Watch this video to see how I am using three IP-C4 wireless security cameras and a Viewtron NVR to monitor my vacation home in the mountains. I especially want to showcase the ultra wide angle lens this IP camera has. I also want to share how I am using the Viewtron NVR’s AI software to setup human detection to send a push notification to the mobile app when someone enters my home.
137 Degree Lens: Ultra Wide Angle of View
Check out the ultra wide angle of view that this camera provides. This room is 24 feet wide by 18 feet deep. Then, the dining room extends another 14 feet to the door to the back deck, so the total distance from where the camera is mounted on the fireplace mantel to the glass door is 32 feet. I am very happy with the extensive security coverage that this camera provides. I believe that this is the widest angle non-fisheye lens that I have ever tested.
Home Security Camera: Desktop Mount
The desktop style mount is especially useful for an indoor security camera, especially a wireless camera that you may want to place in different areas, at different times. This is where the camera sits on top of the fireplace mantel, and you can see the Viewtron DVR / NVR and wireless router below it on top of that night stand.
Here is a close-up picture of the camera sitting on the fireplace mantel. This camera can be desktop or ceiling mounted. The desktop style mount is very popular for indoor wireless IP cameras. This camera neatly sits on top of any dresser, bookcase, or table. If needed, you can hide the camera behind things. Only the lens needs to stick out in order to record video.
NVR with PoE Ports
Because this particular camera in our family room is located so close to the NVR, I hard wired this it to one of the NVR’s PoE ports. The Viewtron IP-C4 can be hard wired via it’s standard PoE network connection or setup to connect to a wireless access point / wireless router. The other two camera’s at this house work over WIFI,
Wireless IP Cameras for Home Security
Here is one of the other Viewtron IP cameras that I have monitoring my house. This one is sitting on top of the bar area of my kitchen, and it is connected over the wireless network. Once the camera’s wireless connection is setup to connect to your wireless router and you configure the NVR to connect to the camera, you can plug the Viewtron IP-C4 into any standard power outlet in your house and it will automatically connect to the NVR. I can unplug this camera from this location and plug it in anywhere else in the house, and it will automatically connect to the Viewtron NVR.
When you use the wireless connection, you must still provide power to the camera using the 12V DC power supply that is included. I have this camera set on top of the kitchen counter facing the rear door entrance on our deck. I have an instruction zone setup to detect anytime a person enters this area.
AI Software Human Detection / Intrusion Detection
Viewtron NVRs have built-in AI software that can be used for human detection and vehicle detection. The AI software object detection is much more reliable than video motion detection. I setup this intrusion zone to monitor this entrance to my home.
The above screenshot was captured from the web browser access to the NVR. Viewtron security DVRs and NVRs support web browser access from the local area network and remotely over the Internet.
You can also configure all of the DVR / NVR functions directly on the unit using the USB mouse that is included.
Home IP Camera System Connected to TV
I have the HDMI output of my NVR connected to the 50 inch TV in the family room. You can see the mouse connected to the front USB port on the NVR. Using a TV as your security monitor in fairly common for home security camera systems for two reasons. One: there is usually an Internet connection located near a family room TV. Two: most people want to be able to see a live display of their camera system in the room that they use most.
AI Software: Multiple Intrusion Detection Zone Setup
I have two intrusion zones setup for the family room camera: one around the front door, and the other around the deck door, dining room, and kitchen entrance. Something to note about the Viewtron IP-C4: it is not a Viewtron AI security camera. Meaning that the human detection AI function is not happening on the camera. That processing is done on the NVR. Whereas, Viewtron AI security cameras perform the AI processing on the camera. This is much more efficient and scalable because it does not use up processing resources on the NVR. The downside is that the AI cameras cost more than IP cameras without built-in AI.
When you setup AI processing on the NVR (instead of the camera), you are limited to 1080p / 2mp recording resolution. When you use Viewtron AI cameras, you can record at 8mp / 4K resolution at 30 frames per second on all channels.
AI Human Detection / Intrusion Detection Event
Here is a snapshot of me coming through the back door and setting off a human detection / motion detection event. Whenever there is an intrusion detection alarm, I receive a push notification on my mobile phone. You can see this on the right.
When I tap on the push notification, I am given the option to see a live view of the camera that triggered the event, or I can launch the recorded video playback of the event. The above screenshot shows the recorded video playback screen in the app (on the right). You can see that all of the intrusion detection alarms are annotated in orange on the video player timeline. This makes it very easy to jump directly to other motion detection / human detection events.
IP Camera Mobile App Landscape View
The mobile app for Viewtron security camera systems supports portrait and landscape modes. Here is a snapshot of the recorded video playback of the human detection intrusion event in landscape mode.
You can tap on the screen to hide the video player and time line. Please note that there is a lot of back light from the outside area. This house has a lot of windows that create backlighting. This makes it a challenge to capture the best video surveillance picture. Plus, I have the lights off in the house to create a real world scenario. Although you can see my face under these conditions, the picture is not the greatest. However, that does not make a difference when it comes to the AI software detecting me and triggering the alarm recording and push notification.
Home Wireless Security Camera #2
The other wireless camera is installed downstairs on the fireplace mantel. There is a power outlet to the left and this is the perfect spot to monitor the downstairs door and entire living room space.
Wide Angle Lens
Here is a snapshot that I captured from a video recording using the downstairs camera. This downstairs living room space is also quite large at 17 feet wide by 18 feet long. This camera provides security for the back door of our home. Because I have the other two cameras setup for AI human detection, I use standard motion detection on this camera to trigger push notifications to my phone and video recording events on the NVR. Again, when you use any Viewtron AI security cameras (the ones with the AI software on the camera itself), you are not limited to the number of cameras setup for AI object detection and you are not limited to recording at a lower resolution.
Viewtron IP-C4
You can learn more about the Viewtron IP-C4 wireless IP camera that I am using at my house here.
Have Questions / Need Help?
If you have any questions about my home security camera system or anything related to video surveillance for home, business, or government, please email me anytime at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.
The post Home Wireless Security Camera with Wide Angle Lens first appeared on Security Camera & Video Surveillance Blog.