Ten Factors for Choosing a Network Camera

Ten Factors for Choosing a Network Camera

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This Argument Has Become Mainstream: The Future Belongs to Network Cameras

Some renowned market research firms, including IMS Research, Frost & Sullivan, J.P. Freeman and Co., and even IT companies like IDC, have produced similar charts. The tipping point where network camera sales surpass analog camera sales is about to occur. Therefore, once we know when this will happen, the next question is who will lead this transition.

What we mentioned earlier refers to: which company will lead the technological transition to network cameras? This question is quite complex because different technologies require different specialists, and many new companies have entered this market, significantly changing the competitive landscape. Currently, cameras are like the edge of leaves in technical terms; we experience it as music evolves from cassette tapes to CDs and then to digital MP3 players! As everything changes, we must look at new options with new perspectives and evaluation criteria.

This Trend Is Undeniable, But Which Network Camera Should You Choose?

If everyone agrees that network cameras are the future trend, you will notice that many manufacturers have entered and continue to invest in this attractive market. Some have transitioned from analog cameras, seeking new reform methods to retain market share, while others are newcomers to this new technology. This means there will be more choices along with confusing and conflicting information. When evaluating which network camera to purchase, how do you make the best decision?

We have listed ten important factors as a purchasing guide when you decide to introduce network cameras, which are increasingly used for security monitoring.

1

High Image Quality

Undoubtedly, image quality is an important characteristic for any camera. This is even more crucial for video recording and monitoring, as the immediacy and quality of images are often inseparable. If you don't have good image quality, then the other factors become irrelevant. Better image quality allows users to observe image content and changes more closely, enabling security personnel to make quicker and more accurate judgments. It also greatly enhances the accuracy of automated analysis and alert tools, such as motion detection or other embedded intelligent features.

When assessing the image quality of a network camera, consider the following questions: What is the sensitivity? How clear is the image? Is it equipped with a high-quality lens? How does the image quality hold up when objects move? Specifications may provide these figures, but remember to test some cameras on-site to ensure that the information on the spec sheet meets your requirements.

2

Diverse Peripheral Products

Network cameras have many features that analog cameras lack—image compression, motion detection, network support, and even alarm management. When you have multiple cameras, you may want to maintain these functions on the same system. To meet this demand, it's best to use products from the same manufacturer whenever possible. When choosing a manufacturer, remember to involve personnel who maintain these product lines, including fixed cameras, dome cameras, and PTZ cameras. In this way, one or two companies should be able to meet your requirements and accommodate future expansion and feature upgrades, such as upgrading to megapixels, wireless support, or audio support. If you want to upgrade from analog cameras, ensure that the products from your chosen company also include video servers (encoders), video decoders, camera housings, and other related products.

3

Extensive Application Support and Easy Integration

Is the network camera you are currently seeking a closed system that restricts you to a few or even only one image management software? The security industry is not only shifting to network cameras; it is also moving towards open systems and open platforms. Ensure that the network camera has an open interface (API) and has a wide range of software options available for you to choose from. Some leading manufacturers have joined hundreds of such alliances; the network camera you choose should not limit your options or functionalities. Open, multi-vendor systems ultimately tend to become more popular.

Consider how popular it is for Dell, HP, and IBM to pay extra for the operating system patents to use Microsoft OS on Intel processor architectures.

4

Image Compression Fully Compliant with JPEG and MPEG-4/H.264 Standards

Ensure that the camera complies 100% with JPEG and MPEG-4/H.264 standards. You might be surprised to find that most products claiming standard compatibility are actually not 100% compliant; 99% compliance indicates incompatibility. Full compliance allows your camera more flexibility when selecting different applications. It also ensures that your images can be viewed ten years or more down the line. If a camera uses compression technology developed by the manufacturer, it would be unfortunate for users if that company ceases operations. Adhering to standards allows you long-term access to image files.

If this company also supports the MPEG-4/H.264 standard, remember to ask if the licensing fees have been paid and how many licenses each product can use. If the manufacturer has not paid this fee or does not support the standard, you may need to purchase the licensing for this compression technology yourself after buying the product.

