You have finally decided to buy a camera to monitor your home when you are away for errands or for work. You also believe it is essential that this camera can record audio, as well as video, but not sure if you are making a correct purchase you have come here looking for a suggestion on the subject.
In fact, you have noticed that there are many models of video surveillance cameras and, even analyzing them well, you cannot understand if a camera has audio or less. Do not worry, it is quite normal if you are not familiar with devices of this kind. In any case, do not worry: in this tutorial of mine you will find all the information you need in order to obtain greater clarity on the subject and be able to understand in total autonomy if a camera has audio or not.
All you have to do is take five minutes of free time and take a look at the tips below. You will also find some “tips” on cameras with microphone to buy for indoor and outdoor monitoring. Enjoy the reading!
Index
- How to tell if a camera has a microphone
- How to tell if a camera has audio
How to tell if a camera has a microphone
If you are looking for a camera that can record audio (sounds, voices, noises) as well as the video, you must pay close attention to the technical specifications before buying it. Or, if you are near a public camera and are just curious to know if in the control room they can hear you as well as see you, then I’ll explain right away. how to tell if a camera has a microphone.
There are several ways to tell if a camera is equipped with a microphone. In case you have to buy a new one, you are on horseback because the moment you are in front of the product (whether it is in an online store or in a technology store) you have to do nothing but search for the item. Audio> Microphone or Two-way audio or Audio recording.
In case you find yourself in front of a camera that is already installed, the simplest but not always practicable method is to read the Technical specifications from booklet supplied with all accessories. Almost always this is information printed on the packing box. But circumstances do not always allow you to access the booklet or the box, especially if the camera is not yours or that of an acquaintance of yours.
If you get close to a camera and you can see the brand name and the template (generally silk-screened on the frame) you could use them to search the Internet for its technical specifications. In this case, all you have to do is type the brand name and the template of the camera in the search bar of a web browser.
The most modern cameras, on the other hand, almost always hide the model and serial number in the back, leaving only the manufacturer’s logo exposed (for example: Axis, Dahua, Hikvision, Ezviz, Reolink, etc.). In this case it will be difficult for you to guess the model of the camera based only on the aesthetics as there are many variations of the same model and almost all have the exact same frame.
If you find yourself in this circumstance, you may be paying attention to some aesthetic details which reveal the presence of a microphone inside the camera. Many current camera models, both indoor and outdoor, have a small hole in the front, located just below the lens. In most cases, that is the cavity for the microphone.
If the camera you are looking at does not even have a hole in either side, it could mean that it is only prepared for video recording. There is nothing strange in this hypothesis, consider that many current professional cameras for public surveillance, record only the video in order not to break the right to privacy or for the simple reason that being installed at great heights, audio recording would be of no use.
Below I leave you some examples of cameras for external with microphone integrated which can be found conveniently online, for example on Amazon. With these cameras you can watch in real time what is happening in your home and hear everyone sounds or noises captured by the onboard microphone.
Below instead I share some examples of cameras for internalalways with microphone integrated, useful for monitoring your children, pets or any infringements at home when you are absent.
If you want to learn more about IP cameras and take a look at the best solutions on the market, given the vastness of the details that characterize these products, I suggest you read my buying guide on the best IP cameras.
How to tell if a camera has audio
Cameras with audio are not very popular in public environments due to their limited usefulness and limited audio performance, due to the form factor (compactness) rather than the context in which they were installed (such as outdoors). However, many residential products are well-equipped with audio and that’s probably what you’re most interested in, so I’ll explain right away how to tell if a camera has audio.
The built-in audio in the camera allows you, who are observing remotely, to interact with visitors or intruders. Thanks to the applications supplied with the camera, you can talk through a mobile device or a computer and whoever is in front of the camera will be able to hear and answer you. The camera, in this case, will have built-in speakers that will emit the sound of your voice when you want it. Unfortunately if the camera is installed outdoors, the audio performance may not be as satisfactory as you hope due to the noises / sounds around you (such as wind, cars passing in the distance, groups of people talking etc.).
If a camera is equipped with speakers it will almost certainly have a number of holes grouped on the back or side of the frame. In rare cases where the minimal design scores more points than the performance, there may even be a single small front hole that opens a micro air channel for both the microphone that for theaudio.
Other more commercial camera models are not afraid to hide the presence of the audio on board and give you notice with the presence of conspicuous grid slits on the sides or on the rear. If you have to buy a camera and you want to be sure that it is equipped with audio then you have to look for the item in the product data sheet One-way audio, Two-way audio (which also includes a microphone) or solo Audio Recording. If one of these items is present in the technical specifications of the camera then you are on the horse.
Below I leave you some examples of cameras for external with audio integrated which can be found conveniently online. With these cameras, in addition to watching what happens in your home in real time and hearing all sounds or noises, you can also talk And to interact who is near the camera.
Below instead I propose some camera solutions with audio for internal. These cameras can be used to all intents and purposes to communicate with your family members, from one floor of the house to another or from outside to inside. All this is made possible by the integrated speakers and the application released by the manufacturer specifically for mobile devices.
If you want to learn more about IP cameras, given the vastness of the details that you can know, I suggest you read my buying guide on the best IP cameras and my tutorial on how IP cameras work.
