Friday, May 25, 2012

Who Wants an EVIL Camera?

Who could possibly want an EVIL camera? Many people, it turns out, are in the market for such a device.

From the name, it would seem there is something very sinister about these cameras, as if they could actually steal souls or vaporize subjects.

In actuality, there is nothing nefarious about EVIL cameras. The term is simply an acronym similar to SLR (Single Lens Reflex). EVIL stands for Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens.

Depending on your point of view, the term is either an unfortunate nickname or a clever play on words. Regardless, EVIL cameras are set to make a big splash in the coming years.

The EVIL models are designed to occupy the market between inexpensive point and shoot cameras and top-line dSLRs. Again depending on your orientation, they are either a waste of time or the type of cameras the photo industry should have built long ago,

Advantages of EVIL Cameras:

Size and Weight

EVIL models are much smaller than the typical dSLR. They are also lighter to carry, something many photographers would appreciate after a long day of schlepping camera gear around.

DSLR Sensor size

Not all of the EVIL cameras have big sensors, but many of the new models use the same size and type of sensor as a typical dSLR. Larger sensors mean less noise and better image quality. The result is a camera the size of a large point and shoot which offers the image quality of a dSLR.

Interchangeable Lenses

While these new mid-range cameras look similar to their point and shoot brethren, the fact that they can accept a full range of lenses provides options and flexibility that fixed-lens cameras cannot match.

Advanced Features

Some camera makers are positioning these new models as a replacements for low-end dSLRs. To assume this role, these cameras require dSLR features such as RAW image creation, manual exposure options, burst mode, high-ISO settings and the like.

EVIL cameras do not look like a professional camera

Many people are nervous around photographers with pro-level cameras. Sports and concert venues may discourage dSLRs to eliminate unauthorized photos. The person with an EVIL camera will look like an ordinary fan or tourist, allowing them to gather photos unobtrusively.

This works both ways, however. Someone with a dSLR will appear more professional and may garner more paying assignments if they want to sell their work.

EVIL Cameras drawbacks:

No eve-level viewfinder

The biggest limitation of the basic EVIL design is the lack of an eye-level viewfinder. To compose and shoot you must use the LCD on the back of the camera. This might work with simple point and shoot cameras, but there could be severe limitations when using long telephoto lenses. Imagine affixing a twelve inch long lens on one of these cameras. To shoot hand-held, you would have to hold the camera body at arm's length, with that huge, heavy lens protruding out the front. Good luck holding that steady.

Another disadvantage is that many LCD panels are difficult to see in bright sunlight. Composing and focusing in full sun might be difficult.

Fortunately, some camera manufacturers are offering auxiliary eye-level viewfinders for their electronic viewfinder entries.. These allow you to hold an EVIL camera up to your eye, much like a conventional dSLR. This a step in the right direction, although many photographers will still prefer the look of an optical viewfinder over an electronic one.

Lack of advanced dSLR features

While EVIL cameras vary by manufacturers, the feature list usually falls short of a dSLR. Naturally, camera makers will add features if they sense consumer demand. At the same time, the smaller form-factor of these cameras makes it more difficult to include all the features of a dSLR.

Lens/Accessories not as extensive as dSLR systems

Most dSLR lines are fairly mature, with a complete system of lenses, flash units and accessories. EVIL camera designs are new, and their systems are smaller and less-complete. Over time, successful EVIL systems will mature and expand. If you choose a model that fails to gain traction in the marketplace however, you may find yourself limited and frustrated by the lack of available attachments.

Interchangeability between EVIL and dSLR models is limited

Some EVIL cameras can use SLR lenses and flash units, making them attractive as a second body or as a backup to an existing dSLR system. Because the EVIL bodies are so small, the sensor is usually too close to the lens mount to allow dSLR lenses to attach directly. An adapter may allow you to use your SLR lenses, but adapters generally involve some form of compromise.

