Security and Surveillance Industry News

How To Choose The Right Digital Video Recorder

By Josh Braun

Choosing between a hardware, or stand-alone DVR, and a PC-based DVR can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider: footprint (space to put the DVR), securing the DVR, multiple user access, remote access, features and abilities, etc. Choosing the right DVR is crucial.

Let’s compare the two type’s side-by-side and look at the reason’s to choose one type over another.

Footprint Of The DVR

The footprint is the size of the DVR and the space requirements for the DVR and necessary components. A hardware DVR is basically the same size as a home CD player and it can easily fit on a shelf or under a cabinet. A PC based DVR is a home computer and it will require quite a bit more space and it normally would be mounted on a desktop or other place where you can set up a computer, monitor, keyboard and a mouse . If you have limited space where you need to place the DVR then going with a Hardware DVR is going to be the best option.

DVR Features and Functionality

When it comes to features and functionality the PC-Based DVR’s are far superior to a Hardware DVR. You have many more features including: alerts (video loss, motion detection, missing object, etc.), Point-of-Sale device connectivity and the ability to search recorded video by the POS overlay text, Remote Desktop control of the PC over the internet from a remote location, etc.

Functionality I relate to ease-of-use, which can be a relative thing depending on the person. Most people are very familiar with using a PC and so configuring and using software is a comfortable thing.

Using and configuring a Hardware DVR is very similar to using and programming a VCR. You use a remote control to access a menu displayed on the TV or Monitor. You then use the remote control to navigate through the menu and select the options. For some people this will be a very easy and familiar way of doing things, for others it can be extremely confusing and frustrating.

Some advantages a Hardware DVR has over a PC-Based DVR are as follows:

• 1. No operating system to deal with. PC’s run the Windows Operating system and that comes with its own set of issues and challenges. The PC can get infected with viruses or spyware that can seriously affect performance. You can run into device or hardware conflicts caused either by the software controlling the device or just by having two incompatible devices in the same computer.
• 2. Ease of setup is another advantage of the Hardware DVR. Since there is no operating system to deal with or software to install all you have to do is connect the cameras directly to the DVR, setup the recording schedule and you are ready to go. With a PC you have to install the PCI capture card, install the drivers to control the capture card, and install the recording software. Each of those operations can have its own set of challenges for a novice computer user.
• 3. Hardware DVR’s do not require any software updates. On a PC you will have updates for the operating system, driver updates, and periodic software updates that will need to be installed to keep the computer running smoothly and safely.
• 4. Hardware DVR’s don’t run on Windows, they run on a stripped down version of an operating system that is hard-coded directly into the motherboard inside the DVR.
• 5. Hardware DVR motherboards are built and designed strictly for one purpose. This means that there will generally never be a problem with a device or a hardware conflict.
• 6. Reliability. Because of the design and functions of a Hardware DVR they are inherently more reliable than a PC. There are far fewer things that can go wrong inside the unit. You won’t ever have to reload Windows because of virus infection or corrupted system files, uninstall/reinstall software, uninstall/reinstall device drivers, repair video databases, etc. With a Hardware DVR then only things that usually ever go wrong is a hard drive failing or having a power supply burn out.

The one caveat to this is with the motherboard. If a motherboard fails on a Hardware DVR you are stuck with purchasing a new DVR. With a PC, if the motherboard fails you can usually just purchase and install a new motherboard and be up and running in a short amount of time.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of DVR’s. Understanding the abilities and limitations of the system will help you determine which one will best suit your individual needs.

Purchase Price

Hardware DVR’s and PC-Based DVR’s are very comparable in price when purchasing complete DVR’s. However, you can save quite a bit of money if you already have a PC that you can turn into a DVR. You can save in the neighborhood of $1000 or more by converting an existing PC into your very own security camera recorder. If cost is a deciding factor for you then converting an existing PC is definitely the way to go.

Bottom Line

Taking into consideration all of the many factors: footprint, features, reliability, and cost; for most people and situations the PC-Based DVR is going to be the best solution. I personally recommend the EZWatch-Pro Version 4.0 to all my clients.

Josh Braun is a technical security consultant with Automated Video Systems in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Before you go shopping for a 4 camera security system, you must realize that the effectiveness of your Video Surveillance system is based on the quality of the recorded images so the first step is to understand the different technologies available for recording video.

