Using Fake Security Cameras

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Rob

Fake Security Cameras

Fake security cameras actually do protect a person’s property.  Why?  When a thief is under the stress of everyday life, he cannot pay the bills or is in need of something, they sometimes resort to stealing. Their trouble and the stress will make them do dumb things. They will be careless and phobic about what they are contemplating as they trip into trouble. Some of these people know better than to try to steal or break into a home. Many have second thoughts and must put their better angels aside in order to accomplish the dark task they set before them. If the potential thief has any kind of a conscience, or common sense, it may take nothing more than a dummy camera to deter the invasion. A dummy surveillance camera is the perfect way to stop thefts born of convenience.

Setting up a fake security camera is a nice way of saying, “hey, mister, you really do not want to do this, now do you?”. When the thief sees the fake surveillance camera, there is no way of knowing if it is real or not. They become more phobic in their futile attempt to get away with stealing. Their conscience is bothering them and the fear of getting caught is making them think that it might be best to forget this venture. Maybe getting a job was the better idea, or going back to school. Seeing fake security cameras sweeping from side to side with a red light blinking will help to deter an amateur thief.

Using fake surveillance cameras does not mean that there should be no real cameras in a given situation. There is a need for cameras of all kinds in a home or business situation. A dummy camera can be set up in plain view. The object of this fake camera is to be seen by the intruder so that they understand that this is all being caught on tape for viewing on the TV show, COPS. It is meant as to deter the thief and chase them away before they do something stupid. Any of the cameras can be set up to move, as if they are surveying the property being guarded. These things will add more pressure to the thief so that they think twice about going through with the theft. A red light will blink on the dummy surveillance camera to attract their attention and put the fear in them.

Using an outdoor dummy security camera is equivalent to advertising, “This house has a security system.  Don’t even bother trying to rob us.”  It tells the thief to move on to the next house.  Keeping the fake cameras outdoors and highly visible is the trick.   The idea is that most would be thieves will take the path of least resistance and plan their attack on a house that has no obvious defense.  So, using fake security cameras outdoor is a great idea that will deter criminals regardless of whether you have a real camera security system in place or not.

The dummy security camera will mount easily to any wall with a simple set of screws. The wire looks like it goes into the metal framework, and through the wall to a video taping unit, but actually ends right there at the wall.  As with real cameras, you can also install a fake wireless security camera.  The thief will not go up close to the camera to check and see if it is real. He is thinking that it is real and does not want to get close enough for certain identification of his face. Motion detectors are part of the fake security cameras and a red light comes on when the thief is in the immediate area. A sweeping movement motion from side to side is activated when motion is detected.

Prices for fake security cameras for your home that have motion detectors and will sweep from side to side are around $15 each, plus shipping. It is a good idea to get 3 or more for various locations around the house. The units do not have to be connected to electricity because they will operate for 6 months on two AA batteries. The peace of mind is well worth the cost of these easy to install units.

Help a would be thief change his mind and save guard your property at the same time. Get a set of fake security cameras for each corner of the home or office. Set them up at strategic locations while you hide the real cameras at the major points of entry. Using a combination of fake security cameras and real cameras is the optimum way to deter criminals. When they see that you care enough about your property to put up cameras, and not knowing if they are fake security cameras or real cameras, their fear of getting caught will kick in and they may very well move along to an easier target.

Do not be easy prey for criminals. Get your dummy security camera set up for your home of business. Dummy security cameras are a cheap and effective additions to security camera systems, large or small. Encourage your neighbors to do the same and offer to put them up for the little old lady down the street. Having a neighborhood that is prepared to stop crime is good for everyone so be sure to do your part today.

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A Guide to CCTV Camera Housing

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Rob

CCTV Camera Housing

A CCTV camera housing or camera enclosure is the hardcover shell that encases the camera within it.   A properly installed CCTV camera set up is an excellent defense against unwanted invasions into the home property.  A series of home security cameras installed in a variety of strategic locations throughout the household area, including the interior as well as the exterior, can serve both as an excellent criminal scare mechanism and a handy way to document evidence in the event of an actual intrusion.  Contrary to popular belief, there is no “one size fits all” system that will work in any situation, but rather a wide range of specific camera types and particular settings that can be tailored to each individual household according to the demands of the surrounding environment.  Likewise, security camera housing needs to be tailored to the type of camera that it is protecting and the environment that it is protecting that camera from.

