Access control used to be a mostly mechanical application with basic functions until IP door control software breathed new possibilities into it.
Today’s security professional’s duties bear little resemblance to those of the security guard of the mid-twentieth century. Gone are the days when padlocks and fences were sufficient to keep intruders at bay; back when a guard’s duties consisted of making patrols and authorizing admittance consisted of the wave of a hand.
When the twenty-first century ushered in the adoption of IP camera systems, a new era of security dawned. Anyone hoping to become a security professional today needs, at the very minimum, working knowledge of IP cameras and video management software.
Technical support call:
Caller: ‘Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?’
Operator: ‘I’m sorry, sir, I don’t understand who you are talking about.’
Caller: ‘On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?’
Operator: ‘I think it means the telephone plug on the wall.’
Continue reading “Now for the Cartoons and Jokes 2”This post was updated on 11/27/2017 to reflect new cameras available.
The low light capability of an IP camera will determine if you can use the camera outdoors at night or inside with minimum lighting. This article reviews the IP camera specification for minimum light level and the factors that affect the low light performance.
Low-light sensitivity for IP cameras is defined as the lowest level of light that still provides reasonable video clarity. Most cameras will work well in the daytime or at normal room lighting, but we have to take a careful look at the specifications to determine if the camera will work when it’s dark.
The low light sensitivity defined in the camera specifications can be misleading. IP camera specifications use lux (lx) to define minimum light level, but there’s more to the comparison than just the lux level.
Continue reading “IP Camera Low Light Sensitivity”
As we have mentioned in the past, the best IP camera is related directly to the application. In our current comparison testing, we focused on the features that are most important such as low light performance, wide dynamic range, and resolution.
In this review, we compared the resolution of the Samsung SMV-6084R, Sony VM630, Hikvision DS-2CD7254FWD, and IPX DDK-1700D cameras. The test was carried out in good lighting and with similar lens angle settings. Note that actual resolution is also affected by the amount of light, dynamic range, and camera noise. All these factors must be considered in real-world applications. Please take a look at our article, Understanding IP Camera Resolution Specifications that discuss this in more detail.
The SNP-6320H is part of the Samsung family of PTZ dome IP camera systems. As a PTZ, or pan, tilt, zoom system, it is ideally suited for monitoring a particularly large space. The camera is capable of endless, 360° rotations and a 210° tilt, allowing you to effectively monitor an area that might otherwise take several cameras to fully cover.
The 6320H model is designed for outdoor use, offering protective features that are not found in the indoor Samsung SNP 6320. It is recommended for large, exterior locations like parking lots, and outdoor sports complexes.
Intelligent Surveillance Software
Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) software in the 6320H system offers many sophisticated tools in automatically monitoring activity. Cameras can be programmed to patrol the area, focusing on unusual activity as needed. Face detection allows it to discern when there are people within the monitored area. Tripwire and enter/exit direction lets it know when someone or something passes through the perimeter. Object appear/disappear detection lets it know when there are foreign or missing objects within sight.
Video Quality
This IP camera system captures high quality color video, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and an ultra fast frame rate of 60fps. Its sophisticated light sensitivity features allow it to produce images of scenes that contain both very bright and very dark areas. Under poor weather conditions, like rain, fog, or thick smoke, the Defog feature kicks in to reduce loss of clarity. Under vibrating conditions, the Digital Image Stabilization can negate the effect on your image.
Extras and Peripherals
The camera has a built-in SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot, allowing for local video storage that can be retrieved remotely by authorized users. It can also interface with a local PA system to provide support for bi-directional audio.
Protective Features
This IP camera system is specially equipped for outdoor use, with a sophisticated anti-tampering mechanism that sends out an alert if the camera is moved without authorization or if the lens has paint sprayed over it. It also comes with a heater to combat the effects of extreme weather conditions.
The SNF-7010 is a panoramic 360° camera from the Samsung line of dome IP camera systems. With a panoramic fisheye lens and digital PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) technology, it is an ideal system for smaller, interior locations like stores and office spaces.
This IP camera system’s digital PTZ differs from conventional PTZ in that, while a conventional PTZ system shifts its focus by physically moving the camera itself, a digital PTZ captures a full panoramic image and moves your display across this image.
A drawback of this system is that your zoomed-in image is limited to the resolution of the original image, so you cannot capture fine detail on distant objects in the way you would with a conventional PTZ camera. Therefore, it is not recommended for watching large areas. However, since a digital PTZ camera system does not rely on delicate moving parts in the way that a conventional PTZ system does, it is more reliable in the face of harsh conditions and gradual wear and tear. Additionally, while a conventional PTZ camera can only capture the image of the zone it is pointed at, a panoramic camera is constantly capturing video of its complete range.
Video Quality
This camera system offers a three megapixel, 1018P HD image at 20fps with Samsung’s advanced imaging technology. It supports a variety of views, including Single and Dual Panorama, Quad view, region of interest (ROI), rectangle mode, and more. Supported by 120dB rated WDR (wide dynamic range), defog features, and digital day/night function, it can deliver a quality image under a variety of conditions.
