I-witness

Finding new products for securing your home has never been easier.

Improvements in technology have brought us a new breed of IP (Internet protocol) cameras.

The latest IP cameras designed for homes and small businesses carry many useful features, such as two-way communication, motion detection of specific areas, direct recording to mobile devices, customised audio playback and night vision in colour.

They let users see the video feed anywhere in the world on an Internet browser, while free mobile apps for tablets and smartphones allow you to check on the premises anytime.

This makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your pets, children or elderly folks at home while you are at work or on vacation, or simply to have a video chat with your loved ones.

The IP camera is nearly 20 years old. The first was created in 1996 by Axis Communications, a Swedish networking company.

In the beginning, IP cameras were expensive, clunky and complicated. Users who were not tech savvy found them difficult to use. Installation required fiddling with router settings, assigning static IP addresses and forwarding ports.

Installation a breeze now

Convergent Systems, a tech product distributor here, said it was not easy convincing consumers to try out the new technology.

Its product director, Mr Michael Tan, said: "When we experimented selling IP cameras about five years ago, it was so difficult. Everybody thought in terms of analogue cameras, complete with viewing consoles and dedicated recorders. When IP cameras debuted, everybody was still confused, thinking it needed some kind of console to record and saw it as a troublesome technology."

Fast forward to today and the IP camera has come a long way.

Now, an IP camera ships with essential software. Bypassing the router, it seeks out vital camera information such as its MAC address, which is a unique identifier. IP camera vendors provide remote servers that store the settings of individual cameras and handle the complicated set-up process, making installation a breeze.

Today's IP cameras can be set up in under five minutes. Installation procedures can be as simple as pressing two buttons.

Eyeing the potential for home surveillance, more vendors have entered the market.

Increasing competition raises standards and brings down prices.

Electronics giant Samsung hit the ground running when it entered the consumer IP cam market this year with a full high-definition IP camera controlled through a seamlessly designed mobile app and browser interface.

A new beginning

As more people know about such cameras and how they can use them, sales have taken off, said Mr Jonathan Quek, product marketing director of D-Link, a networking company which makes and sells its own IP cameras.

"Since 2010, when we launched the mydlink camera series, which provides owners with easy installation and camera management via Web browsers and mobile devices, our sales have increased by 10 to 12 times."

D-Link said it sells nearly 3,000 units a month.

Sales have also gone up in the last two years for Sineoji, a networking company that develops IP cameras.

Its managing director, Mr Kwon Dae-Yun, said: "Customers are now more savvy and are aware that they can deploy IP cameras easily with mobile apps. It is also cost effective to install these at small offices and warehouses."

Convergent said monthly sales of its IP cameras are in the hundreds and at least five times higher than when the company started selling IP cameras in 2009.

Mr Tan believes that this is a new beginning. "The technology has reached a stage where one can start concentrating on the benefits instead of poring over complicated installation instructions. That's when the mainstream crowd starts buying - when installation and usage becomes effortless," he said.

Digital Life looks at the latest IP cameras to see which one is best suited for your home and wallet.

colintan@sph.com.sg

Next >> Aztech HIPC700 Homeplug IP camera

Review: Aztech HIPC700 Homeplug IP camera

$119 (requires an additional accessory which is sold separately)

This is the cheapest of the cameras in this shoot-out, and accordingly, the most basic.

But it needs the Aztech Homeplug, sold separately, to work. If you do not have that accessory, the camera and an Aztech 500Mbps Homeplug HL117E is available for $149.

While this accessory seems unnecessary, the camera uses powerline communications technology, meaning that it connects using power sockets. If you have a big home or a weak router, you can position the camera anywhere near a power socket, without having to worry about a weak wireless signal.

Setting up the camera is simple, as the Homeplug connects by Ethernet cable to the router and plugs directly into a power socket.

The camera, too, plugs into a power socket and pairs automatically with the Homeplug when you press the camera's connect button.

Follow the instructions to complete the configuration.

The camera has a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. It pans 270 degrees and surveys a wide area. Although it can tilt up to 75 degrees upwards, it cannot tilt downwards, which limits the view.

Infrared LEDs provide night vision, which works well but only within a 5m range. The mobile app's snapshot feature will save images to an album inside the app, which can be in the phone's gallery or attached to an e-mail.

