A third-party recorder will not interoperate over ONVIF
ONVIF guarantees the basics only. Implementation differences break individual features, and four checks resolve most cases.
Two-way audio intercom produces no sound from the far end
Intercom spans microphone, speaker, encoding and client permissions. Confirm the model supports it, then verify each stage.
The PTZ dome does not pan or tilt, or loses its presets
Check protocol and power first, then mechanical obstruction and limit calibration, and only then suspect the motors.
Is more megapixels always better? Choosing between 2, 4 and 8 MP
Resolution should match viewing distance, target size and storage budget. Reaching for the highest pixel count often backfires.
How do I choose between home and commercial cameras?
The two differ in stability targets, storage, power and operations. Service life and the number of users are the fastest way to decide.
Full-colour night vision or infrared night vision?
It comes down to whether colour matters at night. Full-colour models draw more power and cause more light pollution; IR is the more...
How do I choose between dome, bullet and PTZ cameras?
Decide by mounting location, how much the direction must change, and appearance. Each type has a clear best fit.
PoE or separate power supplies?
PoE wins for scattered positions; separate supplies are more robust for clustered, high-power loads. Most projects use a mix.
Does remote viewing require port mapping?
New generation network cameras support P2P cloud penetration, often requiring no fixed IP and port mapping for remote viewing.
Fixed or varifocal lens — which should I pick?
Fixed lenses win on image quality and price; varifocal lenses let you set the field of view on site. The question is whether framing can...