Prices are not much different than an actual dSLR

As dSLR prices continue to fall, there isn't much difference between the cost of a dLSR and an EVIL camera. In fact, when you add items like an accessory electronic viewfinder, the EVIL camera may cost significantly more. The new designs are smaller and lighter, but the dSLR has more features. There are many reasons to prefer one type over the other, but price is not one of them.

EVIL accessories may not transfer if you want to upgrade to a dSLR

A point and shoot camera is generally complete by itself, so a photographer who wants to advance to a high-quality dSLR has no legacy equipment to lock them into a specific system. If someone assembles a complete EVIL system, with several lenses and accessories, they will have to start all over again if they want to move to a dSLR. This may end up trapping some photographers into the EVIL system, because they have too much invested. Upgrading to dSLR equipment may be too costly.

EVIL cameras aren't bad, they are just different. Whether you should own one depends on your photographic aspirations, your photography requirements and your philosophy. They won't replace a dSLR or a point and shoot in every situation, but an EVIL camera might just be a "good" option for you.

Interested in learning more about EVIL cameras? Tom Bonner's NEX Squidoo Lens is chocked full of information on the new Sony Alpha NEX EVIL cameras.

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Basic Digital Camera Setup

So you've got yourself a new camera? Welcome to the world of photography. What now? There are a few basic things you need to know when setting up a digital camera for first time use. It is nice to know that digital cameras are almost 100% compatible with the newer windows operating software and can be addressed by almost all tech support lines like Windows Support, Microsoft Support and numerous software support teams worldwide. Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, support almost all digital cameras without the need for specialized software or software upgrades. When you unboxed a digital camera, there are 3 things that are present in all packages, the camera itself, data cable and the installation software. Accessories, photo software and freebies differ from one camera to another but the first three items mentioned are all there when the box is opened.

First thing a user needs to do is to power up the camera. Most cameras have a small amount of battery charge when it leaves the factory so a new camera should power up with no problems right out of the box. Check the lens and the viewfinder for plastic protective films as these cause blur either through the viewfinder or to the picture taken. This is a common mistake for camera beginners. Next, power up the PC and connect the data cable to it but do not connect the other end to the camera yet. Why? Because some cameras require installing the camera software first before connecting the camera and others require that the camera be connected before software / driver installation. In Windows 7 it would be safe to just connect the camera and then it will be detected and installed right away. With older versions, like XP or Vista, caution must be observed and make sure to follow on screen instructions to ensure a successful software installation.

After installing the camera software and connecting the camera to the PC, it should get detected as a storage device in the My Computer area. At this point, the camera is already a part of the storage devices of windows and the user can now drag and drop photos from taken from the camera to the hard drive. An option to install a photo management program with more advanced features like an automatic photo organizer, automatic photo filename maker and photo enhancements should be available but is not a necessity if the user chooses not to install them. It is also important to fully charge a camera on its first use since the battery life is almost always affected by the initial charge it receives so with all these, we hope you enjoy your new toy.

So you've got yourself a new camera? Welcome to the world of photography. What now? There are a few basic things you need to know when setting up a digital camera for first time use. It is nice to know that digital cameras are almost 100% compatible with the newer windows operating software and can be addressed by almost all tech support lines like Windows Support, Microsoft Support and numerous software support teams worldwide. Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, support almost all digital cameras without the need for specialized software or software upgrades.

When you unboxed a digital camera, there are 3 things that are present in all packages, the camera itself, data cable and the installation software. Accessories, photo software and freebies differ from one camera to another but the first three items mentioned are all there when the box is opened.

First thing a user needs to do is to power up the camera. Most cameras have a small amount of battery charge when it leaves the factory so a new camera should power up with no problems right out of the box. Check the lens and the viewfinder for plastic protective films as these cause blur either through the viewfinder or to the picture taken. This is a common mistake for camera beginners. Next, power up the PC and connect the data cable to it but do not connect the other end to the camera yet. Why? Because some cameras require installing the camera software first before connecting the camera and others require that the camera be connected before software / driver installation. In Windows 7 it would be safe to just connect the camera and then it will be detected and installed right away. With older versions, like XP or Vista, caution must be observed and make sure to follow on screen instructions to ensure a successful software installation.

