1. What is my overall budget?
2. How much video footage (how many days or weeks) do I want to be able to store?
3. Am I replacing or upgrading a current system?
4. Does the current system already have existing wiring?  If so, what type?
5. How important is it to clearly see detail if the image is magnified (i.e. denomination of currency coming out of a cash register)?
6. Do I require the ability to manipulate the image later?
7. Do you want a large variety of cameras to choose from?
8. Do you need offsite recording?

IP cameras have increased in popularity over the years, but sometimes analog can be sufficient for your needs.  IP camera systems can get pricey for several reasons.  First, the cameras themselves generally cost more.  Also, you need to have a more robust DVR because IP cameras require much more bandwidth to operate, and they require much larger hard drive storage, a faster operating system, and more RAM, which can increase the price of the system.  Since video clips for IP cameras are larger files, the amount of hard drive space must be increased to handle your particular storage needs (depending on how far back you want to archive).

The benefits of the IP system may outweigh the difference in cost.  An investment in an IP camera system will carry you into the next generation of cameras.   You can do things with IP cameras that are virtually impossible with analog.  One of the many benefits is that digital images are compressed and allow you to zoom in (or blow up) a picture without degrading the image, as compared to analog cameras.  With a high enough Megapixel camera, you can electronically zoom on an image that was recorded well away from the camera and still get detailed information (what is the person typing?, what does the perpetrator look like?, etc).  Don’t expect a level of detail seen in unrealistic TV shows, but the results are nonetheless impressive.

With an analog system, you can get detailed (blown up) images only in real time if you have someone to manually operate a PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) camera (common in casinos and parking lots), whereas with IP, you can go back to a past recording and do it anytime.  Since IP cameras have not been around as long as analog, there is not as much variety in styles and types of cameras.  It’s also important to note that if you’re replacing a current analog system, it may be easier to replace another analog system if the traditional RG59 wiring is already in place.

1. Turn Off Distractions. Email notification windows/sounds, messenger notification windows/sounds, cell phone ringtone, cell phone text message tone and more are set up to alert you of something happening.  In most cases, you do not need to drop everything you are doing and get to them right away.  Turning off these notifications can allow you to focus on your most important goals and tasks.
2. The 80/20 Principle. Focusing on your most important goals and tasks comes straight out of the 80/20 Principle.  To do this, you need to focus 80% of your time on the top 20% of your goals or tasks that will give you the highest (or best) return.  On the flip side, 80% of your goals and tasks will account for 20% of your success.
3. Email. A lot of people spend most of their day with their Email client window up.  Some, refreshing their email waiting for something to come to them.  To increase your productivity and get more things done, you need to limit yourself with email.  Some people can limit themselves to twice a day; some might need to limit themselves to once an hour.

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.

In a case where you need to see more detailed information, other questions may arise:  “What was that car’s license plate number?”; “Whose face was that?”; “Was an employee dipping into our register?”  It then becomes necessary to get a higher resolution camera with 600 or 700 TVL.   It’s also helpful to have a varifocal lens which allows you to zoom in on a specific location to help get the better quality picture.  Note that a manual varifocal lens should not be confused with pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) camera.  It is usually manually set and then left alone, whereas a PTZ camera will allow remote lens maneuverability.

1. When choosing a cable, if you decide to go with RG59 Siamese cable, keep in mind that if you are going to have outdoor cameras, it may be a benefit to go with compression connectors. Compression connectors have the ability to create a weather tight seal around the cable to prevent erosion and possible failure of the cable and connectors.
2. Always be looking forward; as your business expands so will your surveillance system . When building your system and looking at a 4 or an 8 channel system, the cost of replacing the system at a later date can be 50-75% higher than initially going with the next upgraded model. Keep in mind that PC build DVRs, though more expensive than Linux-based DVRs, can be expanded at a lower cost than some standalone DVRs. This can also be used when deciding on power supply units and other items.
3. Signage can be a very helpful tool in improving your surveillance system.  The more obstacles and notices you can deliver to a thief or intruder, the higher the possibility they’ll take their foul deeds elsewhere.

Our lungs are delicate and hard to repair. Over the past 300 years or so, advancements in chemistry and industry have continuously caused us to learn this fact the hard way. In fact, we have used tons of chemicals before knowing the myriad of ways these nifty potions turn our bodies into toxic goo. Most of the time, we can’t even see it happening.

Those glass fibers of dust you see in the attic, basement, or from drop ceilings  floating around are going to end up in your nose and mouth.  There is no chance of coughing up glass fibers since they stick like micro-sized needles and can be carcinogenic.

If you install CCTV systems, take my advice and spend a few dollars on a mask.  Make it a standard policy for yourself, and don’t wait for the company to make it a requirement.  That last breath you took in might just show up on your chest x-ray in ten years.

You can either change and progress, or resist change and fade away.

source: www.activerain.com

One area that is often discussed in the security camera market is wired vs. wireless security cameras.  Customers want wireless.  Installers want wireless.  Dealers want wireless. 

Question: What are RELIABLE and COST-EFFECTIVE wireless solutions?

Short answer: Hard to find.

They are becoming more readily available with time, but this is a change that WILL happen.  It’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN.

Being in the security camera industry for almost 6 years, I have not been too pleased with the variety of QUALITY wireless solutions available, analog or IP, until the past year.  This area promises significant growth in the coming years, since we are continually moving towards a wireless world.  Could you imagine your iPhone, Android device, Blackberry, or iPad being wired to another device?  Basically, NOT wireless?  Absolutely not!  This is the mindset that most end users are thinking with, as we are becoming a more wireless society.  On the dealer and installer side, there are some significant profit advantages to wireless security camera solutions, as well, such as ease of installation, increased range and reduced human resources.

