Get overwhelmed by the hype of PoE IP cameras?
Today, let's reveal the secrets of PoE security cameras and work out all the puzzles you may have for IP camera with PoE, including what a PoE IP camera is, what a PoE injector/switch is used for and how to install IP camera with PoE outdoors, in order to help you pick out a best PoE CCTV camera.
Whether you are new to the PoE IP camera or a pro, you will find what you want here:
- #1. What Is PoE for IP Camera, PoE IP Camera Switch/ Injector
- #2. How to Install IP Cameras with PoE (Wiring Diagram Inside)
- #3. PoE IP Cameras & Systems: A Top-Selling Camera List
- #4. Hot PoE CCTV Camera Q&As (Add Yours Here!)
Attention: The PoE IP camera world is changing fast especially in image quality. Not just locked in the 1080p PoE security camera systems with limited resolution, you can easily find a quality 3MP, 4MP, 5MP even 4K POE IP camera cheaply these days.
In this post, we'll also discover the ”latest technology” out there in IP cameras with PoE.
What Is PoE Security Camera
PoE IP cameras, namely Power over Ethernet cameras, refers to the ones that get power and transmit videos through only one Ethernet cable (Cat5, 5e,6 cables, etc).
And PoE for IP camera means NO extra power cable is needed. So as long as you have a POE injected cable to run to the camera, you can just plug the other end into a router, and then the PoE IP camera will work. That's why PoE CCTV cameras are also called plug and play cameras.
Using PoE for IP cameras, simple setup and good security could be achieved at the same time!
But oftentimes the PoE IP camera switch or injector will be brought up with the PoE IP camera, and you may get confused: What does a PoE injector do? What does PoE switch mean?
What Is a PoE Injector/Switch Used For
What's a PoE switch port? What is a gigabit PoE injector? How does PoE IP camera switch/injector work?
Both PoE IP camera switch and injector, simply put, help you to connect your PoE CCTV camera with the non-PoE router for power and network connection. And their difference is that the PoE injector has only one port and can only support one PoE security camera.
See the PoE IP camera wiring diagram below.
Another good use of the PoE switch and injector is that they can make the PoE security camera system wiring even easier. For example, if you want to put several PoE IP cameras outside the sheds or huts and locate your NVR in your main house, then you can simply connect all PoE surveillance cameras with the PoE switch, which usually comes with 4 or 8 ports, and then run a single switch cable back to the NVR.
How to Set up PoE IP Cameras & Systems
There are 3 simple solutions for you to get your PoE IP camera work in whatever situations. To make things easy to understand, let's take Reolink easy PoE CCTV cameras for example.
Solution 1: IP camera with PoE – Router with PoE function
Technically, you only need to connect your PoE IP cameras with the router that carries PoE port. The IP camera with PoE will start to work – a plug and play solution even for beginners.
If you need larger storage with a PoE home security camera system, just add an NVR to your router.
Solution 2: IP camera with PoE – PoE injector/PoE switch – Router without PoE
Things will be a little more complicated when your router is not PoE featured, or the monitoring areas are out of the reach of existing camera wires. Either case, a PoE injector or PoE IP camera switch will help you get PoE for IP cameras.
So what should you do with the PoE IP camera then?
#1. With a PoE IP camera injector, you will need to plug the Ethernet cable of the PoE CCTV camera into the injector, connect the injector with your router, and then power the injector. The work is done.
Note: Mind that the PoE injector normally provides only one PoE port, as I mentioned. So if you have more IP cameras with PoE, add a network switch to the system (as shown in the wiring diagram), or just turn to a PoE switch instead.
#2. With a PoE IP camera switch, you only need to plug the Ethernet cable of all the cameras with PoE into the switch, connect the PoE switch to the router, and then power the system up.
Solution 3: IP Camera with PoE – NVR – Router
You may also add an NVR to the above 2 PoE IP camera solutions for video storage.
Actually, if you get a complete PoE IP camera system set, which means both PoE security cameras and NVR are from one manufacturer, then you can simply connect all cameras with the NVR directly via the 4, 8 or even 16 PoE ports on it. And add a router if you want remote viewing or push on your phone.
Here is an easy Reolink PoE security camera system review showing you all details in installation:
So make a plan of your PoE IP camera security system first (including the installation location and maybe the PoE extenders), then decide which way to go and get the right PoE IP camera switch/injector, like the 8 port PoE switch for IP cameras to best suit your needs.
Have no idea what solution of PoE for IP cameras will work best to your specific situation? Leave a comment below, we'll help you figure it out with the least cost and the easiest installation.
