FAQ

An IP camera is a special type of network-based digital video camera that can transfer data to computer networks such as the internet. A wireless camera keeps all of its video data within itself and sends it wirelessly via Wi-Fi or cellular signals. The connection between a conventional analog security camera and a DVR (digital video recorder) is either analog BNC cable, coaxial cable, RCA cables, or Firewire. Wireless cameras use radios and other wireless devices to transmit their signals from place to place. One of the major benefits of using an IP network digital surveillance system over an analog one is that when you move from analog systems you can take advantage of existing network infrastructure. In contrast, when upgrading from an old analog system, you must often run a new cable and pull additional wires to each camera. This means that IP cameras offer a lot of flexibility and allow for remote access and movement between systems.

IP cameras can be networkable or stand-alone, whereas wireless cameras are always stand-alone devices that need an external power source to operate. Wireless cameras have the advantage of not requiring any wiring work during installation but they also have some disadvantages. If your security camera system has a wireless component, there is always a chance that someone may hack into the signal with expensive equipment, so adding an extra level of security is recommended.

Yes, just like wireless cameras, IP network-based security systems can be wireless as well. Wireless technology is now being used in the industry due to the flexibility that it offers. However, if someone wants to avoid any kind of future wiring work and has wired network infrastructure already available, using Wi-Fi for their digital surveillance system might be a better choice. Capturing video with an IP camera or a wireless camera requires at least one capture device which is normally referred to as a Network Video Recorder (NVR).

The main difference between an NVR and a DVR lies in the power source of these devices. An NVR gets its power from either AC Mains or DC Power – meaning that it must be plugged into the wall like a computer. The NVR then takes the video and sends it to a computer or network storage devices such as a hard drive or RAID array via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or fiber. While DVRs are usually self-contained with power sources such as rechargeable batteries, AC adapters, generators, and/or solar panels. A DVR captures video from your cameras and stores it on a built-in hard drive until you choose to record over the footage. You can set up your recording schedule for each camera so that you always know what has been recorded during any given period without having to watch all of the footage from all of your cameras 24 hours a day if necessary.

Analog security camera systems are very old compared to their IP counterparts. The connection between a conventional analog security camera and a DVR (digital video recorder) is either analog BNC cable, coaxial cable, RCA cables, or Firewire. These days it’s rarely ever used because all of the newer technologies have phased out these older resources. Analog cameras are low resolution with fuzzy images that aren’t great for identifying faces unless you’re within 5-7 feet away from the camera. This makes them almost useless for any commercial application except in perhaps monitoring people who would be quite close to the unit. For example, if someone pilfered an item they might be spotted at 2 feet but they certainly wouldn’t be identified at 30 feet.

IP cameras, on the other hand, utilize a digital video stream that is compressed and sent over the network via Ethernet cables, coaxial cable / BNC cabling, or fiber optic cables. Since these are not analog signals they can get compressed to reduce bandwidth usage depending on the available bandwidth of the network. This makes it possible for an administrator to view high-resolution images from remote locations with little to no noticeable degradation in quality because this series of lossy steps have been taken place before it reaches your computer. The higher image quality also allows you to identify faces from much further away which works nicely when monitoring large areas such as parking lots or gates around a facility.

The type of battery you should use depends on the wireless security camera system. If your system utilizes a PoE (Power over Ethernet) setup, then you’ll need to power the cameras via DC Power Adapter – such as this one made by Planet. Depending on your budget and how long you want to run the cameras for between charges, we suggest using rechargeable batteries even if they’re not Lithium-Ion or Li-Polymer; they can be recharged in an inexpensive charging device instead of spending a lot more money down the road when buying disposable batteries for regular use. The two most popular types used are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). We prefer NiMH over NiCad when they’re available because they have no Cadmium which is a hazardous heavy metal that poses risks to humans and our environment. This type of battery should be recharged when the camera system shows low battery power just like any other rechargeable battery you use.

Some causes for false alarms could include damaged or loose wiring, weather interference (rain, snow, wind), tree branches dropping leaves in front of your cameras during certain seasons depending on where your cameras are located. If this happens enough it will trigger your sensors to turn on/off multiple times per minute so it’s best to avoid placing them near these types of obstructions. High humidity could cause problems with moisture seeping into the components of your system if it’s installed outside. Another reason for false alarms could be because there are other companies transmitting signals near the location of your cameras. If this is the case, you could try to change their channels or frequency; otherwise, you may need to contact them and see what can be done about interference problems.

The choice between coaxial cable or fiber optic cable depends on where you plan on installing the camera systems. Coaxial cables are usually the preferred option for inside installations because they’re inexpensive and easily connected once run through walls without any modifications needed. However, these cables do not support long distances very well so an installer might want to consider using fiber optics instead. Fiber optics are more expensive but they can support longer distances than coaxial cable systems, which means your cameras could be located outside over 100ft away.

Yes, wireless security camera systems do require a router to provide internet connectivity for remote viewing on computers and mobile devices. Whether you’re using WiFi or Ethernet connections, both types of cameras rely on the signal these types of networks send so they can transmit images/video back to your computer or smartphone app. Without an active connection, it is very difficult for the video stream to reach their destination which makes them virtually useless in some cases where bandwidth might be restricted due to slow speeds or too many users simultaneously trying to use the same network (cable or cellular), or a home/business network that isn’t properly configured.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Each type of camera comes with its own set of pros and cons which you should consider before making your purchase. IP cameras are more expensive than the analog equivalents, but they do offer some compelling reasons for opting in like higher resolution (they can transmit 4 times more pixels), better color accuracy, wider viewing angles (123 vs 72 degrees), and longer recording capacity in HD mode (up to 2GB in some cases). But with these benefits come some downsides too which you should know about before jumping the gun on a purchase.

No, a network camera and IP camera are not the same things. Network cameras are also called “Internet Protocol cameras” or “IP cameras” which means they use Internet protocols to send video over an IP connection to other devices like computers or smartphones. They don’t rely on any software or apps loaded onto your computer/mobile device because, like mentioned earlier, these types of signals can be transmitted wirelessly using WiFi or Ethernet connections (and some even via coaxial cable).

It is best to consult Jefferson Security Cameras or your IP camera’s manual before attempting any installation types for this type of product. However, in general, the process involves using the IP camera’s web interface with an Ethernet cable to connect it to your router (which is connected to your NVR). Once the camera’s IP information has been obtained (usually available on their webpage), you can enter that into your NVR setup software and begin configuring them together.

AP, or access point, the mode is a network setting found on some WiFi security cameras which allows the wireless signal to broadcast through 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies simultaneously (broadcasting both networks at once). This feature is beneficial for devices that support multiple SSIDs because it lets you set up an additional wireless network without disconnecting any existing ones.