GSM cameras - a way of monitoring

More and more often we notice the cameras around us, which is no longer surprising to us, because it has become "normal" that they can be seen in shops, galleries, garages or public and private facilities. However, due to the large selection of cameras available on the market and different prices, they have become available to virtually anyone willing to use them. On the one hand, we treat them as a gadget, on the other - an element of strengthening our sense of security. This is because the camera allows you to protect our property against theft or devastation, as well as allows you to document various events happening in the vicinity of its installation, e.g. the effects of storms, storms or hurricanes. Free access to many models of cameras with a whole lot of different functionalities has also opened up the possibility of using them also outside the place of permanent residence. And so they appeared on plots, summer houses or areas of a newly built house. Most often, in such places, access to the Internet is very limited or impossible due to the lack of telecommunications infrastructure. It is in such locations that the use of a GSM camera works best.

         The most important advantage of the GSM camera is the fact that it does not require access to the Internet with a router, because we provide the Internet ourselves by inserting a SIM card with an active Internet service into our camera. In this way, we provide ourselves with remote access to our camera and all that remains is to enable connection to the power source and purchase of an SD card in order to archive camera recordings.
So, in addition to the GSM camera, we need a SIM card, an SD card and a power supply - such a set consists of our own monitoring based on mobile internet. Simple right?
          In fact, it is not a complicated solution and therefore any user who has not had any experience with this type of solutions can handle it. In addition to the camera, the set includes a power supply and instructions on how to install the SIM card and SD card, as well as the configuration of the camera with a mobile application that allows remote viewing of the image from the camera and recorded videos or photos. However, it is worth taking a moment to verify the GSM coverage in the place where the camera will be installed.
          The choice of the operator whose SIM card we choose should be thoroughly checked so that our camera has the best range, i.e. the fastest internet. For this purpose, we are guided by the knowledge of the place where we will place the camera, because if we have our phone and in this place we can freely call, text and have access to internet content, it means that the same operator will provide our camera with stable internet; or we check which of the operators has its transmitter closest to our place. But how do you know who is who, they look the same? This is where the Internet and the BTSearch website come to our aid - [click here], where we can find our location and after zooming in we will see which transmitter and operator is closest to us.

          After selecting the operator and buying a SIM card (it can be a subscription or pre-paid offer, but with the latter, you should ensure the possibility of viewing the consumption of mobile internet and topping up the account to maintain the continuity of the camera's operation on the internet) disable the PIN code request for SIM card so that it can immediately log on to the GSM network, i.e. to the Internet. It is best to do this before inserting it into the camera by inserting it into any phone and using the settings to disable the PIN code request (you will need the PIN code visible on the SIM card).

          After selecting the operator and buying a SIM card (it can be a subscription or pre-paid offer, but with the latter, you should ensure the possibility of viewing the consumption of mobile internet and topping up the account to maintain the continuity of the camera's operation on the internet) disable the PIN code request for SIM card so that it can immediately log on to the GSM network, i.e. to the Internet. It is best to do this before inserting it into the camera by inserting it into any phone and using the settings to disable the PIN code request (you will need the PIN code visible on the SIM card).

• 3G (HSPA+) – up to 21 Mb/s (download)/ up to 5.76 Mb/s (upload);
• 4G (LTE) – up to 300 Mb/s (download)/ up to 50 Mb/s (upload);
• 5G – up to 20 Gb/s Mb/s (download)/ up to 10 Gb/s (upload).

