Best outdoor surveillance camera system

October 20th, 2012

Finding the best outdoor surveillance camera system can be a daunting task if you don’t know at least a little about them. We will go ahead and cover many of the available features so you can be better prepared when you shop for your system.

IR or Infrared
IR allows the camera to “see” at night so the cameras don’t become useless when the sun goes down. It does this by utilizing multiple (the number depends on the model) IR bulbs to help the camera see. by lighting the area.

The human eye cannot see the IR light being emitted by the bulbs because it is outside of our viewing color spectrum but the camera can see the light and use it quite well.

It takes perfect darkness and makes it look like it is light out and is very much a feature you want in any security camera you may choose.

Weatherproof Cameras

If you plan on putting any security cameras outside they must be weatherproof if you plan on the lasting any amount of time. The best outdoor video surveillance camera systems out there will be weatherproof for sure.

If you live in an area with extreme temperatures you may also want to consider a camera system that has a heater for extreme cold areas and a fan for extreme heat.

PTZ or Pan, Tilt and Zoom

Depending on the area you are trying to cover the ability to pan, which means move side to side can help you cover a larger area with one camera although it does also allow for “holes” in your security setup as it pans if your system is not planned out carefully.

Tilt allows you to tilt the camera up and down although this is generally a manual feature unlike pan. Being able to move the camera around allows for monitored security cameras to hone in should someone try and slip under the cameras viewing area.

Lastly, Zoom allows you to zoom in for a close up of a face or even a vehicle’s license plate number. This is also a great feature for any monitored or unmonitored security cameras because it allows you to adjust the camera’s viewing area by zooming out to cover a larger area with less detail and zooming in to cover a smaller area with greater detail.

Wireless Security Cameras

In my humble opinion the best outdoor wireless surveillance cameras are the models that have built-in DVR’s. This makes the unit self contained allowing you to avoid the pitfalls of trying to get your wireless signal to penetrate your walls and get to the receiver. Now of course this issue can be managed if you are able to situate your wireless receiver near a window facing the camera to limit the interference of any metal in your structure’s walls.

The reason people choose wireless over wired is for easy of installation since there are no wires to run but you also have to consider power has to be supplied to wireless cameras since they will not get it supplied to them through the wire like wired models.

Built-in DVR’s

Like mentioned briefly earlier, the models that have the built-in DVR’s are the best outdoor surveillance camera system for those that don’t want to deal with a bug system and only wants a camera or two. Since they are self contained they just get installed in an area so they can view what you need them to record.

When you want to see what is on the recording you simply remove the SD-CARD and plug in into your PC, laptop or even camera to view the data. The beauty of this is that you can set it to only record when motion is detected so you won’t have to waste time going through hour after hour of nothing.

Just think things out and be sure you have some kind of a game plan before you buy so you don’t waste your hard earned money on something you don’t really need.

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Home Security Camera Systems with DVR

October 4th, 2012
When looking to invest in Home Security Camera Systems with DVR recording capabilities, it is good to do your research to ensure you get the right system for your current situation. Some of the things you need to consider is the parts of your home you want to cover, what capabilities do you need at a minimum like remote access, not to mention how much you want and can afford to spend.
The best place to start is by following the steps below:
  1. This really is the start, figure out exactly how much can and will you spend on your Home Security Camera System?
  2. Decide if you want to capture video within the home as well as outside of the home?
  3. Decide if you need to be able to view video remotely over the internet in either real-time or recorded video?

One thing you can do to help with step one is to utilize fake security cameras mixed in with real ones to help bolster your system as far as the standard crook will be concerned. They look exactly like the real thing and will fool most criminals.

With step 2, there are actual home security camera systems which are built right in to the camera itself. It has the camera and the built in DVR so they are easy to install and use and you can add them as you go along and expand the system easy. This goes for both inside and out.

The downside to these types of cameras are that you can not access them remotely to view the video and you must actually remove the SD card in order to watch the video.

Most Home Security Camera Systems with DVR recording, utilize a recorder that can handle up to 4, 8, 12 and even 32 cameras at one time allowing you to choose a system that can be scaled to your security needs and financial situation.

So you don’t need to have a monitor to dedicate to your security system you can generally get one with your system.  If you already have a good monitor, you may be able to save some money by excluding it if possible.

