It is tough to understand and keep up with technology because of the abundance of jargon and acronyms. This is especially true for security cameras and camera systems, as people do not work with them on a daily basis. One of the most common questions is whether IP cameras, the latest and greatest surveillance cameras, need to be connected to the internet to work. And like the saying goes, “There is no such thing as a stupid question.”
Table of Contents
- So, can IP cameras work without an internet connection?
- Real-World Standalone IP Camera System Setups
- Well, how do IP cameras work?
- Can I use a WiFi security camera without the internet?
- What is a local network or LAN?
- How do I watch a camera connected to a LAN?
- Privacy & Security Tip
- Advantages of using an IP camera with the Internet
- Quick Comparison: IP Cameras With vs Without Internet
- Frequently Asked Questions about IP Cameras and Internet Requirements
So, can IP cameras work without an internet connection?
Simply put, the answer is yes! Although IP stands for "Internet Protocol," IP cameras can work without an internet connection. IP cameras, which are also called network cameras or PoE cameras, are small computers with an image sensor that can record video. Most modern cameras support Power over Ethernet (PoE), which complies with IEEE 802.3af/at standards for delivering both power and data over a single Ethernet cable. Like any other computer, an IP camera can connect and communicate with other computers on a local network via a router or PoE switch, or via a direct cable to a PC or laptop.
A network camera can record video to a network video recorder (NVR) or an internal microSD card for later review, and it can also stream video live to a computer on the local network using software or a web browser.
IP cameras only need to be connected to the internet if you want to watch your cameras remotely from another location via a smartphone app.
Real-World Standalone IP Camera System Setups
Industrial Job Site Equipment Trailer
We recently helped a customer plan and purchase a PoE IP camera system for their equipment trailer at an industrial roofing job site, where the Internet was unavailable. The goal is to secure valuable tools and monitor access to the trailer during and after work hours.
The cameras record directly to an NVR, and the customer connected a monitor for local viewing and playback.
No internet connection was required, just the monitor, NVR with PoE ports, cameras, and some Ethernet cables!
Church Construction Timelapse Project
A church wanted to document the construction of their new building from start to finish. They installed a single IP camera with an SD memory card, mounted about 100 feet from the construction site, and scheduled it to record only during active building hours.
The recordings are stored locally on the SD card and later compiled into a timelapse video using basic editing software.
This simple setup requires no internet, no NVR, and still delivers meaningful footage.
Well, how do IP cameras work?
An image sensor located inside of an IP camera records video, which a computer processor then encodes. This feature lets the camera analyze the video as it records it. When IP cameras came to market, they revolutionized the surveillance industry because they could record and capture HD video in high resolution.
Previously, surveillance cameras were analog CCTV, used coaxial wire, and only recorded standard-definition footage. Additionally, they measured the resolution, or size, of the video in TV lines rather than megapixels, as they do now with IP cameras.
Even though HD analog security cameras are now available, they don't have the video analytics that smart IP cameras do, and they need a central security DVR to encode, store, and play back video.
Most IP cameras can be used as security cameras on their own with just a 12V DC power supply or a Power Over Ethernet power supply. If you buy a camera with a microSD card slot, you can record video continuously, when motion is detected, or using smart event detection. MicroSD cards in cameras can record continuously for up to 2-3 days or on an event-by-event basis for up to 5-7 days. Learn more about this kind of setup by reading our Standalone Security Camera guide.
The IP cameras in a security camera system are linked to a network video recorder. An NVR, or "network video recorder," is a hub for monitoring and recording multiple IP cameras. Camera systems, like IP cameras, only require an internet connection for remote viewing. Systems can work by themselves with a mouse and monitor, or they can connect to a computer or app over a local network without requiring the internet.
We also carry an IP video screen that can connect to IP cameras over a local network without the internet if you want a camera to stream directly to a monitor.
Can I use a WiFi security camera without the internet?
