What’s the deal with IP Security Cameras?

Alnet Systems Netstation IP Camera and Hybrid DVR/NVR Software

   IP Security cameras have been drifting around on the market since the late 90’s as a challenger to traditional analog output security cameras.  However, there have been many hurdles for these IP security cameras to become mainstream which have kept the popularity of these cameras lower than projected by the major IP security camera manufacturers.

   First, what is an IP Security Camera? – An IP Security camera is a security camera that is plugged into your Network with a standard CAT5 network cable, and does not require a coaxial video cable.  These cameras have image sensors similar to traditional security cameras, however they also have onboard circuits which perform video compression at the camera, then format the video for sending over the network to a storage device or PC.  IP Security cameras range from VGA resolution (640×480) to HD resolutions up to 5 MegaPixel depending on the model.  Some of these cameras can even feed power through a Power over Ethernet router, providing you the ability to run a single CAT5 cable to your camera.

   What are some of the inherent problems with IP Cameras? – IP Security Cameras are manufactured by many different security camera manufacturers, and each camera communicates on the network differently.  This poses problems with integration, because if you have cameras from several manufacturers, then you need to run several pieces of software: one for each make or model of camera.  Then, if you have existing analog cameras, in the past, you would have to replace them all.

5.0 MegaPixel Arecont IP Security Camera

    Alnet Systems Inc. has provided a new solution, which is helping to bring IP Cameras into the market and allow them to easily integrate into your existing cctv security camera system.  Alnet has always provided DVR Cards and software that will allow for recording from traditional security cameras onto a PC, but now they have expanded their product line to incorporate the Netstation NVR software.  These Alnet security solutions will allow you to combine traditional BNC security cameras along with IP Cameras of various brands, and record them all to the same hybrid DVR/NVR server for side-by-side remote viewing of your existing analog security cameras with IP security cameras at once.

   For IP-Camera only installations, Alnet offers their Netstation NVR Software in various licenses from 4-64 cameras.  This software even provides support for the new Arecont Vision MegaPixel IP Security Cameras.

• NETCAM4 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 4-IP Camera License
• NETCAM8 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 8-IP Camera License
• NETCAM12 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 12-IP Camera License
• NETCAM16 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 16-IP Camera License
• NETCAM20 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 20-IP Camera License
• NETCAM24 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 24-IP Camera License
• NETCAM32 – Alnet Netstation NVR Software with 32-IP Camera License

For Hybrid solutions with some analog and some IP security cameras, simply select an Alnet DVR Card.  Each of these DVR Cards can be upgraded to include license for IP Camera support.  Select an Alnet Systems DVR Card here

View cameras right on your PDA phone with our Alnet Netstation or Hybrid Systems

With the new Alnet Netstation NVR and Hybrid DVR/NVR solutions, you can now easily integrate your IP Cameras and traditional CCTV Security Cameras into a single security camera solution to provide recording and remote viewing from PC, Laptop, Windows Mobile PDA Phone, Windows Mobile Smartphone or even Java or Symbian enabled Cell Phones with access to all of your IP and traditional security cameras.  This remote viewing capability far exceeds the basic remote viewing capabilities of your IP Cameras, and allows you access to your IP and CCTV Security cameras at once right from your Phone from anywhere in the world. 

   The seamless integration provided by the Alnet Netstation Software and Alnet DVR Cards is just what the IP security camera industry has been waiting for, as it will help increase the IP camera penetration into the market by allowing customers to upgrade their existing systems to include IP security cameras

Platinum CCTV Surveillance Solutions
http://Platinum-CCTV.com
http://Ez-Toyz.com

Palos Heights Rape – Update

Police Sketch of Palos Heights Rapist

   So unfortunately it looks like the security cameras on the nearby building must not have recorded anything…it was a long-shot in the first place, because of the fact that those cameras were installed to watch that building, not the sandwich shop down the street.  At least the police sketch artists have been able to put together a great sketch of the rapist, so everyone take a good look.  Someone like this needs to be put behind bars immediately.

 

Check out more photos here from NBC5.com

   It is so important for business owners to install a quality business security camera system to help protect their employees and business.  From NBC5.com’s article today, it is now apparent that the rapist actually came into the store when he returned and ordered a sandwich for take-out.  So if cameras were installed, we wouldn’t be working with a sketch right now, we would be working with security camera footage…or maybe he would have been discouraged once he saw that he was on video.

