IP-Based Video Surveillance Gets Easier - DCS-6620G: Advantages of Wireless (
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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.
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