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 Q&A

Can I use a Network Camera if I don't have static IP...?

If your ISP/Access Provider uses a dynamic system of assigning IP Addresses, you can still connect a Network IP Camera by using a web based service. For details, visit http://www.dyndns.org/.

What is a Network IP camera...?

A Network IP Camera is a stand-alone device which allows a user to view live, full motion video from anywhere on a computer network, even over the Internet, using a standard web-browser.

Are all Network IP cameras the same...?

No, some network cameras have an embedded OS (operating system) as well as an embedded Web server. To be called a Network IP camera, the only requirement is that the camera connects to the network, and not a computer - an embedded OS is what separates network cameras.

Why Choose a Network IP Camera over a Web Camera?

An IP Camera is a true networking device containing an embedded OS (Operating System), supports multiple users, and can be viewed using any web browser. It does not require additional hardware to operate and therefore has the flexibility to be located anywhere with a network connection. A web cam must be connected to a host computer, supports only one user at a time, and cannot be shared on a network. Only the host computer can access the web cam.

What is the advantage of the embedded OS?

Cameras with an embedded OS communicated directly with the user, the images or video is sent directly from the camera to the person accessing the camera. A Network camera without an embedded OS must rely on a third party server or a separate piece of software, meaning the images/video is sent to the third party server, then the user access the image from the third party server.

Do I need a public fixed IP address for each camera?

No, you of course, can have a real, public, static IP address for each camera, however, using just one static IP address for your router and a virtual server or port forwarding scheme, you can use many cameras with just one static IP and just about any router. Please also note that the IP camera must have an adjustable web server port (you must be able to change the web server port) to use multiple cameras behind a router.

Can I use the camera outside?

Some Network IP Cameras are sturdy enough for outdoor use with a outdoor camera enclosure.

What additional software is required?

Networking IP Cameras with an embedded Operating System (OS) should not need any additional software.

How does the built-in motion detection work?

It very simply compares what it sees now to what it saw in the last frame and based on a sensitivity you select will trigger an event. The event can be to send a email, to send a Image to a FTP server, or to send a series of images (before and after the motion is detected) to a email address or a FTP server-all with software built into the camera, nothing else is required.

What is the maximum length Ethernet cable I can use?

The same topology limitations that apply to any 10/100 Ethernet card apply, meaning the maximum segment length is 100 meters from switch/hub to the camera.

How much digital video can be stored on a normal 20-gigabyte hard drive?

Network IP Cameras equipped with a compression technology that can store almost a month of continuous video on a 20-gigabyte hard drive.

What is Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)?

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or "Active Ethernet" eliminates the need to run power to devices on a wired LAN. Using Power-over-Ethernet, installers need to run only a single CAT5 Ethernet cable that carries both power and data to each device. This allows greater flexibility and significantly decreases installation costs in many cases.

Can Network IP Cameras use different lenses?

Advanced Network IP Cameras utilize CS-mount lenses, which can accommodate a variety of specialized lenses, such as wide-angle, fish-eye or telephoto lenses.

What image sizes can be viewed from Network IP Cameras?

Advanced Network IP Cameras use multiple pre-set image sizes that typically include 160 x 120, 320 x 240 and 640 x 480 pixel image sizes.

Can I view a Network IP Camera from my PDA?

Network IP Cameras can now be viewed on most Windows CE, including Pocket PC and Pocket PC 2002 devices, such as the Compaq iPAQ, HP Jornada, Dell Axim, Casio Cassiopeia and many other devices.