A camera housing is much more than just the outer edge of the camera.  Housings can be purchased in a variety of fully customizable models that are designed to improve the functionality of the camera lens in a wide range of environmental situations.  Before purchasing a CCTV camera housing it is important to pay close attention to detail and observe the logistics of your property.  This can be performed in a variety of ways.  For example, outdoor security cameras should feature hardcover water-resistant properties that will permit them to function effectively in rainy weather.  Alternatively, they can include advanced night vision and motion detection systems to further increase surveillance efficiency after dark.  These cameras are typically referred to as day/night cameras, with exclusive settings that automatically switch between regular black and white mode during the day and infrared mode during the night.  Camera surveillance systems will stay trouble free for a much longer period of time when their cameras are housed properly.  Here are some useful tips to consider.

1.  Exterior camera mounting locations

If you live in a larger household such as a villa or beach house, the external cameras should ideally be placed in areas where the lens view is capable of capturing a wide image.  The main entrances to the household along with the driveway area and the front lawn should all be subject to surveillance.  Additionally, hidden areas where thieves are likely to lurk, such as back windows or basement entrances, should be monitored as well.  An important point to remember is that intruders will usually shy away from light, and that the visibility of all cameras is far more effective in well-lit areas.  Consider installing your outdoor CCTV security cameras next to the floodlights, ceiling lights, patio lights, and garden lights.  Alternatively, if you would like to monitor darker areas, you can always install a light or two next to the area you wish to mount the camera.

2.  CCTV camera housing in exterior areas

The ideal outdoor CCTV camera housing for the property should contain a liquid cooling system or alternatively/inclusively an internal air-heating system that will help to regulate the temperature of the camera and keep it from malfunctioning.  These CCTV camera housing systems are designed to ensure that the camera lens does not blur or lose focus due to adverse environmental conditions typically experienced during extreme winters and hot summers.  Outdoor camera housing at a minimum should provide a water-proof seal, thus providing protection against rain and snow and condensation.

3.  Interior CCTV camera housing

The type of housing most commonly utilized within indoor areas is the domed CCTV camera.  This CCTV camera housing consists of a dome shaped tinted device that can be mounted effectively to the ceiling.  A dome camera housing has the main advantage of hiding the surveillance camera behind the darkly tinted dome.  People looking at the dome really have no idea which way the camera is pointing.  There are also options to put in more than one camera behind the dome for 360 degree concurrent coverage.

Good places to install your internal home security cameras are within the living room, master bedroom, front entrance, back entrance, and next to any large windows lying close to ground level.  The CCTV camera housing manufacturer will have all of the specs for both interior and exterior housings.  If there is any question on specifications, call the manufacturer for a definitive answer.

4.  Purchase price

Because of the wide range of individual camera manufacturers and models available on the market, it can often be tempting to settle for home security cameras that are relatively inexpensive.  However, you should realize that a cheap camera would offer you cheap visibility in almost all cases.  If you are concerned about clear peripheral vision and wide lens capabilities, be prepared to sacrifice a larger amount of money.  Less expensive cameras typically rely on CMOS technology, which typically produces inferior video quality and functions with minimal efficiency in poorly lit areas.  On the other hand, higher-end CCTV security cameras utilize CCD microchips that provide much better overall image quality.  In any case, the camera enclosure you choose should ultimately follow along with your monthly budget.

5.  Alternate Use

Because CCTV camera housing is used to shield the camera itself from the elements. it also has the property of shielding the the camera from another important element; view.   With certain types of housing, mainly ones with dark lenses, the camera is completely hidden from sight.  So, if you are  inclined to use fake security cameras, then the housing unit may be perfect for you.  It will look exactly like your other camera housing units, but without a camera inside.  So, CCTV camera housing units can be used as fakes.  Just make sure that the lens is dark enough to prevent people from looking through it.

