Re: Please recommend cctv dome camera

[Matt Ion <soundy106@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 7/25/2009 8:07 PM, wdoe999@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> On Jul 25, 5:37 pm, G. Morgan<usenet_ab...@xxxxxxxxx>  wrote:
>> wdoe...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>> Must be economy of scale, or just ripoff.
>> Or that annoying "knock",  "that it can't be far from the computer (USB)",
>> might have something to do with it.
>
> Actually the complexity of an IP camera is less than that of a digital
> snapshot camera.  Yes there is the addition of an ethernet interface,
> but there is the absence of:
> LCD screen
> Battery
> Flash
> Human interface software and buttons/switches
> Large amounts of storage/memory
> Decent zoom lens (at least the IP cams I have seen have nothing
> equivalent to even the cheapest of snapshot cameras)

You're comparing "consumer" gear to "professional" gear.  When you're
talking CCTV cameras, they tend to be more robust and overall more
versatile.  They often have to live dozens, hundreds, or even thousands
of feet from their recorder.  They have to deal with all manner of harsh
environments: temperature extremes, moisture, dust, vibration.  They
have to be able to be mounted in all manner of locations and positions.
  They often have to accept a variety of power sources.  And they have
to operate for years, completely unattended.

Things like batteries, LCDs, flashes, buttons-and-switches, and on-board
storage add cost and are of little or no use when a camera is running in
an inaccessible location.

As for lenses, most CCTV cameras have standarized lens mounts that let
you attach a wide variety of lenses for specific purposes.  With a
consumer camera, including your webcam and your pocket camera, you're
stuck forever with the lens it came with.  If you need super-long range,
ultra-wide angle, or anything else for a specialized purpose, you're SOL.

And as far as "human interface software", pretty much all IP CCTV
cameras have a web-based configuration utility to let you adjust the
image far more than the few menus on your typical pocket camera... and
you can do it from any remote location, rather than needing to access
the camera itself.  Some advanced analog cameras have this ability as well.

In short, you're comparing the proverbial apples and oranges... a small
hatchback to a 5-ton truck.  Each has its place, and you can sometimes
use one in place of the other, but it will never completely fulfill that
role.