Xiaomi IMILAB - IP cameras

Today's monitoring system is used not only in large industrial facilities, but also in our homes and apartments. The monitoring device can be installed both outside and inside. Monitoring devices can be divided into two types: for outdoor and indoor use. Dome cameras with motion sensors are usually used for indoor operation. In turn, outdoor cameras are special because they are made of durable and corrosion-resistant material. Such devices are also reliably protected against dust, mechanical damage and high temperature fluctuations. We have decided to test IMILAB cameras for you.

A few years ago, it was hard to imagine that IP cameras could completely push analog CCTV cameras out of the market. Today, IP cameras are easier to use, adjust and install. Configuration of modern IP cameras no longer requires any specialist knowledge, the whole installation process consists of connecting the camera with a network cable. If both the camera and the switch support PoE technology, it is not necessary to connect a power cable to the camera, as the power supply voltage is supplied via twisted pair cable.

The main reason for the popularity of IP cameras is the higher resolution offered, and thus the quality of the generated image is significantly better. IP cameras with resolution above 5 megapixels allow to enlarge a given area of recorded frames without losing quality significantly.

In an analog system, the monitoring cameras are connected to the recorder via a coaxial cable. All video recordings from the cameras are stored on the hard disk of the recorder. The videos can be stored for several days or weeks (depending on the capacity). DVR (Digital Video Recorder - it is a digital recorder, a device that allows to record video captured by cameras) is available in different types: 4 channel, 8 channel, and 16 channel. All depending on how many cameras we want to connect to them. Most DVRs can also be connected to a router, allowing you to watch security cameras over the Internet from anywhere in the world.

In an IP camera system - the devices are connected directly to the network and the video is recorded by a network video recorder (NVR). NVR uses video management software. In this case, video transmission from monitoring cameras does not require conversion from analog to digital format. The PoE switch significantly simplifies installation. The NVR can be connected to the Internet, so we have the ability to view live camera footage from anywhere using a laptop or a smartphone.

Resolution

This is the most important feature of every camera, the higher the resolution, the more details we can see on the recording. However, this parameter directly affects the price, you should not immediately buy a camera with the highest resolution available. Choosing a camera with the highest resolution may prove to be an unjustified waste. Today, cameras with a resolution of 2-3 MP are considered standard.

Lens and viewing angle

These two parameters are closely related, the shorter the focal length of the lens, the wider the angle of view of the camera. A wide angle of view of the camera allows you to record many objects near the camera and cover a large area, but keep in mind objects that are far away will be difficult to see. Therefore, for rooms that are installed at low height, cameras with 2.8mm focal length are standard, which corresponds to 90°/105° viewing angle.

Enternet connection

When selecting an IP camera, pay attention to the presence of a LAN cable or UTP cable at the camera site. The IP camera requires a connection to the local network, in simple words, to a router. If it is not possible to provide a LAN cable to the place where the camera is installed, you should buy a camera with built-in WI-FI.

Power supply for IP camera

Whether or not a LAN is present, the camera must be powered. There are 2 types of power supply for IP cameras:

• With an external power source.
• Power by PoE.

A 12 VD power supply is normally required to power an IP camera, but this value may vary. Please read the manual first. Power supply from an unsuitable power source will damage the camera.

PoE - enables data transmission and power supply via a single twisted pair. This power supply is only possible if the IP camera supports this type of power supply and if your network equipment (router or switch) can provide this type of power.

Archival records

You should select an IP camera with memory card storage capability, this will allow you to view the video not only live but also in the archive.

In addition to recording to a memory card, the most common option is to buy a subscription for cloud recording. This option is preferred if there is a chance that the camera may be ripped out of the installation site and stolen with the memory card. Note that the cloud storage will only record video if the device is connected to a network.

IR camera

This option is especially useful if you want to use the camera in low light or at night. With such illumination, you can see the finest details in the image. If you need 24-hour surveillance, an infrared camera is required. The lighting range is specified by the manufacturer in the camera's technical documentation and is measured in meters.

WDR

Another issue to consider when choosing an outdoor camera is the availability of Automatic Iris Control and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). Due to frequent lighting changes even during the day, the camera must be able to change the iris value automatically. In the same way, it adjusts to the current lighting to avoid the appearance of a flare or a dark image. WDR is useful in the case of uneven lighting distribution over the entire image, for example in case of direct exposure. Thanks to WDR, the probability of overexposure and dark spots in the frame is significantly reduced.

Frames per second

It is also an important parameter that determines how much the volume of the video file will change during transmission over the network. In modern video cameras, this parameter is adjustable from 10 to 30 frames per second. In practice, budget cameras have a 10-15 frame rate limitation, which is sufficient for a fully fledged video surveillance system. This is done primarily to reduce the network load and optimize the server space.

IMILAB EC2 is a completely wireless security camera solution. The device has a very elegant design, in a style typical for the Chinese manufacturer, making the camera easy to install. It is a wide-angle camera recording video in 1080P, and the field of view is as high as 120 degrees to minimize blind spots. The built-in battery in the camera has a capacity of 5100 mAh, which allows the device to work on one charge for up to four months. I must admit that this is an impressive value. A standard USB cable is used to charge the camera, so you will not need any special equipment if you lose the cable. It is also worth mentioning that the device is IP66 certified, so that the camera is resistant to weather conditions and high temperatures from -20 to 50.

