Dome Camera vs Bullet Camera

Choosing security cameras can become daunting when it comes to indoor or outdoor surveillance. Options like the dome and bullet cameras can make the selection process more overwhelming to you. However, as long as you know and understand your requirements and you know the differences between each type of camera, you should be able to narrow your choices down and invest in the right surveillance system that can fulfill your security requirements. Here is an overview of the dome camera and the bullet camera to help you decide which one is best for your needs:

• Dome camera – The dome camera is called as such due to its shape. It is typically installed by hanging from a wall-mounted bracket or by mounting on the ceiling, depending on the installation and the field of view required. The camera is within a transparent dome that is often tinted to prevent people from detecting it. Dome cameras come in different varieties, such as IP or CCTV, indoor or outdoor, and fixed or mobile. There are PTZ dome cameras, too, which can be more reliable for surveillance due to their variety of features. If you are looking for a customizable surveillance camera system, then consider getting dome cameras that have infrared illuminators, thermal vision, night vision, and other essential features.
  
  
• Bullet camera – The bullet security camera gets its name from its shape, which is like the bullet of a rifle. Sometimes, it is called, ‘lipstick camera’ due to the same reason, too. It is typically around two to 2.5 inches long, with a fixed focal length lens, making them practical for small spaces. However, because of the size and shape of bullet cameras, you may need to be careful on how or where you position them because those factors may cause the camera to cut the corners off an image.

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Advantages of Hidden Security Cameras

You can never usually tell when something is amiss in your home or business, especially if you are away or focused on other activities. Hence, it makes sense to have an extra set of eyes in the form of hidden security cameras, which can capture and record events when they happen. There are many advantages to having hidden security cameras in your residence or place of business, and here are some of them:

• Verify fishy or suspicious activities – Hidden security cameras can capture solid evidence of suspicious activity in your home or office. That way, you have proof of those shady activities against people who may be involved in them and the authorities can easily identify the perpetrators.

• Nobody has to know you have them – Hidden cameras are designed not to be seen, but they need to be strategically installed in places where people would least expect them to be. That way, you can secretly monitor certain activities occurring in certain areas, like storage rooms, POS hubs, the cash register, entry and exit points, or in the nursery or children’s playroom.

• Deter crime – In case people know that you have hidden cameras in your home or office, but they do not know where they are, that knowledge may make them think twice about committing a crime under your watch.

• Keep records – High-quality security surveillance systems can record and keep footage that you can review if you are suspicious about a particular event that happened, whether you were there or not. Footage is appropriately labeled with the date and time, so you can easily take note of when the event happened.

• They can help you make informed decisions – Footage from hidden security cameras can help you make decisions when settling professional or domestic disputes. Fabricated or incorrect claims can easily be verified when there is actual footage to support or discredit them.

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HDCVI – The Low-Cost HD Security Camera

Surveillance cameras usually do not come cheap—especially the highly-sophisticated ones that can provide higher-quality and clearer videos. However, there are low cost alternatives to pricey security cameras and you can consider them for your home or business. The HDCVI is a good option in low cost HD security cameras. The name stands for high definition composite video interface, and it uses technology that transmits video signals in a different method over coaxial cables.

Before HDCVI, analog CCTV was the norm. The problem was its resolution, which was limited only to 960h—meaning, there is a 30 percent increase in the horizontal resolution, resulting in a 960 x 480-pixel maximum resolution. To improve transmission, you would usually have to upgrade to digital video via HDSDI or network IP formats. With HDCVI, you can have a cost-effective network IP solution that relies on a video transmitter and a receiver that can transmit videos in a resolution of up to 1080p or 1920 x 1080 pixels. The videos are uncompressed and can be sent over standard coaxial cables used in conventional CCTV camera systems.

The uncompressed video of HDCVI can be transmitted over longer distances without bandwidth and latency issues, which were common with conventional network IP and HDSDI cameras. HDCVI can transmit control (PTZ or OSD), audio, and video over a coaxial cable, too, so you do not have to worry about having separate cables for every kind of transmission. HDCVI systems cost almost the same as older CCTV analog technology, but they are far more affordable than IP network or HDSDI cameras. Hence, if you have to choose between analog CCTV and HDCVI, consider going for the latter to get higher resolution for your money. Some providers of security surveillance cameras solutions give free software to enable remote moving, and surveillance apps for your tablets and smartphones to go with the HDCVI system.

