IP Security Cameras

Armor Lock & Security has been providing Atlanta customers with IP based networked video solutions since 2008. IP cameras differ from traditional analog CCTV systems because IP systems can send and receive data over existing computer networks and the internet. IP cameras have made significant gains over the past several years and we are seeing IP camera installations outpace traditional systems for new installations. As of 2015, greater than 95 percent of the new camera installations we do are for IP camera sysrtems. This is a great new technology that offers many advantages over traditional CCTV systems.

IP Camera Advantages:

Higher image resolutions are possible: IP cameras have a resolution of at least 640x480 and can provide multi-megapixel resolution and HDTV image quality at 30 frames per second. 3.0 megapixel cameras are pretty much the standard we install as of 2015.
Flexibility: IP cameras can be moved around anywhere on an IP network (including wireless).
Distributed intelligence: with IP cameras, video analytics can be placed in the camera itself allowing scalability in analytics solutions.
Transmission of commands for PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras via a single network cable.
Encryption & authentication: IP cameras offer secure data transmission through encryption and authentication methods such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES.
Remote accessibility: live video from selected cameras can be viewed from any computer, anywhere, and also from many mobile smartphones and other devices.
IP cameras are able to function on a wireless network. Initial configuration has to be done through a router; after the IP camera is installed it can then be used on the wireless network.
PoE - Power over ethernet. Modern IP cameras have the ability to operate with the PoE-protocol which gives power via the ethernet-cable (PoE routers/switches must be used).

Having seen the advantages above it is important to note that IP cameras are not the best solution for every application. Traditional systems do still have a place in today's market.

Potential IP camera disadvantages are:

Higher initial cost per camera, except where cheaper webcams are used. Prices are coming down though and as of 2015 they are very close in price.
High network bandwidth requirements: a typical CCTV camera with resolution of 640x480 pixels and 10 frames per second (10 frame/s) in MJPEG mode requires about 3 Mbit/s.
Technical barrier. Most security systems including both CCTV and IP camera systems may require a professional technician to install the system.
As with a CCTV/DVR system, if the video is transmitted over the public Internet rather than a private IP LAN, the system becomes open to a wider audience of hackers and hoaxers. Criminals can hack into a CCTV system to observe security measures and personnel, thereby facilitating criminal acts and rendering the surveillance counterproductive. *A properly installed and configured system minimizes this risk though. IP systems can be completely taken offline onto a private network not connected to the internet as well.

**If you would like to see an IP camera system please stop by our office and we will show you our system in use and answer any questions that you may have.**