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On Purchasing a Dummy CCTV Camera

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Rob

Dummy CCTV Camera

When thinking of the best crime prevention devices, a dummy CCTV camera may not be the first thing that comes to mind.  Since the device is really nothing more than a showpiece, some people may find it difficult to consider these replica or dummy CCTV cameras as trustworthy tools for preventing crime. The device actually does nothing.  When you think of all of the high-tech solutions on the market, this one is on the opposite end of the spectrum, being a low-tech solution in a high tech world.  These fake cameras are something usually not offered by surveillance services, but are great for do-it-yourselfers. However, even these low-tech solutions can have a some high-tech features.

Really, surveillance camera systems have two functions.   The first, and the one addressed by these fake cameras, is crime deterrence and prevention.   The mere perceived presence of a security camera is enough to prevent some crime.  Then second function is to record any wrong doing for analysis.  A fake CCTV camera, by its’ very nature, can not address the second function.  But, that lack of functionality is the reason these cameras are less expensive.    So, the dummy camera’s main function is to scare the criminals into not committing the crime.

One good way to think of dummy CCTV cameras is to compare them to scarecrows.   It is a perfect analogy.   The scarecrows prevent the crows from stealing any of the crops by fooling the crows into thinking that the scarecrow is a real person.  In a similar manner, a replica CCTV camera can be made to look like a real camera, convincing criminals not to bother burglarizing the protected property.  Of course, criminals are extremely sophisticated these days so it takes a little more than a plastic toy camera bought at the local Walmart to fool the criminal.  What goes into a good dummy CCTV camera?

In order to answer that question, we must first answer the question of; Why not buy a real security system and camera in the first place?  That’s easy!  Budget.  Budget.  Budget.  The only reason you buy a fake camera in the first place is to save money, either by saving the expense of the unit, the expense of installation or the expense of maintaining the system.   But, what ever reason, it comes down to saving money.   So, the bling that makes your dummy CCTV camera look real, can’t cost much.  Otherwise you might as well have the real thing.

So, here are some attributes of good replica CCTV surveillance cameras;

  1. Distance.  Distance is your number one friend when placing one of these cameras.  You want the camera to be close enough to be noticed, yet, far enough away to keep criminals from getting a good look at the camera.   So, if you are installing an outdoor security camera, great placement is on top of poles or behind a fence.  For indoor systems, good placement is in a corner and near a ceiling. These are all good strategies for placement.  For the most part, they are the same placement strategies as real cameras, so, the fakes won’t look out of place.
  2. Power.  You want to show your audience that the camera is presumably working.  No better way to do this cheaply than to add a red LED flashing light.  They work on batteries and draw such little power that you don’t have to change them for months.
  3. Movement.  For a little extra money and battery power, you can have the camera pan back and forth.  This adds a true level of realism.  The cost is that you’ll have to change batteries more often.
  4. Realism.  Make sure the dummy CCTV camera housing looks real.  If the camera is too cheap and the materials look cheap, this might be enough of a clue to be a tip off.
  5. Secrecy.  Lastly, make sure that as few people as possible know about the dummy security cameras being installed.  Remember, a good percentage of burglaries are inside jobs.  It’s best not to give them an edge and to keep this information to yourself.

Fake security cameras may not be able to record, but at least they can prevent crime in your house at a very affordable price.  Psychologically, a criminal is discouraged from executing his evil plans when he believes he is being watched or his actions are being recorded.  If your camera has all of the attributes listed above, the odd are great that the criminal will have that belief.  The price of dummy CCTV cameras with all of the features listed above is around forty UD dollars.

To sum it up, dummy cameras are a great option if you are just trying to scare potential criminals away. They do address the crime prevention half of the security problem.  So, if you are on a tight budget and are content with not resolving the entire security problem, then purchasing dummy camera is a great move.

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The Outdoor Security Camera Explained

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Rob

Outdoor Security Camera

If you ever wonder whether a home outdoor security camera system is worth the investment, you might want to read this story.  Two thieves victimized a home in an upper class part of town. They broke into a back window that was not visible from the street.  Upon entering the house, the alarm went off.  They ran off to their car and instead of taking off, they just waited from a safe distance.  After they were sure that the cops were not going to show up , the thieves re-entered the house and took their sweet time relieving it of all of its valuables.  In this story, it is unclear what went wrong.  Maybe the police department missed the call.  Maybe an electrical problem with the alarm security system caused the snafu.  Who knows?  The  point is that no system is perfect.  If the homeowner had an outdoor security camera system in place, the thieves would have picked another home to rob and the unfortunate occurrence probably would not have happened, at least for the homeowner in this story.  Even if it did happen, the suspects would have been recorded entering and leaving the premises by the security cameras.

