Comments (0)

By Tim Norton, May 11, 2012 4:05 pm

Security surveillance cameras are everywhere but many of them just don’t give the images you would expect, resulting in a bad name for the security industry. The newer IP cameras with HD 720p resolution or higher has improved this but there are still way too many systems that are installed with fundamental mistakes.

The most common mistake made in a CCTV system is expecting the camera to do too much. I believe this is influenced by CSI style TV shows that give the impression the police can do anything to enhance the footage.

Following are three basic guidelines that if you follow will result in an amazing improvement in your surveillance footage.

Don’t expect the camera to do two roles Security surveillance cameras are able to provide a tight shot for facial recognition or an overview of what is happening. It is uncommon to be able to achieve both from one camera.

Have a narrow area that people have to walk through. If you want to know who came into or left you premises, force them to wall through a narrow area such as an isle, door or passage that is around 3 mtrs wide. This will allow you to place a security camera to get a really tight shot of their face, which is what we need. From the chin to the top of the head needs to be at least 88 pixels. You can then have one or more cameras giving the general overview to monitor behaviour, knowing you have their face recorded.

Do not mount the cameras too high A camera mounted high and looking down is only good for an overview. There is no point in having a CCTV camera at a choke point for face identification if it can only see the top of the head or the brim of a baseball cap. An angle of 20 degrees or less is ideal.

There are many other aspects that can improve the image quality such as the camera quality, the recording resolution and lighting but each is a subject of it’s own and can be found on my website that provides a comprehensive range of tips and tutorials on CCTV.

CCTV is not rocket science. But it is a science.

Do you ask for professional advise, only to find they have no real experience. I found this guy gave good advice for my security camera design.

Comments (0)

By Tim Norton, May 2, 2012 2:45 pm

Installing a video surveillance system, you need to understand what it is that the system is intended for. That may seem obvious but there are 4 core definitions of camera application

1. Observe the what is happening in an area

2. Detect the presence of people in a scene

3. Recognise a person you know

4. Detect the presence of people in a scene

Often you may actually want a couple of of the above in the same location and might be thinking that a single camera will be able to cover your requirements. Around 90% of applications you will require at least 2 surveillance cameras unless you plan to be some of those pictures you see in the news of a pixilated person, that you have zero hope of recognizing.

Designing first with a 3D CAD helps to test the scene to determine the right camera resolution, lens and location to give the desired results. This will save you relocating or replacing cameras later on.

The following video shows us how to import a site map into the 3D CAD and then place cameras on it. Even before we have created any 3D walls it is going to give an indication of the camera coverage.

Part 2 below shows how to determine the above 4 criteria based on the colored regions in the lens view area. So for ID quality of an unknown person we need to work in the reddish area. Inside the blue region you would only be able to detect the position of a person in your scene but not really know who they are along with what they are doing. It also shows how we create the three dimensional images of walls along with other structures.

The final part takes us through the comparing of different megapixel camera resolutions and what happens to the picture when you digitally zoom in. It isn’t going to be what you see on CSI shows but rather divide the resoultion by 4 every time you double the zoom.

For anyone readers who really want to understand much more about how to design a CCTV system that gives great images, take a look at CCTVdesign.com.au, where you will also find a large amount of data about licensing, installation tips and legislations.

Tim offers excellent suggestions about selecting a CCTV design tool. He has been in the security industry since 1988. This article, Using CCTV Design Tools for CCTV Design is released under a creative commons attribution license.

Comments (0)

By Valry G Dorah, April 29, 2012 3:49 pm

Because of the declining economy, our place has seen an increase in petty crimes such as break-ins as well as thefts. Our own store has encountered a number of forced entries within the last couple of months, and we have taken steps in order to stop this.

Among the things which we, as the owners, thought was needed was to be able to spot unwanted entry with a hidden camera with built-in DVR. We paid out top dollar to have a special surveillance system built and incorporated with our present security system.

We currently employ these kinds of surveillance cameras to check particular areas of our building, such as the entrance and exit. The spy cameras that we utilize were made to look like ordinary, everyday things, and can blend in well with the surroundings around them.

No one knows the hidden cameras are there, so no one knows that they’re being watched. We wanted to install a nanny cam outside, also, and required one which blended well. So, we placed a large spot light hidden camera with built-in DVR above our entrance.

Security cameras with built-in DVR have everything that they require in order to record built in. No additional set up was needed other than to install the camera. The video recordings could then be retrieved in one of two different methods.

