Connect the TV-IP572WI ($170) wireless
day/night camera to your 802.lln network, and it will record video at a
high-def resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels at 30 frames per second. The
company's earlier cameras in this price range were limited to 640 by 480 pixels.
The TV-IP572WI comes with Trendnet's
SecurView Pro desktop software, which can monitor up to 32 cameras. SecurView
Pro supports just about any feature that any Trendnet camera offers with a
button, slider, dial, or control. (And that's fine: It's better to have such
overkill than to be unable to use every feature a camera has simply because the
software fails to expose it.) Also available is a free SecurView Pro app for
iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
The TV-IP572WI delivers slightly better
video quality than the D-Link DCS-5222L does, but its footage isn't nearly as
crisp as that of the much more expensive Axis M5014. This Trendnet camera has a
smaller footprint than either of those rivals; but since it's a fixed-position
model, it can't cover as much area as they can. If you like this camera's
feature set, and if you have a Power over Ethernet switch, you should also look
at its PoE cousin, the TV-IP572PI. It's identical to this model, except it
doesn't rely on an AC outlet, and it costs $30 less.
Axis M5014
The $595 Axis M5014 pan/ tilt/zoom network
camera is a solid value for businesses seeking a discreet, ceiling-mounted dome
camera.
Small enough to fit in the palm of your
hand, it stands just 2.2 inches high. A bonus; Its IP51- rated enclosure keeps
it dust-resistant and protected from dripping water, so it won't fail if your
sprinklers turn on.
The M5014 uses Power over Ethernet
exclusively, so you don't have to find an AC outlet to operate it. Although
this design simplifies installation since you have just one cable to run, it
also means that you need to obtain a Power over Ethernet switch for your
network. Unlike most IP cameras, the M5014 supports both IPv4 and IPv6 to
provide a degree of future-proofing during the transition between the two
Internet Protocol standards.
The built-in microphone and motion detector
can trigger the camera to record video, either to local storage (the camera has
a MicroSD slot, but you need to provide the card) or to a shared folder on your
network.
Axis uses a quarter-inch image sensor that
requires just 1.4 Lux of illumination to capture the action, even though the
M5014 is not labeled as a day/night camera. The camera can record M-JPEG or
H.264 video with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels at 30 frames per second.
The intentionally oversimplified Axis
Camera Companion software leaves a bit to be desired, as it doesn't expose
advanced camera features. Its playback window, on the other hand, is just about
perfect, with a simple timeline that shows recorded events for each of the
cameras it's managing.
The Axis M5014 provides especially good
image quality, and its motor moves the lens around the dome quickly without
generating a Lot of distracting noise. This model is pricey, but its feature
set, robust build quality, and extensive third-party software support more than
justify the cost for business users.
Trendnet TV-IP322P
The $580 Trendnet TVIP322P is optimized for
use outdoors. It offers a higher resolution than most at 1280 by 1024 pixels,
and it has an IP66-rated weather- and vandal-proof enclosure that keeps dust
and high-pressure water from getting inside.
This camera can operate on Power over
Ethernet, so you don't need to install the unit next to an electrical outlet.
Operating by PoE isn't a requirement, however, since Trendnet considerately
supplies an AC adapter too.
The TV-IP322P has strong night-vision
capabilities, working at distances of up to 66 feet. Its comprehensive features
include two-way audio with ports for an external mic and speaker, as well as
general-purpose input/ output ports for integration into an alarm system. The
camera can generate SMS and email alerts, and it can stream video to a
smartphone or tablet in real time without requiring a host PC. Equipped with a
MicroSD card slot, it can handle cards as Large as 32GB.
As noted earlier, Trendnet's powerful
SecurView Pro software for the PC can support as many as 32 Trendnet cameras;
the company also offers a mobile version for Android and iOS. Even better;
Trendnet has designed its cameras so that you can mix and match this more
expensive outdoor camera with other. Less pricey models in the line.