PoE IP Cameras & Systems: A Top-Selling Camera List
In the big world of security cameras with PoE, a quick way to target your best PoE CCTV camera is to focus on your demanding features, like the resolution, night vision, PTZ, audio, weatherproof, etc.
Actually some reputable brands have produced PoE IP cameras with all these good features, making it suitable for all security applications outdoors and indoors. And Reolink RLC-410 is one of them with excellent reviews from customers worldwide (4 out of 5 stars in Amazon), and professional PoE IP camera reviewer from top tier media like PCWorld, TechHive, etc.
PoE Bullet IP Security Camera with Audio
5MP/4MP Super HD; Outdoor/Indoor Protection; 100ft Infrared Night Vision; Audio Recording; Mobile Remote Access & Control.
This PoE IP camera can detect motion accurately with 1440p videos, and can be accessed remotely via smartphone, PC and web with free PoE IP camera software Reolink client. (Free download here.)
Read the chart below for a better understanding of this PoE IP camera.
What's your ideal PoE IP camera | What the PoE CCTV camera RLC-410 can bring |
PoE IP camera with HD images | 1440p super HD resolution |
PoE surveillance camera for home outdoors | IP66 waterproof rated to stand extreme weather |
Great night vision in low light conditions | Up to 100 feet long-range IR night vision |
PoE security camera with audio | Built-in microphone to collect sound |
Compatible with PoE IP camera system | Compatible with Reolink NVR (Shop 8ch PoE system) |
IP camera with PoE and easy setup | Plug and play installation |
Affordable | $59.99 with free shipping worldwide |
Here is also a video review for this PoE IP security camera system from Talk Tech Now, an authoritative tech reviewer, explaining how to make it work in easy steps and its day/night time video performance.
For more insights about how to pick out the best PoE IP camera with 1080p/5MP resolution, PTZ function, etc, and avoid being cheated, read on to find more pro insights.
#1. 4MP/5MP PoE IP Cameras & Systems
One worth mentioning is that today IP cameras with PoE have got much higher resolution. You can see tons of affordable 5MP HD PoE CCTV cameras, providing twice more details than the 1080p PoE IP cameras day and night.
Perhaps you could save some money by getting some 1080p PoE security camera systems, but if you want to identify the license plate and people clearly, you will need 1440p PoE IP camera for identifiable information.
So the better choice is 4MP PoE security cameras, even 5MP ones. Under 1440p and higher resolution, you will see the plate number and the facial features of people very clearly, and it allows you to digitally zoom in to find out more detailed information.
#2. Outdoor PoE IP Cameras
With outdoor PoE security camera installation issues settled, the top concern left for PoE IP cameras outdoor is the weather.
A quality outdoor PoE IP camera, like Reolink RLC-410, is designed with compact metal aluminum case, reaching IP66 waterproof level (Learn what is IP66 here), so they can be placed at all corners of the house, front and rear doors and withstand the possible ice, snow, rain, winds and hot heat.
#3. Outdoor PTZ PoE IP Cameras
Need an IP camera with PoE that can change its monitoring area regularly? Or you just want to cover a wider range of view? Either way, a PTZ outdoor PoE IP camera leaves you no dead spot.
In the search of a PoE IP camera with PTZ, pay special attention to whether it is digital zoom or optical zoom. Never count on the PoE CCTV camera with digital zoom. When you digitally zoom in, the image will get blurry which loses the whole point of zooming function.
By contract, the outdoor PTZ IP camera with PoE allows you to see any detail clearly without compromising in a degraded image quality. Some Reolink users posted their PoE CCTV camera captures in the website. See below:
PoE Waterproof PTZ Security Camera
5-Megapixel Super HD; 360° Pan & 90° Tilt ; 4X Optical Zoom; 190ft Infrared Night Vision; Smart Motion Detection; Remote Live View & Control.
#3. Mini PoE Security Camera for Home
Some of you, as cautious home owners, will not want to have the massive security equipment to catch the eye of some professional burglars, and then destroyed by them.
To make it inconspicuous, you need to choose a mini PoE IP camera that could easily hide under the eave or other decorations, or could easily blend in your home furniture and decorations.
#4. PoE IP Cameras with Audio
If you want to collect audio alongside, a microphone is a highlight you should not miss in the PoE security camera specification sheet.
Note that the microphone of IP camera with PoE, whether it is built-in or external, only enables you to hear what's going on out there. If you need to talk back, the two-way audio function with both microphone and speaker is what you want.