Some settings, including video resolution, video quality and video frequency, can be adjusted via the mobile app. But it cannot record as the camera lacks an SD card slot.

To record, one must use the PC. This also offers more features and settings. Motion detection can be set to sound an alarm, take a snapshot, record a clip or send notifications to an FTP server or e-mail server.

You can set the camera to run automatically using its schedule recording feature.

The camera uses a Mjpeg format, an older compression standard that is not as good at saving bandwidth. In this aspect, it is behind the other cameras.

On the mobile app, I got disconnected a few times for no apparent reason. Although this was annoying, I was able to reconnect immediately. At the highest resolution, colours were full but the low frame rate made the video jerky. It also lacks audio - a huge disadvantage.

Switching to a lower resolution (320 x 240 or 160 x 120) provides higher frame rates for less choppy video but also makes them more blurred and less detailed. The camera responded more quickly, via the PC, to pan and tilt commands, but the frame rate was unchanged.

If all you need is a cheap camera to keep an eye on your home, this will do well enough. But the low frame rate and lack of two-way communication limit the camera to basic monitoring.

TECH SPECS

Type: Pan and tilt

Video resolution: 640 x 480 pixels (up to 7 frames per second)

Connectivity: Ethernet port (Homeplug)

Recording medium: PC

Viewing angle: 270 degrees (horizontal), 75 degrees (vertical)

Night vision: Yes

Two-way communication: No

WPS connectivity: Yes

Mobile app: Available in Android and iOS, free

RATING

Features: 2/5

Design: 3/5

Performance: 2/5

Value: 4/5

Overall: 3/5

Next >> D-Link DCS-2136L

Review: D-Link DCS-2136L

$299

Do not let its diminutive appearance fool you. Despite weighing less than 130g, the D-Link DCS2136L packs a powerful punch with its video-image quality and variety of functions.

Set-up is quick and simple. It takes about five minutes, with clear instructions provided every step of the way. It has support for Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), simplifying the installation process even further. During the process, a free mydlink account will be created to let you remotely access your camera over the Internet.

The camera has two-way communication and motion detection settings, with push notification support so that notifications can be sent to the mobile app or to your e-mail address. A microSD card slot supports SD cards of up to 32GB.

The camera also supports the latest wireless standard, 802.11ac.

The mobile app has a smooth, clean layout and is updated regularly, occasionally with new features. It can save snapshots directly to the phone's gallery, set motion detection on and toggle night-vision mode.

With the mobile app, you are limited to lower resolutions of 320 x 176 pixels and 640 x 360 pixels, but colours are still accurate. Even on 3G networks, the frame rate remains solid. The audio quality is clear, with little ambient noise to obscure conversation.

A two-way communication feature is present as well, but it mutes the camera's microphone when you talk through the mobile phone. This is a double-edged sword. While you avoid the common screeching sound of audio feedback, it means that you are effectively deaf while talking.

A big drawback is the limited recording ability. You can save videos to the microSD card in the camera but you need to use the PC to start the recording.

As with most IP cameras, accessing the camera via the PC provides deeper customisation with extra settings, such as motion sensitivity, wide dynamic range and, more importantly, the option for high-definition (HD) viewing at 1,280 x 720 resolution. When the HD viewing option is activated, the video image quality jumps up, growing sharper with more vivid colours.

For viewing at night, the camera comes with a high-powered white LED with an effective range of up to 15m, filling most rooms with light. Although powerful, this can be disconcerting at night.

Fortunately, the night vision is a great substitute. The camera boasts colour night vision, which works surprisingly well - it manages to retain and display colours well in a darkened room, accurately distinguishing green, red, blue and yellow cushions on a sofa.

Those looking for a well-designed camera with unique features such as colour night vision will enjoy this D-Link device. The constant updates to the mobile app also point to continued support for this camera in the future.

