Thanks to the numerous home improvement stores scattered across the country – not to mention the various do-it-yourself programs on TV – it has never been easier for the homeowner to fix up the house without seeking professional help. And, thanks to ever-advancing consumer tech, even projects that once involved calling in for help, can now be self-installed with nothing more than a screwdriver or sticky-tape. One such project is home security. While completely wiring a home with motion detectors, alarms and keypads still remains a task best left to an alarm company, homeowners can now add some home protection by setting up one of the number of affordable “plug-and-play” consumer-based security camera solutions to hit the market. The beauty of these new security cams is that they are lighter on the wallet, a snap to set up, and much easier to use.
These types of digital video cameras, called Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, utilize computer networking to transmit image data. IP cameras can also connect to the Web for remote control and viewing. Some record footage onto flash or external storage, while others save images in the cloud. There are sophisticated IP cameras designed for corporate and government buildings, and there are simplified versions for the home.
IP cameras for the home aren’t new, but in the past they have been complicated devices, requiring networking expertise to set up and operate. Looking like regular ordinary webcams, the latest IP-based cameras feature wireless operation that limits wiring and installation time. And, since they are small in size, they can be placed almost anywhere providing for discrete monitoring of your home and family. They also come with monitoring and management software that lets you trigger alarms and e-mail alerts when a security breach is broken. And, you can log into them when you’re away from home for remote control and viewing via a mobile device like an iPhone.
