By Binoy Anto
Published on 03 Jul. 2021 10:10pm
What You Need To Know About Wireless Surveillance Cameras
Today when some one mentions Smart Home, the first thing comes to your mind will be a security or indoor/outdoor camera with many smart functions. Even though it does not need much smartness to integrate new generation security camera to your home, we need to understand the needs or use cases of the same into a greater extend. Here I will explain 3 major scenarios which I have come across during my last 10+ years of using this.
Why you may need it !!
Main reasons to keep a home indoor surveillance camera is to monitor the movement of family members [For eg. You are away from your old Parents who stays alone or you are a person who needs to travel, while wife and kids are at home etc], both father and mother is working & children at home or you need to monitor the safety of home and surroundings and also as a backup method to communicate with anyone near camera using its built in mic and speakers [Two way Audio].
When we decide a surveillance camera at home, first we will need to decide whether it needs to be Wired or Wireless. Wired has its own advantages and disadvantages. Advantages being more stable connectivity, fixed location, less movement. Wired cameras are useful for medium to long term surveillance. These cameras are better suited for customers with a large area, such as public places, stadiums, and office buildings. But if you decide on wireless cameras and your connectivity options are good, with wireless router strength is good then the next points to note before buying are following,
- Connectivity / Remote Access and Storage / Cloud Backup
- Quality of Video and Software Features [Rewind/Fast Forward/TimeLine Selection]
- Low-light or infrared mode [Night vision]
- Microphone / Speaker Two-way audio
- Field of View [FOV]
- Motion Sensors and Automation (Alexa / Google Home)
- Pan-Tilt-Zoom [PTZ]
- Safety and Privacy
- Number of cameras required
Connectivity / Remote Access and Cloud Backup
Wireless cameras are usually connected directly to Wifi Access Point or Wireless Routers using 2.4 vs 5 GHz WiFi, 802.11bgn, 802.11ac flavours. Some of these are also IP cameras, which means they have a NIC port that allows you to plug in a camera and control it wirelessly. Wireless cameras can be easily moved from one place to another as there will be only a power source cable required. No cabling issues and installation issues involved. One point to see in camera selection is the functions of the Software, whether it supports your needs and also to see whether the same will support local storage using SD /MicroSD card and if required cloud backup. Cloud backup is sometimes important if you use the same in critical areas and someone steals the camera, you may not have options to retrieve the video footage if it was stored locally.Remote access to the recorded video and live feed from your security cameras is crucial. Almost every modern urban home security system comes with some kind of companion app what gives you varying degrees of control. This means that you are able to see live footage from the camera on your mobile phone while you are way, even in another city.
Quality of Video and Software Features [Rewind/Fast Forward/TimeLine Selection]
When deciding security camera Quality of Video recorded and transmitted is important along with the quality of the camera lens. If you have good connectivity it is always recommended to have a FullHD resolution Camera (1920×1080) along with a good software to support. Server Uptime of service is important also as most will use it to stream live feed from camera to mobile or laptop to view. Features normally supported including scrubbing through timeline of the recording easily for fast forward and rewind from a time.
Low-light or infrared mode [Night vision]
Most surveillance cameras come with – low light or infrared mode capability which helps to have a clear video feed even in dark situations.
Microphone / Speaker Two-way audio
One of the life saving functions coming with modern surveillance/CCTV wireless or wired cameras is that it helps to press or hold a button from the monitoring software, which in-turn activates the speakers on the remote camera and alert or trigger a sound or notification so that you can grab the attention of the family or sometimes to scare away someone unwanted near your premises. This can be handy when your phone calls are not attended and you want them to alert to have the phone attended. Another usage, It can be used to calm and soothe pets when you are away, or monitor the outside of your home when you hear some strange noise at night.
Field of View [FOV]
The ideal surveillance camera should have a wide field of view to get clear footage of anything that may happen in the area of the camera. Normally 110° to 130° is ideal, some camera comes with Ultra wide 180° view. A surveillance camera should have a clear vision of what it is recording. This will ensure that you are able to clearly see your surroundings. Also, it should not have any lights on the lens that will distract your vision and cause you to miss anything important.
