Connecting Your Home Security Standalone DVR to Your Alarm System

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More and more households are installing security cameras, providing them with the ability to view their homes over the internet while they are away. Remotely viewing your cameras over the internet is a great feature, especially when you can view the security cameras from PDA phones like with our H.264 Standalone DVRs from an iPhone, Android, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile phone. However, no one wants to watch their cameras all the time. Advanced functionality that is built in to some Standalone DVRs will allow you to receive alerts from your system when events occur. Advanced connectivity between your Standalone DVR and an existing alarm system will allow you to receive alerts, control cameras, control recording or even control lights from your Standalone DVR.
Some home security camera DVRs like our H.264 Standalone DVRs provide the ability to connect to NO (normally open) or NC (normally closed) circuits. Home alarm systems generally have a NO or NC circuit that can be used to trip external devices, so this connection can be attached to the Alarm inputs on a DVR. This output from an alarm system will provide a signal to the DVR when connected to tell it when the alarm has been tripped. Once connected, inside the menu, you can configure the input to begin recording on a specific camera, switch focus on a camera to full screen, control an alarm output on the DVR, move a PTZ style camera to a specified preset position or even send an email to a specified address with a picture from your security cameras.
Alarm sensors like PIR motion sensors, glass break detectors, magnetic door contacts, outdoor motion sensors and more can also be connected to the alarm inputs on the DVR so that you can have positive alerts configured even if you do not currently have a monitored alarm system. Simply connect the outputs of any alarm system style sensor to the alarm inputs on your system and you will be able to configure the alerts for recording or email alerts. Most cell phones can also receive SMS messages by sending an email to a specific email address that will be forwarded to your phone via text message.
The outputs on your standalone DVR also use a configurable NO or NC circuit which can be used for actuating relays that can be used to trigger motors, door locks, turn on lights, arm alarm systems, sound sirens and more. Virtually any type of light, buzzer, alarm, solenoid or motor can be controlled directly or indirectly through NO or NC alarm outputs from the standalone DVR. These outputs can then be controlled while away from home using a PC, allowing you further control of your home through your security camera system.
Receiving alerts from your home security camera system can also reduce the need to constantly view your cameras remotely. With alarm system alerts configured on your DVR system, you will know when something pertinent is occurring and then you will be able to connect in and see the video of what is happening when you need it. Using the full resources that your home security camera DVR system can offer helps you save time and reduce the amount of time that you spend watching nothing happen on your cameras.

Accessories for Camera Surveillance

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If you have camera surveillance to help protect your home, it is important to have the proper accessories to ensure that everything works in tip-top shape. When you have a good surveillance system, it is more than just cameras giving you a continuous feed and making recordings. There are plenty of other supplies that need to be bought in order to make your entire system more effective.

Camera surveillance is very important for those who are interested in making sure that their families and their property are safe. It can help you identify intruders and vandals, as well as help you know when your kids are neglected or abused by a sitter or a nanny. Surveillance of the nature is indispensable, and in order to make sure that it is always working as it should be, you should make sure that you have all of the necessary accessories to complement your camera system.

Illuminators for surveillance equipment can be very helpful. Because they reach different ranges, and come in a variety of sizes, it is important to understand your home’s security needs when preparing to purchase these products. Most illuminators sit atop the camera, or somewhere near the camera’s location, and offer up light so that the camera can better “see” what is in its range. While shadowy objects can be made out at night without illuminators, they are very helpful as they shed better light and can lead to being able to more positively identify intruders and would-be criminals.

Camera housings are very important, especially for outdoor surveillance equipment. This is because CCTV housing protect the cameras from weather that is too hot, cold, windy, or wet. Your equipment will last longer when proper shielded and help you better protect your investment in home security. Many housings come with fans for the summer and heaters for the winter.

Other surveillance accessories that will help you make sure that your system does not unexpectedly fail include things like long-running (9 or 10 hours of footage) video tapes and rechargeable battery packs. Also, you will need cables for plug and play that have different lengths in order to ensure that all parts are correctly connected in your system of surveillance.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Surveillance.

A Security Camera System Plays An Important Role In Your Home Security

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To observe what's going on, you can add to your home security system a security camera system. They are the ultimate home security product. Whether you live in a spacious estate, in a gated community, or have a house in the suburbs, they are designed fit your needs. Video cameras are an advanced addition for your home security system. The most basic security camera system would be a single camera connected directly to a monitor and a recorder to store the video.

Types:

There are several different types of security cameras. A few security cameras are black and white security cameras, color security cameras, wireless security cameras, night vision security cameras, and vandal resistant security cameras. Besides differing in function and design, security cameras also vary in price. Some security cameras also allow remote access, therefore allowing access to the monitors through an Internet connection.

Size & Resolution: 

Video monitors come in a variety of sizes. It is best to buy a larger monitor because the smaller ones may be hard to view. CCTV monitors may have as many as 1000 lines of screen resolution as compared to 550 lines on ordinary televisions. This shows that security monitors do have their place in a home security system.

Advantages:

The advantages to owning a security camera in your home include:

·    It has the ability to monitor people in your home.
·    They can even save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.
·    It’s easy for you to know who is in your home at all times with remote access.