After installing the camera software and connecting the camera to the PC, it should get detected as a storage device in the My Computer area. At this point, the camera is already a part of the storage devices of windows and the user can now drag and drop photos from taken from the camera to the hard drive. An option to install a photo management program with more advanced features like an automatic photo organizer, automatic photo filename maker and photo enhancements should be available but is not a necessity if the user chooses not to install them. It is also important to fully charge a camera on its first use since the battery life is almost always affected by the initial charge it receives so with all these.

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The Definitive Security Cameras Glossary, Every Feature Explained

The security industry has been doing quite well in the past decade due to awareness of the products to ensure safety.

Many business entrepreneurs, who want to start on their own face many hurdles because of the extreme competition online and not enough technical knowledge on the products.

The security camera industry is constantly evolving with the addition of latest cameras and cutting-edge technology. This has propelled many technical terms associated with every device such as "frames per second", "horizontal lines", "images per second", etc.

It is very important to understand the technical know-how of the terms.

This helps you be aware of the compatibility of a product and its features with your system to make an informed decision on a purchase

So to help you out we have put together a quick guide of all the major terms you will hear within the industry.

PAL

PAL or Phase Alternating Lines, is a standard video system used in the Eastern countries, which transmits 25 frames in each second. 625 individual scan lines make up one frame

NTSC

NTSC or National Television System Committee, used mostly in North and South America, transmits 30 frames each second. 525 individual scan lines make a single frame.

CCD sensor

CCD or Charged Coupled Device sensors in security cameras capture images that have better quality and less noise as compared to CMOS sensors.

CMOS sensor

A CMOS sensor captures images & uses less power as compared to a CCD sensor and is cheaper. It works well for wireless or for battery-powered cameras

Pinhole Camera

In pinhole cameras, one of the oldest types of cameras, you can capture high-quality still images but blurred moving images.

CCTV Security Camera System

In CCTV technology, images can be captured & stored without using tape and can be wireless. It also records action and responds by setting off alarms, call the police and more.

720p

720p is the resolution, or quality, of the picture displayed on a monitor with high-definition resulting in sharp images. "720" represents the number of horizontal scan lines (720) of resolution. The "p" is the progressive scanning that gives a smoother picture with 720 lines being refreshed 30 times in a second.

1080i

Here "1080" is the number of horizontal scan lines. "i" stands for interlaced scanning, a process where frames are mixed to form a smoother picture with less flicker.

LUX

LUX is a method to measure the amount of light that is needed for the security camera to capture images. A lower LUX means the camera has the ability to see images more clearly in the dark. E.g. 1 LUX - good quality images in late evening, 0.5 LUX - dim lit areas at night,.05 LUX - captures images better than humans at night.

DVR

A Digital Video Recorder or DVR is a general term for a device that records television data in digital format. It encodes video data in MPEG-1/ MPEG-2 formats and stores data in a hard drive and the capability to pause "live" TV and continue without missing any part of a program.

Wired Security Camera

A "wired" camera is hard-wired to the monitor and recording systems. The image cables are needed to transfer the camera images, then changed to a signal and sent to monitors, where signals are decoded in to live pictures.

Wireless Security Camera

Wireless cameras as the name suggests are "wire-free" and use electronic signals to relay images to the monitor/receivers and are converted to pictures.

IP Security Camera

it use Internet Protocol to transmit images and control signals over an Ethernet link. Also known as network cameras, they are primarily used for surveillance similar to analog closed-circuit television.

Super HAD CCD sensor

Super HAD CCD sensor, a Sony product, provides twice the results than traditional CCD. Used in security cameras, these sensors allow cameras to be in environments for long periods of intensely bright ambient light or darkness.

RF

RF stands for Radio Frequency; video signals must be modulated into a RF signal to be transmitted across a wireless network.

