How to add a microphone to an IP Camera

How to add a microphone to an IP Camera

Most security cameras that are outdoor rated do not come with built-in microphones to ensure that no water can leak in. This means that you must add an external security camera microphone to these cameras in order to record audio. CCTV Camera World carries microphones for indoor or outdoor cameras. Most IP security cameras with audio input capabilities have an RCA audio connector on their pigtail for connecting a microphone. Some dome IP cameras have a connection block on the inside of the dome. In either case, physically connecting and configuring external microphones to an IP security camera is easy as shown in this guide.

How to tell which camera you have?

In case you are unsure, here's a quick image to help you understand which type of audio connection your IP camera has.

Depending on whether your camera has a RCA or two-wire line in connection, please follow the appropriate section below.

1.   Connecting a microphone using RCA input

2.   Connecting a microphone using two-lead wire

3.   Enabling audio-input on the camera

 

 

 

Setup for IP Cameras with RCA Audio Input connectors

What's needed?

Here is what you need to connect a microphone to an IP camera that has RCA audio inputs:

1. Outdoor Microphone (sku 71891) or Indoor Microphone (sku 7100CC)
2. 12V DC 500mA Power Supply (sku 12V5MA)
   You can also use PoE Power Splitter (sku POE101D) with DC Power Splitter Cable (sku DC-PJJ)
3. RCA Male to RCA Male Adapter (sku RCA01)

How to connect a microphone to an IP camera that has RCA audio input

Below is a diagram of how to connect an external microphone to the RCA audio connector on an IP camera.

It is easy to connect a mic by following these easy to follow steps:

1. Connect the microphone to the RCA audio input on the camera's pigtail using a RCA Male to RCA Male connector
2. For longer runs between the camera and microphone you can use an RCA cable with male ends to connect the input and output.
3. Connect the power connector from the 12V DC Power Supply to the female power jack on the microphone.

Alternatively, you can also use a PoE Power Splitter with a 1-to-2 DC Power Splitter to use PoE power for the microphone and camera. Simply connect the PoE cable into the PoE splitter. Then split the power to the camera and microphone using the DC splitter. The data cable for the PoE splitter then connects to the camera for data.

After you have correctly wired the microphone to the camera you can continue to the rest of the article to find out how to enable the cameras audio input for listening and recording.

Setup for IP Cameras with Audio Line-in Input

Some IP security cameras include an internal audio line-in block or a two-wire lead that requires a two-lead connection for connecting a microphone. At first it may seem puzzling how a microphone with a RCA connection would connect to a two-wire input. As an example, in the section below we use a video balun, BNC to RCA connector, and two-lead wire to connect the microphone to the line-in block.

What's needed?

You will need the following items to connect a microphone to a camera with a line-in audio connection consisting of two-lead cabling.

1.   Outdoor Microphone - (sku 71891) or Indoor Microphone (sku 7100CC)

2.   12V DC 500mA Power Supply (sku 12V5MA)
You can also use PoE Power Splitter (sku POE101D) with DC Power Splitter Cable (sku DC-PJJ)

3.   Video Balun (sku VB2PHD)

4.   BNC Female to RCA Male Connector (sku BNCRCA02)

5.   Two-lead Wire for the balun

Best Practices for Using A Two-Way Audio Security Camera

Whether you have a security camera system for a home or business, the need for two-way audio interaction with talk-back capability may arise. CCTV Camera World offers solutions for both one-way and two-way audio. One-way audio is great for listening to sound originating from the location of a camera, but it will not allow interaction with a person at that location. To be able to interact with a person at the camera, the camera would have to have two-way talk capabilities, i.e. a speaker and microphone built-in similar to an intercom.

Two-Way Audio Setup With PoE NVR

Step 1) Connect cameras to NVR

In this guide, we will be using our security camera with two-way audio, sku IP3MPA.  It is a two-way audio IP camera that allows the user to not only listen-in, but also talk back to the person at the camera. These cameras are very easy to connect using the plug-and-play technology. In the video demonstration above we show how easy it is to connect our PoE IP cameras to our PoE NVRs. Simply connect the cables between the camera and the NVR. A single network cable transmits power and data to each camera from the NVR, and plug-and-play technology handles IP address configuration between the camera and NVR without user intervention.

