Home Security Guide: Information | Tips On Home Security » Security system

Recorders: Recording CCTV video

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:39:55 +0000

Most CCTV systems use video cassette recorders (VCRs) to record video images from the monitors. Recordings make it possible to view events that may have gone unnoticed at the time they occurred or that may require close investigation later. Technological advances now make it possible to record
images in digital form on a computer disk. This new type of recorders is called digital video recorders (DVRs).

There are 2 types of DVRs:

Standalone DVRs:This type of DVRs look similar to a standard VCRs. It’s connected to the CCTV monitor for video capturing and display. A computer disk inside the DVR will be used to store the video footage. Some comes with built it CD-RW to enable video footage to be stored in CDs.
Computer based DVRs:Computer based DVR system makes use of frame grabber cards such as the Geovision DVR cards to capture video. The DVR card is plugged into the computer’s motherboard and receives video input from the CCTV cameras. The video input will then be displayed onto the computer’s monitor or stored into the computer’s hard disk.

Standalone DVRs

offers more video input channels as compared to computer based DVR systems. A standalone DVR can be connected up to 64 cameras!

VCRs are still presently the most common recording method but the number of current systems upgrading to digital is rapidly increasing due to the advanced features available and the increased recorded image quality. When digital systems are compared side-by-side to VHS format TLRs most clients opt for the superior quality and features of today’s DVRs. The latest DVRs are now able to record up to 480 frames per second divided by the number of cameras used in the system.

VCRs designed for CCTV can record video images in either real-time or time-lapse modes. In the real-time recording mode, the tape moves at the same speed as home VCRs (2 to 6 hours) and captures 30 pictures per second. This produces high quality recordings, but requires operators to change tapes every two to six hours. The 24-hour real time VCR will record 24 hours of video on a single tape at 20 pictures per second. It is considered a real time recorder because 20 pictures per second approximate the ability of the human eye to easily distinguish moving images.

Time-lapse recording makes it possible to record video over long periods of time on a relatively small amount of videotape. Time-lapse recording can capture from 12 to 960 hours of video on one T-120 tape. However, the number of pictures recorded per second in time-lapse mode decreases significantly as the recording time increases. As fewer pictures are recorded per second, critical images may not appear on tape, and movement may appear jerky.

Both the DVRs and VCRs offer video capturing through alarm recording. With this method, the VCR usually runs in time-lapse mode until an alarm occurs. This would enable the VCRs to record for a longer period of time without having to change tape. As for the DVRs, some DVRs come with built in Motion detection technology. This means that digital footage is only recorded when the motion sensor is triggered.

With the maximum storage space of computer disk increasing rapidly, it has enables DVRs to record long hours of non stop video footage. It can be left recording without being attended to as opposed to VCRs whereby you will need to change the tape after hours of recording. This is where the DVRs gain the edge over the VCRs. Computer based DVRs also offers the ability to search for scenes with just a drag of the mouse button.

Monitors for CCTV home security systems

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:32:56 +0000

The monitor receives the transmitted electronic video signal from the camera and displays the image using a cathode ray tube (CRT). Although similar in function to a TV set, a CCTV monitor provides higher lines of resolution (better picture quality) and accepts only video signals rather than RF/antenna signals.

Lines of resolution refer to the total number of horizontal lines the camera or monitor is able to reproduce. The more lines on a screen, the better or sharper the video picture will appear. CCTV monitors can provide up to 1000 lines of resolution compared to an average of 300 lines provided by television sets.

Several factors can affect the monitoring function: Size of the monitor (9″ and 14″ are popular sizes), its positioning and angle relative to where the viewer sits, the quantity of monitors, and the quality (resolution) of the monitor itself. In all cases, sufficient growth must be factored into any console design. It’s also important to note that all monitors generate heat. Whether on a table or enclosed in a console, be sure to provide adequate ventilation and air-conditioning.

Most CCTV systems use both dedicated monitors and switch able monitors. A dedicated monitor displays the video from only one camera. A switch able monitor enables operators to “call or switch” different cameras to the monitor.

Fake Cameras: Fooling the intruders

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:57:24 +0000

Fake cameras are used to trick possible intruder into thinking that your home is protected by a security system. It has the same effect as “Beware of Dog” sign. Even if you don’t actually have a dog, the sign would make a would be burglars to think twice about intruding. Just like the “Beware of Dog” sign, fake cameras might scare would be burglars away or they risk appearing as the star in your tape.