Interline CCD sensor

Interline CCDs are used mainly in image sensors used for capturing moving images like security cameras. They avoid image smear because light cannot affect the masked pixel storage area and these security cameras are inexpensive.

Horizontal Definition

It is the highest amount of individual picture elements recognizable in a single scanning line. The clarity and sharpness of an image produced by the camera depends on higher number of lines resulting in greater definition of images.

Angular Field of View

AOV is defined by the field of view that the camera covers which is a few degrees above and below the angle it is pointed at. The images captured depend on the size and area covered by the camera.

Effective Distance

It is measurement of how far the camera can "see". There 2 types of effective distance: day distance and night distance. Security cameras use infrared technologies to capture details of images at a distance.

BNC Connector

A BNC is a video connector usually used in a wireless security camera system. It makes use of RF to broadcast images captured by the security cameras to monitors and recording equipment. Using the above glossary, you can educate yourself on the technical dictionary of security cameras.

You can also post it on your site to make it easier for the customer to choose the right security camera based on their needs. Each glossary term can be a separate page with recommendations of your products with that capability alongside.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

10 Reasons Why IP Network Cameras Are Superior to CCTV Cameras

When choosing a video surveillance system, you want to go with the best video quality for the buck, and with a Network IP camera, there are 10 reasons why you should consider them over 20th century CCTV cameras.

1. End Your Interlace Issues:When you move to a Network IP camera, you get rid of the interlace problem with moving video. If you have seen a moving image with lines in it, that is interlace, where two fields make up one complete frame using interlace scanning.

With a network camera, one complete frame is used during a progressive scan, so your moving images are much clearer than with a CCTV camera.

2. Power Your Cameras Over Ethernet: When you power your cameras over your Ethernet network, you save money, and increase the reliability of your network.

You can't power your CCTV camera over your Ethernet network, and this is beneficial because you don't need a power outlet to power a network camera. This will save money on electricity, and lets you perform centralized backups.

All network cameras can be powered over Ethernet, whether they have built-in support, or not. If the support is not built in, you can purchase an injector/splitter, which will add the electricity to the Ethernet cable, then peel it off to power the camera.

3. Megapixel Resolution: CCTV cameras are limited in their resolution, and most can't give you megapixel resolution. 1 megapixel is 10x the resolution of CIF, which is 352 x 240.

With a network camera, you get better resolution, making for easier identification when you review the video. No longer will you get blurry video, especially when the subject is moving.

CCTV cameras are limited to 4CIF, or 704 x 480, while IP cameras are well past to 3 megapixel, or 2048 x 1536.

4. Smart Cameras: CCTV cameras are dumb; they just send video to a DVR. A network IP camera is smart, as it offers alarm management, image enhancement, license plate and facial recognition, and is built with the latest technology, and is really a little computer with a camera lens.

This allows you to have more detailed video, which helps in identifying suspects, and you can have alarm or motion activation, and unlimited scalability.

This allows you to set up specific motion detection areas that you want to watch, within your cameras image, and if no one comes in those areas, even though they are in the field of view, it will not be recorded. Examples are a door in a hallway, or a specific part of a hallway.

5. Integrated PTZ Control:With a CCTV set-up, you need separate cables to control the PTZ feature of your camera. With a network camera, it's all done over the network. With integrated I/O, it can trigger anything, and be triggered by anything.

This results in less labor, cabling, cost, and increased functionality and integration than with a CCTV camera system.

6. Built-in Audio: With a CCTV camera, very few have built in audio. It requires a separate cable, and a DVR that can accept an audio file. With a network camera, audio is usually built in, and is captured at the camera. You can integrate it with the video feed, or keep separate. You can also have two way audio, to and from the camera.

This allows you many possibilities like ease of installation, cost savings, synchronized audio with video, and two-way audio; duplex, half duplex, simplex.

With integrated audio, you can have remote dialog and allow gate or door access, as well as listen in on the location. This is a great way to help with surveillance scenes.