5

Tools for Managing Large Deployments

Like all network-enabled smart devices, network cameras have IP addresses and firmware. Many manufacturers provide free upgrade services. When making a purchasing decision, you must consider the manpower cost of setting up IP addresses and the costs of upgrading camera functionalities. Network camera manufacturers must have tools or software to manage these tasks, and costs and downtime must be measured beforehand. These manufacturers' tools must include the functionality to automatically locate all network camera devices and monitor their status.

6

Wide Network Functionality and Security

Just as high-quality images are a necessary feature of network cameras, network functionality is also very important. Plugging in Ethernet and setting up IP connections to the network is just a basic function; all network cameras can achieve this. You need to consider the following factors: Can DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) be used to set the IP address? Additionally, does it offer secure encryption or HTTPS? Most importantly, what is your IT department's perspective: are they willing to place such a special network camera on the network? They are experts and can assess whether this camera provides sufficient network functionality and security requirements.

7

Progressive Scan Sensor

Progressive scan technology is a feature found only in network cameras, but not all network cameras have this capability. The advantage of progressive scanning is that it captures complete images and exposure simultaneously. In contrast, interlaced scanning can only capture half of the image lines at a time, then capture the other half after a 17-millisecond delay. For analog cameras, if an object is moving, the image will become blurry. Images captured with progressive scanning flicker less, have no jagged edges, and do not become blurry. In surveillance systems, observing a quickly moving object, such as a running person, is an essential function. Progressive scanning can continuously produce optimal images that are identifiable and recognizable.

Consider this: when you pause a DVD, why is its image quality better than that of a paused VHS tape? The answer is progressive scanning.

8

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

You might think this is just a small component of a checklist, but consider this: wouldn’t you want to save up to $300 on the power wiring costs when installing each camera? This is roughly the cost of power wiring for one camera installation. If you install 50 to 100 cameras, this will be a significant expense, and if the user has hundreds of cameras, it can save a substantial amount of money. Ensure that the camera’s power over Ethernet complies with the IEEE 802.3af standard. This will give you more options to choose large array network switches from companies like Cisco, Nortel, and NetGear. PoE also allows you to power up your monitoring system (including cameras) via the network switch using the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) in your server room during power outages, ensuring that it remains unaffected by power interruptions.

9

Distributed Intelligence

Intelligent recording has become a specialized term. This technology will gradually take shape and improve significantly in the coming years, but it currently serves to measure whether a camera possesses computing intelligence. This is because intelligent recording requires sufficient computing power; if the computing tasks are not handled by the camera, just a few cameras can quickly exhaust the resources of the PC server. When intelligent computation occurs on front-end devices like cameras, they can determine when to send and process images. A good network camera should act as an intelligent gatekeeper and be capable of deploying many smart cameras. By definition, network cameras are intelligent because they include processing capabilities and functions such as motion detection, I/O management, and event processing.

10

Manufacturer's Background and Focus

As we discussed, determining which network camera to use is critical for future scalability and increased functional demands. This also means that your network camera manufacturer will be a long-term partner. Choosing a reliable partner is essential. So how should you choose?

Consider: which manufacturer started by producing network cameras and other networking products? Is this manufacturer profitable? Does this company focus on network camera technology, or is it just a small part of their business? What about local agents and technical support? Is this a global company? Are they proficient in multiple languages? Do they have references available? You can choose a leading manufacturer in the camera market to ensure the company's creativity, support, upgrades, and future product lines. Don't sacrifice future security for small savings today.

Conclusion

This year or next, every user will face the decision to purchase network cameras. Just like analog cameras, not all network cameras have the same design. They never have. The differences between different network cameras are significant, and this differs greatly from the typical experience users have when purchasing analog cameras. Users must be discerning, as manufacturers often tell you many exaggerated things. It is best to prepare an evaluation checklist as assessment criteria and test different product options to understand the differences among the products currently available, leading to the next good decision.

In this document, we have compiled 10 important factors for selecting the right network camera. All the recommendations are very important, and some are more critical than others. In the final conclusion, you must choose a company and camera that provide high-quality images, have a diverse and extensive product line, open interfaces, wide network capabilities, and the longest possible partnership.

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