TECH SPECS

Type: Fixed position

Video resolution: 1,280 x 720 pixels (up to 30 frames per second)

Connectivity: Ethernet port, 802.11ac/b/g/n Wi-Fi

Recording medium: microSD (up to 32GB), PC

Viewing angle: 46.5 degrees

Night vision: Yes

Two-way communication: Yes

WPS connectivity: Yes

Mobile app: Available on Android and iOS, free

RATING

Features: 4/5

Design: 4/5

Performance: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Overall: 4/5

Next >> Samsung Smartcam HD Pro SNH-P6410BN

Review: Samsung Smartcam HD Pro SNH-P6410BN

Though it cannot pan or tilt, its other advantages more than make up for these deficiencies.

Installing the camera is easy. It has a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button, which lets you set it up quickly, providing your router supports WPS. But you will need to install a plug-in for your browser if you want to view the footage on a PC. This takes a few more steps to search for the camera connected to the home network.

You can record videos to microSD cards (up to 64GB). You can play back the recordings on the mobile app or PC, but oddly enough, you cannot record directly to the PC or smartphone.

Both mobile app and PC viewer support snapshots. Photos can be saved to the PC or smartphone.

Motion and audio detection will alert you even if nothing occurs within the camera's view.

The motion-detection feature is more advanced than in other IP cameras, letting you define up to three areas of the video image to monitor. This is useful if you want to focus on specific areas, such as a doorway or corridor.

For alerts, it supports push notifications for the mobile app, keeping you constantly updated. It also supports sending e-mail notifications.

In addition to two-way communication, a music playback function provides three pre-recorded melodies, to soothe a baby, for instance. If you prefer your own audio, you can record it for playback.

The mobile app has a clean interface and offers features such as snapshots, recording, two-way communication and motion detection. Surprisingly, it manages to pack all the settings inside it, removing the usual disparity between the IP camera's PC viewer and mobile app.

The app offers nearly all the capabilities of the PC viewer, providing wide customisability with its settings, such as motion-detection sensitivity, alert configuration and alarm scheduling. But its maximum resolution is 1,280 x 720. If you want to view the video feed in full high-definition at 1,920 x 1,080p resolution, you will need to use the PC viewer.

The camera's wide viewing angle of 128 degrees makes up for its inability to pan or tilt. In night-vision mode, the view is clear but extends only to 5m, which may not cover an entire room.

Image quality is sharp and accurate, with colours reproduced clearly in crisp images. The frame rate is rock solid, delivering low latency video streaming even on a 3G network. A wide dynamic range feature provides clear lighting even in backlit images, resisting creating silhouettes against bright backgrounds. The audio is clear, with little background noise.

With an affordable price, this camera has the best video image quality of the cameras and many substantial features in both the Web interface and mobile app. This is a good buy as long as you do not need pan and tilt functionality.

TECH SPECS

Type: Fixed position

Video resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (up to 30 frames per second)

Connectivity: Ethernet port, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi

Recording medium: microSD (up to 64GB)

Viewing angle: 128 degrees

Night vision: Yes

Two-way communication: Yes

WPS connectivity: Yes

Mobile app: Available on Android and iOS, free

RATING

Features: 4/5

Design: 4/5

Performance: 5/5

Value: 3/5

Overall: 4/5

Next >> ProLink PIC1007WP IP Camera

Review: ProLink PIC1007WP IP Camera

This camera looks solid and professional, with a dome shell protecting it. It is simple to install, with the option of simply scanning a unique QR code to set up the camera by itself.

Another easy set-up option is Wi-Fi Protected Set-up (WPS), if your router supports it. Simply press the router and the camera's WPS button to pair them for a hassle-free set up.

To access the camera on the PC, additional software can be installed from the provided CD, which may be tedious if you want to access the camera on more than one PC.

Fortunately, you can skip the software installation and remotely access the camera by signing in to the website provided in the manual, using the camera's ID and password.

The camera is full of features. In addition to motion detection, it can record audio when it detects a loud noise - if an accident happens offscreen, for instance.

Push notification support notifies the mobile app when an alert is triggered. The camera can be scheduled to record automatically at preset dates and times, while an alarm feature lets you play a loud siren through the camera's speaker.

This is great for getting your kids' attention or scaring away burglars. The camera has an SD card slot for recording and supports recording to a network-attached storage (NAS).

Colours are vibrant but images show some pixellation. The mobile app controls the camera well. It will translate swipe gestures into tilt and pan actions instantaneously.

Over a wireless network, the video feed is smooth and pleasant to watch. But over a cellular network, the frame rate drops and the video looks jerky.