A home protected by a security system will make a burglar think twice about breaking in. It’s a huge risk that burglars choose not to take. For only a fraction of the cost of real camera, fake cameras can also generate the same effect on potential intruders making them think that your home is under constant closed circuit TV surveillance. Fake cameras can also be used to complement your real working cameras. By using real cameras to cover main entrances and fake cameras at the side of the house, it’s good enough to make it look as though your house is under heavy surveillance. Be careful though, some dummy cameras are not realistic enough and after close inspection, a burglar can easily tell whether it’s real or fake. So, do not simply go out and get yourself a fake camera. Compare the fake camera with real camera and get one that’s mimicking the real camera very well. The Motion-Sensing Dummy camera comes highly recommended. At only $24.99, it comes with a motion sensor. Triggering the sensor will cause the camera to flash light and when combined with a warning sign saying that your home is under surveillance will make your fake security system looks even more real. Warning signs can be bought from most security store or by following the link below.

Good fake cameras that can mimic real cameras well can deter theft. At only a fraction of the cost of real components, use it as a standalone or to complement your home security system.

Fake camera resources:
Spytechs.com
Smarthome.com
Homesecuritystore.com
Successdirectusa.com

Control Panel: The brain of a home security system

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:09:40 +0000

The control panel is the central component of a security system. It is the home to the central processing unit, the brain of the system. This is the one place that you should never cut corners. You are better off spending additional money now for a control that will be capable of performing any function you may want, now or in the future, rather than installing a less powerful one now and having to replace it when you want to expand your system.

The master control panel is usually mounted onto a wall and should be placed where it’s not easy for burglar to find such as the basement of your home. Various sensors connect to the control panel from locations throughout your home. If your security system is armed and the sensors detect a problem, they send signals to the control panel. The control panel automatically dials the central monitoring station, where the proper authorities (police, fire, ambulance) are notified.

Most control panels available in the market now offer wire and wireless support. This offer flexibility and allows connection to wireless component when connecting the component with wire is impossible.

The most important feature in a control for home alarm use is the maximum number of zones that the control can support (some panels can support over 100). Remember that a zone can be a single point of protection, or you can combine multiple points into a single zone. For example, if you have 4 windows in your bedroom you could put each window a separate zone or you could combine the all the windows into 1 zone. Zoning becomes important if you start getting false alarms. If each window has its own zone, you will know exactly where the problem is. If you have 6 windows on 1 zone it will take more time to find the problem.

Additional zones will increases the price, but it may be wise to take some steps during the installation to enable you to add zones in the future without major costs. First make sure that the installer runs separate wires from each device to the control panel (home run wiring), so that re-wiring to the devices will not be needed, second get a control which can be expanded to include the total number of zones you will need in the future. This way, adding zones is simply a matter of adding expander boards and re-connecting wires at the control. The powerful M1GSYS2 – ELK M1 Gold Security Automation Control Panel offers a minimum of 16 zones and are expandable to 208 zones. Other than the strong security feature, it also offers powerful home automation functionality . This will come very useful when you want to turn your home into a smarthome.

For someone with basic security system in mind and insist on an economical panel, the NAPCO Gemini P816 control panel at an economical price of $74.99 is sufficient. The maximum number of zones is only 16 but what it’s lacking in, it make it up with fire protection.

Guide to buying a home security system

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:27:59 +0000

Security system is one of the best ways to protect your home. It’s reported by NBFAA that homes without security systems are 3 times more likely to become burglary targets than homes with such devices and according to the FBI, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds. That is a very scary number.

There are many alarm systems on the market ranging from fairly cheap to more sophisticated systems. Be wary though, some low cost alarms can, through false alarms, be a nuisance to you and your neighbors.

There are basically 2 types of alarm systems: a local alarm and a monitored system. A local alarm sets off a siren when it’s triggered. It’s designed to scare off a potential intruder with a lot of noise. A monitored system is a system connected to a central security service and it doesn’t just make a lot of noise when it’s triggered, it sends an emergency signal to the monitoring center whereby the right people can respond to the signal. A monitored system tends to be more expensive but by signing up for the security service, it sometimes qualify you up to 20 percent discount on your homeowner’s insurance and some even throws in a discount on your security system.

Carefully consider each potential home security system before purchasing one as it is also an investment in your family’s safety.

- Get at least three quotes and specialist advice from companies that supply alarms.

- Talk to your insurance company about the alarm companies they recommend before you decide which best suits your needs.

- What kind of features that comes with the system. For example, added fire protection feature or timer for your lightings.

- Ease of use of the system. Don’t buy a system that requires you to be a rocket scientist to operate. A system that has a very deep learning curve can give you problems instead of peace of mind.

- What are the maintenance plans for the system?

- If you are planning to use a monitoring service with your system, please check the company’s background before signing up. Make sure they are experienced and have a good reputation.

When installing a security system, it would be best to install a system that has the added ability to project the impression that somebody is home. Today’s security system can do a lot of things from turning lights on to keeping pipes from freezing.
If a house is empty for most of the time of the day, this kind of system is very useful as it can turn on the TV or radio periodically and this can cause a burglar to think twice before striking. What burglars want are your belongings and would not risk the chance of having contact with the owner. Prevention is always better than cure and in this case, preventing break-in is better than sounding the alarm when the burglar is already inside the house.