Safety Net: Are IP CCTV Cameras The Right Choice For Securing Your Home?

Posted on: 3 January 2018

In days gone by, the most advanced home security system the average homeowner could acquire was a big dog and a big gun. Fortunately, technology marches on, and sophisticated CCTV camera systems that were once limited to protecting large-scale industrial, commercial and governmental properties are now well within the reach of most homeowners.

The march of technology hasn't just made CCTV systems more accessible, however; it has also increased their functionality massively, and one of the newest and most effective additions to the field of CCTV cameras is the so-called internet protocol camera, commonly referred to as an IP camera.

What are IP CCTV cameras?

Put simply, IP CCTV cameras are security cameras that maintain a direct, constant link to an internet-connected server or data storage device. This allows them to upload the footage they record directly to digital storage located either on or off-site, and it also allows them to be monitored remotely in real-time using simple computer software. 

What are the advantages of choosing IP cameras over conventional CCTV cameras?

Instant storage of footage

IP CCTV cameras transmit their footage directly to a connected digital storage medium, which ensures that no valuable footage is lost. This can be extremely handy if the worst should occur and you need footage to prove the identity of intruders or assist police with their enquiries. It also allows footage to easily be duplicated to a backup device, preventing data loss due to connection or power outages.

Easy installation

The vast majority of modern IP CCTV cameras use wireless internet connections to transmit and store footage, and therefore only have a single attached cable to provide power. This makes them considerably easier to install than most analog and conventional HD cameras, which must be wired correctly and physically connected to a video storage device (which often has very limited connection ports).

Programmable

The software used to monitor and control IP cameras is highly sophisticated, and it allows you to fine-tune the operation of your IP cameras to suit your needs. Your IP camera can be programmed to automatically switch on and off at certain times to save power, change orientation at set intervals to eliminate blind spots, and automatically zoom in on any movements detected within the field of view. The most sophisticated IP cameras can even be programmed to automatically begin recording using body heat detection and facial recognition.

Remote viewing

Because IP cameras can connect directly to the internet, you do not need to be close to your camera (or even in the same country) to monitor them over a stable internet connection. This makes them particularly useful if you wish to keep an eye on your home while away on work trips, vacations and other getaways.

What are the disadvantages of choosing IP cameras?

Cost

All the extra functionality and convenience of IP cameras inevitably comes at a cost, and they tend to be significantly more expensive than more basic camera models. This extra cost can be offset by the increased control you have over your cameras, allowing you to install fewer cameras and cover resultant blind spots using programmed routines.

Insecure if used incorrectly

If IP cameras are installed without being properly secured (using password protection, WPA2 encryption and other methods), they can potentially be hacked, allowing the footage they record to be viewed be almost anyone. However, the measures needed to prevent hacking are very simple and are usually carried out automatically by the camera's software bundle, so only the most careless of IP camera users need worry about this problem.

To learn more, contact a company that offers CCTV installation services.

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