| Want to add security cameras to your existing | | | | you're not right there on the premises. By |
| home network? It's really quite simple using | | | | connecting multiple video cameras to a TCP/IP |
| current technologies. You can easily get a | | | | Transmitter, you'll have access to the goings |
| starter system going that will fully | | | | on at your home or business from any |
| integrate with your home networking system | | | | Internet-connected PC. Look for models that |
| that you can access anywhere in the world via | | | | include software which most do. They can |
| the internet. | | | | support a combination of wired or wireless |
| | | | cameras as well as PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom). PTZ |
| The first decision to make is whether to | | | | cameras allow you to do just that, manipulate |
| build your system using wired or wireless | | | | the camera position ans zoom via controls on |
| cameras. Wired cameras tend to cost less, and | | | | your web brower. |
| have the advantage of being powered by their | | | | |
| cables. Wireless cameras operating at the | | | | This type of configuration will work for |
| 2.4GHz range can more easily be placed in any | | | | indoor or outdoor cameras. If building a |
| location. You then have the option to connect | | | | security system that will monitor the |
| the remore camera to a nearby electrical | | | | perimeter of your property, or is external to |
| electrical outlet, or use batteries. | | | | your home, then go for the wireless cameras |
| | | | so cabling is simpler. Optionally for |
| You may also want to integrate your cameras | | | | external wireless cameras are small |
| via one device to manage them. Otherwise you | | | | transmitter and receiver devices that can |
| will have to go to either a seperate IP | | | | transform any wired camera into a wireless |
| address in your home network for each camera, | | | | one. |
| and if you need to connect to your home | | | | |
| system to monitor it remotely, then you will | | | | To summarize: start with your existing |
| need to be able to also obtain a virtual | | | | cameras to leverage your current investment, |
| private network connection. This can be a | | | | or start small with purchasing one or two |
| real hassle so I recommend getting a device | | | | higher quality wireless cameras. Then decide |
| that can control all your cameras and also | | | | on a transmitter/receiver centralized unit, |
| act as a single point of access your remote | | | | this can easily be plugged into your existing |
| monitoring. | | | | wired or wireless router. Use the uplink port |
| | | | on your existing router if all your |
| Look for products like TCP/IP transmitter and | | | | connections are being used. The advantages to |
| receivers. This simplifies maintaining | | | | be gained by this configuration are many. You |
| multiple cameras to keep an eye on your home | | | | can monitor your own home or business without |
| or business. It is a smart and easy way to | | | | paying monthly fees. So for not much more |
| increase security without installing an | | | | than you have already invested in your home |
| expensive alarm system. Monitoring the | | | | networking, you can add piece of mind as |
| surveillance feed isn't difficult, even if | | | | well. |