Using a Web Browser for Two-Way Audio

Our camera systems allow the user to engage in two-way talk over the network by using Internet Explorer on a computer or by using our iOS and Android apps for both phones and tablets. First, we will demonstrate how to use the web portal called Web Service in our security systems. A Windows PC running Internet Explorer is required for two-way talk capability through the web browser. To be able to talk-back, you will need to make sure you have a headset or combination of microphone and speaker on your PC to listen and talk-back.

All DVRs and NVRs from CCTV Camera World are network devices and have their own IP address. You first need to connect your security camera system to your network by assigning the DVR/NVR an IP address that fits your network scheme. Once that is complete, you will be able to view your system from a computer or smartphone and use the two-way audio feature over the network. If you wish to view the system over the web when away from home, you will need to set port forwarding rules on your router's firewall to allow remote viewing from the internet.

Once your system is properly connected to your network and port forwarding rules have been created on your firewall, you will be able to engage in two-way audio communication using your smartphone, tablet, or PC from anywhere in the world where Internet is available.

Step 2) How to use two-way talk on Internet Explorer

1.   Open an Internet Explorer window on your Windows PC and type in either your NVR's IP address for local viewing, or external IP address for remote viewing.

2.   Type in your system's username and password, and select Login.

3.   Make sure audio is enabled in your two-way camera by going to Setup and Encode.

4.   Click the Audio Enable check boxes for both the Main and Sub Streams (if they are not already checked).

5.   Select OK to ensure your settings have been saved.

6.   Click the Preview tab to view your camera's live feed.

7.   Select the channel by clicking the quadrant containing the video feed. A green frame will appear around the video feed to distinguish the selected channel.

8.   Select the Speaker Icon in the top-right corner of the selected camera's video feed for one-way audio. This will allow you to hear audio that's taking place at the location of your camera.

9.   To talk back and send out audio through the camera's speaker, select the Microphone Icon in the top-right corner of the selected camera's video feed. You will need either a headset with microphone, or a combination of microphone and computer speakers to listen and talk back.

Now you will be able to listen and talk back to someone at the location of your camera. Note that you will be able to listen to camera audio feeds one at a time - you will not be able to listen to multiple audio feeds simultaneously. Multiple users can listen to one-way audio from a camera, but the talk back function is done by one user at a time.

If a computer is not available to view your two-way audio camera system, then proceed to the next section where we explain how to use two-way talk with a smartphone or tablet.

Two-Way Audio Interaction Using iOS or Android Phone/Tablet

A more convenient way of viewing you security camera system and engaging in two-way audio talk is through your mobile device. The App allows the user to hear incoming audio from the camera and uses the microphone from the phone to talk back, sending out audio through the camera's speaker.

Step 3) How to use Two-Way Talk with a Smartphone or Tablet

1.   First, Open the app (iDMSS) on your iPhone or Tablet (or gDMSS for Android devices).

2.   Select the Menu Icon in the top-left corner, and choose Device Manager.

3.   From here, select the Plus Sign in the top right corner,  Wired Device and then IP/Domain.

4.   Fill out the appropriate credentials of your NVR. You will need to create two entries - one for viewing at the location of your system using Wi-Fi, and second entry for when viewing remotely over the internet away from home. We have a tutorial on how to create entries for both local and remote viewing. After all credentials have been entered, select Start Live Preview.

5.   Select the camera channel you want to engage in two-way audio with by tapping the video feed from that camera, and then press the Speaker Icon. The speaker icon allows the user to  listen to incoming audio from the camera and talk-back sending out audio through the camera's speaker.

Briefly, here is what we did:

1.   Open the dome cover of the camera using the included hex-key tool. Do not use powered screwdrivers or drills or you will damage the dome.

2.   Connect the BNC Female to RCA Male connector to the balun.

3.   Connect the RCA Male tip to the RCA input on the microphone.

4.   Use the video balun to wire in the two lead wire, tighten the screw-downs for the wires.

1. Make sure that you remember the polarity for your wires. We suggest using Red for the positive wire, and Black/Striped for the ground/negative wire.
2. Having a bad connection or the wrong polarity will not record sound or have loud interference.

