Home Security Camera
Home Security Camera questions and answers
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Q: Install a home security camera?
I already have an alarm system at home. Should I still install a home security camera?
A: Yes, this is a great deterrence. The crook is more likely to pass you by and hit a less well defended home, just like a bonehead will look for an unlocked car to hot wire.
Also, if the camera is hooked up to a recording device, you stand a good chance of catching and convicting a burglar if a break-in does happen.
This link will explain your options.
Q: Home security camera surveillance-how much does a basic set up cost?
Lost of crime in my neighbor and interested in home camera surveillance. Is it expensive and is it worth it?
A: You can purchase a variety of different systems, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. You probably don't need the most expensive systems (unless your house is huge). A good option would be to place external security cameras in areas that a thief would most likely pass through before he entered your home. You can then attach the security cameras to a DVR so that they only record when there is activity.
However, I think its important to point out that while security cameras are great, they are only one (optional) component of home security. Your first goal should be a home security system. You can purchase these online and install them yourself. They are the same models as you would receive from ADT or Brinks, but at a fraction of the cost, since you do the actual installation (which is not that difficult). The site below is a good resource for home security systems and camera systems. Good luck.
Q: Can someone tell me what to buy so I can set up a home security camera?
I want to set up a home security camera that is motion sensitive to record video when it detects motion and record the video on my home PC. I need to know what to buy exactly, I dont' think I have a video recording card. Any brand names that are good would help and where to buy them.
A: There are home security shops which sell a complete kit with everything you need as you described
Q: Can anyone recommend a wireless home security camera brand/model (good in low light)?
I am looking for a wireless home security camera I can place in a window. I have read some reviews and cannot find one that is good in low light that is in my price range. I would not want to spend more than $300. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.
A: What will you be wirelessly connecting the camera to?
If a video security video recorder like
http://shop3.frys.com/search;jsessionid=igmkt3FrHDCr+YdP-r8Rdw**.node3?cat=-45940&pType=pDisplay
or a modified computer, then one with a base station that connects with an RCA cable to the recorder (or newly installed PC card) would be appropriate.
If you want it to be directly on a computer network (IP-based), and there is no base station (but yout wireless router needs to be working propertly), then an IP network camera is appropriate - and you see what the camera sees by connecting to it using a web browser on your computer...
In either case, for no- or low-light applications, the camera needs to see in the dark using infrared LEDs which come on when it gets dark enough.
Also, keep in mind that "wireless" is ONLY the video connection. The camera still needs a wire - for power. Some - not all - also have a small mic for picking up audio, too.
http://shop3.frys.com/search;jsessionid=igmkt3FrHDCr+YdP-r8Rdw**.node1?query_string=&cat=-45928&pType=pDisplay&resultpage=0&from=0&to=24
Q: What can you record with a home security camera?
I wanted to do this last summer, when we had a drug dealer doing deals right outside my kitchen window. Luckily he is gone now. But I would still like to place security camera around my apartment to record any other illegal acts, such as vandalism. My main concern is invading the privacy of someone that is not doing anything wrong. My landlord already has the main entrances to our building covered, but I would like to watch out for the common areas, such as wehre the drug deals took place.
I live in Upstate NY.
A: The best suggestion is to contact the local police. Reason being, they are the ones who would end up getting the video.
One major thing you do need to consider is the quality of the recorded images. Camera's are not like the human eye, they do have weaknesses, particularly the discount spy store or hardware store variety. I have a video surveillance section on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca Feel free to check it out as it does have quite abit of techincal info on how camera's and recorders work. After all, if the images are crap and the crackhead gets away, you just wasted your money on camera's.
Back to the legality issue. Human rights groups are constantly bickering about public video surveillance. In fact, a town around here wanted to have camera's installed in high crime area's and was refused. However, traffic camera's are allowed and are everywhere... difference being the recording. If you have a sign which states "your images are being recorded and will be used in criminal prosecution." Of course, like I said, talk to your local police or look for privacy commissioner in your area. Another thought would be, there should be nothing stopping you from having a camera recording activity in your appartment... maybe looking at a window. nudge nudge wink wink
Q: Need answers to linksys wvc200 home security camera. I need to setup domain for it to view anywhere?
This camera I want to setup a domain to allow access to it at a remote browser. I never setup a dns, any help out there?
A: I'm sorry, but I don't know@
Q: how do i down load video from a plugged and play home security camera to my desk top PC thank you Nettie?
my pc is vista wireless i have plugged and play home security camera can someone tell me how to used my pc to down load the video from the security camera to my pc and play it back on my pc i thank you very much for any help that you can give me nettie
A: Unless the security camera has some sort of storage medium for the video it records, you won't be able to download it. I'm guessing that the camera came with some sort of software package (if it's a digital camera) that will allow you to monitor what the camera is recording on the PC. This is how most home and medium security camera systems work. You may even have the option of archiving the video you record. GL
Q: Is there a home security camera for sale where you can view your house from any computer anywhere?
I'm looking to put camera in my house, I was wondering is there a product where I can view the activity in my house from anywhere?
A: Yes. There are web enabled ones that can have their own web address. You plug them into your router and give them an address there. They were about $500 or so the last time I looked.
I can't find the catalog I had on that but here is one company. I think there are many more that have them cheaper (actual manufacturers not just stores selling them).
http://www.smarthome.com/73900P2.HTML
Q: What's a good, inexpensive home network security camera?
We're looking to set up an inexpensive network security camera in our home. I already have ethernet wiring in most of the house, and a Windows 2003 server that could run any software required to record video. I'm looking for a fairly inexpensive IP-based security camera. Any recommendations ?
A: I would recommend that you read up on video surveillance. there are lots of security cameras in the market that can specialize in a variety of things. there are simple ones that simply records videos while there are others that have night vision which is good for dimly lit environment. here's a good site to start on: http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com
Q: Alarm Systems or Home Security Camera Systems?
Which is better? Alarm Systems or Home Security Camera Systems?
A: Id say alarm system. That can be tied into the smoke alarm as well as detect motion, glassbreak, doors and windows. Plus you can have that monitored 24/7 and call the police fire dept or medical services. A camera system will only allow you to view and/or record anything happening inside your home. You would be able to check it anytime from the internet but many new alarm systems can do that as well now.
Q: How can you set up a home security camera with little money?
I always wonder what goes on when no one is in the house. I've heard of cameras that you can rotate around at your office or somthing like that.. Are they affordable?
A: There are inexpensive professional systems out there. You just need to know where to look. There are a couple things you need to figure out before looking for equipment. You need to first figure out where you want the camera. So for instance if it is outside you would need something weatherproof versus inside. Then you need to figure out how you are going to get the video from the camera to the monitor or recording device. So do you want hard wired or wireless. Also, whether you want to record it or not.
There is a company called Security Cameras Direct. You can order Security Equipment from home. They have cameras as low as $19.00. You can go online or order by telephone. You can chat with them online or the phone to find the best cameras. Check out their website below.
Q: Can you recommend a great home security camera system?
I would like to be able to hook it up to my computer system through my wireless network. Anything affordable out there?
A: "Affordable" means different things to different people.
All the IP or Network cameras will do what you want - remember, wireless is not totally accurate. The camera still needs a wire for power.
Do you need color? Night vision? How far does the night vision need to be?
Because the cams are on your LAN, they get assigned an IP address and you get to them through a browser on your computer. There is no "system" - it just depends if you want the computer to record the camera activities. IP cameras are typically more expensive than the analog cameras.
Another method is to get the wireless 2.4 GHz analog cameras and feed the video into a multi-channel DVR like
http://shop1.frys.com/search?cat=-45940&pType=pDisplay
Since the DVR would get assigned an IP address, then you access the DVR - not the individual cameras. Some of the DVRs require you to buy a hard drive, too - 250 gig or 500 gig HDDs are pretty cheap...
Q: What's the best home security camera on the market?
I'm looking for something cheap that has audio and is wireless. Thanks!
A: Well for one thing "Cheap" and "Best" are oxymorons. I have pasted an article I wrote awhile back on CCTV technology. There are quite a number of wireless camera's on the market, my recomendation would depend entirely on what you are looking at using the footage for. If you want detail and court submissability, forget about cheap and if you don't want to spend alot of money wipe wireless out of the equation entirely. There is more information on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca. For now here is the article, it is abit old but most of the information still applies.
If you have any further questions, feel free to send me a message. Please don't do as the last person and call my toll free line. As I am doing this for free, all questions have to be through Email.
Also, if you are going to be recording and/or monitoring Audio, you should look into your local privacy regulations on the topic.
