Somebody's Watching You: 10 IP Video Surveillance Cameras

Axis 214 PTZ Network Camera
Axis Communications offers the 214 PTZ Network Camera, a high-quality color IP surveillance camera for midsize customers. Its remote pan/tilt/zoom capabilities, paired with its 18x optical motorized lens, enable users to zoom in on small or distant objects with clarity, the company says. It also can be controlled via a mouse or joystick. The Axis camera brings resolution of 407 x 576 pixels PAL and automatic day/night functionality that enable it to operate in low-light conditions. Add to that two-way audio and simultaneous MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG, and you've got a nifty little midmarket package. Price: approximately $1,299.

Cisco Video Surveillance 2500 Series IP Camera
Cisco Systems in April launched its Video Surveillance 2500 IP camera, a standard-definition unit that provides DVD-quality images at up to 30 frames-per-second. It is available with Power over Ethernet or DC power and also offers optional Wi-Fi support for use with 802.11b/g/n wireless networks. It also includes event notification features that enable it to notify users when it detects activity that's beyond established thresholds. The 2500 IP camera is scheduled for availability in May at an estimated street price of $700 to $800.

D-Link Securicam DCS-3220G Wireless Internet Camera
D-Link offers several IP surveillance cameras, including the Securicam DCS-3220G, a wireless camera that supports the 802.11g WLAN protocol. It offers two-way audio, 4x digital zoom and low-light sensitivity for recording at night. It is priced at $379.99.

ACTi CAM-6500
IP surveillance specialist ACTi offers its CAM-6500 MPEG-4 camera, a high-speed indoor unit with two-way audio. The camera includes 22x optical zoom and resolution of 752 x 582 PAL. It also supports advanced features such as backlight compensation, auto iris control and auto white balance. It is priced at $2,050.

Linksys Wireless-G Pan/Tilt/Zoom Video Camera WVC200
Cisco's Linksys division aims its wireless IP surveillance camera at the SMB space, packing in MPEG-4 video compression with 640 x 480 resolution. The Wireless-G Pan/Tilt/Zoom Video Camera WVC200 supports 802.11g wireless networking and supports WEP and WPA for wireless security. The camera also can take still shots in JPEG format of the video image. It also includes a security mode that enables it to e-mail video clips to up to three addresses whenever it detects motion in its field of view. Users can then log in to view a live video stream remotely. It is available for an estimated street price of $250.

Sony SNC-DM110 Megapixel Network Minidome Camera
Sony's also jumped into the IP surveillance game with its recently launched SNC-DM110 Megapixel Network Minidome Camera. It's a 1.3-megapixel camera that features advanced complementary color progressive scan CCDs with Sony ExwavePro, technology Sony says provides increased levels of light sensitivity. The SNC-DM110 comes with a 2.8-10mm 3.6x varifocal lens. It also offers up to 16 preset functions, advanced motion detection and support for Power over Ethernet. It also includes Night mode to provide bright images in dimly lit environments, the company says. It also supports MPEG-4 and JPEG. Pricing was not available.

Trendnet Wireless Day/Night Pan/Tilt Internet Camera Server with Audio (TV-IP422W)
The product name says it all (see above). Trendnet's TV-IP422W is a wireless camera with pan and tilt features that is built for shooting day or night. The camera can pan side-to-side 330 degrees and tilt up and down 105 degrees to allow users to secure a large viewing area. Its software includes motion detection recording, e-mail alerts and scheduled recordings. It also features built-in two-way audio and is targeted at home, small office and business users. It is priced at $367.99.

IQinVision IQeye Sentinel
The IQeye Sentinel Series from IQinVision is a line of all-weather IP cameras with Power over Ethernet. They are weatherproof (from -22 degrees to 122 degrees) and vandal-resistant, according to the company, and are available in 1, 2, 3, or 5 megapixel models. The IQeye Sentinel Series is available in standard or day/night models. Pricing starts at an estimated street price of $1,230.

Lumenera Li045 Intelligent IP Network Camera
Digital camera maker Lumenera makes a line of IP surveillance cameras, including the Li045 Intelligent IP Network Camera. It includes ObjectVideo analytics capabilities, providing automated detection of predefined events, such as a person entering a restricted zone or a suspicious object left unattended in a public area, the company says. The Li045 streams full 720 x 480 resolution at up to 30 frames per second and can provide compressed still images. A day/night module is also available. Pricing was not available.

Toshiba IK-WR01A Vandal Resistant Network Dome Camera
If you're putting in an IP surveillance solution in an area prone to vandalism (schools, prisons, stadiums and the like, according to the vendor), the Toshiba's IK-WR01A might be the camera for the job. It's a vandal-resistant network dome camera with a heavy-duty metal enclosure and tamper-proof screws. It also supports Power over Ethernet and offers hybrid network/analog capabilities. It is available at an estimated street price of $700 to $800.