5.   Locate the small rubber insert next to the Audio/Alarm block and create a small hole for the wires.

6.   Slightly unscrew the screw-down for the Audio-In connector on the block. Insert the positive wire from the video balun and screw it down.

7.   Slightly unscrew the screw-down for the ground connector (GND). Insert the ground wire from the video balun and screw it down.

8.   Run the power cable for the microphone to the 12V DC power supply that is connected to a 220V AC power outlet. Connect the power supply to the microphone.

a)   Alternatively you can use a PoE splitter with a 1-to-2 DC power splitter.

b)   Connect the PoE cable for the camera to the PoE splitter. Then connect the PoE splitter to the 1-to-2 DC power splitter.

c)   Connect the camera and microphone to the DC power splitter connectors.

d)   Connect the RJ45 jack coming from the PoE splitter into the pigtail on the camera.

Once you finally have your camera and microphone connected you can continue to follow the rest of this guide to learn how to enable audio input on the camera.

How to enable audio recording on an IP camera

After everything is connected you must configure the camera to recognize and use the external microphone. This step is extremely important before trying to listen and record a camera. Do not assume that the camera is automatically recording audio when you plug the microphone in.

Using Internet Explorer to enable and modify audio settings

In the video below we show how to use Internet Explorer to login and modify the settings on an IP camera. This process requires knowing what the IP address of the camera is. After that it is as easy as logging in and going to the Settings page. Navigate to the Camera > Audio page. There you will find the audio settings for the camera. You can enable audio for Main-stream or Sub-stream, fine tune the volume settings, and enable the noise filter. Also if a camera has a built-in microphone you can set it to use the external microphone instead.

ONVIF Ending Support for Profile S

ONVIF Ending Support for Profile S  

A commonly asked question is ​“what is ONVIF protocol?” This question confuses two different concepts: a standard and a protocol. ONVIF is a security standard, whereas RTSP — a key element of video and audio streaming — is a protocol.

For the avoidance of doubt, ​“ONVIF protocol” is an incorrect term, because it is a standard. The ONVIF standards are defined by several manufacturers in the video security industry, including Pelco, enabling products across brands to work together and interface seamlessly. This standard determines how a protocol like RTSP will work. 

RTSP stands for Real Time Streaming Protocol. It controls video and audio transmission between two endpoints, and enables it to happen with minimal latency (delay) over an internet connection. ONVIF IP cameras use a specific standard (known as a profile) to stream video and audio. In doing so, the standard defines certain rules about how RTSP should work and which ONVIF specifications it should follow.

Over a larger ONVIF security camera system, this means that all devices are using the same streaming protocol to transmit video to network recording devices, which are primed to receive it in that specific format.

ONVIF stands for Open Network Video Interface Forum. Its aim is to provide a standard for the interface between different IP-based physical security devices. In simple  terms, ONVIF specifications provide a consistent way for devices from multiple manufacturers to work together, where previously they would not have been able to. These standardized ONVIF specifications are like a common language that all devices can use to communicate.

The end user benefits from this interoperability because they are no longer tied to a single brand for everything to work; now, a business can use several different brands’ systems, with a single standard to communicate. Want to use the best ONVIF camera from Brand A, but you also want Brand B’s ONVIF IP cameras, and Brand C’s ONVIF NVR? No problem — because the ONVIF standard enables them all to work together.

ONVIF is ending support for Profile S on March 31, 2027. Profile S, which was introduced in 2011, specifies authentication methods that are no longer aligned with current cybersecurity standards. 

“After 14 years, Profile S has served its purpose of enabling basic video streaming interoperability for more than 33,000 conformant devices and clients from different vendors,” said Leo Levit, Chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “As ONVIF profiles do not change to preserve the interoperability of conformant products, we recognize the need to phase it out in line with today’s security recommendations.”

ONVIF recommends the use of Profile T as a replacement for Profile S. Launched in 2018, Profile T includes virtually all Profile S features plus advanced video surveillance capabilities. End users can still use Profile S for basic video streaming between Profile S conformant devices and clients, but for security reasons, ONVIF strongly encourages customers to discontinue the use of the username token authentication method and choose instead more secure authentication mechanisms like digest authentication supported in Profile T or through TLS (HTTPS mode).