Lets all keep our eyes and our security cameras watching for this creep and bring him to justice.

10-10-08 – UDPATED -

The Lawyer for the family of the 17 year old Palos Height girl who claimed she was kidnapped and raped issued a statement today, admitting that the girl made up the entire story…after the police found inconsistencies in her story when compared to the evidence on-hand.  No reason was given to the press as to the reason that this girl would fabricate this story.  The Police and Prosecutors stated that they will not pursue charges of filing a false police report and obstructing justice, even though the investigation is estimated to have cost taxpayers in excess of $200,000.

Check out the whole story here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1214412,rape-claim-101010.article

17 Year Old attacked while closing up business

17 year old brutally raped in Palos Heights, IL

   17-Year old is recovering after a brutal attack in Palos Heights, IL.  She was working in a local sandwich shop, ‘TJ Grinders’ in Palos Heights, when she became uncomfortable because a customer in the store was staring at her.  She had sent a text message to a friend telling them that she wanted to close up early…Then a second text message later that the customer had come back.  Her friend quickly travelled to the store, but by the time he got there, the store was already locked up and her purse and cell phone were laying on the sidewalk in front of the store.  The friend immediately called the police and the search for her began.

   Police searched for several hours, and the 17 year old was eventually found staggering beaten and partially clothed into her own front yard.  The police were still at her residence speaking with her parents when she returned.  The victim stated that she was kidnapped as she locked up the store, and was sexually assaulted in an SUV by one suspect while another drove around.  They eventually dropped her off 1/2 mile from her house.

   Police are hoping that the suspect and vehicle were caught on a nearby business security camera.  Unfortunately the business where the victim worked must not have had security cameras of their own.

   It is so important that we protect our businesses…sometimes the cameras might help you catch thieves or prevent theft.  But how valuable is it, when you can deter such a tragic occurance like this brutal rape and beating that an employee suffered or provide direct evidence to police if something like this does occur. 

   Many business owners that we speak with, are concerned that employees will think that they are just trying to look over the shoulders of the employees.  Security Cameras can provide evidence of theft, but honest employees are not concerned with the cameras at all.  But the cameras can also help to provide peace of mind to your employees, helping to improve their safety and security while in and around the facility.

Our prayers go out to the victim of this tragedy as well as her family.
We hope that the neighboring business’ security camera provides the needed evidence to get these criminals off of the street.

How far can a security camera see?

   “How far can a security camera see?” This is a question that we frequently get from customers who are looking to install security cameras in their home or business.  Security cameras will see as far as they have light coming into their lens…much like the human eye.  If you hold a security camera up to the horizon, then you will see as far with the camera as you see with the naked eye.

   What you really need to consider when selecting the camera is the lens or width of view that the camera has, as this will determine the quality of the picture that will be delivered by the camera.  For instance, the picture below is from a camera with a 4mm wideangle lens.  It provides a nice wide view of the area, but in longer distances will make things appear too small…so there will be less distinguishing characteristics.  So in the picture below, if we were trying to identify the car that is sitting at the stop light, then we would have very limited information to use.

4mm Wideangle View Security Camera

You can see the stoplight in the background, and that there is a silver car sitting at the light, but can you tell much else about the car?  Probably not with the wideangle view.  However, this same camera does a great job to provide details about the cars that are parked in the foreground, such as the blue PT Cruiser or the Silver Ford Taurus.  For this reason, if you were intending to provide general coverage of the parking lot area, then a 4mm camera would be a good selection.  However, if you were trying to monitor the traffic light with this camera, then it would not be a great selection.

70mm Zoom Lens at same stoplight

This is the same vehicle sitting at the same stoplight from the picture before…the only difference is the lens that is being used.  This image uses a 70mm lens, which brings you closer to to action.  So if you were trying to use the camera for monitoring the stop light, then this would be a much wiser choice…but if you were going to use this same lens to monitor the parking lot, then you would need many more cameras.  Below is the same camera with 70mm lens being used to monitor the parking lot…you would have a great picture of someone standing next to the PT Cruiser, but aside from that you would not have very good coverage of the parking lot in general.

