Shopping for a Home Security Camera

Crime and prevention are common topics of discussion for most home owners. One of the proactive ways to prevent crime is by installing a security camera. Many people get overwhelmed by security cameras and feel that it is something only for the smart people; in fact, today’s security cameras are so simple to use and maintain that they are ideal for almost anyone. Security cameras have a lot of other benefits besides just monitoring your home, they can monitor your child while he/she is playing in the garden or even watch the baby sitter or the live-in maid to ensure that the child is not being harmed.


There are so many home security cameras on the market that the average consumer is bound to get confused. Almost every website or catalog claims that their cameras are the best. While most home security cameras are effective, you should do your homework to get the best camera for your purpose.


Know beforehand why you want the home security camera. Do you want it for the outdoors or indoors and what is your budget limitation? Indoor cameras are generally more for spying, surveillance and monitoring, whereas the outdoors are more geared for home security. But there is not hard and fast rule – you can use either camera anywhere you want.


Security cameras for surveillance are often known as CCTV or closed circuit television.
Once you have decided on your budget, you need to know the distance that you want monitored. Most home security cameras can survey up to 50 feet and thus, if you want long or variable distance monitoring, ask if the camera has interchangeable lenses. Check to ensure that the camera comes with a kit to install; most installations are very simple and only rarely is a professional required.


If the camera is going to be for the outdoors, ensure that it has a protection from sun, rain or snow. You do not want bird poop to fall on it on a regular basis. Check the lux of the camera. Lower lux numbers mean that it can still work with low levels of light. Plus, if your facilities do not have bright lights, you may want to stick to a black and white camera. And finally make sure that the image captured is clear and acceptable to you. If the resolution is poor, the camera may not be worth it, especially if you are trying to catch details.


The next step you have to decide is if you want a wireless camera. The wireless home security cameras have one great advantage. They do not need any wiring and because they do not have this limitation, they can be placed anywhere - both indoors and outdoors. These wireless cameras are so small that they can be placed anywhere in the home. However, wireless cameras are easily influenced by electronic signals. Wired cameras are usually more stable and not easily affected by nearby electronic transmission.


If you want a camera for night time surveillance then you need to have a camera with infrared capabilities. A home security camera is a long term investment, so take your time when buying one. The market is such that the ball is in your hands- so ask for discounts.

Surveillance PC and other Amazing Products

There are many products on the market to turn a computer into a surveillance PC . Some of them only register that an intruder has made it into the home and give an alarm. Others are more advanced and allow the user to adjust it to call someone, perhaps a friend, the police, a neighbor. That is, the capability to create groups to send an alarm to is available with some systems. IP video surveillance is a growing market as many home owners are using it.


There are home security camera kits for night vision cameras, for black and white or color cameras, mini color cameras, and to make your own home channel to see your photos from your security camera on the TV. Security camera systems for home monitoring are offered in all price ranges.


Of the amazing products there are some that are surprising because they aren't real. One of these is the fake surveillance camera. It is a prank camera that the high school Harry mentality can make use of to play a practical joke on the office crew. Another one is the fake dome security camera. They both look realistic and the fake surveillance camera has an LED. They both have motion detectors. Thus, there are real and fake security video cameras.


Dummy security cameras can also be purchased, but their purpose is different from the fake security cameras. The dummy surveillance camera is designed to fool a burglar or other intruder into thinking he is being watched. There are indoor and outdoor dummy security cameras and indoor and outdoor dummy security domes, and dummy CCTV cameras available. Simulated security cameras help keep a home or business safe without the cost of real equipment.


There are several kinds of color camera security options: fixed, spy, dome, bullet, wireless, mini board and color infrared. There is a security camera and system offered to fit all needs at home and work. The practical joker even has an outlet to get his silly fake surveillance camera or fake dome security camera.


There are security systems for the PC and TV. Economical security systems and even cheaper dummy security cameras can be bought. The array of security devices real, fake, and dummy are almost overwhelming. Though it is good to have the real and dummy choices so everyone can get home security running in some fashion and ease their mind a bit or a lot concerning the safeness of their home or business because of the surveillance operation they have set in motion.

Security DRV System: A Spying Surprise

For those with a conservative budget, there is a solution to their home security dilemma; for under $500.00 they can setup a security DVR system on their computer. It is small compared to other systems, but it works. It can be setup with a starter package and a video capture card. The package should also include cameras, AC power adapters, cables,and connection dongle. There are different cameras to choose from like color cameras, night vision cameras, and black and white cameras.


What are the other features of these systems? Some of the features are email alert triggers, remote Internet access, and distance camera control and viewing. Once the DVR security system is setup security in the home is assured. The DVR camera and stand alone system won't need a computer to work and it isn't venerable to trojans and other malware. It is another option to consider.