Cybersecurity Best Practices for IP-based Physical Security Products

ONVIF recommends following local regulations, industry best practices, and staying on top of updates from the marketplace. ONVIF has outlined a general, non-exhaustive set of recommendations for best practices within cybersecurity. The recommendations should not be considered as the only source or guideline to combat cybersecurity threats.

In addition to the recommendations, ONVIF supports TLS (Transport Layer Security), a secure communication protocol that allows ONVIF devices with that feature to communicate with clients across a network in a way that protects against tampering and eavesdropping.

Profile S Conformant Products

After March 31, 2027, it will not be possible for manufacturers to submit new products or older products with new firmware/software versions for Profile S conformance. Products that have already achieved Profile S conformance will always remain conformant for the specified firmware version and date of conformance. Profile S conformant products will continue to be searchable in the ONVIF conformant products database.

ONVIF conformant products and is the authoritative source for determining whether or not a product is officially ONVIF conformant and supports one or multiple ONVIF profiles. A product is registered in the database after it successfully passes the relevant ONVIF test tool and all the necessary documents have been submitted to ONVIF by the member manufacturer. Conformance is tied to a product’s specific firmware/software version and is valid indefinitely for the specific firmware/software version of that product. To ensure an existing product is conformant, the product’s firmware/software version must match the version listed for the product in the database. ONVIF releases new device and client test tools twice a year (June and December), and each test tool version is valid until a new version is released, plus a further grace period of about three months. For more information, see the Conformance FAQ page.

Note that products may use ONVIF specifications, but they may not claim to be ONVIF conformant without completing the ONVIF Conformance Process. Only ONVIF members can claim conformance, but ONVIF membership alone does not guarantee that products sold by members are ONVIF conformant.

TLS Configuration Add-on

As ONVIF adapts to new cybersecurity requirements, the specifications of the current ONVIF TLS Configuration Add-on will also be upgraded at the end of 2026. Unlike profiles, add-ons are adaptable to changing technology/specification requirements due to version handling.

Varifocal Lens Security Camera

Varifocal Lens Security Camera: What it is and How to Choose One 

A varifocal lens is a motorized camera lens with the ability to adjust its focal length and its focus–to zoom in and out. This is a fixed lens camera, which has no ability to zoom. This has obvious applications in CCTV security cameras, since it allows the camera to achieve high-resolution, zoomed-in, auto focused images of faces, license plates, and other relevant data caught on security footage.

Varifocal Lens vs. Fixed Lens

Varifocal lenses work so well in surveillance CCTV cameras because they can survey both a fairly large and a fairly small field of view–and thanks to their ability to autofocus, the distortion and blur that can occur in CCTV footage is minimized or eliminated.

A fixed lens is more limited since it’s essentially frozen in one lens position covering one field of view. Some fixed-lens cameras capture video with a high enough resolution that magnifying the footage after the fact still provides pretty good visual definition, but not all of them. Still, fixed-lens cameras are appropriate in certain CCTV applications where the field of view doesn’t need to be especially large or especially small–for example, mounted over a door or in an elevator.

Varifocal Security Camera Advantages

Varifocal lens cameras are appropriate for a wider range of locations than a fixed-lens.

They effectively monitor open outdoor areas like parking lots, parking garages, and courtyards, plus open indoor areas like warehouses and lobbies, but are also useful in hallways and public areas.

They are especially good in situations where shrinkage and theft are problems, since they can provide close-up HD video of the hands, pockets, bags, and faces of suspects.

A varifocal lens can be configured to automatically zoom in on things in response to movement, or it can be remotely done by a security system operator or monitor. This makes it an especially useful feature for cloud-based CCTV systems that prioritize remote monitoring.

There are also advanced varifocal lens cameras that can not only zoom in and out, but also swivel horizontally and vertically. This is ideal for a remote monitoring situation where multiple angles need to be covered, but there is only enough power, room, or budget for one camera.

How to Choose a Varifocal Lens Camera

Which camera you choose will be based on the field of view that you need to cover, and how detailed you want your zoomed-in images to be. Varifocal lens cameras are more expensive than fixed lens, and there is price variation within the different types of varifocal lens.

