Robert S. Maher Blog: What Makes Up The Best IP Cameras On The Market?

Thursday, May 12, 2016

What Makes Up The Best IP Cameras On The Market?

Are you shopping around for the best IP cameras you can find on the Internet? Here are a few of the more important features and functions you should be taking note of

264 Compression – an oft-overlooked feature in the top IP cameras is the ability to code video in a way that is high-quality and pretty compatible with all sorts of file containers yet is still small enough to work well on modest amounts of storage space. This is why the best IP cameras use H.264 compression to encode their videos.
PTZ – the top IP cams usually come with pan-tilt-zoom or PTZ features. The ability to remotely control where the camera is pointed at using a device hooked up to aninternet access point is a great feature for both safety-conscious homeowners and security crews manning the surveillance cameras of a large compound.
HD Resolution – the best IP cameras record videos with at least a 720presolution. You can go even higher, all the way up to 1080p with most models, but 720p is the HD standard for footage that can visibly capture finer details like plate numbers, facial features and small objects being carried around.
IR Capabilities –effective IP cameras come with infrared or IR capabilities that allow them to effectively capture video even in low-light conditions. This night vision capability of the digital camera allows them to protect your home or establishment not only in the day but at night, when most unscrupulous folks come out under the cover of darkness.
PIR Capabilities – if infrared is for night vision, then passive infrared or PIR is for detecting motion. The best IP cams come with PIR scanning that can trigger a range of actions when someone or something moves on-screen, from activating the record feature to sending an alert to your phone or computer that something fishy is going on.
Weatherproofed – all the cool IP cameras in the world won’t be worth a dime if they can’t even stand up to rain, sun, wind and dirt. The top IP cameras designed for extreme environments have an IP or International Protection rating of 68 – completely sealed from dust and water. A rating of IP 34, however, is decent enough for standard use.
Android/iOS Support – sure, you can use the browser on your phone to access your IP camera. The best IP cameras, however, come with apps for Android and iOS that streamline the whole process. This makes it a lot easier and less of a hassle to check up on the feed of your surveillance system on your mobile devices. Just make sure you scan these apps with an anti virus – especially if you don’t get them straight from the Google Play Store, the iTunes store or the manufacturer’s website.
ONVIF Compliance – the top IP cameras comply with standards set by the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) for gadgets. These standards ensure greater compatibility with the devices from over 200 other companies – allowing the cameras to work seamlessly with a wider array of TVs, monitors and DVRs.
Healthy warranty – never overlook how much a good warranty helps out – which is why the best IP cameras come with coverage for at least 12 months. This ensures that you’ll have plenty of time to protect you from factory defects mucking up your surveillance system.