Motion Sensors and Automation [Alexa / Google Home]
The primary advantage is that it cuts down the amount of footage being recorded, saving you tonnes of storage space. It also helps save your internet data as it needs fewer backups to the cloud. More advanced motion detection systems come with movement tracking too. These cameras literally turn and follow a person in their field of view. The motion sensors can also be used to trigger alarms, alerting you about intruders. Many of the cameras now support voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are the virtual assistants embedded in these two speakers and also among other smart home devices, like lights, security cameras and also TVs. These advanced assistant systems come with the ability to dictate commands to control smart assistant-compatible devices, such as security cameras that work with Google Home/Assistant and Alexa, and thus, make your home smarter. Automation helps to do actions like sounding alarms when there is a motion when away mode is activated.
Pan-Tilt-Zoom [PTZ]
Panning refers to horizontal movement of the lens where tilting describes vertical movement. The process of zooming refers to the adjustment of the focal length of the lens to make a subject appear close-up or far away depending on the setting. Although a lot of cameras come with vari-focal lenses with focal length adjustment, a camera described as PTZ will almost certainly have an adjustable optical zoom.
The benefits of having a pan-tilt-zoom camera in a security application are obvious. Having a camera which can be controlled from a remote location enables a user to cover a much larger area with a single camera. This provides cost savings for any security system as one camera can do the job of many static cameras. Also, with guard patrolling and auto-panning functions the camera can automatically cover a large area when used for security monitoring or recording without any user input, ideal for covering large areas overnight.
PTZ IP surveillance cameras are capable of zooming in and out to see small details via mobile apps, desktop software or web browsers. For example, an HD PTZ IP camera installed on the second floor facing out to the street, can zoom in to see cars strolling down the street, make out faces of people walking by, or identify plate number of vehicles parked outside especially HD outdoor PTZ cameras with capability of plate recognition.
One of the biggest hook as well as PTZ cameras’ strength is its PTZ Tour/Cruise/Patrol capability; you can define a path for PTZ cameras to patrol these areas automatically and repeatedly at a certain speed.
For instance, over a 1 minute period, some PTZ IP camera can keep an eye on the front door, the gate, the parking lot or the fence line once you chart out the course.
Following are the most Important Points to note while installation if using a wireless camera
Camera is positioned on enough height and Angle is correct for Maximum Coverage
Obstructions will not cover the cameras visibility anytime
Power socket is supported with Uninterrupted Power always
Full HD Camera Models
Here in this list I have selected some of the models which is available in Indian market and also which is of medium to high category. As for the price to value ratio, high end, high price models which are available on international markets brands like Arlo, Nest, Ring, Netatmo, Hive, Logi etc cameras are not selected by normal Indian users. This list is given without any priority but based on its functions and stability and over all reviews from users.
This is covered in 2 sections, Normal Fixed Cameras and PTZ Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras, specially mentioning whether for indoor/outdoor use.
