Did you know that you can have a video surveillance system protecting your home just like the one at your office, at the mall or at your local retail store? Home video surveillance systems have been around for quite a while, but in the past few years have reached a price-point that makes them accessible to the average homeowner. This post discusses (briefly) some potential benefits and options to think about when considering an investment in a home video surveillance system to help protect your home and family.
Why Have A Home Video Surveillance System?
No tool or technology will guarantee your home will not be burglarized. However, a home video surveillance system can be a powerful deterrent and, in the event your home is burglarized, can help police catch the perpetrators. There have been several incidents recently in the City of Atlanta where video from such systems helped to break up burglary crews and even a major stolen-goods crime ring.
These systems do represent an investment of both time and money, and may require some additional effort to secure recorders (so the evidence doesn’t get stolen!), but definitely are worth taking a look at as part of an overall personal safety plan.
Standalone DVRs
Standalone DVR systems are the heart of a “traditional” security camera setup and, like many things traditional, is a very safe bet at the expense of some inconvenience (think baking biscuits from scratch instead of from a vacuum can).
Pros
- Hardwired cameras and a standalone security DVR tend to be very reliable so long as power is available and generally can just be left running all the time. A UPS of the sort one might use with a computer usually can power both DVR and cameras through a short blackout.
- The quality of hardwired cameras tends to be better on a unit-cost basis as more money is available for good lenses, CCDs and shielding when there isn’t a network card or wireless card in the camera.
- Hardwired cameras generally are harder to compromise than wireless or network cameras.
- Hardwired cameras generally are significantly less expensive than wireless or network cameras.
Cons
- Installation is more complicated as both power and signal cables must be run from the DVR to each camera, though combo cables (a single cable carrying both power and signal) can make this easier.
- Standalone security DVRs often are firmware and don’t (or rarely) get software upgrades for new features. What you buy is what you get for as long as you own the DVR.
- Standalone DVRs are expensive as compared to some other options (see below).
What are some of the other options? There are as many alternatives as there are vendors, but I’ll try to hit the highlights.
Computer-Based DVRs
Add a multichannel video card to a standard desktop computer or a USB equivalent to a laptop computer, install the included software, connect some cameras (wired or wireless) and you have a software-driven, configurable security DVR.
Pros
- Assuming you already have a computer or buy a cheap one, the cost for the DVR often will be less than that for a standalone, even factoring in the cost of the card or USB device.
- The software for computer-based DVRs frequently has more functionality and customizable parameters than standalone DVRs, and can be upgraded with patches from the manufacturer.
- Like standalone DVRs, computer-based DVRs can use wired or wireless cameras.
Cons
- Computer-based DVRs are only as reliable as the computer. If the operating system crashes or the computer otherwise shuts down, the DVR is down and often has to be reset manually. Most standalone DVRs will simply reset if there is a glitch, with almost no gap in recording.
- Computer-based DVRs often have less space available for recording security video (unless one adds hard drives, which impacts cost), resulting in either shorter retention of video to keep space available or reduction of recorded video quality to reduce file size.
- Multichannel video cards and USB devices often are made by obscure manufacturers with varying warranty and customer support available. Same goes for the security DVR software. This can increase the technical savvy required of the user.
Wireless Video Cameras
Like everything else in the modern world, security cameras also have gone wireless. Instead of sending the video images to a security DVR (standalone or computer based) via a wire, the images get converted into radio signals that are captured and decoded by a receiver. X10 cameras are a variation of wireless video cameras.
Pros
- Wireless cameras can be easier to install and allow the location of the security DVR to be changed without the need to re-run wires between camera and DVR.
- Wireless cameras can be placed anywhere a power source is available and still within range of the receiver (usually 100′ or so) which can allow for some interesting and useful camera angles.
Cons
-”Wireless” is a bit of a misnomer, as the camera still requires power usually delivered via a wire connected to a wall-socket.
- Wireless cameras often trade off image quality for the convenience of one less wire and CCDs and lenses have to be smaller to accomodate the wireless transmitter without increasing the size of the camera body.
- Many wireless cameras (including the ones that claim not to) use frequencies shared by other wireless devices such as networks, cordless phones and baby monitors. This often results in interference that limits video quality and really annoys the neighbors when their home wireless network suddenly stops working.
Network-Based Cameras and DVRs
A comparatively recent security camera innovation is to use computer network resources both as the security DVR and the mechanism by which cameras are connected to the recorder. This can be accomplished as simply as connecting an off-the shelf webcam to a web-based recording service or, in more complex installations, using cameras that connect via hardwired data networks or wireless LANs.
Pros
- Network-based security cameras and DVRs can be as real or virtual as one would like and even outsourced just like any other data service.
