INTRODUCTION

   We live in dangerous times it's something that we all know and although many of us choose to ignore it (each for their very own reasons) things will probably only get worse. I guess i too used to be that way up until the moment people started breaking in houses and cars close to where i live so i didn't have much of a choice other than to install alarm systems with IP cameras both at home and at the lab. Much like most things in the electronics market there are currently two ways available if you want to safeguard your house with the help of IP cameras the first of which is to choose a complete kit which will contain the number of cameras (IP or analog models) that you require and an NVR (network video recorder). The second and also the more complicated one involves you pairing the IP camera model(s) of your choice to an standalone NVR (or NAS). TRENDnet has been in the business of manufacturing some of the best IP cameras in the market and today we'll be testing their latest TV-IP314PI model.

   TRENDnet is a global provider of award-winning networking and surveillance solutions to small and medium-sized business and home users. Building networking solutions since 1990, TRENDnet enables users to share broadband access, multimedia content and networked peripherals for true anywhere connectivity. TRENDnet's diverse product portfolio includes Wireless, Internet Cameras (IP Cameras), Switches, Power over Ethernet (PoE), Fiber, Gigabit, Home Automation, Network Video Recorders (NVR), Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM), Print Servers, Powerline, NAS Media Servers, Multimedia Accessories, and more. To learn more about TRENDnet, please visit www.trendnet.com.

   The TV-IP314PI is a Indoor/Outdoor 4MP (Megapixel) PoE (Power Over Ethernet) Day/Night network camera housed inside a IP66 certified (dust and water proof) compact bullet enclosure (much like the one used with the TV-IP310PI model). The fixed focus lens and the 1/3" progressive scan CMOS sensor allow the TV-IP314PI to record video (H.264/H.264+) with resolutions of up to 2688x1520p pixels at 20fps (1920x1080p @ 30fps is also supported) with a diagonal viewing angle of 98 degrees (83 degrees horizontal and 45 degrees vertical). Also thanks to the 30 IR LEDs placed around the lens (Smart IR) the TV-IP314PI can illuminate an area of up to 30 meters in range while by supporting the PoE standard (IEEE 802.3af) the camera can be fed sufficient power (5W max) only via the RJ45 cable when connected to a compatible device (such as a PoE switch). The TV-IP314PI also supports WDR (wide dynamic range - 120dB), 3D DNR (dynamic noise reduction) and is also fully compatible with the ONVIF (Profile S/G) and PSIA specifications.