Full HD Indoor Cameras
1
MI Full HD SXJ02
WiFi Up to 32ft Night Vision with Intruder Alert (1080p, White/Indoor). WORKS WITH ALEXA
Xiaomi, MI Cameras known for its built quality and functions, I have used 2 types of this cameras with HD Quality. Main Features are described below
- Ultra-wide 130 degree Angle Lens
- Option to record only on motion detection
- Advanced AI motion detector reduces false alarm
- Two-way voice communication and Intelligent detection
- Mi home security camera basic 1080p is capable of recording 1080p full HD video
- H.264 Compression & Encryption for videos
- Ensure data privacy – SD Card + NAS Storage, Enabled Security to view camera feed
- Multiple views on single screen
- View recorded videos on phone or tablet with speeds up to 16x
- MI App connectivity issues sometimes
With over 3000+ reviews on Amazon this is certainly a good value for money. Cost of the item as of writign is ₹ 2190.00 . Buy this item
2
TP-Link Tapo C100 1080p
Founded in 1996, TP-Link is a global provider of reliable networking devices and accessories, involved in all aspects of everyday life. The company is ranked by analyst firm IDC as the No. 1 provider of Wi-Fi devices for a consecutive 10 years*, supplying distribution to more than 170 countries and serving billions of people worldwide. TP-Link provides may cloud cameras and Tapo C100 is one of the home security wi-fi camera. The Features are as below
- High Definition Video – Records every image in crystal-clear 1080p definition
- Advanced Night Vision – Provides a visual distance of up to 30 ft
- Motion Detection and Notifications – Notifies you when the camera detects movement
- Sound and Light Alarm – Trigger light and sound effects to frighten away unwanted visitors
- Two-Way Audio – Enables communication through a built-in microphone and speaker
- Safe Storage – Locally stores up to 128 GB on a microSD card, equal to 384 hours (16 days) of footage
- Easy Setup and Management – Manage everything with Tapo app on your mobile phone (app doesn’t work on TV or Laptop / Computer)
- Multiple views on single screen
3
EZVIZ by Hikvision | C1C
Hikvision is the world’s leading video surveillance products supplier, Hikvision provides video surveillance products and vertical market solutions in the global market, through more than 2,400 partners in 155 countries and regions.
- Records 1080p definition Full HD
- 130⁰ angle lens for wider view
- Real time viewing: Once connected to your network, you can view HD video any time from your smart phone, tablet, computer etc
- Instant Motion alerts: If it sees something on the move, it immediately takes picture and sends alerts to phone. Smart Movement detection Zones.
- Auto night vision with high end LED infra red lights C1C gives a clear HD visibility up-to 12m
- Real time 2 way audio: With a built in speaker and mic, you can clearly listen and talk with family using camera and your phone or tablet
- Micro SD card slot for on board storage up-to 256 GB
- Cloud Storage: Store your data securely on the cloud. Optional
- Up-to 8x Zoom
- Mic and speaker Two Way Communication is not upto high quality
- No power adapter in the box
4
Imou WiFi Security Camera Cue 2 IPC C22EP
Imou serves global IoT users with a “3-in-1” business system encompassing Imou Cloud, smart devices and intelligent technologies. Designed for home and small and medium-sized business (SMB) users, Imou provides comprehensive smart IoT solutions for different scenarios.
- 1080p full HD security camera provides crystal clear videos and recordings.
- 131° Viewing Angle
- Support NVR,Cloud Storage and SD Card Storage(Up to 256GB). The 256GB SD Card Storage could record 1080p video non-stop for 24 days and the H.265 compression reduces bandwidth and storage requirements by roughly 50% with no impact on video quality compared to H. 264.
- Powered by AI technology, Cue 2 can distinguish human beings from insects or moving objects, ensuring accurate alert.
- 2-Way Audio& Sound Detection: Talk with your loved one through the camera built-in speaker and microphone. Instant notification will be sent to you when the camera detects baby crying, dog barking, or other abnormal sounds, keeping you aware of what’s going on at home.
- Extended WiFi Connection : Supports WiFi (2.4Ghz only).Extended WiFi enhances the stability of the network connection.
- Real time 2 way audio: With a built in speaker and mic, you can clearly listen and talk with family using camera and your phone or tablet
- Night Vision : Quality infrared LEDs extend the range of night vision reach up to 10m/33ft, lets you see everything clearly even in the dark.
- Alexa Google Assistant : It works charmly with Amazon Alexa and Google assistant.
- Some reports buffering issues and wifi connectivity issues
5
Qubo Smart Home Security WiFi Camera
Qubo is a home grown brand from the highly trusted Hero Group. Be assured that not only your queries will be resolved but it will ensured you make the best use of your product throughout time.
- Intruder Alarm System: Advanced AI capabilities that can smartly detect & notify whenever a person is detected. You can also ring an automatic siren in case of an intrusion.