It is a fact that outdoor security cameras do prevent crime and are of great assistance in prosecuting it.  These cameras and the systems surrounding them have evolved over the years.  They can see much more than in the past and they can let home owners view the output from almost anywhere in the world.  We’ll look at the night vision and wireless outdoor security camera capabilities of these outdoor security camera systems.  We will let you know what’s available and what to look at when evaluating your camera surveillance system.

Let’s face it,  we people have a tough time seeing at night.   Thanks to technology, our cameras can see almost every bit as good at night as we do during the day.  To understand how the cameras work requires a bit of an understanding of light physics.

Humans can see only a small part of the entire spectrum of light.  On the low end of that spectrum is infrared light. This is the type of light emitted by objects in a heightened state of energy.  The heat from that energy emits photons in the infrared Range. All living animals produce heat and thus emit infrared light.

Visible Light Spectrum

The type of night capable camera that detects infrared light is called a thermal imaging camera.  These cameras are great at detecting the presence of humans and other animals in the darkness.  This type of camera, while good in no light situations has little usefulness in most cases for outdoor home security because its images are do not show great detail.

The second, more useful type of night vision camera for home outdoor security camera systems uses image-enhancement technology.  Basically, this type of camera uses light in the ambient light and some near-infrared light.  The camera basically multiplies the number of photons that reach the viewable phosphorus screen by passing the photons through a device called an image-intensifier tube. The phosphorus screen is what causes the eerie green that has become associated with night vision.  The biggest drawback for these cameras is that they do require some light in order to work, even though that level can be very low. That problem can be overcome using low energy LED lights.

Wireless IP camera technology has really moved the home security industry.  Because of its non-wired property, an outdoor wireless security camera is easy to install. It can be attached to the home network via the wireless IP signal and can be viewed from any PC that has access to the network. This makes installing a wireless security system extremely straightforward, just mount the camera and set up a personal computer to receive the signal.  Since there are a number of different protocols, make sure that the IP camera you purchase can communicate to the system it is attached to.  Of course, as long as you maintain compatibility and protocol, some of these cameras can be viewed over your I-phone or PDA Device. The biggest drawback that wireless IP cameras have is that most have to run on battery power.  So, a regular schedule of battery maintenance must be set up in order to insure that the system stays up.

Outdoor security camera systems really do have the capability of protecting your home both day and night.  With the advent of wireless, you now have the capability of monitoring that system from virtually anywhere in the world.  The next step is up to you.

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Protect your Business with Powerful Surveillance Services

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Rob

As a successful entrepreneur; you are prepared to face risks that may threaten the stability of your business. You have a back-up source of finances and well-planned strategies in case things go wrong. You understand the importance of protecting your business from all sorts of threats that may result in bankruptcy. After all, this business is the realization of your dreams, the fruit of your hard work, your blood and sweat. It’s quite understandable that you’d do everything you could to keep your business running. But what about the things that are out of your control? Obviously, you can’t keep an eye on your shop every minute, every second!

Hiring a specialized provider of surveillance services for your shop or office is a great option for super busy businessmen. Admittedly, there are some things that you cannot manage on a 24/7 basis such as the productivity of your employees and the possible theft of goods or services. A good surveillance service is not only reliable; it’s also a worthy investment that you won’t regret. If you are thinking that it’s just an additional cost for your company, you are badly mistaken. The truth is, business experts actually advise corporations and big companies to invest in surveillance services to save money. Such services help minimize fraud, falsification, burglary, and malpractice; which will benefit the company in the long run.