The computer monitor will picture all that is happening in the home. The motion detection camera will detect the action and send it to the computer's hard drive. The scrambled signals are changed by the security system so viewable pictures appear on the screen. It sends the pictures to the computer in real-time. The computer will store the surveillance recording and it can be played back later.


For bigger wallets outdoor surveillance camera can be installed. The traditional dome security cameras are covered in plastic and are more vulnerable to vandalism, but cameras covered with hard aluminum are available. Camera systems come in various grades so upgrading is easy. One example of an upgrade is a camera that lets you pan from afar, with the ability to view 360 degrees in range of motion. Another upgrade a night vision surveillance that has a range of seventy feet. Purchasing a professional kits may be the solution to upgrading. Higher resolution should be a standard feature in a professional kit.


When looking for a store to buy your security system check to see what their customer service policy is; do they have interchangeable kits? How comprehensive are their kits?


This is a project that involves all of the family so a family discussion will help explain why there is a need for the system and how it will help everyone stay safe. The baby's room, teenager's room, kitchen, living room, and all around the house will be secured. The crime rate is soaring and a parent can't watch his or her children all of the time to make sure they are safe. But a security system can watch and guard the home. It can see who is at the door or window all of the time.

Post-9-11-Security

Have you noticed people talking about 9-11 recently? How about home security? If your answer is yes, you shouldn’t be surprised. September 11th changed our world more than anyone could have expected. And now security culture is all the rage.

You might say, "Well, it’s not that different really!"

Now see, that’s what I thought too -- that was until I talked to my friend -- a mother of two whose parents run a security company in a major North American city. The fact is, specifically since 9-11 people are becoming more and more concerned about personal and commercial security. More security guards are being trained and posted. And even the average Joe is buying more security cameras for their homes. It’s made my friend’s life that much more comfortable, knowing that she has an "in" in the home safety business. It’s something that I might look into too.

That is why a new product caught my eye recently. It’s what they call a "smart" security camera. You know the company’s on the right page to make an intelligent product when they call themselves "VideoIQ". The actual camera is called VideoIQ iCVR -- and it’s designed to actually notice when something suspicious is going on. So, no more watching BORING playback. It also can store months of footage locally. Talk about putting technology to work for you: novel computer vision and machine-learning algorithms make for easy sleeping at night. Buying wholesale, the product will run you $1,289. If this is the sort of thing you are interested in finding more about too, you can head over to www.videoiq.net/products for details.

It doesn’t matter if you’re single mother eating sesame sticks while shopping for clothing at the mall department store, stroller in tow and looking for a way to make sure your child has a SAFE and HOPEFUL future, or a single elderly man in a button-up shirt reading the comics while sitting on the same park bench you go to every day for the pleasure of it, and trying to figure out how to maintain the peaceful and secure lifestyle you value so much -- security cameras are really starting to become more of an issue with everyone since all these things were highlighted by 9-11.

I’m always excited to hear and learn more about what we can do about it.

Home Security Cameras

Wireless Cameras

Home security cameras have become a necessity and the age of crime and social dissent that is experienced in our country today. A home security camera provides the household the opportunity to not only protect themselves from unwanted visitors but to also see if anybody has come more gone upon their property while they were away. Home security cameras have recently become available to most citizens because the prices have lowered and the popularity of the security cameras has broadened. Home security cameras have brought in a new age of personal surveillance that gives peace of mind to parents and caregivers that are away from their children or adult charges.

The uses for home security cameras are many. Home security cameras can be used to watch babysitters or other child caregivers while the parents are away. Some are able to be linked into the computer so the parent at work can watch the babysitter and have the peace of mind to know that their child is being taken care of properly and the babysitters are doing their job. Other household staff such as maids, gardeners, and other domestic workers can be watched remotely to make sure that they are not taking advantage of the household while the owners are gone.

A new innovation in home security cameras is the wireless cameras. Wireless cameras can be set up in locations that previously would be unavailable for a home security camera system. Wireless cameras can be hidden easier because there are no wires for the person who is being surveyed to see. The more obscure the location for the camera, the less likely the person who is being surveyed will know that they are being filmed. Wireless cameras can be linked into a computer or other observation equipment where the owner of the household can be sure that all is well while they are away.

Home security cameras and wireless cameras are easy to install and easy to maintain. They can be moved from one location to another so that the people who knew that they are being watched will be caught off guard if they think the cameras are in one place when in fact it is in another. Wireless cameras can easily be relocated on daily basis so that no one will know how the camera is placed and what angle the picture will be taken at. This will keep the employees or domestic help unaware and help protect the safety of the family and the security of the possessions.