- 24×7 live remote monitoring with 1080p FHD Camera with ultra wide Lens of 110 deg (Field Of View): — The True Life image quality ensures, you view your precious moments with crystal clear quality
- Infrared Night Vision: Keep a watch at night in vivid quality. See if someone is lurking outside your home in the darkness.
- 2-way Talk: Hear and talk back seamlessly with with built-in mircrophone and speaker powered by Real Life Like Clarity.
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant: View Camera Feed with the convenience of a voice command.
- Cloud based in India: Qubo has a secured PKI based cloud located in India that ensures your precious moments stay private only to you
- Weather Resistance IP65: The camera works in any kind of weather conditions like rain, dust, snow or sun.
- Privacy: With AES 128 Encryption and a cloud storage based in India your private home moments stay private to you only.
- Data Storage: Up to 128GB SD Card Storage support
- Works for both Indoor and Outdoor as it has IP65 Weather Resistant rating.
- Price is almost 80% more than other brands
- Only mobile app support, no desktop application.
- Still make origin is from China
Amazon has 1850+ reviews on this camera, this is the only camera in this selection with Cloud Servers in India, approximate price at time of writing is ₹ 3,549.00. Buy this item
6
MI Wi-Fi 1080p Full HD PTZ – MJSXJ02CM
Full HD 360° Viewing Area Smart Security Camera, White Indoor WORKS WITH ALEXA
One of the most rated PTZ Home Security cameras on Amazon and other E-commerce sites. Known for its Quality and Value for Money. The Mi Camera 360° has perfect picture quality. With Mi Camera’s 20 megapixels, 1080p resolution and wide dynamic range, even distant backgrounds are clear and detailed. As the name suggests, the Mi Home Security Camera 360 can rotate 360°, tilt up and down up to an angle of 96° and can either be placed on a table or a shelf, or wall-mounted. In fact, the wall mount mechanism is provided with the camera itself, which makes it pretty-much a simple do-it-yourself (DIY) job
- AI motion detection alert. The camera angle is 110 degree and the connectivity is Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz. Storage:MicroSD card (support 16GB -64GB, Class 10 and above storage card)
- Infrared Night Vision.
- Talkback Feature (2-way Audio), No matter where you are, you can always talk to your family using the camera.
- Inverted installation (optional)
- Up to 64GB SD card storage
- Full Colour in Low Light. The all-new low-light true color technology allows you to see a full-color palette even in the later hours of the day
- Picture-in-picture Mode. Now you can check on your sleeping baby as you are watching movies or playing games on phone.
A whopping 18,450+ customer reviews on this camera with 90% 4+stars, shows the popularity and acceptance along with its performance, approximate price at time of writing is ₹ 2,899.00. Buy this item
7
TP-LINK Tapo – C200
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant supportThe TP-Link Tapo C200 offers decent video quality, and is easy to set up and use. While it doesn’t directly support cloud storage or automated panning, it offers a great set of features for the money. If you’re after a simple home security camera, or if you want a cheap and flexible indoor IP camera for an existing surveillance setup, the C200 is hard to beat.
- Smooth Pan and Tilt: 360°horizontal range and 114°vertical range.
- High Definition Video: Capture every detail in crystal-clear 1080p definition.
- Advanced night view: Even at night, the camera can provide a visual distance of up to 30 ft.
- Safe Storage: Support Micro SD Card (up to 128 GB).
- Motion Detection and Notifications : Receive a notification if your little boy is working on the kitchen to make his lunch, or your fur baby is messing around inside kitchen
- Live View: Always stay with that matters most to you from anywhere, anytime.
- Two-Way Audio: Communicate with others with the built-in microphone and speaker.Sound and Light Alarm: Trigger light and sound effects to frighten away unwanted visitors.
- Privacy Mode: You can turn on the privacy mode to shut down the surveillance.
- Two-Way Audio: Communicate with others with the built-in microphone and speaker.Sound and Light Alarm: Trigger light and sound effects to frighten away unwanted visitors.
