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Monthly Archives: May 2014

How Do Night Vision Cameras Work?

Using night vision security cameras within your security system can greatly benefit your safety. Night vision security cameras utilize infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce infrared light not visible to the naked eye. These IR LEDs illuminate low light or no light environments allowing cameras to capture footage under less than ideal circumstances. These cameras allow you to keep an eye on your property at all hours.

During the day, when ample light is available, the infrared security cameras record in full color. Once evening falls and light sources are diminished, the IR LEDs begin to work and the cameras record in black and white. Switching to black and white recording helps to preserve image quality, providing excellent footage around the clock.

Night vision and infrared LEDs are available with most security cameras styles. Choose the camera style based on where you’ll be placing your security cameras. For indoor settings, dome cameras or small bullet cameras may be best, so that they can blend into the décor. For outdoor settings, you’ll want to be sure that your security cameras are weatherproof and vandal proof, or purchase proper housing to protect your cameras. Long range bullet cameras or PTZ cameras may be a better choice for outdoor locations, depending on the area you would like to monitor. Whether installed indoors or outdoors, night vision is a helpful feature for your security cameras.

Not only are you enabling your security system to work 24/7, you are potentially helping to stop or solve crimes faster. Security cameras act as deterrents, but many may think the cameras don’t work in darkness. With night vision security cameras, you now have footage of an overnight crime that could potentially help identify and catch the criminal.

Rest a little easier at night by adding infrared or night vision security cameras to your overall security system. You can find a great selection at SecurityCamExpert.com. If you would like to speak to someone directly, please call us at 1-888-203-6294. We are more than willing to answer your questions and help you choose the right system and equipment for you.

IP vs Analog Security Cameras

The switch from an analog system to an IP camera system can be daunting to some people. Since analog systems have been around for some time, many people have grown familiar with the way they work. Learning how to use a whole new system can be difficult. While some may have an easy time converting to the new system, others may be faced with a challenge.

The problems posed with switching from an analog to IP camera system can be traced to the system going from hardware to more software. When you’re familiar with secure, physical connections, troubleshooting with IP networking equipment may be fairly difficult. For those accustomed to hardware, it’s harder to see or visualize the problems.

For an IP system, when coming across problems, the security team may not be able to troubleshoot on their own. Working with the IT team may be necessary. Personalities may clash simply because these teams are not used to working together, causing more issues to arise.

Larger scale roadblocks for upgrading can be cost and down time while switching out equipment. Purchasing a whole new system can be a hefty expense. Also, down time can leave your business vulnerable to threats. However, the benefits may outweigh these hardships.

These issues shouldn’t deter you from replacing your old system to an IP system. The best solution is to introduce IP security cameras and equipment slowly. The first step would be to invest in a hybrid video recorder. This will allow connection to both analog and IP security cameras. Integrating both types within your system will allow your expenses to be spread over time.

This will also allow users time to get familiar with the new equipment without abandoning the former system entirely. And with the new IP security cameras comes new, more advanced features, ultimately improving your security system’s performance. Aside from that, this eliminates down time for your company, keeping your business secure while integrating a new system.

Switching to a new system should not be feared. Following these simple tips can ease you into the new software and make the transition much smoother. You will end up with more confident employees and a more advanced system.

Find great IP security cameras, IP/Hybrid systems and more online at SecurityCamExpert.com. If you need help finding the right parts or have questions about security systems in general, give us a call at 1-888-203-6294.

Security Camera Placement

You can purchase the best security camera on the market and go to all the lengths to get the most advanced technology, but improper placement can interfere with the relevance of your surveillance footage. Security camera placement can make or break your case. At just the right angle, you may be able to identify a person, but even as little as one degree and stealthy maneuvers can keep a person anonymous.

Placing security cameras in high traffic areas is smart, but it is also important to monitor blind spots or areas of low traffic too. Footage of high traffic areas can help to create a timeline for a specific individual if need be. While these high traffic areas can capture many people, areas where foot traffic is slow, or known blind spots, can become hot spots for criminal activity.

It’s common for people to want to place security cameras on ceilings or up high on walls so that a wider area can be monitored. The problem with this placement is that image quality can be compromised when zooming in on a person. This can negatively affect identifying a possible suspect. Also, hats can interfere with getting a clear shot of a person’s face, making is nearly impossible to identify a person.

Better placement for security cameras is at or near eye level. If the cameras catch people’s eyes, they are likely to look straight into the lens, giving a clear shot of their face. This makes it easier to identify possible suspects.

If you’re able to utilize multiple cameras, it’s wise to carefully place the cameras so that they leave no blind spots and footage can be pieced together fairly seamlessly. Placing a camera on a ceiling or up high to oversee an entire room could work within a multiple camera security system, where cameras can be placed at various angles and levels.

One camera could hang above and be able to survey the entire area, while other cameras should be placed closer to eye level for better facial identification. The camera overseeing it all will not be able to zoom in on a person with great clarity, but once identified, surveillance footage from cameras at eye level can be used to identify the individual.

Because people can use hats, umbrellas, or other random objects to block themselves from view of security cameras, it’s important to consider all angles. If you’re able to use multiple cameras, consider the different security camera placements that can catch different, beneficial angles. Catching a criminal off guard can be what gets that person caught and brought to justice.

While there are many things to consider for security cameras and surveillance systems, there are also plenty of resources to help you. Contact SecurityCamExpert.com at 1-888-203-6294 for any questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit us online to browse our products or request a live chat while you shop.

Dummy Cameras & Security Systems

At One Government Center in Fall River, Massachusetts, a new security camera system was installed. While this is a common security measure that many cities are catching on to, the problem was that the installation was kept fairly quiet and some are complaining that fake security cameras were installed. Why were they installed? How much did it cost? Why install fake cameras? Public discussion about this installation is being averted, but the people want answers.

For public areas, such as the previously mentioned government building, it is uncommon for dummy security cameras to be employed. For home or business owners, however, dummy security cameras can be beneficial to deterring crimes or providing the illusion of a more elaborate security system.

Whether you are looking to expand an existing security system or you want to use the dummy camera as a simple deterrent, it’s ever important to find a realistic looking camera. Do research on actual security cameras, evaluate the features and details. Look into fake security cameras and compare the physical differences. Some fake security cameras have a flashing or consistent red light on, while most security cameras lack this. Wiring is important too; you want it to look like your camera is connected to something, otherwise, intruders may catch on.

If you’re expanding a real security system, find a dummy camera that blends in with your system. It would be bad to have a camera stand out from the rest as it may draw attention and provoke questions. Also, be sure to keep quiet about the fake security cameras. The idea is to convince people that your property is highly monitored and any foul behavior will be caught.

Dummy cameras may have a bad reputation, but they can help home and business owners with cost-effective security. Since these cameras are usually on the more affordable, inexpensive side, installing them is an easy solution. Most people will see these cameras and think twice about doing anything. Determined thieves may further investigate. For the most part, dummy cameras can deter petty burglars for a small cost.

We offer great prices on all of our security cameras, fake and real. Check out our inventory online at SecurityCamExpert.com. Please feel free to call us at 1-888-203-6294 with any questions.

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