Dome cameras are a common piece of surveillance equipment, one found in many business and residential settings. An IP dome camera is easy to recognize, and many people have likely noticed at least one while out in public before. The camera looks like a glass or plastic bubble attached to a wall or ceiling. The bubble is usually tinted, disguising the camera inside. These cameras can be rotated, tilted, or set to zoom in on an image by a monitor in a separate location. Let’s look at the breakdown of how they actually work.
Dome Camera Components
An IP dome camera is composed of three separate components: the camera itself, a dome to cover it, and a separate control panel for viewing and manipulating images. The dome functions similarly to a one-way mirror, allowing the camera to capture a clear picture of what is outside the dome, while not allowing anyone outside to see the camera. This is beneficial in that those being recorded cannot tell if the camera is pointed at them.
Controlling a Dome Camera
Some dome cameras simply record data to be recovered later, but others broadcast live feed to a separate monitor. These cameras can be controlled using a joystick or separate panel and nowadays even your mobile device or tablet. This is an ideal setup if you plan to have someone monitoring the feed from the cameras at all times.
Whether you are looking for protection for your home or a business location, dome cameras are one of the more popular ways to provide the security you are looking. Check out one of my favorite vendors Q-See, and search their site for dome cameras to see the variety of different models and price points.