One of the many things that you wouldn’t want to happen is to have employees fraudulently claim to have been injured inside the work premises. You may suspect that these employees are just taking advantage of the law. However, without solid evidence you or your insurance company will have no choice but to pay out thousands of dollars for work-related accidents. Private investigator companies routinely supply evidence that can prove insurance fraud by simply installing a surveillance video camera. With that, activities in every corner of the work place are recorded, like who is coming in and out of your office. Thus, injuries are not only verified, but preventive actions are also taken to stop accident fraud from happening in the first place.

Another advantage of getting surveillance services is the fact that you can monitor the productivity of your employees, even when you are away. Often wondering what your staff is doing while you are in an out-of-town business trip?  Being uncertain about your employees’ efficiency while you are away can stress you out and may hinder you in achieving your business plans. Investing in video surveillance services will definitely give you peace of mind. Modern technology allows such videos to be viewed through the Internet. Hence, business owners are able to monitor the operation no matter where they are. This is especially advantageous to businesses that have branches in different locations because they can be viewed simultaneously from any branch.

For some wealthy businessmen, threats of burglaries follow them even at the comfort of their own house. They become the primary target of burglars and thieves. A home security surveillance system is one of the best things to provide them with the security to have a good night’s sleep. Cameras attached to the home surveillance system are used to take pictures of what is happening throughout the day, giving you a sense of security as if you have your own bodyguards.

All things considered, hiring a professional provider of surveillance services will benefit your business in several ways. Knowing that your assets are well-protected is enough reason to stop worrying. While it is quite true that you cannot keep an eye on your business 24 hours, 7 days a week, having a security system is a huge help especially if you want to spend time doing other things that matter to you. Sure, there are problems that you cannot control such as thievery, employee fraud, etc. Yet, you can do something to prevent such unfortunate things from happening.

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Camera Surveillance Systems Affordability

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Rob

Have there ever been times that you wished for a camera surveillance system in your house?  Have you ever heard the doorbell ring and wonder who was there, or worse, answer the door to find no-one at the door.  Moms often times wish that they didn’t have to drop what they are doing and go check on the kids in the back yard.  Small business owners, struggling to get by, sometimes don’t have a clue as to whether merchandise is walking out the back door or not.  In all of these cases, a camera surveillance system can provide a solution.  Many people think that these systems are just too expensive to consider.  Until the last few years, that was true. However, in today’s day and age, camera surveillance systems come with many different options and are affordable for any budget.

Technology has been racing forward at a breakneck speed.   We are all benefitting from the advances by seeing the price of camera surveillance system.  There are two varieties. The first is PC based as it has a tower and the functions of the system are carried out by (usually) a Windows based program.  The good thing about the PC based systems is that they can integrate well with wireless cameras to form home based wireless surveillance camera systems that have all of the power of their wired cousins at a fraction of the cost.

The second and more popular version is based on an embedded DVR. There is no software to install, as all of the systems functions are embedded in microchips.  Up until recently, basic two camera DVR systems cost over $1,000.  Today, you can get a system that includes the two cameras, a DVR , 120 minutes of looped recording, live viewing from anywhere via the internet, PDA, VGA, and USB outputs for under $400.  Many of these features were not available five years ago, for any price.

A PC based surveillance video camera system is more expensive than the DVR type for two reasons.  First, they come with more hardware than the DVR types, the PC tower and a minimum of four input cameras (sources).  Second, because they are PC based, the software comes with more flexibility and can be updated easily. These systems usually com with image control software that gives you more options on the output side.  All of this functionality comes with a price.  These systems start at over $1,000.  While this might seem expensive, it is an order of magnitude cheaper than ten years ago.

For people willing to take the time to research and install camera surveillance systems, it can be done for a minimum amount of money.  The systems are well worth the amount of money spent for the security and peace of mind that they provide.

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How to Choose a Surveillance Camera

Posted on August 15, 2009 by Rob
Security Camera

Security Camera

Cameras are the eyes of camera surveillance systems.  Without them, you are blind to whatever your system is set up to observe.  There are dozens of types of cameras to choose from and hundreds of models as well.  So, What factors do you use to determine the camera that is right for you?  It all starts with planning.  When determining the right camera for you system, match the camera to the requirements developed from your plan.

