Selecting an IP Camera to use with TenM3 service

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There is a lot of choice while selecting a Network Camera – lot of Manufacturers, lot of models per Manufacturer and with a wide range of feature-price combinations.

Your selection depends upon how you plan to use the camera, how many cameras do you want to deploy per location and your price range.

The following gives a few simple steps to select the right camera.


1. Select the Manufacturer – Panasonic provides high quality network cameras at reasonable prices and with a wide range of models to choose from. The quality comes from – well-manufactured units (without defects and that do not break down in use), nicely designed (pleasing looks) and good performance over networks.

The last item is important. A network camera gets used locally (over a LAN) or over the Internet (WAN). A properly designed network stack (in the camera) should work well in both environments. Many cameras in the market work well in a LAN environment but break down (dropped frames, frozen frames, pixelation) when used over the Internet.

Panasonic BL-C series and BB-HCM series cameras provide a wide range of models with different features-price. The examples given below are for Panasonic cameras.


2. Pick a newer model Camera – The network camera market is very dynamic and fast growing. Camera manufacturers keep introducing improved models with better features, quality and prices. Research at the Manufacturers website and select the latest model(s) at the time of your purchase. The newer models will provide a better value. Also, look for popular models.


3. Price – Network camera prices range from $80 to $1k and above (depending upon the country of purchase, there may be additional taxes and duties).

Select a camera that provides the right features for your application and fits your price range. It is not worth getting the most expensive cameras (unless you specifically want those features). It is better to get less expensive cameras and plan for replacing the camera in a year (as newer models with better features will be available by then).


4. Indoor or Outdoor – If the location is indoor or the camera will not be exposed directly to water, then an Indoor camera is the best choice.

For outdoor locations, you need an Outdoor camera. For most locations, a splash-proof camera (e.g. Panasonic BL-C140, BB-HCM371 or BB-HCM531) may be sufficient. These will withstand wet weather. However, if the weather is particularly harsh (e.g. rain or snow will be soaking the camera), then a protective, sealed dome for the camera is needed. Dome kits are available from Manufacturers or through 3rd parties. Vandal-proof kits are also available. Make sure the dome kit will work with the selected camera.

This is another advantage of Network cameras over CCTV or analog cameras. Network cameras work across a wider range of temperatures and may not require any additional hardware to control the temperature. Analog cameras, in contrast, work in a narrow temperature range. For outdoors, the analog cameras require a heater (in cold weather) and a fan (in hot weather) to keep the camera temperature in the operating range. This further increases the price of the cameras.


5. Wired or Wireless – Pick a wireless (WiFi) camera whenever possible (i.e. if it fits your price range). Wireless cameras make it easy to move the camera to different locations – which is a very important factor. Wireless cameras can also be used on wired networks as they have a wired port (RJ45). Wired-only cameras are less expensive than wireless cameras.


6. Pan-Tilt or Fixed – To monitor an area, you can either add multiple fixed cameras each pointing at a different location to cover the full area or add a pan-tilt camera which can be moved remotely to point in different directions.

If you will be manually controlling the camera most of the time, then a Pan-Tilt is a better choice. However, manually controlling the cameras is also a lot of work. Pan-Tilt cameras are more expensive than fixed cameras.

Select the type of camera according to your usage. The Panasonic BL-C131 is a Pan-Tilt Camera whereas a BL-C140 is a fixed camera.


7. Optical Zoom or No Optical Zoom – Optical zoom gives the ability to see far objects (or see nearer objects in greater detail) and gives awesome pictures. If the area to be viewed is large or distant (e.g. a Construction site, a Train station), then Optical zoom is the right choice. Optical zoom cameras are more expensive than no-optical zoom ones.

Panasonic BB-HCM580/581 or BB-HCM527 are cameras with optical zoom. BL-C131 is a model with no optical zoom.

Camera manufacturers also talk about digital zoom. For all practical purposes, this feature is not very useful. It does not improve the ability to see far objects or see nearer objects in greater details.


8. Megapixel Cameras – If your requirement is to see a scene with higher resolution then a Megapixel camera is the right choice.e.g. the Panasonic BB-HCM515 provides 1280x1024 resolution. Note that seeing a higher resolution scene will also require higher bandwidth and the computer should be capable of displaying the higher resolution.


9. 2-way Audio, 1-way Audio, or no Audio – A camera with no Audio will only allow you to send video.

A 1-way Audio camera will allow the User to hear from the camera location – e.g. while broadcasting an Event.

A 2-way Audio camera with speakers will allow a 2-way interaction.

Select the camera depending upon how you plan to use it.

Panasonic BL-C1 is a camera with no-Audio. BL-C131 has 1-way Audio while BB-HCM581 has 2-way audio.


10. Day-time or Night-time use – If the Camera will be used mostly at Night-time or in dark areas, a camera with low lux rating should be selected. i.e. camera can give a good picture in very low light conditions also e.g. Panasonic BL-C131 has a night view mode rating of 3 lux. A BB-HCM581 is rated at 0.02 lux. The BB-HCM581 can see much better in the dark.

All network cameras work well during day-time conditions. The camera senses the brightness in the scene and adjusts automatically. However, if the scene contains both bright areas (e.g. with sunlight) and less bright areas, the camera will likely saturate with a white out picture. For these scenes, either reduce the brightness settings on the camera OR point it to only the bright areas or the less bright ones. This allows the camera to auto-adjust properly.


11. MJPEG-only or MJPEG & MPEG4 and framerates – MJPEG gives the highest quality video but also requires large network bandwidth (e.g. uploads of 4 – 5 Mbps) for full quality. MPEG4 will give high quality pictures even with lower bandwidths as is typical of most DSL, Cable users. MPEG4 also delivers smoother motion (high frame rates) as compared to MJPEG.

Pick a camera that supports both MJPEG & MPEG4. Then you have a choice of using it in MJPEG-mode or MPEG4-mode.

MJPEG-only cameras (e.g. BL-C1) are the least expensive and can be used when price is the most important consideration. However, for most cases, getting a camera that supports both MJPEG & MPEG4 is the right choice.


12. Power to the camera – AC, PoE or DC -
Panasonic network cameras operate on DC (typically 9 V DC) and typically have a power consumption of only 5 – 10W. This makes it easy to deploy in different locations. If only DC power is routed to a new location then, typically, no new building permits are required and the User can install on their own easily.

Most Panasonic cameras ship with an AC adapter. If AC power is available nearby, this is the most convenient choice.

If it is difficult to put new cables and a wireless network cannot be deployed, then PoE can be used.

This choice depends upon the location where the camera will be used.


Which Panasonic Network Cameras models are the most popular?
A list of popular cameras is available here – http://www.tenm3.com/cameras.jsp

To get detailed specs on all Panasonic BL-C and BB-HCM network cameras, search for “network cameras” at www.panasonic.com


Where can I get these cameras?
In the US, www.amazon.com is usually the most convenient source. The cameras are also available at other electronic retailers or camera dealers. e.g. on Amazon search for "Panasonic BL-C131A" the 'A' suffix if for US cameras