First, we can take out the built-in SD card and use a computer to obtain the video. Or we can utilize the provided RCA cable to hook it up to a TV and play the recording directly from the device.

Moreover, our spotlight hidden camera with DVR doubles as a completely functional spotlight with motion detecting capability. This allows it to record at night since the lights power up together with the recording function every time there is activity.

We are content with our investment because it has enabled us to do precisely what we wanted to do, which is to spot unwanted entry with a hidden camera with a built-in DVR. We’re now considering improving our coverage of the shop with additional monitoring cameras.

Valry G Dorah is a leading expert in Surveillance and Security and offers a big assortment of concealed cameras, nanny cams, home surveillance solutions, and Digital Video Recording systems. If you ever ask yourself how can I purchase surveillance devices, you now have a secure place to order.

Comments (0)

By Raemond D Torres, April 29, 2012 3:49 pm

Having my very own daycare center appears to be ideal since I enjoy taking care of kids. I am aware, though, that it’s hard for parents to leave their kids behind to strangers. Thus, in order for my business to be successful, I needed to establish security measures at the center to make sure that parents would feel confident about entrusting us with their kids.

I conducted some study and found a hidden camera smoke detector online. Setting up a nanny cam in my facility is going to be good idea for the kids’ protection. Parents would know that their kids were always protected.

Spy cameras are used for monitoring unobtrusively on events in any location. They help in catching a culprit in action and keep track as well of everything going on in an area even if you are not presently there.

While shopping, I came across a down view smoke detector hidden camera. Although it is a non-functioning smoke detector, it appears very discreet. Many hidden cameras are made to look like common-looking things so that nobody would have an idea that they’re being monitored.

By mounting this down view camera on the ceiling, it will be able to capture activity in the room from a bird’s eye view. In this way, I can ensure the protection of the kids always.

I also learned that the black and white camera option featured .003 Lux. This allows the camera to capture the clearest images possible even in near darkness. Even during the night, I will be aware of what is happening in the center in case anyone breaks in.

The convenient thing with regards to wireless cameras is the fact that there are no wires or cords that should be plugged in. These are run by an 8-hour rechargeable battery pack, making them very easy to move around and also position in hard-to-reach places.

With a hidden camera smoke detector at the daycare center, I’ll be aware about all events anytime. This helps me ensure that the children are protected and the parents have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Raemond D Torres is a well known expert in Surveillance and Security and offers a wide assortment of concealed cameras, nanny cams, home surveillance solutions, and DVR camera systems. If you ever ask yourself how can I purchase surveillance devices, you now have a secure place to order.

Comments (0)

By Ropert N Braund, April 29, 2012 3:47 pm

The thought of obtaining a hidden camera for home use never entered my thoughts until my long-trusted babysitter moved away. Because I had gotten so used to having her, I wasn’t promptly sold on trusting her newly recruited replacement. I had to know initially if I could truly trust her to be by herself within my house with my 2 little boys.

I confided with my husband concerning this concern, who shortly recommended that we get a 4 channel wireless digital video recording complete system that he discovered on the web.

The spy surveillance system bundled 4 wireless cameras that will transmit footage to a 2.4 GHz digital wireless 4 channel – H.264 DVR system capable of networking.

Because of its network functionality, my hubby and I can access the videos at any time and anyplace a net connection is available. Even our own 3G cell phones get remote access to video footage.

We get to review all the recordings from the comfort of our offices by simply logging into an IP address that had been set up for our wireless surveillance system.

Mainly because all four are bullet cameras tiny enough to fit in the palm of the hand, installing them privately in key places inside the house wasn’t any problem at all. We put these types of security cameras inside strategic areas where any dishonest individual would certainly be caught red-handed: one in the master’s bedroom, another inside our kids’ room, and two inside the family room.

Illumination is also no big problem for these types of day/night cameras simply because, like all infrared cameras, every single camera features a built-in infrared light source. This assures a clear recording not just during the day ,when sufficient light coming from the environment is available, but even with very little ambient light just like during the night.

I feel happy mainly because I did not expect that a hidden camera for home use is going to be such a breeze to use. On top of that, we have had the system set up for more than 2 months today and the footage we have covered up to now raises no red flags about our brand new sitter.

Ropert N Braund is a leading expert in Surveillance and Security and offers a wide assortment of concealed cameras, nanny cams, home surveillance solutions, and Digital Video Recording systems. If you ever ask yourself where do I buy surveillance devices, you now have a secure place to order.