There are currently three types of head end recording solutions currently being offered in the video surveillance market. They are the Analog/Time Lapse Recorder (VCR) Systems, the Digital Hard Drive Recording Systems which operate like a VCR but utilize hard-drives to store video and the top of the line PC Based Digital Video Recording Systems or DVR’s.

Time Lapse Video Tape Recorder

The use of Time Lapse Video Tape Recorders in the video surveillance industry started a little over 25 years ago. The first systems required a Video Recorder and a monitor for every camera. Innovations in the industry included the video multiplexer and splitters that allowed multiple cameras to be viewed and recorded on a single video tape. Until 4 or 5 years ago, this technology was still the most prevalent form of recording video.

A Time Lapse Recorder has a single video input that allows you to record the incoming video signal. A standard VCR records and plays back video at about 30 frames per second, which on a standard T-160 video tape allows you to record 2-hours of video. A time lapse video recorder slows down the rate at which the images are recorded. Some Recorders allow you to extend the recording up to 960 hours onto a single video tape.

Be aware that when you are recording 960 hours on one VCR tape you are only recording 1 frame or picture every 9 seconds. When programming a time lapse recorder I strongly recommend you do not set the recording duration for more than 3 days or 72 hours. This setting allows you to record over a weekend without changing the tape. Three days of recording on one tape records 1.5 frames or pictures per second. Not great, but not bad considering this is a 20 year old technology.

This works O.K. for a single camera system but you are reading about 4 camera systems. This causes a slight dilemma; You can choose to purchase a monitor and a time lapse recorder for each of your 4 cameras, or you can add a video multiplexer which is sometimes referred to as a Quad Display or simply a 4 Camera Mux.

A video multiplexer allows you to view and record multiple cameras on a single time lapse recorder and video monitor. Multiplexers are offered in color or black & white in 4, 9 or 16 camera configurations. A video multiplexer works by digitally separating the incoming video signals and dividing them out, one at a time, to a time lapse recorder. It sends the image from camera 1 to frame 1, camera 2 to frame 2, camera 3 to frame 3 and so on. The benefit of multiplexers is that they provide the ability to view and record multiple cameras on a single time lapse video recorder.

A major drawback is that during the digitizing of the incoming video signals, about ½ of the information contained in the image is lost. Also remember that you are now limiting the total number of images per second for any given number of cameras. With 4 cameras recording on a single video tape for 72 hours, you are now getting about 1 frame of video from each camera about every second.

If a video is recorded on a time lapse recorder through a multiplexer, you must use a time lapse recorder and a multiplexer for playback. A standard VCR cannot process the digital multiplexing encoded in the time lapse format and will not provide a useful playback.

Hardware Based Digital Video Security Recorders

With the advent of the digital age, manufacturers soon devised a way to combine the best features of the Time Lapse Recorder and the Video Multiplexer into a single system that utilizes hard drives rather than VCR tapes to store the recorded images.

Hardware based digital video recorders operate much like a VCR, complete with shuttle and jog controls. Most will utilize some type of traditional CCTV or SVGA Video monitor to view the video.

These units are built from the ground up to perform one specific function, record video. While they do operate some software internally, the video processing is hardware based. It is this hardware which provides the live viewing and high resolution recording. Many of the higher end Hardware DVR systems can record high resolution video from 16 or more cameras at up to 240 images per second.

Since hardware based digital video recorders utilize a Linux real time operating system (RTOS), no computer is required to control or manage the system. By design, the hardware based security DVR’s provide reliable high quality video recording. With no software or programs to lock up and very little threat of malicious viruses or bugs to upset the operating system, these DVR’s are considered by many to be bulletproof.

No more VCR tapes are required as all of the video is recorded onto hard drives. How long the video can be stored is merely a function of the total images per second being recorded, the size of the image files and the total size of the installed hard drive(s).

In addition, these surveillance recorders utilize a process called first-in first-out to process video (FIFO). They will record video until the designated amount of disk space has been used. Then the system will delete the oldest clips and record the new video. This provides a continuous loop of recordings at anytime.

Some other interesting benefits of digitally processing the video are features such as motion or event based recording options and advanced playback capabilities. In the old days of VCR’s & Multiplexers, it could literally take many hours to try and find an event that occurred overnight. Now, the advanced digital search functions allow you to find archived video in seconds, not hours.