Now as mentioned in step three, often Home Security Systems will come with what is termed as networking capabilities which is just a fancy way of saying it can be connected to the internet.

Now the beauty of this is that you can view the video and if the model supports it, that will include real-time video allowing you to actually keep an eye on things at home while you are not there.

This can be very handy if you have “latch-key” kids at home while you are at work or on your way home in traffic. If the Home Security Camera Systems with DVR has the ability, you can connect over the internet even from your smartphone allowing you a sense of security that bad things are not going on there.

The best thing to do is to be sure you think about future expansion, you don’t want to buy a 4 camera system and find you need 6 cameras down the line. You would be better off getting a 8 camera system from the start and add up to 8 cameras slowly over time as money allows.

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IP Cameras for home – What are they and how do you use them?

October 2nd, 2012

IP CameraYou may have come across IP Cameras for home use and have wondered to yourself “what are they and how do you use them?”. The answer to these questions is probably much simpler than you may think.

IP cameras are simply security cameras that be connected to your home or business network by way of an Ethernet or wireless connection. Then just like a printer or any other device it is able to access the internet or be accessed by PC’s on the same network depending on how you set it up.

Being able to access the internet connection through your network allows you to view your IP cameras online over the internet so you can see what is going on at your home or business when you are not there.

If you buy a weather resistant version you can even use your IP cameras outdoor so you protect your home. They usually come with software to allow you to install it on a PC or more and record the video from the cameras in your network.

Hidden IP CameraCompared to buying a full surveillance system with a DVR which can be pricey, you can setup a home security system for much less money. Now of course, you don’t get all the same functionality you can with stand alone DVR’s and the PC you use has to have a good sized hard drive in it to hold the video or you have to overwrite which can bite you in the butt down the line.

But for getting started IP cameras are a perfect way to increase the security level of your home or even small business, without spending a fortune.

As for IP cameras with audio which many people want to get, are alas illegal and not available to the general public to avoid misuse. So in other words the only people allowed to misuse this technology is the government and law enforcement and intelligence agencies. LOL
Finding IP cameras for sale online is a snap as there are tons of retailers offering all types from hidden IP cameras to visible ones. Take your time and be sure to consider long-term and the ability to expand the system as needed and possible.
You may find a healthy mix of hidden IP cameras will help to make it tougher for any criminals to defeat your security setup and disable your cameras.

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What is a PTZ camera

September 28th, 2012

What is a PTZ camera? Well that is simple, it is a security camera with the ability to pan, tilt and zoom. Now if you know anything about cameras your question is fully answered but for everyone else we will go over exactly what all this means and what are the benefits of these types of security cameras.

What does pan, tilt and zoom mean?

Pan is probably the feature that trips up most people but it is much simpler than you imagine. It just means that it can swing side to side. Now you might be thinking that all cameras can do this but you would be very wrong. Most security cameras are stationary and if they are able to be adjusted it is a manual adjustment which means you must be at the camera to move it.

A camera that can pan can do so remotely as well as automatically allowing you to cover a larger space or to take control and fix the camera in on one point to catch something you see there on video.

Tilt is much like pan except it allows you to move the camera up and down. Just like pan this is also mot a feature you find on standard security cameras and you must purchase a PTZ security camera to get these functions.

Zoom is as the name alludes, the ability to zoom in up close on a a target or specific area. This is especially useful for manned security cameras so the person can zoom in on the face of a possible suspect.

Benefits of using PTZ cameras - 

Well as you can imagine being able to pan allows you to cover a much larger area and also manually move the camera in to a specific area to avoid someone being able to move “off camera”. This is also the same benefit of the tilt feature of PTZ security cameras as is the zoom feature.

All 3 features give you so much more control than you get from a standard security camera and if this is a constantly manned security post it will allow the guards to keep an eye on a much larger area and allow them to get granular on the controls should something happen that needs to be captured thoroughly on video.

How to use the PTZ cameras features - 

Most of the newer PTZ cameras are all controlled by software. This means you can sit down at your security console and take control of the camera and use the virtual joystick (controlled by your mouse or keyboard) to move it around as desired. For older PTZ security cameras they have an actual separate controller with a joystick that you will use to control the camera.

These PTZ cameras will definitely cost you more than standard cameras but are well worth it if your situation warrants them. They also usually come in sealed, domed, vandal resistant enclosures which helps to protect your investment.

