Are Security Cameras Really Needed for Homes?

Technological advancements and the rising demand for efficient surveillance devices are driving down the prices of security cameras and home surveillance systems, making them viable options for those who want to increase security at home. With safety threats constantly looming, here are just some of the many reasons why you need to install security cameras in your residence: 

• Even the safest neighborhoods are no longer safe. Even celebrity homes in exclusive gated communities are being broken into. It’s certainly worth it to have security cameras installed in your home and around your neighborhood, as this can help identify robbers and other dangerous characters should they infiltrate your streets. Security systems can give you as a homeowner peace of mind and can even help deter thieves and criminals from trying in the first place. Visible security devices have been proven to discourage crime. Having reliable security cameras that record all activity in important areas around your home is the best way to protect your property and your family from harm.

• Surveillance footage taken by security cameras can be used as court evidence, should you decide to pursue criminals who have robbed your premises or done damage to your property. These videos can be used by law enforcement agencies to trace culprits and put them in their rightful place.

• Security cameras are also excellent tools for monitoring nannies and caregivers as well as the quality of care they are providing to your loved ones. Whether you are an anxious parent or a careful son/daughter, security cameras can serve as a watchful eye on your loved ones and the people you leave them with while you are away. This will give you 24/7 access to their activities and help you ensure their safety in the hands of paid help.

Are Analog Camera Systems Easier to Install Than IP Camera Systems?

When looking for video surveillance systems, you are likely to come across two types: analog and IP camera. Both have their own set of advantages, and one might be better than the other depending on the application.

IP camera systems may seem like the better choice if you want modern and high-end cameras, but they require some technical and networking expertise, making them more challenging to install. They may not be the best option if you do not have a technician on board. 

As for analog camera systems, there are certain factors that make them easier to install. They may be the better choice than most IP camera systems in certain situations: 

• Availability – Analog cameras have been around for quite some time, making them widely and easily available. Just be sure to buy them from an established and reputable supplier that carries the products of well-known brands of security and surveillance equipment.
  

• Quick deployment – There is no need to assign IP addresses on analog camera systems. The IP address of a camera may change when you use DHCP, too, and you will need to it again.
  
• Low cost – Analog systems are generally cheaper to buy and maintain, helping you save money in the long run.
  

• Flexibility – Analog cameras come in many different designs, such as large PTZ cameras and small, covert models. It should be easy to find the right type and style of camera that will suit your surveillance needs.
  

• Compatibility – You can easily mix and match cameras in an analog system, regardless of their brand, type, and size. This will make it easier to integrate new cameras to an existing analog camera system without worrying about changing a thing. 

That said, the only way to know what system is best for you is to consult CCTV and security camera surveillance experts. They can determine your needs and recommend the right surveillance solution for your intended usage.

All in One Security Camera: TVI, AHD, CVI, Analog

HD analog technology is a compelling and increasingly available alternative to IP and traditional analog surveillance options. With HD analog formats, video security systems deliver greater megapixel resolution rates transmitted over coaxial cabling or HD over coax systems. They are also far less complicated to install, set-up, and operate than IP surveillance. Since the introduction of HD analog technology, several formats have emerged, including TVI, AHD, and CVI. All of these HD analog options provide the same basic benefits although each offers its own unique set of compatibilities and capabilities. 

HD analog technology offers the following benefits: 

• Higher quality images, with better clarity, high signal filtering, true color reproduction, and noise reduction.

• Coaxial cable (HD-over-coaxial) transmission, which allows for signal transmission over longer distances.

• Compatibility with 960H format storage and recording equipment and future compatibility with matrix systems and analog splitters.

• Video transmission is not subject to video latency and quality loss due to compression.

• System is easy to use and operate, owing to hassle-free configurations for both back and front-end devices.

• HD analog solutions offer high quality results at low cost. 

There are also hybrid all-in-one devices such as all-in-one HD CCTV cameras that support all HD analog surveillance formats, allowing for a more flexible surveillance solution. These devices support video surveillance formats, including TVI, AHD, and CVI modes at exceptional resolutions. Users can easily choose video mode using simple control devices (usually a small joystick), attached to the video cable. Like most surveillance camera types, hybrid devices can also be enclosed in weatherproof housing for ample protection, especially when used in outdoor installations. These devices also come built-in with infrared LEDs for efficient video capturing even in low and zero light conditions. Depending on the type of mounting bracket included, viewing angles can be adjusted to the appropriate direction the surveillance requires.

Why Use Video Surveillance Cameras for Your Home Security?