#5. PoE IP Security Camera System
You can either buy a whole kit like the popular 8 channel PoE security camera system and 16 channel ones, or get a NVR and add cameras to the PoE home security camera system as you like, but it's advised to buy from one manufacturer to avoid compatibility issues.
A NVR greatly expand the storage space for the standalone PoE IP camera with SD card, like the 410WS model. Generally you can save months' recordings, and even longer if you set the PoE IP camera to motion detection mode only.
8-Channel PoE Security System
4 pcs 5MP/4MP Security Cameras; 2TB HDD 8-Channel NVR for 24/7 Reliable Recording; Plug & Play; 2 Network Solutions.
Notice: If you want an 8 camera PoE security system coming with 8 cameras, usually you have to purchase the 16 channel PoE security camera system instead of the 8 channel one.
16-Channel PoE Security System
8 pcs 5MP/4MP Security Cameras; 3TB HDD 16-Channel NVR for 24/7 Reliable Recording; Plug & Play; 2 Network Solutions.
Other PoE Surveillance Cameras for Your Choice
There are many other features that are useful to protect your home, and thus provide more PoE surveillance camera choices for you. For example:
3rd Party Compatible PoE IP cameras
If you want to manipulate your security camera with PoE in third-party software like Blue Iris, Synology, remember to check whether it is 3rd-party compliant like Reolink cameras.
Actually it's recommended to use the manufacturer customized software, which can full play the cameras' function without compatibility issues, like the free Reolink App and Client.
H.264 PoE Surveillance cameras
The H.264 PoE IP camera adopts advanced video coding technology and helps can save the bandwidth and storage greatly. (Click to learn more about H.264 technology and find the best H.264 PoE IP camera.)
Hot PoE CCTV Camera Q&As (Add Yours Here!)
Besides the PoE IP camera installation, there are some other questions that we've been frequently asked about as listed below:
#1. What's the max distance the PoE IP camera could handle to transmit power and network?
It's suggested to use the PoE IP camera under 300 feet (100 meters) to avoid unstable signal issues or possible power attenuation problems. However you may extend the distance with the help of a PoE switch or PoE injector.
If you are not sure about the max distance your PoE IP camera can go, check that with the camera provider to ensure your plan works well to your requirements.
#2. How to select a PoE switch for my IP cameras?
Generally, there are 6 factors you should consider for a PoE IP camera switch, including the PoE security camera power consumption, the PoE switch power supply, voltage, port number. Learn how to select, choose and buy the PoE IP camera switch/injector in this post.
does anybody know exactly what the pin out for the POE wiring as I can get mine to work with their POE 8 channel system of which I only have 4 cameras connected
Hi Paul, you may check out this FAQ ( https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006850654-Arrange-the-wires-of-the-RJ45-connector-8-pins ) to arrange the wires of the RJ45 connector quickly and easily (with the 8 pins information). Hope this helps. : )
Thank you Flora very much appreciated
still can't get this piece of shit to work after 2 weeks of going back and forth with reolink support. The instructions are completely and utterly USELESS. And so far support has not been much better. I have the rlc410 5mp and bought the POE-I100G-LITE injector which is active and has the correct voltages. Yet, there is no power going to camera. The POE-I100G-LITE instructions show it being hooked up with a splitter.. no idea if this would help or not. Reolink doesn't seem to know their own cameras. I have never had such a problem installing an electronic device
Hello Flora. Can I ask questions specific to my application?
Sure : )
Hi Stan, the PoE camera Reolink RLC-410 ( https://reolink.com/product/rlc-410/ ) would be a great fit. It's IP66 waterproof rated, perfect for the outdoors and has class-leading 5MP resolution with superior night vision. And as a plug-and-play security camera, you can actually install it yourself as many Reolink users do (See the video installation guide here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMaZXycZTMU ). Let me know if you have more questions
Hi Danny, you can use the longer cable but it's suggested to go within 240 feet to make sure the signal/data is stable for transmission. Hope this helps 😉
Does Reolink have any systems that combine wireless cameras with wired. I live on a property that has a front gate about 250 feet from the house so I need a camera near the gate. In this case wireless is the only practical approach since I would have to trench to the house then go under a sidewalk and under the foundation to get a PoE camera in place. However I would prefer a PoE cameras around and in the house.
Hi there, we don't have any security systems that combine wireless cameras with wired ones. However, you can add wireless cameras to the NVR and make them record to the NVR easily with this guide, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004346714-Make-Reolink-WiFi-Cameras-Work-with-Reolink-PoE-NVRs.
