IP camera recommentations

[DroidNine 0]

I am looking for recommendations for an IP camera that will be installed at my gate. I currently have a dome, cheap VGA webcam and Raspberry Pi (also triggering gate via TCP and relay) out there but the system is not working well and needs to be replaced with an IP camera. My list of requirements:

- weatherproof (duh)

- dome (mounted dome up) or low visual impact other type

- the camera will have access to ethernet, POE with 5VDC (12VDC is possible but extra work), or 24VAC/240AC. Wireless is possible but rather ethernet/POE.

- 2MP/720P preferrable

- ability to alarm on motion detect and remote trigger a TCP/UDP port or HTTP server. Email and FTP would be nice extras, but must be able to trigger a server remotely. Does this even exist?

- MJPEG viewable via HTTP

- as close to $150 USD as possible

 

I might be kidding myself, but any recommendations welcome.

[buellwinkle 0]

Maybe if you loosen up some of your requirements it would help. Here's what's making it hard;

 

- the camera will have access to ethernet, POE with 5VDC (12VDC is possible but extra work), or 24VAC/240AC. Wireless is possible but rather ethernet/POE.

 

Don't even know what you are talking about. Most PoE cameras rely on an injector or switch that meets the 802.3af standard or 48VDC at 15.4W.

 

- ability to alarm on motion detect and remote trigger a TCP/UDP port or HTTP server. Email and FTP would be nice extras, but must be able to trigger a server remotely. Does this even exist?

 

Not a clue what you are talking about. There's such a thing as alarm in & out to connect alarm devices and trigger relays like on gates to open. Also, there's general events you set that can typically send emails or ftp on things like video motion detect or alarm input.

 

- MJPEG viewable via HTTP

It's getting harder and harder to find MJPEG cameras, most are H.264, but possible.

[DroidNine 0]

Thank you for the reply.

 

Don't even know what you are talking about. Most PoE cameras rely on an injector or switch that meets the 802.3af standard or 48VDC at 15.4W.

 

If all cameras only do 802.3af then that's fine, I had assumed that some cameras may be more lax and allow 24VDC/12VDC over PoE as some wireless equipment does. I'm sure I can sort something out for 48VDC.

 

Not a clue what you are talking about. There's such a thing as alarm in & out to connect alarm devices and trigger relays like on gates to open. Also, there's general events you set that can typically send emails or ftp on things like video motion detect or alarm input.

 

I just need a way of getting something instantaneous out on motion detect. I didn't realise that cameras have alarm out relays, that would be suitable as I can use the RPi to detect the relay state.

 

It's getting harder and harder to find MJPEG cameras, most are H.264, but possible.

 

If H.264 is the standard now I will need to do some re-coding but that should be fine.

 

With those in mind is there anything you are aware of that meets my requirements? Thanks again for the reply.

[buellwinkle 0]

The lower priced decent outdoor dome with alarm in/out, HD resolution (1080P or 3MP) with a varifocal lens would be the Hikvision DS-2CD2732F-IS. About $259 shipped.

 

Go without alarm i/o and you can get closer to your price range with a Hikvision Eyeball camera ds-2cd3332-i., fixed lens About $169 shipped.

 

Both standard PoE, weatherproof, work well day or night, 3-axis lens aiming (can be mounted on a wall, ceiling, floor, slanted ceiling), have IR illuminators, easy to use. The first one has an microSD card slot and can record/playback from the camera.

 

For MJPEG, ACTi cameras have MJPEG or H.264, cost a little more, but but you can get a ACTi D71 (1MP) or D72 (3MP) for about the same price as the first camera. No alarm out yet, but they should soon. Best deal out there may be their E77, 10MP, has alarm in/out and is going for about the same price, maybe $279. They are 3-axis, IR illuminators, SD card slots and such.

 

Those are the value leaders. Dahua makes domes in this price range, but I have issues with them and IR light bleed so I don't recommend them, but their bullet style cameras are good.

 

Adding alarm in/out sort of puts you up a class in cameras, don't know why, but it does, but it's worth it, more to tinker with. For example, I want to connect my camera in my garage to the garage opener so I can send a signal to the door to close if I'm in my bedroom and forgot to close the garage door. Go on my tablet, enter an URL to trigger alarm out and viola, the door closes.

[DroidNine 0]

Excellent reply, thank you so much for your time. The alarm out is something I definitely want. I will look in to those and let you know how I go.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.