IP-Based Video Surveillance Gets Easier

The DCS-6620G proves to be a little more complicated to set up (if using Wi-Fi). Installers will have to configure a PC to communicate with the DCS-6620G over a wireless connection and then use the setup wizard to join the DCS-6620G to a wireless network. Installers will want to make sure that the Wi-Fi network is protected by encryption and that strong passwords are used for access to the camera. Ideally, installers will want to prevent anyone from "eavesdropping" and viewing the video offered by the camera.

The wireless capability offered by the DCS-6620G does have its advantages. The camera can be deployed or used anywhere that power is present. Obviously, with Wi-Fi, an Ethernet cable is not needed to connect the camera to the network. The unit sports dual antennas and offers very good Wi-Fi range, making the DCS-6620G suitable for a large warehouse or other environments where a hardwired connection isn't practical. With 802.11g, enough bandwidth is available to effectively run several cameras, depending upon the number of users, number of other wireless devices and overall configuration of the wireless network.

If using directional antennas, the DCS-6620G could be located at a great distance away from an access point. Installers could also choose to use an alternate power source to power the camera. A nice option would be a rechargeable battery kit that uses a solar panel. The unit draws under 10 watts of power, so a self-powered configuration would be completely feasible.

The DCS-6600 series cameras are designed for indoor use—those looking to overcome that limitation can use the optional DCS-70 outdoor enclosure. With an MSRP of $499.99, the DCS-70 is a dome-shaped enclosure that is designed for use with motorized pan and tilt cameras. This IP66-certified enclosure protects the camera from dust and heavy jets of water. The DCS-70 features a built-in power supply and uses a heater and blower to keep the camera at proper operating temperatures.

Most businesses will find it unrealistic to expect someone to constantly monitor the cameras, raising the question, Why bother with security cameras if no one is able to watch for problems? D-Link has an answer for that, with D-ViewCam 2.0, a free network monitoring utility. Installed on a Windows PC, D-ViewCam 2.0 can be configured to monitor 32 cameras and offers numerous functions to allow event and motion triggering. Local and remote monitoring is provided to those with the proper access credentials using a standard browser.