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How to use a Hidden Nanny Camera

September 20th, 2012

Determining how to use a Hidden Nanny Camera properly is not too difficult a task thankfully. Much of how to use it depends on what you are using it for, in other words is this to catch a cheating lover, keep an eyes on the kids’ caretakers, watch your landlord or roommates to see if they touch your stuff?

As you can see there are tons of uses and reasons for using Hidden Nanny Cameras for home so let’s cover them quickly. Depending on who you are watching, that will dictate which type of camera you can utilize. You see these days you can get them hidden in just about anything.

For watching the nanny or babysitter one of my favorite new Hidden Nanny Camera DVR models is the Flower Pot Hidden Camera. It can be put anywhere in the house and not draw attention to itself. Not only that it has a build in DVR so that there is no need for wires or expensive recording devices.

You’ll want to place it in the room you expect them to be in the most and face it in such a manner to cover as much of the room as possible just be sure to test before you rely on the placement location. The main key with this type of scenario is to utilize a camera that will not draw attention to itself like a thermostat can since even babysitters want to adjust the temperature.

Using a Hidden Nanny Camera System to catch a cheating lover can be a little harder if they live with you so again you need to select a model that imitates something no one would notice. Any hidden camera that gets looked at close enough can be discovered so it is best to make it something no one pays any attention to at all.

Your key thing here is to be careful and bring it in when they are not around so that you have plenty of time to install, configure and adjust the camera as needed.

For catching a landlord or roommate that likes to come in and nose around your things whilst you are not at home you need to once aagain pick something they wouldn’t notcie and again here the flower pot hidden nanny cam would be aa good choise since again it is something no one would notice or pay any attention.

Look for a hidden nanny cameras sale if you don’t have an immediate need and get one at sale price to lower your cost. If you are in a hurry then I would recommend starting small and you can always upgrade down the line if so desired.

No matter what you choose hopefully this information will assist you in your search!

 

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How to use a camera for security purposes

September 15th, 2012

Using a Camera for Security

If you are wondering how to use a camera for security, there are tons of options and circumstances that can be helped by the presence of some type of camera. There are really 2 main types of security and that is personal and home security.

Regardless of which is your main concern it is a good idea to get something to ensure you can catch what you need on video when you need it!

Camera for Personal Security

screw hidden cameraFor your personal safety you can carry and small hidden camera dvr to ensure you always have something with which to record when needed.

This can be handy when you don’t want the other person to know you are recording the event like they would if you used your phone or something obvious like that.

Your choice of portable security cameras is vast and includes everything from a pen camera to sun-glass and wrist watch cameras. They are putting out new models every year and most will do audio as well as video; although bear in mind they only record a couple of hours which is why they are allowed to do both video and audio.

I have a camera in my vehicle that I use when driving in the off-chance that I get into some accident or something crazy goes on while I am out and about driving my car. You just never know when something will happen.

There is another use for cameras when it comes to securing your person and that is using hidden cameras to catch a cheating spouse or lover, a thieving landlord or room-mate or even an abusive child caregiver.

Camera for Security Home

Here you have a couple of options from which you must decide. One being whether you are going with a hidden camera or just a regular dome or bullet camera. What you decide here will dictate your installation options.

If you go with hidden they can hide cameras in just about any household item and make cameras so small they only need a pin-hole to look out of to see everything.

For a dome or bullet camera for security systems they are not hidden and should be placed facing doors and window areas. They are more designed to help deter crime or at least catch it on video so you can have a better chance of catching and prosecuting the perpetrators.

domed security cameraDome cameras are best placed at doorways so they can catch everything coming in or out of that door and bullet security cameras  are best used to cover larger (wider) areas like entire rooms or sides of the home if used outdoors.

A little note if using a video camera for security outdoors as well as indoors. If you live in an extreme temperature area of the country you need to take the weather into consideration.

If you live in a extreme heat area your camera bakes in the sun all day so you need to take into consideration of how much heat it can handle which can be offset by use of cooling fans.

For extreme cold weather areas you may need to install a heater to keep the unit from freezing in the extreme cold. This doesn’t mean that just because you get some snow you need to worry about this you just need to be aware of what temperatures the camera can withstand and prepare accordingly if necessary.

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Home covert security cameras

September 5th, 2012

Your options on different types of home covert security cameras vary depending on whether you plan to use them indoors, outdoors or both. The reason for this is that there are fewer covert cameras that are weatherproof so that they can be used outside so your options are more limited although this is changing as times goes on.

