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Network Camera |
Web Cam / Spy Cam |
CCTV Camera Monitoring System |
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Highlight |
Network Camera is a digital video camera with built-in web server so you
can directly connect the network camera to LAN or network hub through
Cat5e cable (or Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g). The live video is
viewable by all
popular internet browsers and is available for multiple viewers at
different location simultaneously. The network camera can be connected to
Internet through DSL modem, Cable modem, or T-1 line from home or
office. |
The Web Camera, or called spy camera sometimes, cover a wide range of
products, from the low end analog ones that need to connect to TV or VCR
to view image and recording, to the high end digital ones that connect
to PC through USB port. All of them share a common aspect. need to
connect a running system nearby to show or to share the video. |
Close Circuit TV (CCTV) has been around for decades, most CCTV cameras
are equipped with analog video output only, cameras use RCA cable or
coaxial cable to transmit analog video signal. The CCTV cameras need to
connect to a monitoring or tape recording system directly, they are
inaccessible thru LAN or Internet unless is hooked up with other
proprietary video capture systems and servers. |
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PROs |
*) No tape to change; recording is on hard drive, one 160 GB HDD could
hold 1-month data with 1-frame/sec 640x480 24bit color
*) The recording system doesn't need to be at same location as the
camera; off premise recording thru IP network keeps data secure.
*) Almost unlimited expansion capabilities -- each camera has its unique
IP address, one can open as many browser windows as needed to monitor as
many cameras as he/she wants.
*) Good quality digital video could be kept for research or memorable
video footage |
*) assume supporting system (PC or similar) is available, the
workable/viewable unit (spy cam itself) costs less |
*) Easier for people who have difficulty to use computer keyboard &
mouse |
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CONs |
*) Initial cost, the first viewable/usable unit (network camera), is
higher than a web/spy camera in general |
*) Need the supporting TV/VCR or PC nearby and running -- within the
reach of its video cable
*) limited expansion capability -- up to the number of video input plugs |
*) Need the supporting monitoring system running and nearby -- within
the reach of its video cable
*) limited expansion capability -- up to the number of video input plugs
and the video channels on the tape system |
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How flexible to set up and
re-configure for network access |
Flexible; hook up a cable to LAN, turn power ON, assign an IP address to
the camera, the live video of camera is ready for any on LAN system with
popular Internet browser ready (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or
Netscape), same procedure to re-configure |
Inflexible; since camera needs the supporting TV/VCR or PC nearby,
re-configuring will either require moving the TV/VCR or PC with the
camera to new location, or re-install proprietary software on another
PC. |
Inflexible; since the CCTV cameras need to connect the monitoring or
tape recording system directly, new location of camera means new custom
made cable. |
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Picture Quality |
Good; most cameras have 1/3 inch CCD or equivalent CMOS photo sensor to
support up to 1/3 Mega Bits resolution; such as: 640x480 pixel, 24-bit
color, 10 to 30-frame per second |
Wide range from low resolution analog camera to higher grade digital
ones up to 640x480 resolution video; such as SQCIF (128x96) resolution,
QCIF (176x144) resolution. CIF (352x288) resolution, etc. |
Low resolution; from low end black-white analog picture to color picture
up to the TV monitor screen resolution. |
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Monitoring method |
Using any popular internet browser on a LAN or Internet connected
computer screen |
The low end analog ones could only display on a dedicated TV monitor;
the high end digital ones could display on PC screen and share on
internet if its software supports. |
Analog dedicated TV grade monitor |
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camera lens |
Many network cameras are using standard CS-Mount lens, lens is
switchable for different environments or applications |
most web cams or spy cams are using un-switchable lens that come with
the camera units; may need to buy different brand cameras for different
applications |
Most CCTV cameras are using standard C-Mount or CS-Mount lens, lens is
switchable for different environments or applications |
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data format |
Digital; most using format compatible with non-proprietary system and
software to display |
Many are analog, few are digital but need proprietary software to
display |
most are analog, the rest few digital ones are all require proprietary
system and software |
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Recording Media |
DVR, Digital Video Recorder, records video pictures digitally on a hard
disk drive (HDD up to 200GB currently available) to store the records. |
The analog ones using VCR, the digital ones use PC it connects to, many
do not have recording feature depending on the manufacture's software. |
Most are recording on analog video tape which require frequently
changing new video tapes, except the rest few with very expensive
proprietary digital units |
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Wired Distance |
1000 feet (305 meters) Cat5e cables are available at local electronic
retailers, |
RCA video cable, coaxial cable, or even high end with USB cable has very
limited distance |
RCA video cable or coaxial cable has very limited distance |
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Wireless Capability |
Easy plug and play with Wi-Fi 802.11 (a,b,g),
using Wi-Fi wireless security to protect data |
Proprietary wireless protocol
questionable or no wireless security |
Proprietary wireless protocol
questionable or no wireless security |
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Mobility |
Flexible;
only needs to plug the cable to another LAN hub/switch/router |
Difficult;
need to move together with the PC that camera is connected or to
reconfigure another PC that the camera is moved to |
Inflexible;
need to re-made/re-route the whole cable from camera to system |
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Expansion |
Easy; cameras connect hub/switch/router through Ethernet cable, the
recording hard disk could be miles away out of premises; almost
unlimited units could be supported under the same infrastructure |
Limited units; each camera needs cable direct hook up to the recording
system; the system capability sets the limit |
Limited units; each camera needs cable direct hook up to the recording
system; the number of video plugs sets the limit |
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System Cost |
Initial camera cost higher but overall system cost much lower because it
has a server built-in |
Initial camera cost lower but overall system cost a lot higher because
it may need analog video capture system, an all time running PC to
support as the server, etc. |
Whole system cost very high and likely to be obsolete soon |
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Growing Potential |
Very high potential |
Primary stays in the amateur market |
Likely to be replaced by digital technology soon |