Power Over Ethernet (POE) – What You Need to Know
Power over Ethernet is a standard that allows you to power certain network or IP devices over that same data cable that is used to connect to your network. There are 3 primary implementations of POE that will be described individually in this article, but before we delve into those, there is some information that you need to know about your product to determine which implementation and hardware you’re going need to achieve the results you’re looking for.
The first question is the most important because it determines all of your remaining hardware requirements. Below are examples for each implementation type and how they apply to your particular POE setup.
For the first example, we’re assuming you have a switch that supplies POE and an IP camera that supports true POE. In this situation you would only need one network cable running directly between the switch and the camera. No additional network cables would be required because the camera, itself, is capable of being powered over the Ethernet and the switch would supply POE. (See image below)
In the second example, we assume you have an IP camera model that supports true POE, but you do not have a switch or router that provides POE. In this event you would need a POE injector in addition to a switch/router and your POE IP camera. You will connect them together as shown in the image below.
In the final example, you have a switch/router that does not provide POE and an IP camera that does not support true POE. In this case, you could use a POE injector/Splitter kit. To connect this configuration you would first connect your switch/router to the POE injector, then connect the POE injector to the POE splitter, and finally connect the POE splitter to the camera as shown in the image below.
Below you will see a close up of the POE splitter and its connection to the camera. The splitter has both power and Ethernet outputs to connect the network and power separately.
Home Security Systems – a Cost Benefit Perspective
Filed under: Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System
CCTV security cameras and DVRs are becoming more and more prevalent, and with their use in more private business and homes than ever before, I wanted to take a moment to discuss the benefit of the different levels of equipment and potential ROI.
As the PC revolution continues to produce faster, better and less expensive hardware, the CCTV surveillance world has reaped the benefits. We have gone from unreliable VCRs and black & white, grainy cameras to much faster, more reliable computer based DVR cards and Standalone systems. This has boosted the technical capabilities and reliability of the electronics, while at the same time driving the cost down to a level that is much more enticing to individual homeowners and small businesses than before.
These new security DVRs and surveillance cameras can record on motion activation and allow uninterrupted playback locally or 
over the internet, allowing concerned individuals to keep an eye on their elderly parents who still live alone, their valuables, etc, all from anywhere that has an internet connection. Also, there is often a reduction in homeowner insurance premiums (5-20%) if security systems are in place. With complete CCTV Security System packages beginning in the mid $500.00 price range, and more capable, larger systems still well under the $2,000.00 mark, the savings on your homeowners insurance can cover a significant portion, if not all, of the costs.
The largest financial benefit can be the identification of vandals and thieves, which can lead to the recovery of stolen goods, or reparations, as well as documentation for your insurance claims. A visible and well laid out CCTV system can also deter criminals from attempting malicious crimes in the first place.
As prices continue to fall on consumer-level systems, you can be sure that more and more people will be installing their own surveillance equipment in homes and small offices. If you are a homeowner that is thinking about doing just that, or maybe you already have a CCTV system installed, we want to hear from you! Let us know what type of system you are looking at or went with and whether you are satisfied with that decision.
Analog vs. Digital Resolution – TV Lines (TVL) vs. Pixels
Filed under: CCTV Articles, Comparisons, General Technology, Guides
One of the most confusing and difficult topics in the CCTV world is resolution. Most of us have digital cameras or video camcorders and have heard the term megapixel used as the most common comparison in resolution between various makes and models. We are also aware that a larger number means better picture quality, but many people do not know why. In the CCTV security camera world, though, most cameras are still analog and their resolution is measured differently from what we are used to.
When measuring analog resolution, a TV line does not have a defined number of individual pixels. Instead, the term “TV lines” refers to the number of discernable horizontal or vertical lines on the screen. Analog security cameras are measured in Analog TV Lines, and most of them have between 420 and 580. The higher number of TV Lines, the more information captured. These types of cameras connect to a security DVR or CCTV VCR via coaxial video cable.
A pixel is the smallest element of a digital image. We have all zoomed too far into a picture from a website and seen the image go from clear to a bunch of colored squares – each one of those squares is an individual pixel. A megapixel (MP) is 1 million pixels, and is a specific measurement for digital resolution that encompasses the area of the output video.
Example: If a camera outputs a signal that is 1280×1024 pixels, it is shooting at a megapixel resolution of 1280 x 1024 = 1,310,720 pixels = 1.3 Megapixels (MP).
The most common type of digital security cameras are IP Cameras. These, like your digital camera at home, use strictly digital resolution. They utilize a network connection to either act as a standalone device or connect to a network-based DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or NVR (Network Video Recorder). IP Cameras have fixed resolutions and are now approaching, and in several cases exceeding, 1 megapixel in resolution, on average. Many of these cameras also support POE (Power Over Ethernet), which allows them to be powered by the Ethernet cable used for network connectivity, and PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom), allowing for remote control of the pan, tilt and zoom features, if applicable.
I hope this helped everyone distinguish the differences between Analog (TV Line) and Digital (Pixel) Resolution. We would love to know what you think of our articles, and if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Keep Up With Us