Extras and Peripherals
The 7010 has a built-in microphone to support two-way audio and an on-board SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot for local video storage.
Protective Features
This system is equipped with a number of event notifications and alarms, including motion detection, audio detection, and anti-tampering functions that send out an alert if the camera is disconnected from the network or otherwise interfered with.
The SNO-6084R is part of the Samsung line of bullet IP camera systems. Good for mounting on a wall, a ceiling, or a level surface, these versatile cameras can be used to cover a wide variety of security needs.
Unlike PTZ camera models, a bullet camera has a fixed position that will neither pan nor tilt, unless the camera is adjusted by hand. However, this model allows for remote zooming and focusing. It works best when monitoring a fairly limited field of vision, like a hallway, a doorway, or a single room, or when used in tandem with additional bullet cameras.
Intelligent Surveillance Software
This IP camera system is built with intelligent video analysis that helps it to track specific events in its field of vision, including motion detection, audio detection, and face detection. When the system picks up sounds, movements, or recognized faces, it can be programmed to trigger events in response.
Video Quality
This camera system delivers a 2 megapixel image with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, recording at a frame rate of 30fps. Day and night detection allows it to determine a recording mode appropriate to the light level, switching from color images in daylight conditions to a black and white image at night, providing for a sharper image during low-light conditions. It also comes equipped with a series of IR LED’s, allowing you to get a clear picture in even complete darkness.
To combat the effects of sub-optimal recording conditions, this camera features both defog and vibration compensation to clear up a foggy image or stabilize a shaking video.
Extras and Peripherals
An SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot is built directly into the camera itself, allowing for local storage of video. The system also supports bi-directional audio.
Protective Features
The SNO-6084R is built with a dustproof and waterproof casing, making it safe for outdoor areas that may be exposed to rain and other harsh conditions. Tampering detection sends out an alert when the camera is compromised, like when the framing direction is changed, the lens is blocked, or the video image is suddenly and dramatically altered.
The SNV-6084R is one of Samsung’s line of dome IP camera systems. With an adaptable camera and a durable, climate-resistant structure, this is a good option for external locations. The camera can be manually rotated and tilted, but its field of vision is otherwise fixed. A good choice for parking lots, building entrances, and similar locations.
This camera system is designed for ceiling mounting. Optional accessories can be purchased to allow for practical wall-mounted installation.
Intelligent Surveillance Software
This IP camera system is built with intelligent video analysis that helps it to track specific events in its field of vision, including motion detection, audio detection, and face detection. When the system picks up sounds, movement, or recognized faces, it can be programmed to trigger events in response.
Video Quality
This camera offers a 2 megapixel image, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a frame rate of 30fps. Day and night detection allows the camera to determine a recording mode appropriate to the light level, switching from color images in daylight conditions to a black and white image at night, providing for a sharper image under low-light conditions. It also comes equipped with a series of IR LED’s, allowing you to get a clear picture in even complete darkness.
To combat the effects of sub-optimal recording conditions, this camera features both defog and vibration compensation to clear up a foggy image or stabilize a shaking video.
Extras and Peripherals
An SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot is built directly into the camera itself, allowing for local storage of video. The system also supports bi-directional audio.
Protective Features
The SNV-6084R is built with a dustproof and waterproof casing, making it safe for use in outdoor areas that may be exposed to rain and other harsh conditions. Tampering detection sends out an alert when the camera is compromised, like when the lens is blocked, the framing direction is changed, or the video image is suddenly and dramatically altered.
The SNC-EM602R is part of Sony’s line of 1.3-megapixel dome IP camera systems. With a versatile camera, a wide dynamic range, and a durable protective casing, it represents a good choice for outdoor locations like building entrances and parking lots.
The camera can be remotely or manually focused and zoomed. However, the camera position itself is not motorized and must be adjusted manually.
The EM series represents an economical dome camera system, with fewer features than Sony’s VM series and a smaller price tag to accommodate more limited surveillance budgets.
Intelligent Surveillance Software
DEPA Advanced Intelligent Video Analytics gives you the power to program your camera system with protocols that will trigger an alarm based on certain events. These analytics include face detection, to discern when a human face has entered the field of vision, line crossing, to detect when a certain boundary is breached, object removal, to discern when something has been taken from the field of vision, or object left behind, to discern when a foreign object has been left in the field of vision.
Video Quality
This camera is armed with 1.3 megapixels, a resolution of 1280 x 1024, and a frame rate of 30fps. True day/night functionality allows it to adjust to lower or higher levels of light, delivering the best image throughout the day. Visibility enhancer technology and XDNR noise reduction work to optimize the brightness and color reproduction of a captured image on a pixel-by-pixel basis, producing a cleaner, sharper image.
Extras and Peripherals
This IP camera system can be mounted on indoor wall mount brackets, pole mounts, and gooseneck wall mounts to accommodate a number of different needs.
Protective Features
The EM602R is designed for outdoor use, with a durable water-resistant and dust-tight casing to protect against damaging environmental effects.