- Video quality, especially when cameras are connected to a hardwired LAN, can be significantly higher than traditional wired or wireless video cameras.
- While non network-based security cameras and DVRs can be accessed remotely via the web, it generally is easier to do so with network-based security cameras and DVRs.
Cons
- The cost of the cameras can be significantly higher than for traditional wired or wireless cameras, especially when the cameras are going to be located outside.
- If the internet connection goes down, so does the network-based DVR if one uses a web-based service. Same goes for local security camera webservers if the computers on which they are installed go down.
- It can be easier for an intelligent and motivated person to disable network-based security cameras and DVRs than the traditional counterparts.
The Bottom Line
So, what is the right answer? Well, it depends. I personally have a standalone DVR and hardwired cameras. The DVR I purchased connects to my home LAN so I can access it remotely via the Internet (or from a computer elsewhere in the house). I have (but have not yet installed) a kit containing two wireless cameras and a receiver I can plug into the DVR that will allow me to place cameras on my two neighbors homes (with their consent, of course) to provide exterior views I can’t get with wired cameras on my own property. Finally, I use software running on a spare computer to duplicate the standalone DVRs files in real time so I can archive more video than the DVR itself can hold.
What is the right answer for someone else? It all comes down to:
1. Cost. The more you can spend, the better a system you can get. If your budget is more austere, some options may get more bang for your buck at the expense of features or reliability.
2. Features. Security DVRs generally do a small number of things very reliably (standalone) or a great many more things subject to higher failure rates (computer-based or network-based). Higher reliability plus more features equals greater cost.
3. Reliability. The more complex something is, the more prone to failure it will be. However, more cost-effective options often are more complex and more features require more complexity.
With no other input on means and preferences, I generally would automatically recommend a standalone security DVR with a network interface and at least eight camera inputs (you will wind up needing more than four, trust me). I would suggest a few good-quality hardwired cameras initially (weatherproof, infrared, with glass lenses and 1/3″ or better CCDs) covering entry doors and accessible windows (protect the perimeter first!), followed by additional cameras (potentially wireless) for other vantage points you might want to cover, like the front or back yards. I personally am not a fan of the network-based options, but they are improving and D-Link apparently has marketed a fairly sophisticated (and expensive) system that is on par with traditional systems but 100% network based.
Home Video Surveillance Systems - A High Tech Product To Safeguard Your Residence
Home video surveillance is an innovative means that many people choose to keep their home well protected. These systems are typically an integrated part of a home security system and have a variety of different uses. Surveillance products are usually used in the home's outdoor to help thwart off possible predators and to record anything unusual that may be going on. However, a system such as this is not limited to exterior use alone. In fact, many people use these both indoors and outdoors to have a sense of security and safety.
Other than the obvious uses for such products, like burglary and robbery, these products can also help secure property from fire and to monitor things when the individual is away. Monitoring from various places is a possibility, based on the system that is purchased. Not only does this provide several families with a peace of mind, but can help enhance their basic safety and standard of living. Just in case something happened, the homeowner has a hard copy of the event which can be quite beneficial to not only a police investigation but for insurance purposes also.
There are factors that the homeowner may like to consider before buying such items though. Home video surveillance products can vary quite significantly in terms of cost, quality and functions. Buying something that is easy to install and simple to use is often of high importance. This is part of the reason that it is highly recommended that systems be purchased as a whole. When trying to install or use such products, the integrating of various components can detract and even alter the effectiveness of the surveillance. In addition to this, it can cost the consumer considerably more time and money.
Are You Sleeping With The Enemy Find Out With Home Video Surveillance
Is your roommate acting weird and getting nasty? Why wait until it is too late? Take a proactive stance instead of just reacting. Install a home video surveillance to ease your mind.
Watch out for the danger signs
Living away from your parents demands that you take care of yourself, especially when you are in college. In college, you get to stay in a dormitory and share an apartment with strangers. You are lucky if you get a normal roommate. But happens if you get one who is acting strangely?
If your roommate mumbles to himself, or is not particular about his personal grooming, be very wary. Sleeping at night in the same room with this character can be unnerving. To ease your mind, secretly install a home video surveillance system.
You can ask your parents for the money. They won't refuse. After all, it's for your safety and well-being. Or you can use your credit card to buy the basic home video surveillance. The purchase should be done discreetly. Installing the system is simple, and you can monitor your roommate's movements without him knowing.
When covert surveillance can save your life
A lot of debate has been centered on the use and abuse of covert video surveillance. True, when surveillance is used as an invasion to an individual's privacy, it is illegal. To avoid any legal implications, never place a camera in the bathroom. In your case, you just want to be assured that you are safe with the weirdo sharing your room.