7. Your Communications Are Secure: CCTV video cameras are easy to tap into the video and replace it with a signal from another source. In the film, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Brad Pitt changed the video in an elevator camera before it was destroyed.

With IP cameras, they require authentication, and with their encryption, you cannot tap into the signal, giving you complete privacy, secure image capture and transmission, and an evidence trail.

8. Flexible And Cost Effective Infrastructure Choices: With CCTV cameras, you have expensive coax cable, fiber, and unreliable wireless installations. The further you go from your DVR, the worse the images. When you add power or audio, it just makes things harder.

With a network camera you have an established IP address, giving you clear digital pictures with no loss of quality. You can send many streams of video from dozens of cameras at one time, giving you a single wire network that allows hundreds of simultaneous full frame video streams.

This gives you better image quality, flexibility and scalability in a lower cost to operate than traditional CCTV cameras.

9. A True Digital Solution: A network video surveillance system will give you much clearer video due to the images being digitized on the spot. With a CCTV camera, you loose image quality every time you transfer the video from the analog signal when it is digitized in the cameras Digital Signal Processor, which is then converted back to analog to run up the coax cable, which is again digitized at the DVR for recording.

With a network camera, the images are digitized once, and they stay digital with no more conversions, resulting in the clearest video you can get from a video camera.

10. The Lowest Total Cost Of Ownership: When you compare the cost per camera, and the flexibility and performance a network camera gives you, it makes sense to go with the Network IP camera.

Things to consider are the back end applications and storage costs, as well as using open-system based servers, vs. proprietary hardware like a DVR. The software that comes with the camera is usually functional enough for basic viewing, though control center software allows you to watch multiple locations at one time.

Also, you are using your current network infrastructure, which can save you money in the long run.

It's clear that the future of video surveillance is with network cameras, let's sum up the benefits:

Remote accessibility
Easy and future proof integration
Scalability and flexibility
Clear video with no interlacing problems
Cost-effective • Lower installation costs
Distributed intelligence
Proven technology


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The Different Types of Security Cameras

When it comes to security cameras, buyers are often amazed at the wide variety of possibilities. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to describe all of the different styles in one short article. Here are a few of the most frequently used security camera types, including those that are most popular for home and small business security uses:

In addition to the various technologies, there are often a range of styles. Hidden cameras are among the most popular. A hidden camera is designed to blend into the surroundings, so that those watched don't realize that a camera is there. This is a great option for catching children misbehaving, nannies mistreating the kids, or employees stealing. The downside is that because the camera is not visible, it will not deter theft or other activities, but merely record their presence. Other security camera styles include dome cameras designed to be mounted on the ceiling.

Before the various types of security cameras are discussed, it may be useful to gain an understanding of camera quality. Image quality is measured by resolution, stated as a number of TV lines. A standard-resolution camera produces 350-380 lines of the image on a TV screen. This is fairly sharp, although to catch details, 400 or more TV lines is usually considered good resolution, while over 500 TV lines is high resolution.

Although you may assume that black and white cameras use older technologies and produce low-quality images when compared to cameras that produce a color image, this is not always the case. A black and white camera provides greater resolution and better sensitivity in low-light situations. On the other hand, surveillance with a color camera provides a more realistic and natural image.

The type of lens also affects the image produced. A professional-grade security camera typically has a box-type body, with the ability to change lens type and size. Interchangeable lenses allow this style of camera to monitor activities from nearly any distance. Although mainly found indoors, a waterproof body allows for outdoor use. This style of camera is very flexible in terms of potential uses, and is most frequently found installed by professionals in large businesses.

Bullet cameras are a style that is more popular for medium or small businesses. As the name suggests, the body of this camera is bullet-shaped. These cameras tend to be waterproof. Some also have IR LED light technology, making it possible to watch activities in completely dark environments. This feature usually works at distances under 50 feet, such as the interior of a business or home. Simple to install, these are a popular choice for do-it-yourself camera installation when monitoring activities within about 25 feet of the camera with the standard 3.6mm lens. For larger rooms, a 6mm lens may be required to allow the camera to record activities occurring farther away.