The camera's dimensions are quite compact and are 14 x 7.3 x 4.7 cm, and the device weighs only 270 grams. In addition, the device has a very simple and minimalist design. The camera has two separate mounts on the back of the housing. The first one is for mounting on a wall with two screws, and the second for mounting on double-sided tape, the first method will of course be more reliable than the second. On the front there is a lens, eight infrared diodes to activate night mode and blue LED.

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Motion detection: Yes Night Mode: Yes Communications: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Lens: F2.6 Line view: 120 Microphone Yes Power supply 5V USB / Camera with built-in battery Video compression H.264 Resolution FHD 1080p Built-in microphone: Yes

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Disadvantages:

• Privacy Terms and Conditions/Conclusion/ IMLAB License in English only.
• Small screws with flat heads are required for installation.
• The first charging took two nights. Even though the software showed 100%, the green diode indicating a full charge didn't light up for a long time.
• Long time between the detection of movement and starting recording, about 2 seconds.
• The mobile application loads quite slowly, buffering the camera image and accessessing the stream sometimes takes 10-15 seconds.
• The camera recordings after motion detection have poor image quality initially.

The advantages:

• A very clear manual with warnings on the device.
• Memory card support up to 64GB.
• The camera is waterproof.
• Many settings available for motion detection.
• Smartphone notificatoins when motion is detected works perfectly.

Mobile application

IMILAB configuration EC2

The IMILAB A1 camera is a monitoring camera within the Xiaomi ecosystem and is compatible with the MI Home application. This model is designed for indoor use, with a electronic nanny function available. The main advantage of this camera is free and unlimited cloud storage. This means that the device can be used even without a MICROSD card. However, if you want your recordings to remain private, you can store them locally on a MicroSD card (supporting up to 256GB) or on a NAS server.

The camera is equipped with 8 940nm infrared LEDs to ensure good quality night-time images, providing up to 10 meters of visibility at night. IMILAB A1 has a 3 MPx lens with a resolution of 2304 x 1296 pixels, and combined with an intelligent noise algorithm it retains up to 99% image detail. In addition, the device is equipped with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology. Thanks to MI HOME the camera can be automatically rotated by 360° from the application level and the lens angle of view is 110°. Like other cameras in the IMILAB series, the Xiaomi A1 is equipped with a microphone and a loudspeaker, offering the possibility of listening to sounds where the camera is installed.

With interesting functions, the IMILAB A1 has a useful detection of a crying baby. If the device detects a cry, it will automatically send a notification to your smartphone so that you can react immediately.

From my point of view, its biggest advantage of Xiaomi IMILAB A1 is its free cloud storage. This feature is also found in other models produced by Xiaomi, but we usually have to pay for cloud storage.

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Resolution: 2304x1296 Camera type: IP Size of matrix: 3 Mpix Memory: up to 256GB Micro-SD Video coding: H.265 Weight: 211g Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Iris: F2.1 Sight: 110° Built microphone: Yes

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Disadvantages:

• Privacy Terms and Conditions/Conclusion/ IMLAB License in English only.
• The mobile application loads relatively slowly, buffering the image sometimes takes 10-15 seconds.

The advantages:

• Application communication in Polish.
• Good image resolution.
• "Nanny" functionality.
• High detail quality in the image.

Mobile application

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The IMILAB EC3 camera is specially designed for outdoor use. The camera is resistant to weather conditions and dust, thanks to the IP66 standard. The device can operate in temperature range from -20 to 60 degrees. The camera is based on a 2-megapixel matrix, which allows to record video at a resolution of 1920x1080P. IMILAB EC3 allows to rotate the camera by 270°, and the viewing angle alone is 130°, which is enough to cover a wide area. The IP camera has also been equipped with a special night vision device, allowing to record images at night. The IMILAB EC3 camera can be controlled by means of the We Home mobile application, which allows for real-time viewing. In addition, the application offers a number of options and functions in terms of control.

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Motion detection: Yes Night Mode: Yes Communications: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Ethernet 10/100Mbps Lens: F1.6 Light of vision: 110 Microphone Yes Power supply 12V, 1A Video compression H.265 Resolution 3MP 2304x1296 Built-in microphone: Yes

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Disadvantages:

• Privacy Terms and Conditions/Conclusion/ IMLAB License in English only.
• No Polish instruction.
• No PoE support.
• The mobile application loads relatively slowly, sometimes it takes 10-15 seconds.

The advantages:

• Camera control right and left.
• A solid wall mount.
• Very good image detail.

Mobile application

IP cameras are versatile security solutions that require only a network connection. There is no need for coaxial cables, computer workstations or even electric cables. They can be used both in the house and in the case of full-fledged protection of industrial, commercial or administrative buildings. To sum up, when choosing, one should pay attention to:

• What is the scope of the observed area? (Distance).
• How much bandwidth is needed to operate the camera?
• How will the recordings be stored and how much space will they require.
• Where will the cameras be placed (inside or outside).

Of course this is only a small overview of the most popular IMILAB models. If you are still not sure which IP camera is best for you, please contact our consultants. I also invite you to visit our previous IP camera. test.