Security:

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) Security Systems is a fast growing segment of the security market. They are a relatively cheap addition home security systems. The security system consists of cctv security cameras, security monitors, sensors and cabling. Wireless cameras provide an extra measure of coverage since they can be positioned anywhere quickly. These are good trends in the security industry.

A Look at Wireless Security Cameras

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If you need to partially conceal your cameras from view, wireless security cameras are the way to go. Locations such as banks use a combination of wireless and wired, visible and hidden cameras to intimidate potential robbers, but continue photographing them even if they disable the wired cameras.

Las Vegas casinos do the same. Look around you the next time you enter a casino or a bank. There are cameras evident and these are for “publicity” purposes. That is, they are there to intimidate a potential robber or petty thief from doing anything, knowing that their actions are being recorded. The owners of these establishments want you to see these cameras and they want you to think twice about doing anything naughty in their places of business.

Then there are the hidden cameras. Almost always wireless so they can be placed anywhere, they photograph through small holes in the walls or ceilings, or from behind specially designed ordinary devices you’d expect to find in the location. Wireless security cameras are the ones that provide information to the police about who may have committed some crime after they disabled the visible systems.

Wireless cameras can be battery operated. That is, they are used to monitor the activities of people for a limited amount of time. Their advantage is that they can be placed in a variety of easily concealed positions, much more so than a camera that requires a wire to be connected to both its power source and a recording device.

Lately, these cameras have been built into clocks, children’s toys and other common household devices and have been nicknamed “nanny-cams.” They came into more popular use to catch babysitters and nanny’s who watch over precious youngsters who may not be talking yet. Horrible abuse sometimes occurs when unbalanced adults are left in charge of toddlers who can’t speak.

Concerned parents started using these devices to record the actions of the adult in charge while they were gone. Then the couple could play back the tapes and see what went on in their absence. Some of these tapes were so outrageously awful in what they captured on videotape that they led to prosecution of the adult offender and oftentimes ended up on national tabloid TV shows. Since then they have become a built-in, cleverly concealed device that’s quite often found in homes where young children are being watched by hired help.

A Look At Who Has A Hidden Security Camera And Why

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Many different types of organizations rely on hidden cameras to bolster their security.  Hidden security cameras are appropriate for businesses with many employees and sensitive information or valuable items.  They are also appropriate for governmental organizations and families, among other groups.

Many businesses opt for a combination of hidden cameras and visible cameras. The visible ones serve as a deterrent to would be thieves while the hidden ones can monitor the more sophisticated thieves in the event the visible ones are disabled. Banks, casinos and large businesses use a combination of the two types of security camera systems to achieve the maximum desired results.

When employees are stealing, the hidden camera system is the most successful at catching them in the act. Clever thieves will note the angle and ability of the visible cameras especially ones that pan back and forth around a room full of people. Cameras that do this leave blank spots in their field, several seconds perhaps where a particular area is not being photographed. A clever thief will time his nefarious activities to coincide with those blank spots to avoid detection. But if he doesn’t know where the camera is that’s watching him, if he can’t time out a blank spot in the coverage, then he’s more likely to get caught committing his dirty deed. That’s the purpose of the hidden camera.

The infamous “nanny-cam” has caught more than a few nasty nannies, who were ignoring the young children in their charge, or worse, abusing them. The tapes made the rounds of various news programs on TV and a new industry was born. Now there are wireless, battery operated cameras hidden in common household items like radios, and planters that an unsuspecting nanny would never find. As technology improves and electronic items get smaller and better, hidden security cameras will become more readily available than they are today.

Reasons To Install Security Cameras At Your Home Or Business

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In today’s world, an individual or business owner needs to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their family and their investments. While many opt for a full security system, which is always a good idea, the addition of security cameras can help to record any/all activities that take place in and around a specific area. Security cameras are not only designed for outside use, but are also commonly used indoors.

When it comes to reasons why you should consider installing security cameras, listed below are five of the best:


Security cameras provide constant monitoring of your home and/or business even when you are not there. Let’s face it. There is no way that you can be two places at once. You are either at home or at work, which is why security cameras can be your eyes even when you cannot be there in person.

If installed at your home, security cameras can help you to see who is outside your front door or on your property before opening the door or venturing outside. This is a very important safety precaution for anyone, whether you live out in the most rural of settings or in the city. It’s always a good idea to see who is at your door before you open it and if you suspect someone is on your property, security cameras can help to either confirm or eliminate that concern.

If a theft should occur, the use of security cameras can provide valuable evidence to help convict the perpetrator and possibly even recover your stolen item(s). This is true of both home and business burglaries. In addition, a home or business that is monitored with a security camera may carry more affordable insurance because it is less desirable for criminals who know they are being monitored. For the exact policy guidelines, check with your local insurance agent.

Security cameras can help parents to keep an eye on their babysitter. When you leave your child at home and entrust them with a babysitter, it never hurts to add extra peace of mind in knowing that your child is properly cared for during those moments when you are not at home with them yourself.

If used in a place of business, security cameras can help employers and store owners to keep a close eye on their employees. Monitoring of employee actions can help in a variety of situations, including possible employee theft, customer complaints and other matters where video playback may be beneficial.