          The speeds given above refer to "laboratory" conditions, which should be understood in such a way that in practice they will be unattainable. Real speed can be obtained at the level of approx. 30% of the above-mentioned value.
        All operators operating in Poland offer 4G speeds, there are also available and working networks
in 5G technology, but here I refer you to check the coverage maps. At the moment, all cameras on the market have a module operating in the 4G/LTE network, although it is probably only a matter of time when models operating in the 5G network will appear. It is appropriate to refer to the fact that the GSM camera will work in 4G technology. But what does that tell us? How does this relate to using the camera?
          This is important when we remotely start the preview from the camera and view the events recorded on the SD card, because then we have to ask ourselves:
"How much transfer (what size data package) do I need?"
For remote viewing to the camera, the UPLOAD speed is important - the higher the value we can get, the better, because then the image will be smooth in a higher resolution. For example, for 1 camera with a resolution of 5Mpx, we should ensure upload at the level of 3-5 Mb / s, and this value can be easily obtained in every 4G / LTE network in Poland.
          The answer to the above question about the transfer is not easy, because it depends on how often we will use remote access to the camera. If we wanted a camera with a resolution of 5 Mpx, wanted to "peep" 24 hours a day, we would use about 180 GB per month. In a situation, if we watch 3-4 recordings as part of the preview and we preview the image from the camera for 10 minutes during 1 day, then a 10 GB data package
should be enough for 1 month. On the other hand, if we have a camera with a resolution of 2Mpx, the non-stop preview of the image from the camera without any interruption would consume about 100 GB of data per month. However, if we limit ourselves to obtaining a preview 4-5 times a day for about 10 minutes, then a 4-5 GB data package will fully meet our needs.
However, this is a simplified estimate, so it should not be treated as an assurance, but only as an indicative help when choosing a data transfer package.

Zintronic's offer includes 2 models of GSM cameras, which differ in appearance and functionality, but both models operate in 4G/LTE technology.

          A novelty in the offer is the P5 GSM camera model, which is a continuation of the P5 Light camera model, enriched with a GSM module. This is the first model of a PTZ camera, which is why it is very popular. It runs on the CamHiPro mobile app, supports SD cards up to 128 GB, and the whole setup is simple and takes a few minutes (after inserting the SIM card and connecting to power).

          GSM cameras in the Zintronic offer, as mentioned before, need 3 elements to work properly: power supply, SIM card and SD card. The cameras are operated by the CamHiPro mobile application, i.e. access to the "live" view and recorded material is obtained using a phone / smartphone, and if we also need access on the laptop / computer screen - use dedicated software for Windows and MacOS called HiP2P from the website - https://zintronic.com/camhi-cameras

Note: GSM cameras, despite having an RJ45 connector, cannot be connected to a router or computer via a LAN cable, so searching for them in the local network using the SearchTool software is not possible.

               A single GSM camera can provide us with the observation of a specific area (in the case of A5 GSM) and a slightly larger area, thanks to the use of rotational movement using P5 GSM. However, if our goal is to secure a summer house or a gazebo on a plot on each side of the building, and we do not have any internet provider in this place, do we need to buy 3 or 4 GSM cameras and the same number of SIM cards and SD cards, because there is no other way?
          A solution that we can use in such circumstances is the use of a monitoring kit containing the required number of WiFi cameras (wired or wirelessly connected) and a recorder with a hard disk and a GSM router with a SIM card working in 4G/LTE technology. An additional condition to be met is that the monitoring system must be powered and located in a dry room, not exposed to external factors, i.e. moisture, rain or snow. A simplified diagram of the monitoring system will look like this:

          A solution that we can use in such circumstances is the use of a monitoring kit containing the required number of WiFi cameras (wired or wirelessly connected) and a recorder with a hard disk and a GSM router with a SIM card working in 4G/LTE technology . An additional condition to be met is that the monitoring system must be powered and located in a dry room, not exposed to external factors, i.e. moisture, rain or snow. A simplified diagram of the monitoring system will look like this:

          A cable connection is always recommended for connecting the cameras in the monitoring system, so if it is possible in practice, the connection of the cameras will be more stable. In addition, using a cable, we can provide the cameras with both communication and power, i.e. use PoE cameras. Then we have to use another new device in the monitoring system, namely a PoE switch, to which we connect the cameras with LAN cables, and this in turn is connected to the 4G/LTE router, just like the recorder. A set built in this way will look like this in a simplified way:

          A cable connection is always recommended for connecting the cameras in the monitoring system, so if it is possible in practice, the connection of the cameras will be more stable. In addition, using a cable, we can provide the cameras with both communication and power, i.e. use PoE cameras. Then we have to use another new device in the monitoring system, namely a PoE switch, to which we connect the cameras with LAN cables, and this in turn is connected to the 4G/LTE router, just like the recorder. A set built in this way will look like this in a simplified way: