Security Monitoring Cameras - Guide to Picking
the Best One for Your Needs
Security monitoring cameras
provide the best way to keep tabs on your home and business when you’re
not there. If someone tries to compromise your home or business,
security cameras will give you a real witness account so you’ll know who
the perpetrator is and what he did. If you want to prosecute him, the
hard evidence caught on camera can lead to a quick and successful
conviction.
There are many types of
surveillance cameras. Each one has its own unique advantages and
disadvantages. The best choice for you will depend on your particular
situation, home or business set up, and preferences. Below are the major
types of security cameras.
Bullet Cameras
Bullet security monitoring cameras get their name from their long
and narrow casing. A bullet camera’s base is significantly smaller than
its head. This shape gives the bullet camera the advantage of fitting in
a multitude of places where most cameras cannot. They can be used
indoors and outdoors, as they are weatherproof and very durable. They
can record clear video and images in various levels of light, from
daylight to complete darkness. Depending on lens size, a bullet camera
can record a clear facial image from 25 feet (i.e. 2.97 mm lens) to 100
feet (i.e. 25 mm lens). The only real disadvantage of bullet cameras is
that they generally are limited to a fixed line of sight, unless you
purchase a high end model with auto pan, tilt, and zoom functions.
Dome Cameras
Dome cameras take the shape of a dome, or are enclosed in a dome
casing. They are usually mounted upside down on a ceiling, but can also
be mounted sideways against a wall, or upright on a flat surface. Dome
cameras are very durable as their casings resist vandalism, extreme
temperatures, and adverse weather conditions. They have the most viewing
versatility, many being able to pan a full 360 degrees and tilt 180
degrees for full coverage of the room being monitored, and have a decent
zoom distance. They can often be set up to be controlled manually, or
patrol automatically. The big disadvantages to using a dome camera is
their placement is usually limited to the ceiling, unless you get a
special mounting kit that will allow you more versatility. Zoom
distances are not as powerful as other types of security cameras, such
as bullet cameras.
Wireless Cameras
Wireless security monitoring cameras transmit video signals
wirelessly to a handheld set, VCR, TV, or DVR via a transmitter affixed
to the camera. They are the easiest to install because they’re small,
don’t require any real hard-wiring, and offer a clutter free, sleek set
up. These features allow the user the greatest amount of placement
versatility. Many can successfully transmit clear picture 50-100 feet
through physical barriers (ie. walls) in varying weather and lighting
conditions. Some models can be controlled to pan, tilt, and zoom by
wireless remote. One disadvantage that the wireless camera has is its
video feed can be disturbed by a nearby electromagnetic frequency, such
as one that is given off by a cordless phone. Also, for continuous
operation, you’ll need to use an AC power adapter. So, they can’t be
completely wireless (nevertheless much less wiring involved) unless you
use batteries, which need to be replaced after a couple hours due to the
high amount of battery energy required to power the camera. However, a
motion detector console can save you lots of battery life by activating
the camera only when something is moving in front of it.
IP Cameras
IP, or network cameras allow the user to view real time security
footage over the internet via a remote computer, or other web enabled
handheld device such as a cell phone, PDA, and pocket PC. Each IP camera
has its own IP address, a series of numbers and dots that allow anyone
to zero in on a specific internet compatible device out of the
gazillions out there. Accessing the feeds is as easy as typing your
camera’s IP address into your browser’s (i.e. Internet Explorer, Mozilla)
internet address bar. You can also set up a password for obvious privacy
matters. You can plug your IP camera directly into a network jack or set
your camera up to connect via Wi-Fi. Since IP camera feeds are streamed
via the internet, users can keep a watchful eye on their homes and
businesses from virtually anywhere in the world. The main disadvantage
of using an IP camera is, being dependent on the internet, if the
network it is connected to gets knocked out, goodbye feed. Secondly, if
it is a Wi-Fi IP camera, as with any other wireless camera, it is prone
to interference from nearby electromagnetic signals.
Spy Cameras
The spy camera category is a catch-all for security monitoring
cameras that are difficult to notice. They come in many forms. For
example, pinhole cameras are about the size of quarters and can be
hidden in books, picture frames, fans, air purifiers, lamps, stuffed
animals, plants, small holes in the wall, or wherever else you can fit
them. Some are disguised as plain appliances or objects, such as smoke
detectors, fire sprinklers, motion detectors, watches, phones, clocks,
etc. They can be powered by batteries or by AC power adapter. Some have
their own storage capacity or use memory cards, while others relay
information to TV, VCR, DVR, or other device for viewing and recording
purposes, which can be done wirelessly or by hard wire. While security
cameras that are in plain view are susceptible to vandalism or can be
avoided, the covert nature of spy cameras can help you cover all your
bases. This is especially helpful when you suspect someone of foul play
and want to catch him or her “in the act.” While a spy cameras small
size is its greatest advantage, it’s also its greatest weakness,
generally limiting it to a couple feet of viewing distance. Most are
limited to black and white. However, there are a few models that can
record in color. There are even fewer that can see in low light,
although they are not as small as the typical pinhole cameras and can
cost twice as much or more.
Security cameras can be
purchased at www.x10.com,
www.surveillance-video.com,
and www.homesecuritystore.com.
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