70mm Security Camera in Parking Lot

   So when selecting a camera, it is important to ask not “how far the camera can see” but rather, what lens does the camera use.  Some cameras have several lens options to suit your installation.  For example, our popular outdoor infrared CD-9255 model camera comes with several lens sizes (4mm wide, 8mm standard, 12mm fixed zoom).  Everything else on the camera is identical.

4mm Outdoor Infrared Wideangle 4mm Security Camera

This CD-9255-4 (4mm Wideangle Version) is well suited to this room (our Security Camera Showroom in Naperville, IL)  The wide-angle 4mm lens provides great coverage of the full width of the room, and would provide good distinguishing characteristics on anyone within that space.

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CD-9255 IR Security Camera with 8mm Lens

Mounted at the same location, the CD-9255 with 8mm Lens provides a much narrower field of view, but would provide much better distinguishing characteristics.  For reference, the blue banner is 25 feet from the camera.  So for whole-room coverage, the 8mm lens would not be the best selection…but for monitoring a specific area, the 8mm lens would be a better selection.  So when your cameras are being mounted further away from the area being covered, an 8mm camera might be a good selection.

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CD-9255-12 Infrared Security Camera with 12mm Lens

The 12mm Fixed Zoom lens provides a narrower field of view and increased distinguishing characteristics.  Normally the 12mm version would not be used to monitor an area so close (25 feet from teh camera to the PDA Phone banner).  This camera would be more prevalently used in areas where the camera is mounted 45-65 feet away from the area being viewed.

   So when selecting a camera to monitor your home or business, it is important to select a camera that will give you the view that you are looking for from where the camera is mounted.  Too wide of a lens doesn’t provide the necessary detail that is required, while too narrow of a lens will not cover the full width.  This lens calculator will help you to calculate the width of view of a camera…simply type in the lens (in mm) and the distance from the camera to the area being viewed (in feet – this is line of site from the camera’s lens) and press calculate…it will give you the approximate width and height of view for that camera.

Michael
Platinum CCTV Surveillance Solutions
http://Platinum-CCTV.com
Purchase Security Cameras online for your home or business

9-11 comes and goes…but we must remain vigilant

   Another year has come and gone since that fateful day.  Thankfully without additional happenings.  As homeowners and businessowners, this day should serve as a reminder of what has happened, and the fact that we must not let it occur again.  We must all be watchful of our surroundings, and quick to report when something is happening around us, because we never know when the enemy will strike again.

   Security cameras and surveillance systems have been proven effective in helping to stop terrorist attacks, as well as bringing those responsible to quick justice…look at the bombings in the UK, their advanced network of Security cameras helped to quickly identify the attackers there.  But security cameras are not just for government use…we all need to do our part in protecting our own homes, our own businesses so that we can provide evidence when something occurs.

   One of our customers was even able to provide evidence to authorities that he was NOT involved in criminal activity when an outrageous neighbor called the police on him to accuse him of reckless driving and endangerment of children on his block.  The police showed up and were ready to arrest him on the lady’s word…but stopped once he played the footage from his security camera for them, showing that his car had been sitting in the driveway the entire day, and had not moved one inch.  Proving that you never know when you will need your security cameras, or what you will need them for.

5.0 MegaPixel Arecont IP Security Camera

   Security cameras are undergoing a significant improvement, allowing business owners to use less cameras to protect their areas, and even zoom in after the fact.  The new breed of MegaPixel IP Security Cameras, like our Arecont Vision MegaPixel IP Security Cameras, provide from 1.3 Megapixel to 5.0 Megapixel video quality and integrate right with our Alnet PC Based DVR Systems and software, allowing you to create a Hybrid system, with some IP Cameras and some analog cameras.  These cameras will even provide high enough resolution to capture license plates on vehicles in your parking lot while still having a wide enough view to cover the rest of the parking lot.  This new addition to business security camera systems, provides greater flexibility and greater strength and resolution for better distinguishing characteristics.  These new cameras can be mixed with older style cctv cameras, providing higher resolution capabilities for important areas, and allowing you to expand your system into the next generation slowly.

Lets all spend 9-11 in memory of those lost, but also look forward to not rest on our laurels…we need to be vigilant in protecting our homes, our families, our businesses in any way possible.

Michael
Platinum CCTV
http://Platinum-CCTV.com