- Limited Automation abilities
- No water and dust resistance
8
Imou 360 Degree Security Camera – Ranger 2
Smart, Secure, Simple
Imou serves global IoT users with a “3-in-1” business system encompassing Imou Cloud, smart devices and intelligent technologies. Designed for home and small and medium-sized business (SMB) users, Imou provides comprehensive smart IoT solutions for different scenarios. The open cloud platform that allows third-party integration makes Imou perfect for building smart IoT ecosystems, creating greater value for partners and users.
- 360 Degree Coverage View ：complete 360° coverage. With Imou Life App you can create a panorama and rotate the camera to view every corner. Video Recording Frame Rate: Up to 25/30fps Frame Rate
- Up to 256GB SD Card Storage ：you can record 1080p video non-stop for 24 days and the H.265 compression reduces bandwidth and storage requirements by roughly 50% with no impact on video quality compared to H. 264.
- WiFi & Ethernet connection :supports both WiFi (2.4Ghz only)& Ethernet connection ,so you can switch it any time according to your network conditions.
- Motion Detection & Human Detection : Human Detection avoids false alarms from moving pets .Smart Tracking function makes the camera follows moving objects, records real-time videos and sends instant alerts to your mobile.
- 2-Way Audio& Sound Detection : talk with your loved one through the camera built-in speaker and microphone. Instant notification will be sent to you when the camera detects baby crying, dog barking, or other abnormal sounds, keeping you aware of what’s going on at home.
- The advanced H.265 Compression of video streaming reduces consumption of network bandwidth and recording storage by 50% at the same video quality compared with H.264
- Night Vision:quality infrared LEDs extend the range of night vision reach up to 10m/33ft, lets you see everything clearly even in the dark.
- Alexa Google Assistant : it works with Amazon Alexa and Google assistant.
- Extended WiFi Connection :supports WiFi (2.4Ghz only).Extended WiFi enhances the stability of the network connection.
- Not the best with motion tracking
- App needs improvement
9
EZVIZ C3WN Wi-Fi 1080p
Starting with a humble beginning, today, Ezviz is a manufacturer of a host of innovative products for the new age customers and their requirements. We aspire to create a safe, convenient and smart life for people through our intelligent devices, cloud based platform and AI technology.
- Anti reflection and infra red filter ensures excellent clarity upto 30m at night
- Cloud Storage: Store your data securely on the cloud. Choose a package from attractive options available.
- External powerful dual antenna ensures stronger and stable wifi connection
- IP66 for dust and water proof operation
- Remote Access from Anywhere
- Upto 256 GB storage slot – C3WN has built in Micro SD card slot which supports upto 256GB card to store your precious memories.
- 2-in-1 wired and wireless both. The C3WN has a provision to be used both as wired and wireless camera. It has a LAN port enabling it to be paired as a wired camera.
- Motion alert informs you for any kind of intrusion.
- Dual Antennas = Reliable ConnectionTwo powerful antennas provide wall-penetration and anti-interference capabilities.
- Customer support and service may face some challenges
10
Qubo Smart Outdoor Security WiFi Camera (White)
Bring home India’s smartest and most versatile Home Security Camera – the Qubo Smart Home Security Camera. It comes equipped with first of its kind AI features like Person Detection & Baby Cry Alert which works on your behalf. With its IP 65 rating, it is the first Indian security camera which is weather resistant and can be used outdoors too. 1080p Full HD camera and superior night vision will ensure that every corner of your house and outside is visible in vivid clarity during the day and night. Keeping Your World Secured.
- India’s most versatile weatherproof outdoor camera that protects your outdoors 24×7 and provides crystal-clear video streaming day and night through the qubo mobile app.
- Weather resistance IP65: The camera works in any kind of weather conditions like rain, dust, snow or sun.
- Face Mask Detection: Get notified whenever a visitor entering your home is not wearing a face mask.
- Secure Car Park: Create a safety zone around your car. get notified whenever your car moves in and out of that zone.