Yes, you can use a WiFi security camera without being connected to the internet. Contrary to popular belief, WiFi does not mean that there is an internet connection, as wireless networks can operate without access to the broader internet.
For example, you may have joined your phone to the WiFi network of a hotel or fast food restaurant only to discover that your favorite app was unable to connect to the internet. Usually, you would use a web browser to temporarily sign in to the company's guest network so you could use their internet. Before you do that, your phone is technically connected to their local network but not to the internet.
You can watch the IP camera on your phone without an internet connection if it is connected to that local network and has an IP camera paired with it. In other words, the phone and IP camera simply require a WiFi router and do not require internet access. The internet is only necessary for remotely viewing the camera from another location.
In the video below, we show a 6-camera WiFi security camera system operating without an internet connection. We tested outdoor WiFi bullet cameras paired with a WiFi NVR. The video transmits over a WiFi signal from the cameras to the NVR and is displayed on a monitor directly attached to it.
What is a local network or LAN?
We keep talking about "local networks," and you're likely wondering, "What the heck does that even mean?" A local network, also called a LAN (Local Area Network), is a group of devices, usually computers and phones, that are connected by a router and, in some cases, network switches or WiFi access points. Smart refrigerators, speakers, thermostats, and all the other "smart" devices are all types of electronics that homeowners connect to their local networks.
Routers and network switches serve as the glue that holds a local network together. Switches are typically used to add more devices to a network than the ports on a router can handle. One or more Power over Ethernet switches, or PoE injectors, are used to power and connect IP cameras to a local network.
You may be familiar with the concept of a router or modem from your internet service provider if you are reading this page. Routers can work without being connected to the internet. A modem, on the other hand, is what connects a home or business to the internet. Network switches cannot connect to the internet without the assistance of a router or modem, but they can be used to set up a simple local network.
For secure deployment of IP or PoE cameras and systems, follow best practices that we have listed in our guide on stopping hackers from getting into your security cameras. The guide includes practices like strong passwords, disabling unused ports, and regular firmware updates.
How do I watch a camera connected to a LAN?
Now that you know what a LAN is and that you can use IP cameras with a LAN, you might be wondering how you access a camera connected to a LAN. Accessing a camera while on a local network isn't too hard, though. You can use the PC or Mac camera monitoring software, the smartphone app, or a security camera recorder to access a camera.
In general, you'll need to add the camera to the software, app, or recorder by adding it as a device and entering the camera's IP address, username, and password. The default IP address is usually 192.168.1.108 or 192.168.1.109 if we set the camera to a static IP address, and the login username and password are provided by our shipping department.
Privacy & Security Tip
Even if your IP cameras are not connected to the internet, it’s still important to change the default username and password and secure your local network with strong firewall rules.
Avoid leaving cameras open on a local network with a default password or one that may be vulnerable to local attacks.
Advantages of using an IP camera with the Internet
Although this article is about using cameras without an internet connection, connecting a camera to the internet has a few advantages. If you're going to spend money on, let's say, a 4K security camera, you might as well get the most out of it.
Remote viewing is an advantage of connecting the camera to the internet. Just connect the camera to your modem or router with a PoE injector or switch and turn on P2P in the camera's network settings. You can then watch your house or office remotely from anywhere in the world as long as your remote internet is online and your smartphone has a WiFi or cellular internet connection while you're away.
The second advantage is precise time. When a camera is hooked up to the internet, it will check in with a time server every so often. The server will correct the time displayed on the camera. When cameras are not connected to the internet, they may lose their time following a reboot or power loss. The camera's time may run fast or slow at times, and the date and time may not be accurate. Manually adjusting the camera's time without the internet can be inconvenient. If you want to use video evidence in a criminal or civil case, you must record an accurate time stamp.
Are you unsure about the right setup for your needs? This quick comparison table outlines the most important differences.
Quick Comparison: IP Cameras With vs Without Internet
Yes
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions about IP Cameras and Internet Requirements
- 2–3 days of continuous recording, or
- 5–7+ days of motion-triggered clips.