Also, you may take a look at this article addressing the WiFi distance for each Reolink wireless security camera and choose one that fits your needs, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360008743233-The-WiFi-Distance-for-Reolink-WiFi-Cameras. Please let us know if you have any other question.
Flora, I have some questions before running cabling.
The Reolink website shows the following depiction (as to POE Switch wiring). https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/78a92e6fe1dd2c839b5370f8907029262bc3a00c86ef01e78a9b6aee51e54fb2.png
Lorex shows this https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/19e238d8babd5377047833d04452f575d12d426469ecef13566015432b168907.png
My application details are as follows:
All internal house jacks are ”home run” to a Netgear Prosafe GS716Tv3 Gigabit Smart Managed switch (non-POE).
Said switch is connected to a Netgear X6 R8000 Gigabit router (non-POE).
The system I purchased was was the RLK8-410B4-5MP with (2) additional RLC-410-5MP.
My install plan is to place the NVR in the same area as all the other network equipment.
The physical install of cameras is such that (5) connections are common to the garage area (which is hard to access).
I am considering using a powered POE Switch in the garage location but was concerned about Reolink suggesting attaching only 3 cameras, and also showing connection to the NVR POE ports.
Any suggestions?
Best practices?
Thanks,
Brian
Hello Brian, thank you for reaching out. Both of the connection diagrams work for Reolink NVR systems and you may connect 5 or all the 6 RLC-410 cameras to the NVR directly or to a PoE switch. Just make sure that the PoE switch power supply is over 30W and it would be able to handle all the 6 cameras. Hope this helps.
Can you plug each POE camera into their own injector which then runs the video feed over your electrical system and then have your NVR plugged into a single injector which reads from all the cameras? Then that NVR would connect via the network to your computer? I don't see an exact manual that shows how your system works. It appears you have ethernet runs for each camera all the way back to the NVR or single POE (not convenient in my situation) I want individual injectors for each camera and run the signal over my electrical rather than many long runs of Cat5 and drilling many holes and running cable. I have an older Logitech system that runs that way but without an NVR.
Hi there, Olivia, one of the editors, has offered a detailed answer for this question under her post. If anyone is also interested in the answer, check it out here, https://reolink.com/outdoor-poe-camera-system-best-guide/#comment-4407625865.
My primary interest in a camera is to watch & capture wildlife in my yard doubling as security camera is a bonus. I really want the ability to pan, tilt, & zoom plus POE sounds like the way to go. I understand I would need a poe injector that can then plug into my router which, if I understand correctly, will place my camera on my network which I can then monitor from my Mac's & smart phones. Thinking to the future and possible expanding what injector and also switch does reolink recommend?
Hello Robert, yes, you need a PoE injector to connect in between the PTZ camera and your router. For PoE injector and switch, we would recommend TL-POE 150S and other devices that support 802.3at. If you plan to expand the system, it is best to use a Reolinl NVR so you don't have to use any PoE injectors or switches. Let us know if you have any questions.
Hello Flora, please i need to understand something. When setting up a street security ip camera can i access all the cameras from 4 different locations with 1 radio as its base station?
Hi Victor, yes, you can access the street security camera from 4 different locations. Just make sure that the camera is connected to a stable network and you will be able to access the camera via security camera software no matter where you are. Hope this helps.
Thank you Flora. That means several varifocal ip cameras can be added to one ubiquity nano2 station M5 radio and be accessed with another radio at it's base station? What of the base station isn't at the center of the other points?
Hello Victor, generally speaking, if all the IP cameras are connected to a base station and the base station is working on a stable network, you will be able to access those cameras from different points. But we are not sure if this applies to ubiquity devices or not. So, you'd better contact their team for more info. Hope this helps.
hello Flora,
Thank you for your reply. What device do you use and what would you recommend?
Thanks for the time.
Hello Victor, the discussion above is based on our experience with Reolink security cameras and systems. If you prefer varifocal IP cameras, you may take a look at the RLC-511, https://reolink.com/product/rlc-511/. Find more options, https://store.reolink.com/. Let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
Are the prices there as well?
Hi Flora, I got an old PoE system from other brand. The NVR was old and not internet friendly. Can I get your system to replace the old NVR but still use the old camera (1080p) and add your new 5MP camera as additional?
Hello Stanley, generally speaking, our NVR shall work with PoE cameras that are ONVIF compatible from any other brand. You may contact the tech team from that brand and confirm if their cameras will work with our NVR. Hope this helps.