IP cameras can be downright scary for consumers. The thought of having to set-up or possibly program an IP camera is just too much for some. Luckily newer NVRs (network video recorders) are hitting the market to help alleviate their concerns. These standalone NVRs are very similar to your typical home TV DVRs. They also come in an all in one box with hard drives to record your cameras. You can fully control the NVR with a remote control or mouse much the same as your TV DVR.
What makes these units different is their ability to let the cameras connect directly to the back of the NVR. Typically, with IP cameras you would normally connect the cameras to a POE switch and then connect the switch to your NVR or PC. The elimination of this step makes these systems more suitable for the DIY consumer. Simply connect one end of a network cable to the IP camera and connect the other end of the network cable to the back of the NVR. The NVR will automatically power the cameras through the same cable and automatically recognise the cameras and begin to show you live video. This makes installing an IP camera system very easy for most.
You still will have to make some minor programming changes to be able to view your NVR system over the internet while away from home but its a far cry from having to program all the IP cameras independently to get them to work. These systems do not skimp on features or capabilities, simply because they are easy to install. You can expect a professional grade product with all the bells and whistles any typical NVR offers. These systems work with ONVIF cameras so you may use other brands on the market and comes with free software for Mac, PC, iPhone and Android devices.
If you have been looking to install an IP camera system but have been scared to do so, I can assure you that those days are now behind you. With support for up to 16 network IP cameras you can easily secure your home or business in no time.