The mobile app is more limited than the PC viewer but lets you take pictures, record video, talk and send a loud alarm through the speakers.

While the audio is reasonably clear, the two-way communication works in an odd manner. Talk over the microphone and it cuts off audio from the person at the other end.

For monitoring at night, the camera uses infrared LEDs to light up dark areas for up to 10m.

With the mobile apps, the maximum viewing resolution is 1,024 x 768 pixels. For full high-definition resolution, you will need to use the PC viewer.

Videos can be recorded directly to the mobile app, PC, or an SD card in the camera.

The dome shell design makes the camera unable to tilt downwards. But it can tilt upwards to a maximum of 90 degrees and can pan 180 degrees to cover most of a room. It can also be wall mounted to give better coverage of a room.

The ProLink PIC1007WP IP Camera is simple to install. Good video image quality complements its many useful features, making it a great choice for any home.

TECH SPECS

Type: Pan and tilt

Video resolution: 1,280 x 800 pixels (up to 30 frames per second)

Connectivity: Ethernet port, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi

Recording medium: microSD (up to 64GB), PC, smartphone

Viewing angle: 180 degrees (horizontal), 90 degrees (vertical)

Night vision: Yes

Two-way communication: Yes

WPS connectivity: Yes

Mobile app: Available on Android and iOS, free

RATING

Features: 5/5

Design: 3/5

Performance: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Overall: 4/5

Next >> Sineoji PT335V IP Camera

Review: Sineoji PT335V IP Camera

One of the more affordable cameras here, the Sineoji PT335V Megapixel Wireless Pan & Tilt IP Camera is small and rounded, with an inoffensive all-white design.

Installing it is more complicated than with the other IP cameras because it is the only one that has to be connected to a router with an Ethernet cable for set-up.

Using the mobile app, you find the camera on the network, then enable wireless connectivity in the settings menu. The Ethernet cable can then be removed so the camera can be used wirelessly.

Setting it up on the computer uses an even more antiquated process. Getting it to play nice with Internet viewing means messing with your router settings.

Sineoji has thoughtfully provided a YouTube video guide to the process at youtu.be/kGNkI-JyGQw.

Once set up, the camera can pan an impressive 355 degrees, which lets you view a whole room easily.

When the camera detects motion, it can take snapshots automatically, then upload images to an FTP server or send them to an e-mail address.

The camera can also be set for automatic recording at preset times or configured to patrol a certain route, automatically panning and tilting at several preset positions.

Two-way communication for sending or listening to audio is also possible, but it was tough to use the system to hold a conversation, as the camera's microphone picks up a lot of ambient noise.

The mobile app packs too many buttons into a small area, making the interface cramped. The PC viewer has a significantly improved interface, lessening the likelihood of hitting the wrong button, and more settings available.

If the room is dark, the infrared LED does an adequate job of lighting the area, illuminating objects within 10m.

The colour generally looks washed out and there is some visible pixellation at lower resolutions.

The biggest annoyance is the slow response time on the mobile app - about two seconds to respond to a swipe on the touchscreen. Control feels somewhere between sluggish and unresponsive.

The camera is noticeably more responsive when you use a PC's Web browser.

A helpful feature in the mobile app lets you record directly to the mobile device, mitigating the lack of an SD card. It uses the H.264 video compression standard to conserve bandwidth and space. If you want to record directly to an SD card, Sineoji's PT339V is the same camera but with an SD card slot. It costs $199, or $40 more.

The Sineoji PT335V Megapixel Wireless Pan & Tilt IP camera gives decent video image quality and is complemented by a decent range of features. But a complex set-up means spending some time configuring the settings for your router.

TECH SPECS

Type: Pan and tilt

Video resolution: 1,280 x 720 pixels (up to 25 frames per second)

Connectivity: Ethernet port, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi

Recording medium: PC, smartphone

Viewing angle: 355 degrees (horizontal), 90 degrees (vertical)

Night vision: Yes

Two-way communication: Yes

WPS connectivity: No

Mobile app: Available on Android and iOS, free

RATING

Features: 3/5

Design: 2/5

Performance: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Overall: 3/5

This article was first published on June 25, 2014.
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