Ease of Installation: Wireless solutions offer an ease of installation, when compared to wired solutions.  This can reduce the amount of time that installers are on the premises, making for less interruptions and a happier customer.

Increased Range: Wireless camera solutions offer an increased range, when compared to wired solutions. This can allow you to cover larger premises that previous wired solutions may not have been able to handle.  The increased range of wireless will allow installers to handle 30-40 foot ceilings, cement walls and multi-tenant installs, among many others.

Reduced Human Resources: Wireless solutions require a reduced amount of human resources, when compared to wired solutions.  Since there is no cable pulling, line testing, etc., this will allow installation companies to have more installers at more sites.

Here’s to wishing you a Happy New Year and continued success in 2012!

There are specific algorithms that call for certain frontal activity, but unless an individual voluntarily self-identifies, the program is not likely to be able to do nothing more than to record the individuals image and do some good old-fashioned investigating. And since the quality of facial images is driven by the performance of the system, good lighting and subject orientation as well as motion, all play a part in the ability to obtain a good facial detection.

These types of systems are being installed mostly in civil identification projects, which do offer controlled environments. Applications include matching people to their supposed passport photos, or making sure a customer at the Department of Motor Vehicles hasn’t already applied for (and received) a driver’s license. Facial recognition is quickly gaining acceptance in virtually any situation where you can cut down on a person’s ability to create a fake identity.

Geovision, a leading manufacturer in surveillance software, incorporates video analytics in their security systems such as Face Detection in Object Index, which is used to detect human faces in the video and save them as thumbnail image index. It is suggested to be installed near the entrance and exits. Once there is an index with headshots of each individual, you can then use that information to either allow or deny access.

When implementing this type of software, it will certainly make security officers, guards or surveillance directors more efficient, however this technology is still years from becoming automated.

But now, a new breed of soldier is using this same type of technology to protect her home and keep a watchful eye on the kids while her husband is napping on the couch — she is the “Soccer Mom.”  In today’s advanced technological world, we find Soccer Moms becoming more and more prepared for the rush of a crazy weekend by keeping their homes in clear view with security cameras.

A trip to the lake, grocery shopping, and baseball games scheduled with three kids all at different times can be difficult to manage, but with the birth of the home security camera combining with the power of smart phones, it’s just as easy as “tap on the app”.

Kelly Morrison is a 24-hour soccer mom in Frisco TX, and while living up to the stereotype of racing her SUV all over town to get to a game, she now has a better view of what is going on while she’s away.

I asked Mrs. Morrison a few questions about the changes in her life with her new home security system.

• What is the biggest benefit of having home cameras? “Making sure my husband is not just watching ESPN, but instead feeding Conor before the baseball game!”  She jokes, but with a simple “tap the app” she can look in her kitchen, kid’s room, hall, den, backyard, front yard, front door, driveway and garage.

• Do the kids like the camera system? “Yes and no. I have a place where they do homework, and since I’m home when they are, it’s nice that their dad can see them while he’s on the road.  If they have any real issues they know it’s not only viewed by my husband but we can also review the information for any clarification to get the real truth out.  I am not saying that our kids do bad things, but ever since we added the cameras they know what the real world expects and how you should act even at home.”

• Does your husband like home security cameras? “Yes – definitely; he comes from a military background, and he travels all week.  It’s really nice for him to simply tap the screen to see if our dog Jeter is in the backyard or sleeping on our bed.  He feels comfortable knowing that if anyone did something to the home, then our evidence can be presented to local law enforcement to help catch the perpetrators.

• Do you see any drawbacks to having a home camera system, and what advice would you give others in the market for one? “We don’t think there are any drawbacks, but we would stress that when you purchase the main system, make sure you have room to add future cameras.  We started with a four camera system, but in less than one year we upgraded to a 16-channel system.  My husband bought a new Harley, and yes, that needed a new camera on it.”

• When did you decided to purchase your system? “We got the idea to do this from a special offer in a local supermarket, but when we realized that a good setup required professional attention, we called local experts that supplied the equipment, guidance, and prices we were looking for.  It kept my husband from falling out of the attic, and our cameras were tailored for our needs.”

As Kelly walked me out to my truck she took out her phone, and within a few seconds she showed me all the cameras up on one screen in real time.  “This is the best thing that a parent can have, and that is the ability to see their kids when they are just old enough to be home alone”.   Upon leaving, I didn’t just keep the phone number of the company they went with for the cameras — I made an appointment.  Kelly the “soccer mom” sold me on the system simply by showing it to me on her phone.

What started off as an interview on the benefits of home security cameras ended up being the best investment I could have made for my home and family.

As modern consumers with much experience purchasing TVs, I think most people understand the basic way that pictures are displayed on a TV or monitor screen. There are a certain number of lines that are displayed on the screen, and the order that the lines are tossed onto the screen is how Progressive Scan can be described. There are really only two ways this is done: Interlaced and Non-Interlaced (aka Progressive Scan).

Interlaced Scanning has become the old way of transmitting video. Let’s assume that there are 700 TV lines that are displayed on the screen. With this sort of scanning, all the odd lines are drawn and then the even lines are drawn, then all the odd lines are refreshed, then the even lines refreshed, and back and forth alternately. Can you imagine watching the ball thrown in a football game on TV with this sort of display going on? Although the lines are refreshed very quickly, you can tell by the truck in the picture below that the picture displays very fuzzy.

With Progressive Scan (or Non-Interlaced Scanning), the TV lines are drawn and refreshed in sequence. When the lines are drawn on sequence, whether 1 to 700 or 700 to 1, it not only displays moving objects better, but also decreases the bandwidth used.

By the picture below, it seems that seeing the term Progressive Scan is definitely a perk worth looking for.