PoE Cameras For Home Security
Keep your property safe with a PoE camera system that offers 24/7 recording. Reolink’s PoE cameras are a simple plug-and-play solution that will work for anyone.
Power over Ethernet cuts the number of wires needed for power and data transmission by using a single cable. This makes it easier and less expensive to install a security camera system.
Image Quality
If you’re looking for a top-rated smart security camera to keep an eye on your property, you’ll want one with the highest resolution possible. While analog cameras can have up to a 1080p resolution (which is considered HD), digital IP camera technology supports higher resolutions, as well as enhanced features such as night vision and advanced artificial intelligence (AI).
The resolution of a surveillance camera is determined by the number of pixels it can capture, measured in megapixels. Most PoE security cameras offer at least 8 megapixels, or roughly 4K (3,840 x 2,160-pixel) resolution. However, a few models like the Reolink RLK8-1200B4-A Smart 4K PoE Surveillance Kit boast 12-megapixel sensors for even more detail.
Most PoE cameras use a single Ethernet cable to transmit video data and power, which helps reduce cost and simplify installation. This type of powering system also provides better reliability than standalone wall adapters, because the centralized power supply can act as an uninterruptible power source.
Some PoE cameras also come with an integrated video management system (IVMS), which helps you manage and view live footage, create real-time alerts, integrate with other devices, manage your camera infrastructure, and more. Be sure poe cctv to choose an IVMS that offers a user-friendly interface and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, such as people/vehicle detection and smart search tools.
Field of View
The field of view determines the area the camera can cover, with wider FOVs enabling monitoring of larger areas. Narrower FOVs are ideal for focusing on entryways or points of interest. It’s also important to evaluate the camera’s night vision capabilities, as this enables 24/7 home security.
Many PoE cameras are designed in one of several form factors, including bullet, dome, turret, PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom), multi-sensor and speed dome. Some are even designed to act as a peephole for your front door. Each design has its own benefits, so be sure to select a model that fits your needs and aesthetics.
Most of the best poe security cameras offer high-quality video with resolutions ranging from 1080p to 4K. A higher resolution provides more detail and can help identify intruders, but be sure to consider your home’s internet connection and its ability to handle a high-resolution camera.
Another consideration is whether the camera supports wireless connectivity or requires a wired Ethernet connection. A good PoE system uses a single Ethernet cable for power and data transmission, eliminating cord clutter and providing more installation flexibility. Additionally, wired cameras are less prone to slowed speeds and unreliable connections compared to wireless models. Look for an Ethernet camera that can support a range of minimum and maximum cable lengths to ensure it’s suitable for your home or business.
Motion Detection
Most PoE cameras are equipped to detect motion and can send alerts or start recording when they sense movement. Some also have built-in night vision that lets you see poe cameras for home what’s going on even when it’s dark out. Some cameras have facial recognition capabilities that can identify or confirm a person’s identity, as well as vehicle recognition, which triggers an alert and/or recording when a specified car enters the view of the camera.
Another advantage of PoE is the fact that it delivers both data and power over a single Ethernet cable, which helps reduce infrastructure costs and installation time. However, you’ll need to have a router that supports Power over Ethernet to take advantage of this feature. If your router doesn’t support it, you can use a PoE hub to inject both power and data into an Ethernet cable to connect a PoE camera to your network.
Besides these features, there are many other factors you should consider when choosing a PoE security camera, such as its field of view (FOV), zoom capabilities, and night vision. Look for cameras with a wide FOV to monitor a large area, and those that offer both optical and digital zoom for better image clarity. Some cameras even come with a PTZ function that allows you to remotely pan, tilt, and zoom in and out.
Night Vision
For home security, look for cameras with night vision capabilities that will let you see surveillance footage in the dark. You may also want to consider a camera’s field of view (FOV) to determine how large an area it can monitor. If you’re monitoring a doorway or other entrance, opt for a wide-angle FOV.
Unlike Wi-Fi cameras that use the internet for footage transmitting, PoE surveillance systems rely on an on-premises network for both data and power transmission. This eliminates the need for separate wires to carry electricity, which simplifies setup. With PoE, you can even power multiple cameras remotely through a single network switch.
Most of the PoE cameras we’ve reviewed are IP, which means they’re digital video cameras that connect to networks like computers and printers. They’re similar to basic webcams in that they stream live footage over the internet, but they offer more advanced functions and features.
For example, a lot of PoE cameras feature pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) functionality, which allows you to control the camera’s movements remotely via an app or other device. Other useful features include facial recognition, which lets the camera distinguish between a human and windblown leaves or neighborhood critters, as well as license plate capture, which can be particularly useful in business settings. A few of the models on our list also have onboard storage for storing recorded footage.