Special IP Cameras for Special Situations

When IP cameras were introduced a few years ago there were very few choices. Today there‘s a wide selection from which to choose. They have really replaced the old analog camera systems. Now there are special IP camera systems that are designed for special situations. There are cameras that see in the dark, others that can see over a mile away, systems that are designed for cities, others that can work no matter where they are, and others that are covert and hidden so no one knows they are being recorded. This article reviews some of these specialized IP camera systems.

The Nite Track IP camera is a special PTZ camera that includes an IR illuminator. This system allows you to see in total darkness over 600 ft from the camera. It is a very effective covert camera system because people can’t see the IR illumination at night. The illuminator can be adjusted to see exactly the area you want to see. Take a look at the web page for more details.

If you need a system that can see over a mile away, there’s the special PTZ IP camera system that uses a focused laser IR illuminator. It’s matched with a high performance 60X optical zoom lens that adjusts from 12.5mm to 750 mm or with doubler adjusts from 25 mm to 1500mm. During the day this amazing camera allows you to recognize things that are 19,685 ft away (6,000 M). At night the special laser illuminator reaches out 4,921 ft (1,500M). There’s more on our web page.

When you need a camera system that can watch almost everywhere at once, take a look at the IPDeputyNVR system. This system mounts on a pole and includes up to two cameras. This rugged outdoor surveillance system includes everything you need to establish a vandal resistant neighborhood surveillance system. The system includes choice of cameras and a built in computer with NVR software that provides up to 1 TB of storage. You can select standard IP cameras, megapixel or PTZ cameras. All this is provided in a complete environmental enclosure with power distributor, surge protection, heater/blower and space for additional components. The system communicates with your network by WiFi wireless, direct Internet connection or even 3G/4G cell communication.

What happens when there’s no Internet connection? Well you can use a complete camera system that includes an NVR system all in a covert box. This box also includes battery backup so that it will operate even if someone cuts the power. The system looks like an electrical box. It has room for a number of different cameras that include the IQ752 camera. With this megapixel camera you get enough resolution to identify a person’s face in an area that’s about 48 ft wide. It can see even when there’s very little light, with sensitivity of less than 0.05 lux. The battery backup allows the system to operate for hours without power. The camera has a CF memory card slot so you can add on board storage that can record many hours of video. This complete solution allows you to place a camera in new locations that were historically not available by IP cameras systems.

There are many more special cameras available and more becoming available every day. Just contact us for the latest and greatest at 1-800-431-1658 or 914-944-3425 or use our contact form.

Selecting the lens for your IP Camera

How to Select the Lens
Go to each location you want to view with your surveillance cameras. Bring your digital camera to each of the locations. If you don't have a digital camera this is a good excuse to get one. The camera should have a zoom lens that has mm markings on the lens so you can record the right mm for the lens.

Again, decide where you would like to place the camera. Place the digital camera as close as you can to the planned location of the video camera. Take a picture of the view you would like. This is will define your field of view. Record the lens position (so you can later select a similar mm lens). Measure how far away the camera is from the field of view at each location. Record how wide an area you would like to view. This should be determined by the picture you took using the digital camera. The distance to the area and the width of the area define the lens. You can use the lens calculator at http://www.kintronics.com/iqinvision/lenscalculator.htm to determine the lens mm.

If you decided that you need a PTZ camera, you can still use the lens calculator to determine if the zoom lens is within the range you need. For example some cameras have a 10X zoom (4.2 – 42mm) and some have over 22X (3.9 – 85.4mm). Use the lens calculator to see if the area you want to see fits in the range of the camera you select.

You can find a lot more information about cameras and lenses at the kintronics web site

How to select the right IP camera

How to select the type of camera
Should you get a fixed position camera or a Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) camera? Go to each of the locations where you would like to install a camera and take a look at the area you would like to view.

Now let’s see what the camera will see. This is where your digital camera can be helpful. Hopefully you have one, but if not, this is a good excuse to get one. Decide on where you would like to place the camera, for example on a building or on a light pole, etc. Try and approximate the location of the video camera and then use your digital camera to view the area you want to view.

If you have to move the camera right and left to see everything, then you probably need a Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ). If you have to move the camera only a short distance then maybe you can use a high resolution camera with a wide angle lens. If you can see everything with the camera in one position then a fixed camera will work.