Securing one’s home against crime is a reality we must live with today. As thieves and other criminal elements become more sophisticated, locks and alarms sometimes are no longer enough—and adapting a more robust security solution becomes pertinent.

Video surveillance cameras offer a lot of benefits in improving your home security setup. Closed circuit camera systems give you the unique ability to be alerted of an incoming threat, even before it happens. Linked with other security systems like alarms or motion controlled lighting, it can act as an active defense against criminality. In fact, the mere presence of cameras in a location often discourages would be criminals from committing their unlawful deeds, making video surveillance systems a kind of deterrent against criminal activity. And in case a crime is committed, recordings from video surveillance cameras provide law enforcement authorities valuable information for solving a felony or tracking down the offenders. There are thousands of documented cases where closed circuit security footage has helped the police in resolving crimes and assisted in identifying the perpetrators, often leading to the faster arrest of suspects.

Installed properly with the help of a reputable company, video surveillance systems will give your household a significant boost in terms of security. It is important that you have a professional company install your closed-circuit video systems. They can recommend the right equipment and set you up with a package that will fit your needs, and more importantly, your budget. An experienced team with expertise in security consulting, can help with the application of industry standards and best practices to give you a more secure home. It may entail a significant amount of investment, but a good video surveillance camera system for the home will give you a greater sense of security and peace of mind in the long term.

Know Which Security Camera Will Best Suit Your Industry?

A wide variety of security cameras are available in the market today. The trick is to identify which camera system is best suited for your application, based on your particular needs and requirements. There are camera systems designed to cater to different uses, each with unique features designed for a specific purpose.

Home surveillance cameras are intended to be simple to install, use, and maintain, with a basic feature set meant for domestic use. They are packaged to be affordable. They leverage NVR and IP camera technology to allow homeowners to monitor their homes over the internet via a mobile device, tablet, or laptop.

Retail security cameras, on the other hand, are designed to be integrated with the store's POS terminal for easy access by the store manager. Box cameras mounted over the counter area are also standard to monitor employees as well as to keep an eye out for burglars or criminal activity inside the store. Security cameras also act as a deterrent for thieves and robbers, as criminal elements are less likely to try anything funny within the premises with the knowledge that they are being watched.

Commercial grade security cameras are comprised of large scale system of cameras, monitors, and recorders that allow a comprehensive security watch over whole facilities. They also double as a means to monitor employees for both productivity and safety purposes. Commercial systems use special cameras with infra-red capability, giving the system the ability to see even in the dark. This ensures 24-hour video surveillance to keep an eye on the business-critical parts of your operations. Cameras for industrial use are also designed with special housings and enclosures to protect against accidents in potentially explosive environments. They are sealed off so that in case of a surge (or if the camera module itself shorts out), workplace safety is not compromised and your employees are protected. 

What Are Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras and How Do They Work?

Installing closed circuit cameras in your home or workplace is a great way of providing an added layer of security where close monitoring and surveillance is needed. While standard wide angle cameras can usually do the job, there are situations that require more flexible solutions.  

Pan Tilt Zoom or PTZ cameras offer additional functionality for better surveillance coverage in sensitive areas. Unlike static closed circuit cameras, PTZ cameras have the ability to change their field of view by panning from side to side, tilting up and down, and zooming in and out of their subject. PTZ cameras can do this with the help of multiple servo motors and a gimbal assembly that allows for controlled movement in multiple axes. This ability gives PTZ cameras a wider and more versatile field of cover that static units cannot deliver.

These cameras can be controlled remotely to pan around and follow a subject—an ideal feature for law enforcement and other applications requiring close monitoring capabilities. They can also be set in scan mode, where they are preset to pan or tilt in a set pattern to automatically cover a wide area. PTZ cameras are also used as an economical solution for wide area monitoring. It can cover a larger space much easier often replacing multiple guards for a single camera operator, and thus reducing manpower costs. They are also an ideal option for locations where a placing a live human sentry is not feasible or downright dangerous, say in a prison setting, or industrial locations handling hazardous materials and the like.

The ability to zoom in close to the subject also give PTZ cameras a huge advantage over static camera systems. Being able to home in close to the subject provides more detail views and better subject identification, which is necessary in law enforcement applications.

Types of Fire Alarms Available Online

Generally speaking, there are two types of fire alarm systems available in the market: conventional and analogue. Conventional systems—the simplest and perhaps most common—are essentially simple ‘on off’ switches and offer the most basic alerting system. It lacks the ability to detect smoke, dust, or steam. The simplicity of it, however, makes conventional systems a very cost effective option for households and small buildings.