Varifocal lens cameras come in different aperture ranges:

• 2.8-12mm lens 
• 3.5-8mm lens 
• 6-60mm lens
• 5-100mm lens

“Aperture” is a word that describes the size of the opening in the lens that light comes through. Higher numbers represent smaller openings, and lower numbers represent larger openings. It’s important to choose a varifocal lens with an aperture range that is suited for the setting you need it for, with the right balance between depth of field and detail.

With varifocal lenses, a higher number and smaller aperture is generally preferred for large-scale and outdoor settings, since this allows the greatest depth of field–meaning that very little in the shot is blurry and out of focus. This is the type of varifocal lens that has the most utility in parking lots, above entrances and exits, and in large indoor spaces such as warehouses or large office spaces where a wide scope is necessary.

However, lower numbers and larger apertures are capable of capturing more detail, even though they have a more limited depth of field and greater blurriness outside the area of focus. This is very useful in indoor settings such as offices, lobbies, and retail stores where it is important to catch close-up details of faces, registers, and computer screens, but not as important to have a wide field of view.

Varifocal Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom

Even fixed lens cameras these days are usually equipped with a digital zoom. Is it still worth investing in a varifocal lens?

Yes it is! Digital zoom works by enlarging individual pixels, which basically creates blur. You’ve experienced this if you’ve ever tried to use your phone or computer to zoom in on a low-resolution picture. This is especially problematic in situations where you might be trying to read a license plate or get a good look at a person’s face.

Varifocal optical zoom, on the other hand, with its physically extending and retracting lens, actually records more pixels as it zooms in. This maintains the detail and definition of the image even when at maximum zoom.

When to Use a Varifocal Lens Camera

These cameras are a great security solution in a number of settings but especially these:

·        When there is no good place to mount a camera close to the area you need to survey. A varifocal lens can make up the difference in proximity by using a calibrated aperture and field of vision. This could be a long driveway, a large parking lot, or a distant entrance.

·        When you need to clearly make out fine details. This could include cashier stations, ATMs, main doors, and parking lot ingress and egress.

 We are ready to support on your project, if any clarification please write us.

Difference between Hub and Switch

Difference between Hub and Switch 

Network devices, or networking hardware, are physical devices that are required for communication and interaction between hardware on a TCP/IP network.

Here is the common network device list:

·        Hub

·        Switch

·        Router

·        Bridge

·        Gateway

·        Modem

·        Repeater

·        Access Point

In 2006 The Network Hub is invented at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A hub is a device that connects multiple Ethernet devices on one network and makes them act together as a single network. A hub does not gather information and input in one port results as an output in all ports on the network. A switch is a networking device that performs the same job as the hub but are considered as a more intelligent hub as it gathers information about the data packets it receives and forwards it to only the network that it was intended for. A Hub is a layer-1 device and operates only in the physical network of the OSI Model.

Hubs and switches are devices that are used in data networking on the internet. These devices are used in order to connect two or more networking ports in order to transfer data along the connection. Though the primary job of hubs and switches are the same, to forward data to different networks, they work in different ways.

A hub, also known as Ethernet hub, active hub, network hub, repeater hub or multiport repeater, is a device that connects multiple Ethernet devices on one network and makes them act together as a single network. A hub has multiple input/output (I/O) ports, in which an input in one port results in it being an output in all the other ports, except the port where it was input. In layman’s terms, a hub connects many networks into one, where a data packet that is sent by one networks, is copied and pasted to all network ports, making it so that every port can see that data packet. A hub works on the physical layer or layer 1 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. It also works as a data collision detector, sending a jamming signal to all ports if it detects collisions at one port.

It is a simple device that does not examine the data it receives or sends, while just duplicating the data and making it visible for all. The receiving port that has to decide if the data packet is actually intended for it by checking the address on the packet, before passing it on further. Since hubs only have one collision domain, constant collisions occur. Unnecessary traffic is sent to all devices on the network. Originally hubs were popular due to the high price of switches, but switches are not so expensive these days. Hubs are slowly becoming obsolete in many practices, but are still used in special circumstances.

