Do you have a wireless or wired network in your home or office? Would you like to get more out of your network? Would you like to save money and time, and impress your friends or colleagues? If Yes! is the answer for any of these questions, this series is for you. You'll discover ways to put your network to use, beyond just the simple file- and printer-sharing techniques. Since you probably use your network every day, you should make sure that you're using it to the fullest extent.
This article discusses three great products that can use your network: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Wi-Fi phones, network video cameras, and digital photo frames/signage. I'll explain what each product is, how these products can help you day-to-day, and what's involved in setting them up with your network. I even provide links so you can start comparison shopping for particular products.
VoIP and Wi-Fi Phones
Moving to VoIP (or digital) phone service means that you'll save big on your landline phone bills by getting free long distance and reduced (or free) international calls. Instead of your phone conversations going through the telephone lines outside, VoIP calls primarily transverse through the Internet. In addition to having a high-speed Internet connection, you'll need to make a small investment in a VoIP phone that plugs into your network (Figure 1 shows a GE Skype phone), or a VoIP adapter or router that connects the traditional phones and handsets to the network (Figure 2 shows a D-Link wireless router). However, many service providers even offer this VoIP-enabling equipment free or at a rebated price.
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Figure 1 GE Skype DECT 6.0 2-in-1 Internet and standard phone (28300EE1).
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Figure 2 D-Link wireless broadband VoIP router (DVG-G1402S).
Most VoIP residential plans that come with unlimited talk time start at around $20 a month with all the usual features—for example, call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail. Small business plans range anywhere from $35 to $70 a month and may include advanced features such as auto attendant, conferencing, fax line, music-on-hold, extensions, and many more. VoIP providers you may want to consider include Vonage, Skype, Voip.com, Packet8, Lingo, and those offered by your local phone and cable companies.
Cheap phone service isn't the only great benefit of VoIP. VoIP solutions can save businesses the money and time involved in installing traditional phone outlets when moving offices around, if Ethernet ports are available throughout the office. Instead of having to pay to have a phone outlet added or moved, just plug the VoIP phone into the Ethernet port in the new location. For locations that don't have an abundance of Ethernet ports (family homes, for instance), many VoIP providers offer software or portable adapters so you can use your computer and a headset to use the phone service. Don't have loads of Ethernet ports but do have plenty of phone jacks? Some VoIP solutions only require you to install one VoIP adapter. Then all the phone jacks in the building are converted into VoIP-enabled outlets, so you can plug in traditional phones.
It's important to note that VoIP phones don't always have to use the VoIP service via the Internet. Some VoIP phones allow you to switch between using traditional and VoIP phone service. With this arrangement, you can take advantage of the reliability of traditional phone lines for most calls, and the cost savings of VoIP service when making long distance or international calls. Some vendors refer to this type of phone as a dual-mode phone.
Because VoIP service is provided through the Internet, Wi-Fi phones (Figure 3 shows the SMC TigerVoIP) and hybrid cellular/Wi-Fi phones can connect to the service through wireless Internet access at public hotspots, in your offices, or at your home. Mobile phones with built-in Wi-Fi can save you mobile minutes and possibly Internet access fees. You also have a better chance of using your mobile phone where cellular signals are lacking; most Wi-Fi mobile phones will automatically switch to using a Wi-Fi network when detected. Many of these phones also use the Wi-Fi connection for the Internet source, so you can surf the Web on your mobile phone at broadband speeds.
Figure 3 SMC TigerVoIP Wi-Fi SIP Phone (SMCWSP-100).
A Wi-Fi phone will run anywhere from $130 to $250 online. Examples of Wi-Fi phones that support multiple service providers include the D-Link DPH-540 or DPH-541 and SMC Network's SMCWSP-100. Some phones support only Skype (for instance, the NETGEAR SPH200W, the SMC WSKP100, and the Belkin F1PP000GN-SK). Setting up a Wi-Fi phone usually just consists of entering your VoIP service account details. Then, when you're near a Wi-Fi hotspot or your wireless network, you choose the network and enter any encryption keys (similar to connecting on your PC).
For Wi-Fi mobile phones, T-Mobile offers an add-on service called Unlimited HotSpot Calling. At $9.99/month per line (family value plans are available), you can make and receive calls from your Wi-Fi–capable mobile phone at more than 8,900 T-Mobile HotSpot locations—along with most other places with Wi-Fi Internet available. Of course, T-Mobile has to be your cell phone carrier, and you need a supported phone. (Try searching the list of supported phones for your phone type.)