Board cameras have a fixed lens, and may be packaged in a small case, producing a hidden camera, or in a dome (producing a ceiling dome camera). The lens type allows for a range of uses, from a pinhole style used in hidden cameras to a wide-angle lens ideal for ceiling-mounted use. These cameras typically have a fixed mount, meaning that they do not move from side to side. This is a low-cost option for homes and businesses.

If you need a camera that can view in multiple directions, look for a PTZ, or pan-tilt-zoom camera. This camera is most frequently chosen in situations where someone is actively monitoring the camera, although it can be set to automatically rotate. These cameras can view and zoom in all directions. PTZ cameras include optional applications, such as facial recognition or license-plate recognition, depending upon the intended use.

In addition to real surveillance cameras, many homes and businesses opt for a dummy camera. This type of camera uses no technology at all. This lookalike is a cheap alternative to a real surveillance camera. Its purpose is to provide a visual deterrent by letting people know their activities are being monitored. This style is very popular around homes and businesses to prevent robberies, theft, and vandalism.

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Do You Know How to Spot a Wireless Hidden Spy Camera?

It was easy to spot a wireless hidden spy camera not too many years ago due to their large size, but today, this has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Cameras are much smaller and consume a fraction of the power that they did not too long ago. Because of this, hidden cameras can be installed in nearly any place you can imagine.

My husband and I had dinner at one of our local restaurants, after dinner we went to sit at the bar and have a night cap while watching one of the local bands playing a few numbers. Due to owning a store that sells surveillance equipment and hidden (nanny cams) cameras, I always look around to see if I can detect any spy cameras.

It did not take me long to locate one. Behind the bar where the liquor bottles are stored on the shelf, there it was, one of the liquor bottles had a very small hole in it.

In conversation with the bartender, I casually referred to and pointed out the bottle that had the spy camera. I also explained to the bartender that I was in the hidden surveillance camera business and was actually looking around the place for a wireless hidden spy camera.

The bartender, who happen to be one of the owners, asked me not to say anything to anyone. I assured him that as a professional in the surveillance business, his spy equipment will be kept secret.

Actually, in further conversion I learned that the owners of the restaurant were looking for additional wireless hidden spy camera equipment to put in other parts of the establishment. I even explained to him that surveillance equipment is dropping in price which makes the equipment very affordable. In fact, the average person can install and operated these cameras.

Hidden wireless cameras are nothing more than a board camera. A board camera is fully contained on a single circuit board including camera optics and all the electronics needed for generating the video signal. Board cameras are very easy to hide because of their tiny size. A video signal is sent to a receiver and is able to be watched right then and there or recorded for viewing sometime later.

New technology has come up with what is called a CMOS camera. There are cameras that can be handheld, photo capable cell phones and webcams, in fact, these cameras are less sensitive to electrical distortions and use less power. The draw back to the CMOS camera is that they are not as light sensitive which makes the image guality not as good under low light conditions.

The CMOS wireless hidden spy camera is what is placed in products such as the alarm clock hidden camera, wall clock hidden camera, and most anything else that is used around the house, business, or even the office. These cameras are so small that they can be hidden in more places than one could ever imagine. You can go into any spy shop store and you will find surveillance cameras galore. All the surveillance and hidden cameras come in many sizes, shapes and specific specifications. If you do not know what you are looking for but do know what you want the surveillance for, it would be best to ask the store personnel for their advice.

For starters, I will tell you some of the most important things to look for when purchasing surveillance equipment. Before buying a spy camera, you should know the difference between a wired and a wireless system.

Wired cameras have a video cable that runs from the camera to your recording or viewing device such as a DVR, VCR, or monitor.