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Connecting A Wireless Security Camera to Wireless Router

It can be troublesome to connect the wireless IP camera to a wireless router, especially if you have not done that before or you simply lack expertise and the experience to do it. After all, not everyone can be completely knowledgeable in networking technologies and terminology. But by following these steps, you should be able to successfully connect a wireless security camera system to a Wireless router on your own:

1. Access the web interface of the IP camera
   
   Some Wireless security cameras system are incapable of PoE, so their default IP address, along with NVRs and other IP cameras is 192.168.1.108, unless noted otherwise by the manufacturer or provider. You may have to change your network configuration to see the web service of the camera or use the IP config tool provided by the security camera provider to change the IP address.
   
   Use an Ethernet cable to connect your camera to your network before plugging the 12v DC adaptor. Wait around a minute to let the camera warm up and power up on its own and let the network access it. Using your browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox), go to the IP address of the camera.
   
   
2. Configure the address
   
   On the web service, look for the drop-down box with ‘WIRE(DEFAULT)’ and pick ‘wireless’. Click the ‘DEFAULT’ button beside the drop-down box, then click the radio button that says, ‘STATIC’. From there, you can alter the camera’s address, but make sure that it will not cause any problems with another device connected to your network. Likewise, make sure that the default gateway is right and the subnet mask is the same as the rest of the network. Remember that the Wireless address should not be the same as your wired address, so set it differently. Once you are done, remember to save and allow the device to refresh.
   
   
3. Connect to the wireless router
   
   Find Setup, then choose Network, which should lead you to Wireless, and click ENABLE. Click ‘SEARCH SSID’ to find the available networks, or choose ‘ADD SSID’ if your network isn’t broadcasting on an SSID. Double-click your network’s name and input your credentials. Make sure the camera is connected properly by disconnecting the network cables and power from it. Wait 10 seconds before reconnecting the power, and give it two minutes to boot and connect to your newly configured wireless network. From there, try connecting the camera via your web browser using the newly configured wireless IP address.

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How to Set Up an HD IP Camera System

Setting up a security camera that is capable of running over a wireless network is a good way to keep tabs on your property, especially when you are away. Known as the ‘IP camera’, the system is easy to install and position, and they do the job well as long as you have reliable internet access. You can purchase an HD IP camera system from an established and trustworthy distributor of security camera systems. Some distributors offer free delivery and a lifetime warranty on HD IP camera systems, too. Once you get yours, use this quick guide to set it up:

1. Find the right spot for it – Before anything else, determine where the HD IP cameras must be positioned. Make sure that they are close to power outlets and that each camera can easily pick up signals from your Wi-Fi router. Some systems may require you to use a Wi-Fi stumbler app to help you find nearby networks that are strong enough for a clear and steady stream of video.
   
   
2. Configuring the wireless network camera – The setup process usually varies depending on the brand of the HD IP camera, but the steps are mostly similar. Start by plugging it into the outlet near the Wi-Fi router and connect it via Ethernet to the router. Otherwise, use the connected Ethernet switch. An HD IP camera system should come with a software or setup wizard that should start up as soon as the camera is plugged in. Make sure that the computer is using the same network as the HD IP camera. Moreover, make sure that the camera is using the latest firmware. Upgrade it if it is outdated.
   
   
3. Set up motion detection – Once you get the wireless camera to work, you must be able to see whatever it is in its field of view from anywhere. The next step is to configure motion detection features, so you do not have to watch what is happening 24/7. With motion detection, anything that changes in the scene (i.e. someone moves in front of the camera or something goes missing from the camera’s field of view) will be noted, and you will be notified.

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Benefits of Remote Monitoring

Having CCTV and surveillance systems can be great for many reasons. With them, you can easily catch criminals or at least deter crime. Thieves might also change their minds about breaking into your property if they notice that you have security cameras installed. Do you already have cameras all over your premises but are thinking of upgrading? It might be time to switch to high-end systems that let you monitor your establishment remotely. Remote monitoring can be handy for home or business CCTV security system, and you want to find out what is going on, even when you are not there.

Remote monitoring lets you become aware of what is going on in your property at all times—for example, if you are at work but want to check in on your family. It lets you monitor the babysitter or anyone in charge in your home to look after your children or pets and make sure that your family is not in danger. When you are out of town, you do not have to ask your neighbor to watch over your home because you can rely on remote monitoring to see what is happening in and around it. High-end remote monitoring systems can be controlled or viewed from any computer or mobile device, and in case something goes wrong, you will be notified immediately.

For businesses, the system can enable owners to keep tabs on their employees to make sure that they are doing their job. Remote monitoring may help identify perpetrators who might be playing hooky or slacking off when the boss is away. Likewise, it lets you watch over crucial areas on your property, like the cashier and the storage areas to make sure that nothing goes missing. In case a crime occurs in your business, you easily have evidence to show to authorities to help them catch the culprit.

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