There are huge differences in the quality of hardware based digital video recorders so be sure to study the features and benefits of each brand before you commit your hard earned money on a system that does not provide you with the features you need. If you stay with some of the more popular brand name Security DVR’s from manufacturers such as Armor-Pro, Honeywell Video Systems or American Dynamics, you can be assured of a high quality system with full factory support.

Lets take the Armor-Pro 4-Camera Digital Video Recorder as an example. By utilizing H.264 video compression which provides superior quality recording, smaller file sizes and faster remote video transmission as compared to standard MPEG recorders and with other advanced features such as built in video motion detection, remote viewing, PTZ camera control, DVD quality 720×480 recording resolution and DVD/USB backup this DVR is setting new standards in quality and performance.

PC Based Digital Video Security Recorders

A 4 camera PC based DVR is comprised of a computer, video capture card and a software package that allows video from security cameras to be recorded and played back on a standard personal computer. Most PC based digital video recorders utilize a Microsoft Windows Operating System which makes them easier to use and more flexible for many people.

Due to the superior processing speeds of personal computers, some of the PC based digital security recorders are capable of recording in real time, which is up to 30 images per second for each camera connected to the system. Most people would never record at that speed because it would fill up a hard drive very quickly, but some of the higher end PC based systems are able to do it. A more realistic recording speed is about 3.5 to 7 images per second for each camera which provides a good compromise between playback and total recording time.

PC based DVR’s are programmed and operated with a keyboard and mouse. The video is recorded to the computers hard drive in a compressed format. This compression allows a huge amount of video to be stored. On average, a four camera system recording continuously will record about 10 days of video on one single 80 gig hard drive. To double the recording days simply add another 80 gig hard drive. Modern computers can accommodate hard drives up to a terabyte or larger which means that you can store a huge amount of data.

PC based DVR’s are designed so they do not require any additional scheduled actions or maintenance beyond you standard windows updates to provide uninterrupted video recordings. Recorded video is played back on the computer monitor and it can be printed, saved to a floppy disk, shared over a network or burned to a CD. These systems allow you to view and playback any combination of cameras without interrupting the systems recording process.

A very popular feature that most of the PC Based Digital Video Recorders support is remote viewing and playback of video. Most systems are provided with a remote viewing software package for security and authentication, but several will play back video by using Windows Media Player or other viewing software such as Apple QuickTime. This can allow you to check on your home or office from a remote location via the internet.

Several manufactures sell the Video Capture Cards and recording software in kit form so you can install the digital video recorder on your own personal computer. This can be a great way to save some money if you already have a PC at your home or office that is not being used. The undisputed leader in pre-packaged PC based digital video recording systems is EZWatch-Pro in Salt Lake City, Utah. EZWatch has been providing PC based digital video recorders for over 10 years and their software, warranty and service is uncompromising.

Which system is right for you? The final choice might come down to budget, or custom features that you can’t live without, but whether you choose a tried and true Time Lapse Recorder, or opt for a state of the art Digital Video Recorder, you are sure to improve the safety and security of your home or office by installing a Video Surveillance System.

The new buzzword in the video surveillance industry these days is H.264 video compression. What exactly is H.264 video compression and what are its benefits as it applies to our industry?

H.264 is equivalent to MPEG-4 Part 10, or MPEG-4 AVC (for Advanced Video Coding). As of 2008, it is the latest block-oriented motion-compensation-based codec standard developed by the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) together with the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), and it was the product of a partnership effort known as the Joint Video Team (JVT).

The benefits of H.264 video compression in the security industry are many including drastically reduced file sizes, higher quality recordings and quicker refresh times for remote viewing applications using limited bandwidth.

Without compromising image quality, the H.264 Codec can reduce the size of a digital video file by more than 80% compared with the Motion JPEG format and as much as 50% more than with the traditional MPEG-4 standard.

H.264 presents a huge step forward in video compression technology. Because the file sizes are much smaller, you can record longer periods at higher quality settings. With standard MPEG-4 video compression, you are forced to choose between extended storage capacity and higher quality recording resolutions.

This has a negative impact on the quality of playback as video images can become blurry or less detailed. With H.264 compression, you get higher resolution images at increased frame rates which mean you no longer have to compromise.