For indoor cameras you have an immense number of options from models as small as a screw to just about any household item there is that isn’t liquids related. If you are looking to protect your children and watch their caretakers you may find a smoke detector covert camera is a good option for you.

If you are looking more to protect your home from thieves you may want to go with a wall mirror camera. It can be placed in each room and the number of covert security cameras you can have at one time depends on your camera DVR and if they are wired or wireless. Generally you will not want more than 4 wireless cameras going at one time to avoid interference as there are only so many available frequencies that they can access.

You can find covert security cameras systems that generally range from 4 to 32 cameras although there are larger systems for business use but that is outside the scope of this discussion. To avoid confusion, when you see 8 (or higher) wireless camera systems, generally, there are only 4 wireless cameras as part of the system and 4 wired cameras to make the 8. Once again this is to avoid interference.

As I mentioned earlier, compared to indoor camera options your Outdoor Covert Security Cameras come with fewer model choices but over the last year alone many new models are starting to come out including a rock covert camera with a built-in DVR. The built-in DVR seems to be a prerequsite as all of the good outdoor covert cameras have one.

My favorites are the spotlight covert security cameras which are motion activated spotlights with built-in cameras and DVRs so you get the best of two worlds. The spotlights help to ensure the camera can always get a nice clear shot of the scumbags messing around your place.

What I like about the outdoor cameras with the DVR’s is that you don’t need to try and run a wire from it to your recording device and using a wireless camera leads it vulnerable to interference and line of sight issues. Wireless cameras need a certain amount of unobstructed air between it and the receiver which is in the home.

If your house has a lot of metal it can cause the signal to degrage to the point of not being useful, it really all depends on your home’s construction. With these models with the built-in DVR’s don’t need anything but power!

As you can see it really does vary when it comes to choices depending on your desired usage but either way there are many great cameras that you will be able to find that will cover all your needs!

 

Stay safe out there!

Charles Dougherty

 

 

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Bullet cameras vs Dome cameras – Which is the better option for the home?

August 25th, 2012

When it comes down to choosing between bullet security cameras vs dome security cameras it all comes down to what you want to accomplish. You see there are two schools of thought. Some believe that criminals are deterred by the sight of security cameras and will choose another target. Others believe that the presence of security cameras actually encourages the thief showing you have stuff worth guarding.

Although both thought processes have some merit, times have changed things rendering one invalid in today's world. The invalid thought is that it encourages theft. I say this because these days security cameras are so prevalent that even poorer low income families can afford to buy and use them for safety.

With all being said it really just comes down to functionality, costs and installation location. As far as functionality goes, both types have infrared capabilities which allows you to see in the dark so be sure whichever model you choose has this capability. The reason being that you don't want to be “camera blind” when the sun goes down.

As far as costs go, both types are affordably priced and vary depending on which features you choose as well as how high of a quality picture you want. I suggest the go for the highest resolution you can afford since it would be a shame and a waste to capture the faces of criminals yet not be able to make them out enough to be useful to law enforcement.

So far as you can see you can still go either way right now with a domed security camera or a bullet security camera. Where the true choice difference comes in is the installation. 

Dome cameras are great for doorways and overhead installations although they can also be installed on the side of buildings or poles. It just isn't their strong point which is the overhead installation options. Most dome cameras look down and to one side unless you get one with pan/tilt and zoom (PTZ) capabilites so you have to take this into consideration for proper installation.

The bullet camera because of the shape (see picture to right for example), is better suited for the sides of walls and up in corners as their view is generally wider but the fall short when trying for overhead views. 

Another benefit of the dome camera is that many come armored. This means that it is much harder to disable the armored models since they are designed to withstand quite a bit of impact damage without failing.

Instead of deciding between the two types of cameras I personally recommend a combination of the two. Use the dome cameras over doorways to catch anyone coming in or out of the doors and then use bullet cameras up high on the home or a pole getting a wide view of the area you are attemoting to secure. 

The dome cameras are harder to notice since they lay flat (not including the large PTZ dome cameras) so they don't have the same amount of deterrent effect as the bullet cameras do as they come in sizes from small (like the one shown above) to rather large and easy to see. 