After you have determined the need for a camera surveillance system, you will put together a plan with a list of camera requirements related to the goal of the plan.  In deciding on your camera, review the list of camera requirements and filter out all of the ones that relate to the purchasable attributes of the camera.  Here is a list of important things to consider when developing your camera requirements :
  • Do you want the subjects to be aware of the camera.  In other words, should the camera be hidden?
  • Distance from camera to receiving unit. Any obstructions?
  • Lighting conditions
  • Level of resolution
  • Motion of subjects
  • Remote control of camera
Once you have this list of requirements finalized, use it the determine the features desired on your camera. Some of the features will be critical in the success of your surveillance camera system.  for instance, if your system needs to recognize faces, then you need to choose a CCD image sensor over the lower quality CMOS. Also, environment is an important consideration.  For instance, the requirements are much different for an outdoor security camera system than they are for an indoor system.  Some important features to consider are:
  • Wired or Wireless
  • type of antenna for wireless
  • Pinhole camera
  • Type of image sensor to determine resolution – CCD (charged couple device) or CMOS (complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor)
  • With or without audio
  • weather resistance
  • color,  black and white, infrared
  • Illumination factor, LUX rating
  • fixed focal length, varifocal lens or auto iris lens
  • video standard – NTSC, PAL or SECAM

Once you have determined the ideal features of your camera,  work with your local supplier to find cameras that best match these features.  Cameras will have a wide variety of options.  Simple is best.  Pick the camera that matches your needs the best without functionality that you will never use.  Use your budget and the features that are most important to determine the camera that works best for you.  Wireless surveillance camera systems are significantly less expensive than their wired counterparts.  Also, fake security cameras can help save expenses.  If you follow these simple guidelines, you will end up with a camera that meets your needs and integrates beautifully into the rest of your surveillance video camera system.

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Camera Surveillance System Technologies

Posted on July 21, 2009 by Rob

The technologies for camera surveillance systems has evolved dramatically over the last 20 years.  This article will educate you on basic system technologies currently available.  After reading this, you should be able to make the right choices when designing a video camera surveillance system that will meet your expectations.

First, we have to understand the different surveillance camera systems technologies, their operations and benefits. The technologies range from 25 year old “Analog” to cutting edge “Digital”. Your goals and what you want to accomplish will dictate which technology is right for you.  There are three types of surveillance technologies that you have to consider.

The first is analog recording systems.   Basically, these systems consist of the cameras, some sort of muliplexor to comverge the signals, and a VCR.  There are many advantages to this type of system.  No post processing required in the field/lab.   Data storage (VCR tapes) is cheap, $2 – $3 /tape. Changeout time in field is quick, as long as it takes to swap out a VCR tape.  Easily display output on analog monitors.  Most television repair stations can service the recorders.  Sampling techniques can easily be implemented to save storage with the analog camera surveillance system.

The next type is the digital recording camera surveillance system.  Digital recording systems can be broken down into two categories, but they have many things in common.   Most digital video security systems are intended for short bursts of important data (i.e. the five minutes while an entry is compromised) or for some few hours (i.e. while the robber is checking out the casino without his mask on). The video data being stored on the hard drives is immediately available to the police or security for downloading to the internet, digital storage cards, DVD’s, etc.  When the event is over and the small amount of critical data is archived off of the hard drive, the hard drive is then placed back on line to record new video data.  At some point in the future, depending on DVD capacity, it will start to write over the data previously recorded but the small amount of security critical data has been saved.  Many resolution levels are available and they go to much higher levels than most analog systems. Various compression schemes are available MPEG 2 , MPEG 4, etc.  Tremendous range of storage capacities from 20 gig to terabytes.  The variety of hard drive video recorders is growing explosively.  Digital systems generally require less power than analog systems.  Moisture in the environment is generally less of a problem than it was in the past because the hard drives are sealed much better.

The two types of digital recording video surveillance systems are PC based systems and hardware based systems.   PC based systems are more flexable and have a wide range of functionality.  They are also the most popular for home surveillance systems.   Limitations are that the system runs on a PC with the Windows Operating System and all of its flaws and limitations. Also, users must have average or better computer skills.   The hardware based system is built specifically for camera security systems and is much less likely to experience operating system issues.  However it is the more expensive of the two options.