Good Luck
The starting point of any C.C.T.V. system is the camera. Simply stated, a camera is a light sensitive device that converts particles of light into electrical impulses, however, there is a vast difference in the quality of cameras available to the consumer. Factors that differentiate the various cameras include whether they are color, black and white, light sensitivity, image resolution and image transfer technology. The consumer must also consider the inherent advantages and disadvantages in each of these different camera technologies and decide which features best fit their individual needs and goals.
In the past, color cameras have been both very expensive and lack-luster in their image performance, when compared to black and white cameras. New technology is now bringing the innovative technologies closer together in both the price and performance scale. The current differences between the two technologies are almost entirely limited to light sensitivity and light reactivity.
Light sensitivity is measured in LUX. The lower the LUX rating, the higher the sensitivity to light. It is important to keep in mind that even the best-rated cameras are limited by the technology of the day, as well as the visibility conditions present at the time of the surveillance. Although great advancements in low light surveillance continue to be ongoing, the image quality in a low light situation will rarely be up to the standards of daylight surveillance.
Color cameras, although much more appealing on the outside when compared to their black and white counterparts, generally offer less low light sensitivity than a black and white camera. The other advantage of black and white cameras over color cameras is its ability to "see" infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. You can test this by aiming a standard television remote at a black and white camera while watching the monitor, the flashes you see are bursts of infrared light. The advantage of this becomes apparent in the ability to light up a dark area with infrared light, thus making images visible in almost pure darkness. With the color camera the area will appear unlit, however, to a black and white camera, the area will appear almost like daylight.
The black and white camera‚s reactivity to the invisible light spectrum can also pose a disadvantage in certain applications. Infrared light, although not visible to the human eye, is found in abundance in many everyday situations. For example, when aiming a black and white camera at hot pavement, it will "confuse" the camera resulting in an unbalanced image. Professional grade black and white cameras often incorporate infrared cut-filters. These cut-filters inhibit the infrared light spectrum in turn decreasing the cameras low light sensitivity.
The C.C.T.V. Industry measures image resolution in horizontal lines. The higher the line rating, the clearer the image will appear. With this fact in mind, consider that all electronic components within a C.C.T.V. System, from the camera, to the VCR, to the monitor. These items are all rated in the same way. The actual resolution of the entire system will only be as high as the lowest rated item. For example, if you have a camera rated at 450 lines and a monitor rated at 300 lines, then the result will be 300 visible lines of resolution because the monitor is the lowest rated item in this example. Another point to keep in mind is that the line rating is "Total lines" not lines per inch. Therefore a 12" monitor with a 300 line rating has a far better clarity than a 17" monitor with the same line rating.
The most recent and predominant advances in the C.C.T.V. Industry are the changes in image transfer technology. This technology deals with how the camera takes light particles and converts them into electronic images. Without going into too much detail, image transfer technologies include the following:
Phosphorus Tube Cameras - This camera has low quality, old technology and is susceptible to "image burn". Image burn is when intense light sources will burn themselves into the camera‚s light receptor resulting in the image appearing "memorized". Although this is not a problem with modern day cameras, image burn can still occur on monitors. Tube cameras are also known for poor low light sensitivity.
C.C.D - Also known as "Chip cameras". This camera is the most standard of cameras in the professional realm. C.C.D. cameras do not suffer from the problem of image burn and can incorporate various methods of signal processing, which offers a high level of flexibility to the installer.
CMOS Transfer Cameras - These cameras are very small and continue to get smaller as the technology advances. Although very attractive in their size, CMOS cameras generally do not offer the signal processing, image quality or low light sensitivity of the higher priced C.C.D. camera models. However, the technologies are slowly growing closer together to the point where CMOS cameras may eventually take over the Surveillance Industry.
The Surveillance Industry has continued to move towards the implementation of color cameras that switch to black and white, or even infrared in low light conditions. Although there are some models currently available on the market, the technology is not at a point where it is affordable enough to be manufactured on a large scale.
Q: I need a home security camera for Christmas decorations that I can hook up to my computer.?
Last year we had a drunk hit and run with the decorations on new years eve and did a lot of damage. Just want something cheep i saw some but you have to hook them up to a T.V. and record from there.
Would like it to be wireless.
A: Depending on where and how you can set up the camera a simple web cam will work, and you can get it to record to your hard drive when motion is detected, not all of the time.
You will need a usb cable from the web cam to the computer set up the driver and go.
Q: What is the weirdest thing you have ever caught on your nanny cam or home security camera?
A: me doing some pretty creepy stuff *shudders* X