- Mar 2, 2016
- 26
- 5
Many IP cameras have audio input/output capability. Some have microphones, some just have a microphone input, and an audio output.
All of them seem to say "Merely plug in an external microphone/amplifier/speaker....."
Yeah, well, where are these external amplifier/speaker options?
,
And since we're using POE for the camera, the external amplifier ain't gonna work unless it is POE too because no other power is available at the camera.
And since we only have the one network cable, for the camera, then the amplifier needs POE passthrough so it can share that one network cable with the camera.
And if the camera is being used outdoors, then we also need an external microphone, amplifier, and speaker with outdoor ratings, to work down to -40 F/C or have an internal heater.
Maybe also waterproofing / strong spray / IP66 ratings.
Maybe also IK10 vandal resistance.
,
It's almost as if the IP camera manufacturers haven't really thought all this through, and audio options are thrown in as a sort of afterthought and marketing sales pitch, but without any real attempt to really implement it or offer serious options to make use of it.
All of them seem to say "Merely plug in an external microphone/amplifier/speaker....."
Yeah, well, where are these external amplifier/speaker options?
,
And since we're using POE for the camera, the external amplifier ain't gonna work unless it is POE too because no other power is available at the camera.
And since we only have the one network cable, for the camera, then the amplifier needs POE passthrough so it can share that one network cable with the camera.
And if the camera is being used outdoors, then we also need an external microphone, amplifier, and speaker with outdoor ratings, to work down to -40 F/C or have an internal heater.
Maybe also waterproofing / strong spray / IP66 ratings.
Maybe also IK10 vandal resistance.
,
It's almost as if the IP camera manufacturers haven't really thought all this through, and audio options are thrown in as a sort of afterthought and marketing sales pitch, but without any real attempt to really implement it or offer serious options to make use of it.