Wireless cameras have a built-in transmitter that sends the video signal to a receiver. The receiver connects to your recording or viewing device. A wireless system can transmit up to 1000 feet and a high powered wireless camera can transmit up to 2500 feet.

There are two kinds of lens for either the wired or wireless cameras. A Varifocal Lens is one where the focal length of the lens can be varied. This is a fancy way of saying it is a zoom lens. Most varifocal lenses have, and in almost all circumstances should have, an auto iris feature.

The other lens is a Fixed Focal Length Lens that can not zoom. The focus is fixed. A fixed focal length lens usually allows more light to pass through the lens at a given focal length than a varifocal, or zoom lens. This can be important in low light situations.

If you do not know what you want or need, discuss with the shop employee what you are trying to accomplish. The employee should be able to recommend the number of cameras you will need and suggest where you can place those cameras. Do you want indoor and out door surveillance or just one or the other? Learn what a camera can do for you vs what you really need.

To protect you home, business, or personal stuff at your work place, you need a wireless hidden spy camera. If you believe something fishy is going on but you can not put your finger on it, you need a hidden camera to catch what you can not.

Millions of people are using a wireless hidden spy camera to check on their babysitters, to catch theft, even to catch abuse and infidelity. No other method can give you the proof or evidence that a surveillance camera can.

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Video Surveillance on a Budget - The Advantages of Wireless Security Cameras

Many people think that video surveillance is too complicated or too expensive to implement at their home or business. Ten years ago that may have been the case. Thanks to advances in technology video surveillance is an attractive and affordable security option for most homes and businesses.

In the past, installing a video surveillance system was a daunting task. It required you to run wires through your walls and install complicated hardware. Hard-wired systems are no longer the only option available. Wireless security cameras, IP cameras, and motion activated cameras with built in DVR's provide consumers several options that are both affordable and relatively simple to install and maintain.

Wireless security cameras provide tremendous flexibility over wired systems. Wireless security cameras allow you to place cameras in areas that are not accessible to wired systems and allow you to be more covert in your camera placement. Most wireless security cameras operate by using a separate camera and receiving unit. The camera can be either powered by a standard electrical outlet or by a 9-volt battery. The camera transmits a signal to the receiving unit that can store the video signal in a proprietary DVR unit or in some cases directly onto a computer hard drive. Video can be viewed during transmission in real time or by time indexed playback. Most wireless security cameras operate on the 2.4 Ghz frequency band and have a range between 300 and 600 feet depending on obstructions between the camera and receiving unit. Some wireless cameras are very obvious and look like what one would consider a typical surveillance camera. Placing these camera units in plain sight can be an effective way to discourage would be criminals. Other wireless cameras are much smaller and more covert. Some wireless security cameras are not much larger than a dime, making them very easy to conceal and move from location to location.

IP video cameras are a great option for monitoring your home or business from a remote location. IP video cameras operate by providing a video feed through your high-speed Internet connection. Simply place the camera in the desired location. Plug the receiver into the USB port of your computer, install the included software and you're set. You'll be able to access the video feed from a remote location through your computers high speed Internet connection or even through your phone browser. IP cameras can provide great peace of mind to people who have to leave pets or elderly parents unattended for a portion of the day.

Motion activated cameras with DVR's are an excellent solution if you need to monitor a specific area or location such as a parking lot or parking garage. When an object passes the field of view of the camera, the camera's recording device is activated and all activity is recorded to the camera's internal memory or to and SD card. You can then view playback on your computer via the SD card on the camera. Many motion activated cameras can be mounted in place of outdoor light fixtures and combine a motion activated flood light along with the camera. Other motion-activated cameras are more covert and can be used as nanny cameras. Nanny cameras can be disguised as common household items such as teddy bears, planters, clocks, DVD players. Once the motion activation has been triggered, the camera begins recording everything in its field of view. You'll be able to see what's going on while your gone.

As you can see, wireless security cameras offer several options that are not possible with wired systems. In terms of price, flexibility, and ease of operation wireless security cameras are a solid security solution for homes and small businesses.

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