Many homeowners are installing surveillance systems such as IP cameras, Wi-Fi cameras, CCTV cameras, and other outdoor cameras with video feeds that are stored on hard drives to keep themselves and their families safe. Though wireless systems are increasingly popular, these devices must be powered by batteries, connected to a reliable Wi-Fi source, and have limited cloud storage space to keep the video in. This frequently results in a fortune spent on batteries and short video clips that may or may not be useful. If you want something that is more reliable and useful, consider a Power over Ethernet (PoE) security camera system. While this is not a completely wireless installation since the cameras are powered by the Ethernet PoE cable that plugs into them you will never have to worry about changing batteries. Also, as the cameras are directly connected to the recorder the video signal can be transmitted more quickly and at a higher quality. Many homes are even prewired for ethernet PoE all over, which makes the installation that much easier. If you are looking to upgrade your security system, take a look at these PoE security camera systems.
TRENDnet Indoor/Outdoor Dome Style, PoE IP Camera
The cool dome-style camera made by TRENDnet can be used anywhere due to its weatherproof housing and night vision ability that works up to 82 feet. The lens is 3 megapixels and has full 1080p HD resolution so you can have a clear picture of whatever is going on around your home. The housing is also vandal-resistant and compact so it is not immediately obvious. It is quick to set up with TRENDnet’s plug and play programming and can be set to use options like motion detection, scheduled recording, or even event triggering. TRENDnet also makes free apps for both iOS and Android where you can quickly see in high resolution what exactly is happening, or you can view past recordings.
AmcrestProHD Outdoor 1080P POE Dome IP Security Camera
Amcrest makes a suite of PoE IP security cameras and this dome option is just one of many. The cameras can either be bought separately and integrated into a custom security system or you can purchase a bundle that includes the NVR base as well as several cameras. This particular dome has a 2-megapixel lens with 1080p HD resolution and a 93-degree wide viewing angle to capture more in your video feed. Amcrest offers an optional cloud video recording service at an additional subscription cost if you do not want to store video locally. The system set-up is as easy as scanning a QR code on the NVR from the Amcrest View app, which is available for both iOS and Android. The system then identifies and can manage all the cameras on your network from the app. Amcrest offers lifetime support, so if anything goes wrong or if assistance is needed to modify the system, they will be there for you.
Outdoor POE IP Security Camera 4 Megapixels HD Bullet Surveillance Camera
Bullet cameras tend to have better technical specs than dome cameras, so if you need something with higher quality capabilities, then check out this bullet by Alptop. The 3.6 mm lens boasts an impressive 4 megapixels and ultra HD resolution to catch anything you might need to see, even in low light conditions. The night vision can view up to 65 feet so you can see all over your property in the dark. The metal weatherproof housing is highly durable and has no problem standing up to the rain or snow in all weather. Alptop also offers a free P2P cloud-based server to interface with your mobile device and view the video that this camera captures at any time. If you notice your bandwidth being taxed to a level that is not ideal, the settings can easily be configured to reduce the load either permanently or at specific times when you might want to have more bandwidth available for other uses. Alptop offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a three-month product replacement promise if anything goes wrong. What’s more, over the life of the product, they are very responsive via their customer support contact.
Lorex LNB8005 (POE) (8MP) 4K UHD IP Bullet Security Camera
Lorex makes some of the best security cameras and systems for home use and this bullet camera is no exception. The PoE-powered camera features an impressive 8-megapixel 4k ultra HD picture that is hard to beat. It is only compatible with Lorex series NVRs, but once you see how it performs you will want to build a system full of Lorex cameras anyway. The picture is so clear that one Amazon reviewer posted an example of his driveway and had to blur out his license plate because it was plainly visible—even in the middle of the night. Lorex’s FLIR app makes monitoring and adjusting your system very easy. You can view live shots and playback no matter where you are and it also gives push notifications whenever there is motion. You can quickly review an event list of all motion triggered events with video snapshots and when viewing the video you can even control the field of view for cameras that have adjustable options. With this kind of power at your fingertips taking control of your home’s security has never been easier.
Installing a home security system used to be a daunting task, frequently left to professionals. With the advent of Power over Ethernet cameras, however, it is becoming much easier to use the existing wiring in your house and not have to rely on running extra wires or calling an electrician. Outdoor cameras with ethernet cables are also getting more powerful so it is actually better for recording and playback quality to have them hard-wired to NVR hardware. This symbiosis and the overall improvement of camera quality make this sort of camera system more attractive than ever. With the ease of installation and use, there is no reason not to go ahead and take the plunge. Integrate one of these cameras with your current system or start building an entirely new installation for whole-home coverage.