with remote video access over IP has been available for a number of years already....
tom on November 19, 2008 at 06:37 AM
Trendnet are junk! had 3 of them and they all crapped out! You should not write about something if you have never used or tested!