By using variable block-size motion compensation, H.264 video compression offers file sizes up to 3x smaller than MPEG-2 and 2x smaller than MPEG-4. With file sizes up to 60% smaller, a digital video recorder using H.264 compression will use significantly less disk space than a standard DVR using MPEG-4.

Digital Video Recorders with H.264 compression offer smaller file sizes for faster more efficient recording which translates into substantially higher image quality and faster remote download times utilizing less bandwidth.

The reduced image size offered by H.264 utilizes dramatically less bandwidth that either MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 which makes video surveillance recorders utilizing the new codec remarkably better at remote video transmission than any brand using the older MPEG standards. For remote monitoring applications, DVR’s using H.264 can download images over the internet up to 4x faster than MPEG-4 recorders.

The benefit to the end user is faster download speeds which translates into higher quality video without the motion blurring which is inherent in MPEG-4 video compression. You won’t use all of your available bandwidth for remote viewing and you will be rewarded with more fluid playback and substantially higher quality video.

For several years, security camera manufacturers such as Honeywell Video Systems have been developing intelligent video systems that are designed to watch a scene and pick out specific behaviors that are considered to be out of the ordinary or which constitute a threat. Once a threat or unusual action is spotted by the video analytics system, an alarm will sound or an action will be triggered to alert security personnel of the unusual activity.

The benefits of an intelligent video system are many and they are currently being deployed all over the world. It has been proven that in large scale surveillance applications, it is difficult for a security guard to effectively monitor and process information from more than 12 to 16 security cameras at a time. In situations where an immediate response to a perceived threat is imperative, an intelligent video analytics system can be a wise investment.

Take a look at the following examples and you will start to see what I mean;

In a parking lot at a downtown mall, standard behavior is for a patron to park their car and walk to or from the elevators or the mall entrance. A person who is loitering around for an unusually long time or is walking back and forth between cars is probably up to no good. With intelligent video analytics, the camera system can alert the security office and present them with the live video of the suspect without any form of human intervention.

Outside a federal building, normal traffic flows will only leave large trucks stopped in front of the building for approximately 3 minutes while the traffic light is red. If a large truck is stopped in front of the building for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, an alarm will sound to alert federal officers of a potential bomb threat.

In an airport, departing passengers are funneled through corridors that lead to the baggage claim or ground transportation areas. For security purposes, all traffic and movement in these corridors is one way. If a video camera senses any type of motion in the reverse direction of traffic, alarms will be triggered immediately and the TSA can respond.

A Governors residence is in a downtown business district with lots of pedestrian traffic. There is an 8 foot fence around the property to protect the Governor and his family. Hundreds of people walk past the residence every day. Protestors exercise their right to free speech on the corner at least once a month. If someone decides to try and scale the fence, a video analytics system can alert the executive protection force that there is a perimeter breach so they can respond.

Each of the preceding examples is based on an actual real world implementation of a video analytics system. By creating custom mathematical algorithms that analyze video signals for specific and targeted actions, the implementation of this technology is only limited by your imagination.

Video Analytics is still being developed and it is definitely not perfect. You can get a false alarms for various reasons, such as changing light conditions or weather disturbances such as snow or rain, and it is expensive.

But is it worth it?

If you consider that each of the stated examples have probably saved thousands of man hours required for real time, live surveillance and the fact that they could possibly help to avert a catastrophe, then the answer is unequivocally; Yes.

What is a Nanny Cam?

The term Nanny Camera refers to small hidden security cameras that are hidden or disguised as typical household objects. Many parents utilize nanny cams to monitor the behavior of babysitters and nannies to make sure that their children are not being ignored or even abused.

The most useful and easiest to install Nanny Cameras are either wireless cameras that transmit video back to a digital recorder that is located away from the camera or the all in one style cameras with built in digital recorders.

Is it Legal to Install a Nanny Camera in My Home?

As long as you are only recording video, it is perfectly legal to install a nanny-camera in your home in any room where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy. It does not matter if the camera is hidden or if the nanny is aware of the camera, as long as the camera is not installed in a bathroom or other location such as in the bedroom of a live in nanny.

