Choose HDMI on Standalone DVRs

There are many benefits to having a surveillance system featuring a standalone (analog) DVR. For one, it gives you the power to remotely view your cameras from anywhere in the world via PCs or smartphone devices. And with the ability to add more hard drives, longer viewing times are easily accomplished. Plus, the normal way of viewing cameras through a standalone DVR is ever-evolving as well.

In the past, viewing your cameras may have been accomplished by using a standard CRT television monitor. However, LCD screens have started to become more commonplace as a way of viewing CCTV camera footage, as they offer the benefit of achieving a high-resolution picture with a low-profile body. This has usually been accomplished through a VGA output. But with high definition televisions and high-def cameras becoming more and more popular, we’re beginning to see an increase in HDMI outputs on DVRs.

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or HD video, plus multi-channel digital audio. Because HDMI was designed specifically for consumer electronics applications, it offers an array of additional enhancements. Standalone DVRs with HDMI will allow you to view your security cameras via a high-definition TV in true HD, so I’m sure you can just imagine the benefit of having a standalone DVR with HDMI output. With HDMI, it’s now completely possible to integrate your home security system into your home theatre system with the same crisp image as if you were watching high definition television.

If you are in the security market, and looking for a major enhancement amongst standalone DVRs, I highly recommend you try one with HDMI; you’ll see why it’s soon to be the future of video output.

To Build or Buy? That Is the Question

When one decides to purchase a PC-based DVR, they have the options of either building the entire DVR themselves, purchase the DVR card or cards and install them into an existing machine, or have one built for them.  It may seem as if any of these options may be feasible.  But, there are definitely advantages and disadvantages concerning each of these options. Building a PC-based DVR from the ground up almost always seems to be the most cost effective.  One can save a lot of money on the total cost of the machine by shopping around for the individual parts.  But, compatibility issues could arise from using a custom built machine.  It’s very imperative that one must do their research and make sure that all of the parts are going to be compatible with each other.  Otherwise, the cost savings will not be significant.  This could be very time consuming.  Compatibility issues can cause a person to spend enormous amounts of time on a technical support line. Purchasing individual DVR cards and installing them into an existing machine may seem to be cost effective as well.  The issues of compatibility also arise when doing this.  Most machines that are purchased from major PC manufacturers are preconfigured according to the manufacturer’s standards.  This can make things difficult when installing third party hardware or software.  Factory preconfigurations can interfere with hardware and software installations and functionality.  This could also cause one to spend hours on the phone with the PC manufacturer or the manufacturer of the card. The best option, when purchasing a PC-based DVR, is to have one built by an established business.  Buying the entire machine from a reputable firm can insure that all of the parts that are included with the machine will be compatible with each other.  Your product would most likely come with a warranty.  And, your chances of acquiring quality technical support would be greater.  You might spend a little bit more money buying a prebuilt PC-based DVR, but you will be saving yourself a lot of headache.  The extra cost that you pay is to ensure quality and reliability.

Why Use H.264?

If you have been looking into purchasing a security system for your home or business, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. With so many choices, including the obvious like, how many cameras, black and white versus color cameras, low light or IR and the like, some of the more important technical aspects might slip through the cracks.

The thing that most people want for their system is clarity of image and to be able to save the recorded images long enough that if there is an incident, they can go back and review it before it is recorded over with new video. To help with these two factors, you need to look at what kind of compression technology your DVR is using. There are several types being used in the market today including MPEG-4, JPEG and H.264. If you are looking for the latest and greatest, you will be choosing a system with H.264. Here are a few advantages to H.264 compared to earlier compression technology.

1. More recording time on the same size HDD. H.264 is so advanced, that in some cases, it can double the recording time you get versus previous technology.
2. Improved image quality especially when viewing your recordings remotely. This technology has allowed for more fluid video and if you are using audio with your system, they will look like they fit together. This was a big problem in the past.

Now with all new advances in technology there are usually some drawbacks and this technology is no different. H.264 required a lot more processing by your computer and capture card and may drag your system down as compared to other compression codec’s.  So if you are using it be sure your processor is up to the task.

Security: Protecting Our Future and Our Past

While many look forward to the future of security and technology, others are using the tools of today’s security industry to protect our past. Preserving our landmarks can be a difficult task and with the threat of natural erosion, it’s almost impossible to prevent them from fading away over time. However there is a more eminent threat to these treasures and that is human negligence. Burglary, vandalism, and lack of maintenance are just a few of the ways, we as humans are responsible for neglecting these landmarks.

San Antonio, Texas is home to the very popular historic site, the Alamo. This building was planned for construction in 1836 and did not receive any modern form of security until 2009, when Stephen Wise vandalized one side of the building walls with spray paint.

Other monuments and landmarks have been subject to tragic attacks as well. For example, the Missions in California, which have twenty plus sites stretching from Sonoma to San Diego. These buildings were established in the mid to late 17th century and have been through a lot over the years. Some of these structures have been burglarized and had valuable statues and painting stolen, while others have been tagged with spray paint by vandals. The renovation of these buildings did not take place until December of 2006 when a man named Larry Tracy decided to take on the costly project. Completing the first location, the Mission San Juan Bautista, cost an estimated $140,000.

Despite the cost, there are many organizations that offer funds to help companies and individuals with projects like these. Some of these organizations even offer assistance in providing the right technology to enhance the conservation of monuments and landmarks. Security systems have provided safety and peace of mind for many business owners and families, but we cannot forget about our past. Our national treasures are the link to our past generations and thanks to advancements in surveillance, they too can receive the protection they deserve.