Analogue addressable systems are more modern alarm systems which can detect telltale signs of fire, like smoke or steam. They can also be assigned a specific "address" in the system so they give the functionality of identifying which alerts have been tripped or have a fault, effectively locating where in the building the source of the fire might be.

A popular choice for fire alarms are the automatic types, which are activated by heat detectors strategically mounted either on the walls or the ceiling. A variant of this is a system is one which is activated by smoke detectors instead. There are also combination smoke and fire detector types that sound a local alarm, in the presence of smoke or extreme heat. Some of these alarm types also have strobe lights that go off with the audible alarm sound to inform the building occupants of an emergency. These however, are all just alarm systems that alert of the presence of fire.

An automatic fire sprinkler system with heat detectors are common with offices and commercial establishments, where fire suppression is urgently needed. These work by having a heat sensitive material working as a switch, which is tripped when exposed to heat, sounding the alarm while simultaneously activating the sprinklers.  

The most advanced fire alarms incorporate an automatic sprinkler with both smoke and heat detection capabilities, with a control panel that works as a fire indicator capable of displaying which alarms are tripped and where the fire is.  This advanced system, besides sounding a local alarm, also sends alerts to the local fire department for immediate emergency fire response.

Knowing About 8 Channel NVR Security System

Installing traditional closed circuit camera systems can be challenging as it involves a lot of wiring and connections to sort out. NVR security systems offer less complicated solutions with a host of features that give them an edge on/over their analog counterparts.

Network video recorder or NVR systems, work much like a traditional closed circuit system. The main difference is in how the system components are interconnected. NVR systems connect using a wired LAN network or wireless connection or WAN. NVR leverages the use of IP cameras that can be connected via cable, or via wireless internet connection. This effectively gets rid of the wires and simplifies the physical installation of your cameras. As components for the network can be bought off the shelf from your IT equipment supplier, putting an NVR network together costs much less compared to analog systems that require specialized components and equipment.

Being fully digital, NVR systems also uses high definition H.264 video encoding, resulting in better picture quality and more efficient data transmission and streaming compared to most analog systems. NVR systems allow you to monitor your cameras via the web through your mobile device such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone. As long as you have access to the internet, you will be able to monitor any camera in your NVR network from virtually anywhere.

Network video recorders come in multi-channel packages, from basic 4 channel boxes to massive 128 camera systems for large scale applications. For the home or a small business establishment, an 8 channel NVR unit would normally suffice. Analog video systems often need to have a separate power distribution hub for the cameras that it uses.  Network video recorders feature Power over Ethernet or PoE, which allows you to run power to your cameras using the NVR itself to simplify wired connections to a single CAT5 cable.

How IP Cameras Are Better for Security Purposes?

Security surveillance systems that use IP (internet protocol) cameras can receive and send images or footage over a network or the internet.  IP cameras are like webcams but are more advanced as they are used for surveillance and security purposes. In fact, they are suitable alternatives to analog CCTV cameras—and they are widely used in homes, businesses, and commercial spaces. Some IP cameras can work better with an IP camera software, which provides access to more features of the system (like analytics and the ability to easily review footage remotely). This way, they are deemed beneficial for certain security applications.

IP cameras come in two types based on their operating systems: decentralized and centralized. The latter needs a network video recorder (NVR) to record images in digital format to a storage device like a hard disk drive. Decentralized IP cameras can run without an NVR, as they have built-in recording capability and record the footage directly into a digital storage media. In some cases, the footage can be saved and viewed live in the cloud. Regardless of your choice, you should be able to access the footage from anywhere with internet access.

Remote viewing is one of the most notable benefits of IP cameras. Hence, you can check what is happening in your home or office, even when you are not there. This can be handy if you are constantly away and you want to monitor your household or business and its occupants remotely. Some systems may allow you to view footage in real-time from your smartphone, too. IP camera systems can have as much cameras as needed, as long as there your broadband signal or strength can support them.

Certain features of IP cameras make them ideal for any security application. High-end units can capture high-definition and clearer images. Reputable suppliers carry IP security cameras, which have their own IP addresses. The cameras have smart functions, too, like a built-in computer system for network communication, and they are packaged with all the necessary things you will need to view footage over a network. IP cameras are reliable when identifying objects from a distance as they can zoom in without diminishing the image quality. They are easy to install, and most are plug-and-play units you can set up yourself.