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Why Install a Camera Surveillance System?

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Rob

People Install a camera surveillance system for many different reasons.  However, whether it is to prevent shrinkage for a small business or to watch the kids in the back yard for a family, it all boils down to one thing.  Peace of mind.  So, when you’re ready to install a video camera surveillance system in your business or home, you can be rest assured that you are about to feel a whole lot safer. People install these security camera surveillance systems for so many different reasons. No matter what your reason, the one thing everyone can agree about is how good you feel when your property is protected and the peace of mind it provides.

Surveillance camera installation can be used to monitor the activities of your business.  A well placed system prevents employee theft.  Studies have found that the average dollar loss per employee theft is sometimes more than 5 times the amount of the average shoplifting incident.  Whether your business is commercial, manufacturing or retail, the design and implementation of a camera surveillance system should be an integral part of your loss prevention and anti-theft program.  If burglary is an issue, there are motion activated, infrared, security cameras that will take pictures automatically whenever someone moves in front of them and then digitally storing the pictures within the micro-camera.  This allows you to retrieve them later just by plugging the camera into your TV/VCR. A more expensive option is a video camera surveillance system with the same attributes.  Even if you do not have theft or burglary issues at your business, many times you can significantly reduce your business insurance premium when you install a security camera surveillance system.  All you have to do is call your insurance agent.  They will do the leg work for you and check your policy to see if you can save money.  Many times, the savings can pay for the system within a year.

Homeowners are one of the biggest benefactors of camera surveillance system’s.  You can monitor the activities of your home while you’re away, so you will be sure of the safety of your children and your pets while you are away. You can even arrange for a motion detector to alert you via pager or e-mail when there is a disturbance at your home or business or to activate recording.  You can set up a camera surveillance system for your backyard if you have a pool there, or just to keep an eye on the kids.  Setting up a camera at the front door can save lots of needless trips to answer the door for pesty solicitors.

Security camera surveillance system are not expensive anymore.  They can notify you of suspicious activity where ever you are in the world.  Security camera surveillance systems are easy to install. In fact, it takes less than a few minutes to determine the system that’s right for you, and have it installed in your home or business. They can be installed by yourself or by a professional.  If either case, it is most likely that the peace of mind that they provide more than outweighs the costs involved.

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Planning for a Camera Surveillance System

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Rob
Security Camera

Security Camera

When you decide to invest in a camera surveillance system, the best thing you can do is to sit down and write the reasons why and then do a little planning.  This is the best way to make sure that the camera surveillance system you end up purchasing will match your needs.  It would be most unwise to purchase a CCTV camera whose level of focus makes it impossible to tell somebody’s head from a pumpkin if you need to identify faces.  You get the idea.  This article will provide an overview of points to consider when planning your camera surveillance system.

First, you have to think about how the video created by your system will be used, where it will go, who has access to it, and length of it’s retention.  Questions, such as:

  • Will you be archiving the recordings?
  • If so, how long will the recordings be kept?
  • What times is your system active, 24hrs?
  • What level of detail do you need?
  • Do you need color?
  • Is real-time remote viewing desired?

need to be asked.  All of those questions are concerned with the output of your system.  The camera is the most important piece of the system as far as determining the format and quality of that output.  Now that you know what you want for your video output, what about the CCTV cameras for your camera surveillance system?  Here are some questions to ask yourself when planning for the cameras of your system:

  • Should the CCTV cameras be static or remote controlled?
  • Indoors or outdoors?
  • If outdoors, what are the weather conditions?
  • What is the lighting situation?
  • Is there a power source for all cameras?
  • Is the CCTV camera housing secure enough?
  • Wired or wireless?
  • Should the camera be concealed or not concealed?

There are probably questions that you will need to add to this list based on your unique situation.  Once you have answers all of your questions,  go talk to a professional to make sure you have not missed anything important.  A competent pro will most likely have some suggestions for a camera surveillance system that will fit your needs.   Problems arise mainly when a buyers bring home camera surveillance systems that doesn’t fit their situation and then struggle to make it fit. If you determine your needs ahead of time by answering these questions as accurately and concisely as possible, and then getting competent advice, your camera surveillance system installation should be manageable.

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