A switch is a networking device that performs the same job as the hub; it connects network segments or devices making them act as a single network. Switches are commonly referred to as a multi-port network bridge that process and routes data on a data link layer or layer of the OSI model. Switches can also process data at the network layer (layer 3) or higher layers and are known as multilayer switches.

Switches are considered as a more intelligent hub as it gathers information about the data packets it receives and forwards it to only the network that it was intended for. When a switch receives a data packet, it examines the data address, the sender and the receiver and stores the memory, after which it then sends the data to the device that the data is meant for.

Most modern Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs) operate on switches. Small offices and residential devices commonly use single layer switch, while bigger applications require multilayer switches. The switches use a bridge or a router in order to split a larger collision domain to smaller collision domains, resulting in lesser collisions.  Each port has an individual collision domain, allowing computers to maintain dedicated bandwidth.

	Hub	Switch
Definition	A hub is a connection point for different segments of a LAN. It contains multiple ports and when it receives a packet of information at one port, it copies this packet to all segments of the LAN so that it can be viewed by all ports.	A switch is multi-port networking device that connects network devices together. A switch operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. A switch filters and then forwards data packets between networks.
Layer	Physical Layer (Layer 1)	Data Link Layer (Layer 2)
Spanning-Tree	No Spanning-Tree	It allows many Spanning-Trees to take place.
Type of Transmission	Broadcast	Broadcast, Uni-cast & Multicast.
Table	No MAC table. Hubs cannot learn MAC address.	Stores MAC address and maintains address.
Used in	LAN (Local Area Networks)	LAN (Local Area Networks)
No of Ports	4	24-48 depending on type of switch.
Collision	Occurs	No collision occurs
Collision Domain	One collision domain	Every port has its own collision domain.
Transmission Mode	Half duplex	Full duplex

Types of Hub

There are three types of the hub that are given below:

1.  Passive Hub

2.  Active Hub

3.  Intelligent Hub

Passive Hub: The passive hubs are the connection point for wires that helps to make the physical network. It is capable of determining the bugs and faulty hardware. Simply, it accepts the packet over a port and circulates it to all ports. It includes connectors (10base-2 port and RJ-45) that can be applied as a standard in your network. This connector is connected to all local area network (LAN) devices. Additionally, the advanced passive hubs have AUI ports, which are connected as the transceiver according to the network design.

Active Hub: As compared to a passive hub, it includes some additional features. It is able to monitor the data sent to the connected devices. It plays an important role between the connected devices with the help of store technology, where it checks the data to be sent and decides which packet to send first.

It has the ability to fix the damaged packets when packets are sending, and also able to hold the direction of the rest of the packets and distribute them. If a port receives a weak signal, but still it is readable, then the active hub reconstructs the weak signal into a stronger signal before its sending to other ports. It can boost the signal if any connecting device is not working in the network. Therefore, it helps to make the continuity of services in LAN.

Intelligent Hub: It is a little smarter than passive and active hubs. These hubs have some kinds of management software that help to analyze the problem in the network and resolve them. It is beneficial to expend the business in networking; the management can assign users that help to work more quickly and share a common pool efficiently by using intelligent hubs. However, it offers better performance for the local area network. Furthermore, with any physical device, if any problem is detected, it is able to detect this problem easily.

The important applications of a hub are given below:

·        Hub is used to create small home networks.

·        It is used for network monitoring.

·        They are also used in organizations to provide connectivity.

·        It can be used to create a device that is available thought out of the network.

Advantages of Hub

1. It provides support for different types of Network Media.

2.  It can be used by anyone as it is very cheap.

3.  It can easily connect many different media types.

4.  The use of a hub does not impact on the network performance.

5.  Additionally, it can expand the total distance of the network.

Disadvantages of Hub

1. It has no ability to choose the best path of the network.

2.  It does not include mechanisms such as collision detection.

3.  It does not operate in full-duplex mode and cannot be divided into the Segment.

4.  It cannot reduce the network traffic as it has no mechanism.

5.  It is not able to filter the information as it transmits packets to all the connected segments.

6.  Furthermore, it is not capable of connecting various network architectures like a ring, token, and ethernet, and more.