This article is sponsored by Edimax.
One of the key tradeoffs when using IP cameras for surveillance is balancing the conflicting needs of image resolution and field of view. IP camera makers have come a long way in making HD cameras affordable and easy to use, but field of view generally is limited. This often means that multiple cameras are needed to cover large areas for surveillance applications.
To illustrate, let’s set up standard and panoramic view IP cameras in the same location as shown below and compare views.
Panoramic and Normal IP Camera Locations
The image below shows a warehouse viewed through an Edimax IC-7113W pan / tilt camera with 780p resolution and standard field-of-view.
Standard 780p IP camera view
Now, here’s the same view, using Edimax’ IC-5150W panoramic IP camera. This view more clearly shows the right side door that is only dimly seen in the image above. It also shows a second door that isn’t even visible with the standard IP camera.
Panoramic camera view
We would need a total of three standard view cameras to provide clear views of the three key areas.
Three camears needed
Note that the panoramic view doesn’t have the "fisheye" effect typical of older 180° view cameras because of its built-in image dewarping technology. But if you like the retro fisheye effect, you can have it at the click of a button and ePTZ is also available.
Normal fisheye vs. flattened view
Looking back at the panoramic camera view, you’ll notice two motion detection areas indicated. Because what good is a wide field of view if you can only have one motion detection area? The Edimax IC-5150W actually supports up to three individually-definable motion detection areas.
Setting up motion detection on the IC-5150W requires three steps. First, enable motion detection.
Enable motion detection
Then define motion detection zones. In the detection region menu, adjust the size and position of the color-coded rectangle to specify your desired motion detection region, click region 1, 2, or 3, and then save. Repeat for up to three motion detection regions.
Define motion detection zones
Finally, set up a schedule for motion detection. In the menu below, enable the schedule, then click and drag across the time lines to specify the times each day to activate motion detection.
Set motion detection schedule
At only $149.99, Edimax’ IC-5150W Smart Full HD Wi-Fi Fisheye Cloud Camera with 180-Degree Panoramic View not only saves in camera costs, but has the added benefit of reducing the number of motion alerts from multiple cameras. And it comes with free cloud storage recording, too!
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