There are are number of reasons why you should choose an IP network camera for your surveillance system. Sure, analog cameras have been around longer, but the IP camera has proven its worth in performance.

The IP tetwork camera has existed since 1996. During its release, network cameras lagged a mile behind analog cameras in professionalism. In the early years, IP network cameras were simply thought of as web cameras used for broadcasting events or objects over the Internet. Fast forward to a decade later, and the good ol’ web cams are now part of hundreds of operating surveillance systems.

Catching Up with the Analog Camera

A few years after it’s introduction, the IP network cameras have been updated and upgraded to catch up with the analog camera in terms of function. Today, the IP camera is at par with the best analog camera in the market, even surpassing it in some aspects.

Winning the Race Against the Analog Camera

Before you choose the model of the camera you want for your surveillance system, you will first have to decide whether you’re getting an analog cam or an IP network camera. For you to make the right choice, it is important that you first understand the important differences between two. By the end of this article, you should be able to understand how the IP network surveillance camera gives you more value for your money.

Interlacing

The first notable difference is seen in the camera’s interlacing. The IP network surveillance camera is at an advantage in this criteria as analog cameras have significant problems with interlacing. High resolution analog camera are not able to capture fast-moving objects and keep the quality of the image because, with in an analog video signal, images are made of lines and all images are created from two interlaced fields. While the analog camera produces blurry images of fast-moving objects, the IP network camera provides crystal clear images because the whole image is captured at one time.

Power Over Ethernet

Getting power to an analog camera means hurdling a major obstacle and shelling out a major amount of cash. With the IP network camera, you have an IEEE 802.3af standard PoE (Power over Ethernet), which means that your networking devices get its power from an PoE-enabled switch over a standard cable that transmits data and video. The device offers major savings to IP camera users as the standard in place means all models or equipment are compatible with the device. PoE also gives the camera centralized backup power, so they continue to work even with a power failure.

Megapixel Resolution

The analog camera follows the olf NTSC/PAl specifications, which corresponds to 0.4 megapixels at 4CIF. The newer IP Network cameras require a higher megapixel range. The higher the resolution of the camera, the more the detailed the coverage of large areas. The camera’s higher resolution also enables essential surveillance functions such as tilt, pan, and zoom.

The above mentioned comparisons are just three of many advantages offered by IP cameras over the analog version. If you want to get a good surveillance camera, get an IP network camera.

Foreign particles such as dust, pet hair and dander, cigarette ash, and residue can cut the life of your laptop short. If left unattended, these particles can affect the performance of fans, causing the components to overheat. And we all know what comes after that. If you want to get your money’s worth from your laptop, you’ll have to keep it clean.

Cleaning your laptop should be done at least once a year, as part of your maintenance program. Don’t worry, you won’t have to spend a dime hiring a computer technician or a specialist to do this. Just check your user’s manual and follow these quick tips:

What You’ll Need

Aside from time, patience and steady hands, you’ll need a few cotton swabs, compressed air, cleaning solution, and a soft cleaning cloth, like your old cotton shirts.

Cleaning the Exterior

Use a soft damp cloth to clean the casing – make sure it’s damp, not dripping wet. And use a cotton cloth, keep away from scratchy or abrasive cloths. Also, stick to mild cleaning products for this task, and remember to spray it on the cloth first. Never spray the cleaning agent directly onto the surface of the computer.

The Cooling Vents

You’ll need a can of compressed air and cotton swabs for the cleaning vents. Just be careful not to spray too hard as you might get liquid on the fan blades. Use the swabs to keep the fans in place while you clean it. Don’t spin the fan while cleaning or you could cause it to over spin.

I/O Ports

The I/O ports should only be moved after the vents have been cleaned. Use the swabs to wipe away larger chunks of accumulated dirt. You may use compressed air as well, just be careful not to blow dirt into the ports.

Display

Turn off your laptop before cleaning the display, this way you see dirt more easily. Use non-abrasive cloth such as cotton cloths or pre-moistened wipes – never tissues or paper towels – to clean your display. When using a cloth, you will need a monitor cleaning solution. Steer clear from amonia-based cleaners as these solutions leave a mark – more specifically, they leave a film on the display. If you can’t get monitor cleaning solution at your local computer shop, you can make your own by mixing one part water and one part isopropyl alcohol.

Keyboard

You can use compressed air to get rid of dirt stuck between the keys on your keyboard. If your user’s manual allows you to remove the keys for cleaning, then do so. You can take them all out and wash them with mild cleaning solution and a old toothbrush or cotton swabs. Just make sure you don’t lose a key and you put them back in the right place.

Like they say, prevention is always better than the cure. Sure, you can always clean your laptop – in this case, you must – but it would be much better if you kept it as clean as possible. You can do this by always keeping it away from food and drink. Make sure your fingers are also clean before you start working, or you’ll transfer residue on your laptop. And when not in use, try to keep it in a computer briefcase or any sort of protective covering.