HOWTO: Setup Multi-Camera viewing in Panasonic IP cameras (BB and BL)
Multiple Panasonic IP cameras from the BB and BL range can be viewed together through one camera interface by using the Multi-Camera page. This guide walks you through how to set up this feature for viewing your cameras locally and over the Internet.
HOWTO: Embed the live image from your IP camera in your web page. Part 2 – Panasonic
Continuing our series, this article focuses on the consumer range of Panasonic IP cameras, specifically the cameras which have a BL or BB prefix.
These ranges of Panasonic cameras are very popular and sell very well. They cover a wide range of uses from entry-level (BL-C1/C20) up to a professional pan-tilt-zoom model (BB-HCM581) and this guide will work with them all.
This guide is suitable for the following Panasonic cameras:
BL-C1, BL-C20, BL-C101, BL-C121, BL-C10, BL-C30, BL-C111, BL-C131, BL-C140, BL-C160
BB-HCM3xx Series, BB-HCM5xx Series, BB-HCE481
Key differences between the Panasonic BB-HCM331A and BB-HCM531A
Panasonic recently launched updated models of their more popular IP cameras for the home or small business security market.The new model not only brings an updated user interface which makes it even simpler to operate (and much more responsive!), but also it contains some quite significant upgrades too.
Below we take a look at the key differences of one of their most popular models, the BB-HCM331A vs the new BB-HCM531A. (these will also be true for the BB-HCM311/511 model)
| BB-HCM331A | BB-HCM531A | |
| Power over Ethernet | No | IEEE802.3af PoE Compliant |
| Video | MJPEG | Simulaneous MJPEG and MPEG-4 |
| Max. frame rate | 12fps @ 640×480 MJPEG | 30fps @ 640×480 MPEG-4 |
| Full screen mode | No | Yes (ActiveX only) |
| Multi-camera monitoring | 12 cameras (4 simultaneously in 3 groups) | 16 cameras (16 cameras simultaneously) |
| Analog video out | No | Yes, analog composite |
You can view more information about these products here:
HOWTO: View your Panasonic IP camera from your cell phone or mobile device
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.
Top 5 Home Security IP Cameras for Mac Users
As any Mac user will tell you they generally get stuffed when it comes to software availability and support for their machines. Sadly when it comes to IP cameras it’s no different.
As IP video specialists it probably won’t come as any surprise that we’ve seen a one or two IP cameras in our time but luckily we also have someone who owns a Mac (yes just the one!). So here is our top 5 list of cameras which we think make ideal home security cameras for Mac users. Read more >>