By monitoring his movements, you can be alerted if he has hidden a deadly weapon, or even any illegal stuff which may unfortunately also incriminate you when worse comes to worst. Don't leave your safety to chance. Nobody will blame you for it.
Preparing your spy ware
A home video surveillance system does not come cheap. A basic kit of home video surveillance will have four cameras, cable, connectors, and a DVR or digital video receiver. Going complete will give you an advantage. If you think this will slice a generous amount from your allowance, think ahead and know that can use this when you have your own home and family when the time comes.
Check out the Internet connectivity and remote viewing of the unit. You need these features to keep an eye on your strange roommate. Demand for high resolution cameras if you are going to buy one. You might catch the wrong housemate.
Setting up your electronic eye
Install the spy ware on a weekend. Place a wireless camera in the kitchen, receiving room, study room, and bedroom. You'll want to know who has been snooping around in your bedroom. Install the system when everybody has gone out to class or for a movie. It won't take much time to install. This can be done in a jiffy if you follow the instructions carefully.
The home video surveillance system will let you have access to it anytime and anywhere, as long as there is Internet connection. Once you have it installed, you'll never want to uninstall your electric eye. Confidence for your safety comes from knowing you are on top of everything.
Home Video Surveillance
In this day and age home video surveillance is becoming more of a necessity than an accessory. Digital video security and surveillance systems are very affordable and meet just about any budget. In addition, the systems are easy to install and do not require installation by a professional.
Not too long ago, home video surveillance was a luxury that only the incredibly wealthy could afford. That’s because the cameras and recording machinery were expensive; it normally required a licensed contractor or professional to install the system, and remote monitoring-if it could be done at all, was also expensive.
These were the times when cameras worked on the basis of the analog format only and video recorders were usually tape formats of either Beta or VHS formats. If one could afford remote monitoring, it was normally done by sending the system’s signal via radio frequency to a nearby monitoring station, which also was expensive.
However, in the late 1990′s to the turn of the century, the digital age had spawned the Digital Video Recorder or DVR. The DVR was used for many applications including recording television shows from cable or satellite subscribers. There were many advantages to digital recording as compared to its analog tape counterpart. One major difference is that the digital recording does not degrade over time like a VHS or Beta Tape. In addition, instead of using “looping” recording tapes, DVR’s could just start recording over on their hard disk drives.
As we “fast-forward” our account of the video security industry there have been several additional changes that have made home video surveillance more of a commonplace item than a rarity. Technological advances in electronics as well as computers have yielded powerful, smaller, and more efficient security components such as cameras, microphones, and monitors.
Today’s digital video security and surveillance system is more apt to be a component system. That is, individual pieces work and coordinate together to produce the outcome of the total system, much like the different peripheral devices of a computer. This has definitely proven itself advantageous for home video surveillance. Now homeowners can design systems with specific requirements and meet those needs using different components. In essence, the age of the “tailor made” or “individualized” home video surveillance system is here.
A typical home video surveillance system consists of three separate components; the cameras, the DVR and the monitors. Modern digital video surveillance systems don’t even necessarily require a monitor except to set the system up. However, the monitor is still probably the most widely used component of the system but may become not nearly as important in the future.
This is because more digital systems are becoming Internet compatible. For example, each of the feature DVRs offered by Security Camera King have built in Web server technology. That means that once connected to the Internet one or more users can control and view the home video surveillance system remotely, either from another Internet connected computer or a smart phone. Therefore, the use of a local system monitor is slowly becoming limited.
For that matter, with an increase in technology, newer features and improvements are being regularly added at astoundingly economical costs. Home video surveillance requires cameras of course, to gather the image (in the digital world this is referred to as “capturing). The digital video camera features available today seem almost limitless. Here’s a short list of just some of the features offered for digital video cameras:
Infrared based total darkness video capture;
Motion Detection;
Pan-Tilt-Zoom or PTZ camera movements;
Wireless equipment; and,
Internet Protocol or IP ready cameras that connect directly to the Internet.
There are as many features available for DVRs as there are uses. The following is a very short list of the many features offered for DVRs:
IP ready DVRs;
Motion Detection at the DVR level;
Pentaplex operation ( the ability to simultaneously monitor, record, playback, network, and backup);
Email notification alerts;
Burglar alarm sensor inputs and alarm devices outputs;
High resolution recording with high definition playback;
Two way voice support; and
The ability to add additional internal hard disk drives, CD/DVD writers, external Thumb drives, SD cards and other peripherals.
These are just a few of the features that are offered by today’s home video surveillance systems. If you are interested in purchasing a system or would like to inquire about one or any of its features, contact Security Camera King today.
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