For many of us, the idea of being able to watch live video footage of our homes or businesses through a network camera system comes with a certain degree of anxiety. We worry about whether we need it at all, what kind will be best for our situation, and whether we’ll actually be able to install it ourselves. But if you’re considering installing an IP security camera system in your home or business, these fears are unfounded! Once you’ve determined that this type of surveillance is right for you and where you want cameras placed around your home or property, all it takes is some research into which brand makes sense for your needs and budget as well as some basic know-how about how these systems work.
Get Started A Network Camera System
You’ll need to get the following items:
- A network camera, which is a device that sends images over your home’s Wi-Fi network. They can be hardwired or wireless, but they all have their own power source.
- Cable for connecting the camera to your router and power source (if applicable). This should come with your specific model of camera and can vary in length depending on what type of setup you’re doing at home.
- A mounting bracket that allows you to attach said cable without damaging walls or ceilings and make sure it fits with any mounting equipment included with your purchase!
Determine The Best Location For You
The first step in setting up a network camera system is determining the best location for your cameras. The location of your cameras will depend on several factors, including need and visibility. For example, if you’re using a network camera to monitor employees or students at an office or school, then there are likely several places where this would be useful in an entryway or near desks, perhaps. If you’re using it as security equipment at home or in business with private property (e.g., retail spaces), then there may only be one place where someone could access that area without being seen by any other cameras nearby.
In addition to considering where people might go while they’re under surveillance by these devices and whether those movements are predictable enough that they can be monitored easily by just one device it’s also important not only where but how high up above ground level these devices should be placed so as not obstruct anyone’s view when looking directly at them from different angles around corners or walls/window sills etcetera.
Understand The Bandwidth Requirements
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a medium in a certain time. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The more bandwidth you have, the more cameras you can connect to your system. For example: if your network has 20Mbps and you want to connect three cameras, then each camera would need 6 Mbps of bandwidth available for it to function properly.
Connect To Your Home Network
Connect the cameras to your home network and internet connection. Connecting your camera to your router or modem is easy if you have an Ethernet cable, but if not, you can use Wi-Fi as well. You will need a wireless adapter in order to do this. You may already have one built into your computer or laptop; otherwise, purchase one at any electronics store for less than $20 USD (and sometimes even less).
Monitor And Record Video Footage
You can monitor and record video footage from multiple cameras at once. The first step is to make sure that you have enough storage space for the footage you want to keep, which may require adding an additional hard drive to your computer or upgrading your existing one. If the camera system includes an SD card slot, then use it to store any captured video until you’re ready to download it onto your computer.
Once this is done, go into the settings menu of each network camera system and set up recording options such as schedule start/stop times or motion detection sensitivity levels (if applicable). You’ll also want a way of sharing access so others can view what’s happening in real-time over the Internet via webcam software like Skype or Google Hangouts; if this isn’t already built into their software package then consider installing third party apps like Webcam Maxe Pro ($29) which allow users remote access through smartphones and tablets as well.
Steps To Set Up A Network Camera System
A network camera is a device that captures video and sends it to your computer, phone or tablet. They can be used as security cameras to monitor your home or business, but they can also be used to keep an eye on your kids while they’re playing outside or check in on pets while you’re away from home. You’ll need a few things before setting up your system:
- A Wi-Fi router (or access point) with multiple Ethernet ports
- A computer with internet access
- An SD card for each camera (if applicable)
Conclusion
The process of setting up a network camera system can be a little daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can be quite simple. With the right tools and some patience, you’ll be able to create a secure surveillance solution for your home or business that provides real-time streaming video footage from multiple locations.