Think carefully about your desired installation locations and see what looks like the best fit for you and your individual needs. Remember you can always use dummy cameras to help bolster your security setup without adding a ton of cost to it.

 

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Hidden cameras being found in public places is becoming more common

August 2nd, 2012

There seems to be an influx of stories of hidden cameras being found in doctor’s offices, bathrooms, changing rooms and even beauty salons. All of this is being done for the most part by very sick individuals who are just looking for a thrill. I say for the most part because some are just poorly thought out and executed security plans by companies.

What gets my goat the most is that as long as you can’t make out who the person is on the video, often there are no charges filed. I don’t get this, that is the same as saying it is okay to shoot a gun up in the air in the center of a crowd as long as you aren’t shooting directly at someone. The intention is the same either way.

What they have done is shown these scumbags exactly how to commit this crime without the fear of prosecution. That doesn’t change the fact that even though you can’t see the face, they can still see the private parts they were hoping to get on film. This means your private parts could be on some website for every pervert in the world to view while he pleasures himself. Comforting thought huh?

This issue needs to be dealt with as harshly as any other sex crime and then maybe they can curb this before it gets anymore out of hand. I listed part of a news story below and then under that you’ll find more to read. I added these to show you all that I am not being an alarmist, just stating facts.

Now if you are asking, “what can I do to protect myself”? The answer is you can either get a bug detector to scan for any hidden camera signals or you can also do visual inspections to find them. A lot of whether they are well hidden depends on who put them there. If it is a rogue employee like that guy in the news story below about the Omni Hotel in California, it can often be much harder to find the cameras as they will have time and opportunity to hide them well.

No charges will be filed against an Omni Hotel San Diego employee who resigned after admitting to placing a hidden camera inside a public bathroom at the luxury downtown hotel, police said.

The images captured on the webcam installed by former Omni Hotel employee Richard Bourque were not clear enough to identify the victims.

“Because neither victim was identifiable, the Penal Code section did not apply and the case has been closed, San Diego Police Department spokeswoman Lt. Andra Brown said.

Omni Hotel officials acknowledged the incident Thursday after being approached by investigative reporters earlier this week. …More at Omni Employee Resigns after Hidden Camera Discovery – San Diego 6

More Reading

Like I said earlier this isn’t something that is a 1 in a million shot of ever happening to you, the odds are much worse and getting worse every year as it gets easier to buy and use hidden cameras. Hell, we sell cameras that are screw hidden cameras. That’s right, a camera small enough to hide in the head of a screw. The only part you need to keep out is the head of the screw which no one would ever notice, the rest can be hidden behind the sheet-rock or just about anything.

Hidden camera detectors are what can help you level the playing field here. Should you have to buy one just to not have to worry about some freak taping you in secret…no you shouldn’t have to but if you want to be sure it doesn’t happen to you…you do have to buy one. Face it, this is a sick world and you need to be on your guard. Not paranoid just cautious.

Check out the Twitter buzz:

Like I said story after story and these are just the ones that are reported and make the news not to mention all the ones swept under the rug.

 

 

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Hidden cameras for cars

July 22nd, 2012

Hidden Cameras for cars are becoming much more common in newer vehicles and this is a good thing. Although most are just designed as a camera and not to record this will probably change over time. The benefits of recording your driving are immense.

This is for the lay person as well as anyone who has to drive a vehicle as part of their job, from delivery people to cab drivers and everything in between. If you have video capabilities should something like an accident or crime happen, it can help put an end to insurance fraud as well as a whole slew of other crimes.

Check out this article about backup cameras:

Consumer interest is growing in safety features such as backup cameras, blind spot warning systems and pedestrian alerts,

 according to a survey released Wednesday by Harris Interactive. It stands in contrast to fewer people caring about safety versus traditional vehicle needs — like gas mileage and quality — as cars become safer by the year.

The tangibility of such features could be driving interest. Features that elevated auto safety in the past decade — electronic stability systems, antilock brakes, side curtain airbags — are largely required by law today, but most were hidden from the driving experience. By contrast, a backup camera or blind spot warning system are used several times in a single commute….More at Consumers Want Backup Cameras, Blind Spot Systems – Cars.com News (blog)

 

As you can see by the video these things are easy to use and a very powerful tool should you ever need it. A good thing is that you can find hidden cameras for sale both online and off, at just about every where these days. This makes it much easier and even cheaper for you.

 

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