Network Video Cameras
Traditional video surveillance systems (using cameras and VCRs connected via A/V cables) can be useful; however, video cameras that specifically support Ethernet or Wi-Fi typically work better when using a computer to view or record the video. Instead of having to purchase non-standardized equipment that may not work among different manufacturers, the video feeds of network video cameras travel through your existing network. Some video camera systems (for instance, the D-Link DHA-390 solution) use Powerline networking to send/receive the video through standard electrical outlets.
Network video cameras (Figure 4 shows one from Hawking Technologies) let you keep an eye on your employees, children, or buildings from a web browser or software on any computer connected to your network—or anywhere in the world via the Internet. Some systems even support media players on mobile phones, so you can view your video feeds right from your cell phone. You could also set up your equipment to record video feeds to your hard drive or network-attached shortage (NAS) drive. In addition to surveillance, many cameras let you stream live video of your location to your website for the public to see, which is similar to a webcam setup.
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Figure 4 Hawking Technologies Wireless-G network camera (HNC290G).
One major specification you're likely to reference when shopping for network video cameras is the video quality or compression method. Many cameras support Motion-JPEG for higher-quality video and/or MPEG-4 for smaller file sizes, which doesn't bog down your network as much. If you want to shoot video in low-light conditions, you'll also want an infrared (IR) filter. Viewing and recording in total darkness usually requires a compatible IR lamp or illuminator, which can bump up the cost another $100 or more.
Most network cameras—even consumer or home grade—have a motion detector feature that records a video clip or takes a snapshot and sends it to your inbox, so you can keep an eye on your location after hours. Many video cameras also stream audio with the video feed from an internal microphone on the camera. Additionally, most include pan/tilt/zoom functions so you can control the camera remotely to see what you want to monitor. More expensive cameras typically support multiple lenses for shooting specific environments, outdoor enclosures for mounting outside, and even a speaker output so you can communicate remotely with people near the camera.
Setting up network video cameras is usually straightforward, using the manufacturer's directions. Often you'll need to install software that will help you set everything up, and the camera will include viewing and recording functions for your PC.
Consumer-grade network cameras such as those in the following list cost anywhere from $80 to $150:
- D-Link DCS-900 and D-Life Series
- Linksys WVC54GCA
- Hawking Net-Vision network cameras
- TRENDnet Internet cameras
Higher-quality, business-class cameras such as the following can run from $250 to $700:
- D-Link DCS-900, 1100, 3000, 5000, and 6000 Series
- Linksys PVC2300, WVC200, and WVC2300
- TRENDnet Internet cameras
- Axis network cameras
Digital Picture Frames and Signage
Digital picture frames aren't just for the Bill Gates types of the world. You can find reasonably priced digital photo frames to display your favorite family or company photos from your computers. (Figure 5 shows a Kodak EasyShare digital photo frame.)
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Figure 5 Kodak EasyShare Wireless Digital Picture Frame (EX1011).
Since most digital photo frames are wireless, they can go anywhere—in the hallway, the living room or lobby, or the office. In your home, you can share your memories with family. In the business world, you can add a personal touch to your office and relate your business image, or provide product and company presentations with digital signage solutions.
In addition to images, many digital picture frames can play videos and music, all controlled with touchscreen movements or side buttons. Along with being able to access media from the computers on your network, many digital photo frames have built-in slots to insert SD, USB, and other drives. Plus, since it's connected to the Internet, a device of this type allows you to browses photos on websites such as the Kodak Gallery and Flickr. You may even be able to order prints directly from the frame and catch the latest weather, sports, and news reports.
You can usually find digital photo frames, 5 to 10 inches in size, anywhere from $80 to $250. Here are several frames you may want to look into getting:
- D-Link DSM-210
- CEIVA digital photo frames
- Kodak EasyShare digital picture frames
- Sony digital photo frames
If you're looking for much larger photo frames (greater than 19 inches), you'll probably spend $500 or more. The PhotoVu digital picture frames and digital signage, along with the Bigeframe digital frames, are a few examples.
Stay tuned! In part 2 of this series, you'll discover more ways to share on your network.