Best Practices in CCTV Implementing Successful Video Security Systems

You need to make important considerations and decisions before making a CCTV purchase to make sure that what you are investing in meets your requirements. Additionally, you need to keep in mind certain codes of practice in implementing video security systems to ensure that there is an appropriate balance between your personal protection and civil liberties.

A good quality CCTV video surveillance and security system offers a world of benefits, ranging from crime detection/reduction to home safety, and when used in business settings; better business management and staff and public safety. Whether you are investing in a video surveillance system for your home or your place of business, it is important that you know exactly what you need to look for in an efficient system as well as the best practices in implementing video surveillance.

One of the most common flaws of old CCTV systems is having too-small an image size to enable recognition and identification of individuals pictured. For your footage to provide sufficient picture quality, it must be able to provide detail that can identify, recognize, and observe individuals beyond reasonable doubt. As a minimum requirement, at least one camera should be able to provide identifiable images of people entering your premises. This means a clear image of each person’s face as well as characteristics of their clothing, the items they are carrying, and other such details. Video signal from high-risk locations must not be lower than 6fps. For lower risk locations, 2fps is often enough. Recorded image quality must also be similar to what can be viewed live and video must be recorded at original size with minimal allowable amount of compression.

In addition to determining the best locations cameras within your premises, it is also critical to ensure the right angle and direction of view as well as the lighting conditions in the surveyed areas. Consider additional lighting in areas covered to achieve better quality images. These are only some of the most basic standards your chosen CCTV package must meet so you can be sure that you are operating with best practices in mind. If you’re ever unsure about your choice of system, seeking help from expert providers and professional security system installers is always a good idea.

Benefits of Using BNC Connectors for CCTV

Cameras and recorders aren’t the only things that are essential to your video surveillance system. For your setup to work, you also need secure connections. When you’ve decided to stick with the fool-proof stability of a wired system, finding the most appropriate accessories for your wiring system is critical, so you can make sure that there will be no unwanted disconnection once your system is up and running. There are three common types of camera cables and connectors that used in CCTV systems. These are BNC, RCA, and DIN.

The BNC or Bayonet-Neil-Concelman connector is the industry standard when it comes to transmitting video signal over coaxial connections. BNC connectors feature a special locking mechanism, which ensures firm attachment to the monitor or DVR. This unique mechanism secures the cable so that it will not come loose even when the line gets pulled and tugged by accident. Apart from being the industry standard for surveillance systems and CCTV cameras, BNC connectors and cables are also ideal because they offer consistent efficiency even over long distances of up to 300 feet. Cable quality affects this efficiency, so make sure that you invest in high-quality cables. Unwanted disconnections are prevented as BNC cables lock in place, which also contributes to consistent image transmission.

Using BNC cables and connectors, however, is not without its downsides, among which is requiring a separate power source and its inability to support audio. Unlike DIN and RCA connectors and cables, BNC can only transmit video, which can be a major limitation for those who also want to record sound in their surveillance.

There are various types of BNC connectors designed for specific uses, ranging from crimp-on connectors to twist-ons, F compression connectors, and F-crimp connectors. Your choice of BNC connector type to use should depend on the kind of connection your system requires.  

A Brief Guide on NVR Lock Box

NVR lock boxes house and protect video surveillance devices from tampering or vandalism. When incidents take place, your NVR might hold valuable proof and evidence against the person or persons responsible for any loss or damage to your property. 

CCTV NVR lock boxes are available in a wide range of configurations and sizes, including designs that are capable of housing more than a single device. These protective enclosures typically include cooling fans to make sure that the devices stored get the circulation they require so as not to overheat inside of the enclosed chamber. They are also constructed from the strongest and most durable materials (commonly steel), to ensure protection against tampering. Their locking doors are also designed for easy equipment access during maintenance and service periods. Many providers even allow custom configurations upon request to accommodate unique system requirements. 

NVR and video surveillance systems are excellent at protecting your property premises from possible criminal activity, but they can’t protect themselves. This is why it is important that you also invest in lock boxes, which keep your NVR and all other recording equipment, along with all the information stored in them, safe from damage and theft. 

There are many benefits to purchasing lock boxes for NVR system. Apart from keeping your recordings safe and making sure that they are there when you need them, they also provide maximum protection against damage and tampering. Many of these enclosures are large and spacious enough to store other NVR accessories like switches and other devices. Companies that supply them even offer custom sizes to fit different kinds of systems. While these safety armors make your equipment completely tamper-proof, they are designed to provide easy access for authorized people. Finally, these units come with highly efficient thermal management so as to protect your investment from heat damage and wear.