- Person Detection with Intruder Alarm: Advanced AI capabilities that can smartly detect & notify whenever a person is detected. You can also ring a siren in case of an intrusion.
- 24×7 Live Remote Monitoring with 1080p FHD camera with ultra wide lens of 110 deg (field of view): the true life image quality ensures, you view your precious moments with crystal clear quality.
- Infrared Night Vision: Keep a watch at night in vivid quality. see if someone is lurking outside your home in the darkness.
- 2-Way Talk: Hear and talk back seamlessly with with built-in microphone and speaker powered by real life like clarity.
- Continuous Recording: Never miss a moment with 24×7 continuous recording. just enable it in the app settings and always be in the know.
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant – View Camera Feed with the convenience of a voice command.
- Recording on motion detection is not perfect and not controllable
- Recording to mobile is not an option, you have to take SD card to copy the video
11
Imou IP 67 Outdoor Security Bullet Camera – IPC-F22FP – Bullet 2E
Color Night Vision, 1080P Full HD,Up to 256GB SD Card, WiFi & Ethernet Connection, Human Detection, Spotlight, Audio Recording, Alexa Google Assistant – Outdoor
Imou smart security protects your home and loved ones. We are building a safe, private and convenient environment for your family with surveillance cameras, video doorbells, and smart door locks powered by cutting-edge technology.
- 1080P Full HD＆Smart Color Night Vision: 1080P full HD security camera provides crystal clear videos and recordings. Four smart night vision modes provide clear full color or black and white pictures even in complete darkness. Night vision distance up to 30m/98ft.
- IP67 Weatherproof: The durable IP67 outdoor camera can withstand temperatures ranging from -30℃ to 60℃ and work in stormy, snowy, and bad weather conditions.
- Support NVR,Cloud Storage and SD Card Storage(Up to 256GB) : You can select your suitable storage way. The 256GB SD Card Storage could record 1080p video non-stop for 24 days and the H.265 compression reduces bandwidth and storage requirements by roughly 50% with no impact on video quality compared to H. 264.
- Active Defense & Instant Alerts : Get instant notifications and real-time videos when it detects intrusion. With built-in spotlight turns on to scare unwelcome strangers away.
- Human Detection : Human Detection avoids false alarms from animals, raindrops or moving cars. And you can customize detection areas and sensitivity.
- WiFi & Ethernet Connection :Supports both WiFi (2.4Ghz only)& Ethernet connection ,so you can switch it any time according to your network conditions.
- Audio Recording : High quality microphone built into camera can pick up sounds clearly while monitoring.
- Alexa Google Assistant – it works with Amazon Alexa and Google assistant.
- Built-in WiFi hotspot : Supports soft AP mode, So you can stream the video, play recording even when there is no Internet connection following the right guidance.
Security Threats and Points to make your camera secure
Any device connected to the internet can be hacked, and that includes home security cameras. Wired cameras are less vulnerable than Wi-Fi cameras, and those with local storage are less vulnerable than cameras that store video on a cloud-based server. However, all cameras can be hacked. This could allow someone to watch you, listen to you, and record your activities without your knowledge. They also potentially could access any other devices on your home network, such as your computer or smartphone.
- Always use a Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security, which encrypts your data.
- Use a firewall, which monitors and controls information coming to and from the camera.
- If supported protect your security cameras with a strong password.
- Turn on two-factor authentication if it’s offered.
- Remember to keep your camera’s firmware up to date.
- Use your cameras’ geofencing capabilities to turn them off when you’re home.
Please read this article for more info.
Final Verdict
If I have to select from the above my choice will be first MI Wi-Fi 1080p Full HD PTZ – MJSXJ02CM then the TP-LINK Tapo – C200 looking into their specifications and reviews.
If you have any comments or suggestion please do let me know by email geektalk(at)binoyanto.net or via Facebook https://m.me/geektalk.me/
Thank you all for the support.
All photos original credits are of the respective owners & sites, I have only used it for illustration purposes.
