IP CAMERA LEARNING & RESOURCE CENTER

Please find the following downloads available for the Mobotix M22M-SEC-D43:

Product Specification (300KB)

User’s Guide Pt1 (7.35MB)

User’s Guide Pt2 (29.6MB)

Please find the following downloads available for the Mobotix M22M-SEC-D22:

Product Specification (300KB)

User’s Guide Pt1 (7.35MB)

User’s Guide Pt2 (29.6MB)

Please find the following downloads available for the Mobotix M22M-IT-D22:

Product Specification (300KB)

User’s Guide Pt1 (7.35MB)

User’s Guide Pt2 (29.6MB)

The majority of IP cameras available today support a feature known as ‘Motion Detection’ or ‘Video Motion Detection’ (VMD). This is a very useful feature for security applications as it will detect when something has moved in a scene and can notify the user in a number of ways including email or activating external alarms or lights etc.

Sometimes though you might find that it triggers when there is very little movement or it triggers when other objects move in the scene such as traffic or plant-life outside a visible window or pets indoors.

Fortunately most IP cameras come with ways to help reduce the number of false alarms such as masking, multi-window detection or sensitivity settings.

What this guide will show is various ways we can configure motion detection in an Axis camera.

This guide will be suitable for all Axis IP camera models with the exception of the Axis 206.

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This guide explains one of the more popular security features found in IP cameras and that is how to have your camera send you an email when it detects motion. I know it’s a question we get asked a lot and it’s very simple so follow this guide for the complete low-down.

This guide is suitable for all Axis cameras except the Axis 206. The Axis 207/W/MW will also look slightly different as it has a basic interface for configuring events. The theory should remain the same but should be a little simpler when setting up.

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When you’re looking to cover a wide area, or multiply entry and exit points in a security camera installation, often it’s either impractical or too expensive to install multiple single-view cameras. This is where PTZ-capable cameras come in.

A PTZ camera can be set to take in a number of set views or ‘presets’ and sequence through these views in a timed schedule. This means that many different areas of coverage can be viewed and recorded.

In conjunction with alarm triggering with PIRs, panic buttons, contact points or motion detection the auto-touring camera can be made to pan immediately to the appropriate preset position for the alarm for recording of the event, returning to its auto tour after a set period of time.

The JVC VN-C215V4U claims discrete surveillance with high quality video output and a triple axis rotation lens for flexible installations. We’ve got one in the office so let’s see how it stands up.

VN-C215V4U Overview

The JVC VN-215V4U is a fixed dome camera and it’s fairly compact measuring 145mm diameter and 145mm high, which is only about half a foot. Aimed at the security market the camera has a 3-axis fixed lens mechanism which allows adjustment of the pan (175°), tilt (80°) and the rotation (175°) of the lens so it can be easily directed at any desired angle. The camera can be powered by 12V DC adaptor (not supplied) or by IEEE802.3af Power over Ethernet which we would always use as it makes installation very straight-forward. The camera also includes an analog output (Phono RCA out) so a monitor can be used at the point of installation to help with lens positioning and focus. The analog output is tucked inside the dome though so it’s purely an installation aid and cannot be used on a permanent basis. This isn’t a hybrid camera.

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Dynamic DNS is a service which makes it easier to access networked devices that have an IP address which is constantly changing.  This is done by using an internet address to point to the IP address an IP camera is currently using (e.g. http://Andy.viewnetcam.com).

When accessing IP cameras over the internet, problems often occur when a dynamic IP address is being used.  A dynamic IP will change every so often, meaning using the outdated IP address will no longer allow you to access the IP camera.

This is where a dynamic DNS address comes in handy. Some network cameras can inform a dynamic DNS service about what IP address they are currently using, the dynamic DNS service will then update to point to your newly assigned IP address allowing you to access your IP camera even after the IP has changed.

Two popular dynamic address services are DynDNS and Viewnetcam, the latter being Panasonic’s service for use with their IP cameras.

One feature of Sony cameras which we think is rather unique is their optional wireless support for some of the key IP cameras in their product line-up.

This support allows wireless connectivity for high-end domes such as the SNC-RZ50N or the SNC-RX series, something not found in any of the other ranges we support.

The way they offer this support is by using a wireless Compact Flash card. This card needs to be inserted directly into the camera’s Compact Flash card slot or into the camera’s alternative data slot using an appropriate adapter.

The card comes in two models. The SNCA-CFW1 or the SNCA-CFW5. The main difference is in the wireless speeds. The SNCA-CFW1 works to IEEE802.11b 11Mbps speeds while the SNCA-CFW5 works to IEEE802.11g 54Mbps. Although the SNCA-CFW5 cards is only supported by multi-codec cameras. See compatibility tables below for information.

Compatibility tables:

Sony SNCA-CFW1 - 2.4Ghz IEEE802.11b - 11Mbps SNC-P5 * SNC-CS50 ** SNC-RZ25 * SNC-RZ50 *** SNC-RX530 ** SNC-RX550 ** SNC-RX570 **

* Camera has Compact Flash slot. Card can be inserted directly

** Camera only has PCMCIA (PC Card) slots. A commercially available CF card to PCMCIA card adapter is required for use

*** Camera has both Compact Flash slot and PCMCIA slot. Choose either a direct connection or use a CF to PCMCIA adapter

Sony SNCA-CFW5 - 2.4Ghz IEEE802.11b/g - 54Mbps SNC-CS50 ** SNC-RZ50 *** SNC-RX530 ** SNC-RX550 ** SNC-RX570 **

** Camera only has PCMCIA (PC Card) slots. A commercially available CF card to PCMCIA card adapter is required for use

*** Camera has both Compact Flash slot and PCMCIA slot. Choose either a direct connection or use a CF to PCMCIA adapter

NOTE

Two other Sony cameras are currently marked as wireless compatible, the SNC-RZ30N and the SNC-Z20. Currently these cameras cannot use either the Sony SNCA-CFW1 or the SNCA-CFW5 cards, instead they used to use a third-party card which has since been discontinued. We are working to find a solution and will update the Resource Center when this is available.

More information:

To find out how to configure a wireless card please consult our guide HOWTO: Get your Sony camera to work on your wireless network

It’s possibly a little known fact that Panasonic IP cameras come with a dedicated viewer for cell phones and mobile devices. We certainly point this out if someone calls us for advice but I don’t think it’s a feature that Panasonic shout too much about.

So let us shout about it now because we think it’s a great feature which seems to be overlooked all too often.

Static image only

So first off, it’s designed for cell phones so don’t expect 30fps live video, in fact, don’t expect a live view at all as the viewer will only give you a static JPEG.

What’s the use in that? Well, its a live shot taken from the camera the moment you accessed the viewer and gives a good representation about what you camera can see at the exact moment in time. You can also refresh the image using the on-screen option.

This feature can be found in the consumer range of Panasonic video products: BL-C1A, BL-C20A, BL-C111A, BL-C131A, BB-HCM371A, BB-HCM511A, BB-HCM515A, BB-HCM527A, BB-HCM531A, BB-HCM580A, BB-HCM581A.

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