Home security camera
systems are becoming increasingly popular in todays age because families want
the utmost in protection. Many camera systems can be purchased online and are
available from as little as a hundred dollars to sophisticated systems in the
thousands or even tens of thousands of dollar range.
So what's the
advantage over standard intrusion alarm systems?
As you might expect,
preventing crime is sometimes as important as solving a crime. Cameras act as
deterrents in many ways and can sometimes prevent an act of crime from ever
taking place. If you are unfortunately to have your home or property broken
into, though, cameras can also aid authorities in catching the perpetrator.
Camera systems are also becoming very popular with families who are
forced to be away from the home and rely on baby-sitters, pet-watchers or other
attendants. Peace of mind can come from just knowing that there's always a set
of eyes on the goings on inside your own home.
Camera systems also can
be implemented in many different ways. Standard surveillance cameras can be
placed in an out of reach, yet obvious position for the purposes of deterrance
and monitoring. Home security camera systems can also be stealthy and hidden
from sight so as to not alarm an individual or party that they are being
monitored. One must always check on laws and regulations as to what is
permitted, but assuming that your application is not illegal or immoral, hidden
surveillance systems are often the popular choice.
Security camera
equipment is manufactured by many companies. Some of the most popular companies
include:
Sony, Samsung, Sanyo, Ademco (Honeywell Video Solutions), Bosch
and more. These manufacturers typically package what they term CCTV systems
which essentially include cameras, monitors and recording equipment.
Wireless Security Systems
Security Cameras can be classified
as both interior and exterior. Obviously exterior cameras provide some self
protection against the elements, and usually include a metal visor of sorts that
mounts above the camera lens keeping inclement weather from obstructing the
view. Interior security cameras are just what they sound like - units designed
to only be used indoors within a certain temperature range and without coming
into contact with water or the elements.
Two other types of security
cameras, wireless and hidden are becoming all the rage today. Because the
manufacturing cost has come down with these cameras and demand has gone up,
companies are now able to market these security cameras for surveillance to a
large range of the consumer market. Now, every home that wants one can afford a
security camera or two.
Wireless security cameras are popular because
they allow the ultimate in flexibility of placement. Free from the limitations
induced when hardwired models are used, wireless cameras can be used quite
creatively in certain applications. The only real caveat of wireless security
cameras is that they often utilize a batter pack power supply source that needs
recharged and reinstalled every few hours. For this reason alone, many folks
stay away from this type of application.
Hidden cameras are certainly
the most popular. These types of security camera can be purchased for very low
costs and implemented quite easily in the home or business. Many folks choose to
install these hidden cameras to monitor suspect baby or pet sitters, cleaning
ladies and maids or other risks to your private valuables, property or loved
ones.
Be sure to check out all the links on these pages, read the
reviews, and check out the products in the ads on the right side of this page to
learn more about security cameras. Also, if you should choose to purchase a
security camera, please do not hesitate to come back here to Home Security
Systems and submit a review of your camera so that others can benefit from your
experiences.
CCTV - camera surveillance
For decades, CCTV (eg. camera surveillance) was considered an expensive form
of surveillance. In fact, CCTV was first only used in industrial process
surveillance, where the environment prohibited human presence. Not until CCTV
equipment prices began to fall in the 1970s did the technique become more common
in traditional security surveillance.
In the last few years, with the
advent of smart, computer-enabled surveillance technologies like network video
management software, use of surveillance systems for security reasons has
exploded. Nowadays, CCTV surveillance is within economic and technological reach
of even the smallest company.
IP Cameras vs. Analog Cameras
With an analog surveillance camera, the analog video signal is sent through a
coaxial cable to a video recorder or monitor. One cable can transport only one
video signal from one camera at a time. If you have two cameras, you have to
have two cables.
With an IP-based network camera, the network camera
immediately digitizes the images and the video stream is ready to be sent over
any computer network available. One network cable can easily handle signals from
two network cameras simultaneously. In fact, one standard UTP network cable can
forward images from more than 220 network cameras simultaneously, without
becoming overloaded.
Bridging the technological gap
IP-Surveillance technology offers more cost-efficient, future-proof
solutions that bridge the technological gap between the analog and digital
worlds. Video servers, for example, can be integrated into an analog CCTV system
to digitize analog video sources and distribute digital video over an IP
network -- essentially turning analog cameras into network cameras.
A major advantage of using a video server in an analog system is the ability
to access real-time video remotely, via an IP network. Live video can be
accessed by authorized personnel at any defined workstation on the network, or
over the Internet. Additionally, video servers can, using built-in serial ports,
control equipment such as Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras, or special cameras such as
super sensitive black/white cameras, miniature cameras and microscope cameras.
Furthermore, inputs, such as alarm events, can be used to trigger the server to
start transmitting images. Servers equipped with image buffers can also send
pre-alarm images.
Camera video server solutions are ideal for sharing
high-quality video streams over existing computer networks. Superior to analog
video solutions, IP-Surveillance means reliable and distributed access or
recording of high-quality digital images, and improved functionality and
cost:
- Reduced cabling and installation costs
- Digitization and compression within the network camera/video server
- Embedded Web server for remote access over the LAN/Internet
- Integration with existing analog CCTV systems
- Remote storage, reliable and secure