If you wish to record audio as well as video, realize that it is illegal in many States to record audio conversations to which you are not a direct participant. In other words, it is perfectly legal for you to record an audio conversation between you and your nanny even if she does not know anything about the recording, but it is illegal to record a conversation between your nanny and her boyfriend if neither of them is aware of the recording.

Should I Tell my Nanny that I have a Security Camera Installed?

As a nanny is working out of your home, work place privacy laws do not apply and there are currently no laws about video taping someone in your home without their knowledge, but many people will choose to inform their nannies that they have installed cameras during the interview process. Many reputable child care providers are not opposed to video taping their interaction with your children as long as they know about it. It is possible that some will feel a lack of trust if you record them without prior knowledge.

If your nanny has objections to the cameras, you should explain that the nanny cameras are also installed for her protection. Well placed nanny cameras will provide a record of the nannies interactions with your children and give you piece of mind that they are receiving proper care. Some of the higher end nanny cameras will even let you check in and see your children while you are away.

It is entirely your decision whether you tell your nanny about the cameras or not. You may lose some excellent candidates by telling them about your nanny-cams, but remember that your children’s welfare is at stake. The peace of mind and confidence that a nanny camera; hidden or not can provide you, is priceless.

Increasingly cities throughout the country are turning to CCTV cameras as a way to increase security and to act as a deterrent to crime. The city of Seattle has recently budgeted $ 600,000.00 to install security cameras at public parks both in and around the city.

“We’ve proposed and are moving forward with a pilot program to use cameras in some of the parks to add an extra layer of security and deterrents to folks that might have other than positive intentions in the parks,” said Marty McComber with Mayor Greg Nickels’ office.

Many people feel that the use of security cameras in public places is highly intrusive and that the cost to install them will not be offset with any measurable decrease in crime. This begs the question, how can you tell when you haven’t been robbed or raped because there were security cameras present?

Critics argue that unless there is a police officer present and ready to respond to a crime in progress, the beneficial use of security cameras is negligible at best. While some critics will admit that CCTV systems can decrease property crimes such as vandalism and vehicle break-ins, they counter that security cameras have little if any affect on violent crimes such as assault or muggings.

Statistics on the use and effectiveness of video surveillance systems are elusive but I would strongly disagree with strong critics of the use of video surveillance systems such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) based on the following observations:

Even if there is no one physically observing many security cameras, the digital recordings from surveillance cameras all across the country have proven to be an invaluable tool for police offices investigating crimes. In cities all across the country, video from CCTV surveillance cameras has been used to apprehend and convict thousands of criminals.

Tight budgets coupled with the high cost of police protection and response can make a network of security cameras an indispensible tool for police and security departments. A single police officer or dispatcher can effectively monitor 32 or more security cameras from a central location and quickly dispatch officers to the scene of a crime in progress.

Officers responding to the scene can have up to the minute, real time information about the crime scene and the perpetrators before they arrive. Knowing that the suspect is a white male, wearing a blue t-shirt who is approximately 6 feet tall with blond hair and a goatee can make apprehension significantly easier and much safer for police officers.

With the latest generation of pan tilt zoom security cameras, it is possible to zoom in and read license plates from several thousand feet away which can significantly expand the capabilities of security personnel. A state of the art security camera system can make police departments much more effective by offering them the ability to cover much wider areas with far fewer resources.

High quality security camera systems are not inexpensive; but once you factor in the almost super human capabilities they provide, they do offer one of the most effective returns on investment in the < href="http://www.security-surveillance-blog.com/" target="_blank">security industry.

I believe that the benefits of surveillance camera systems which are properly deployed in public areas such as parks, busy streets, mass transit terminals and other public gathering places far outweigh any privacy issues that may arise from their use.

Today, Security-Kits released the next generation of the highly popular Armor-Pro Digital Video Recorders. Available in 4, 8 and 16 camera units the new video surveillance recorder features H.264 video compression for superior quality recording, smaller file sizes and faster remote video transmission. With built in video motion detection, remote viewing, PTZ camera control, DVD quality 720×480 recording resolution and DVD/USB backup this DVR is perfect any size home or business.

The Armor-Pro digital video recorder is a completely stand alone surveillance camera recorder that uses a Linux real time operating system (RTOS) so no computer is required to control or manage the system. This incredible DVR is designed for one thing and that is to provide high quality, extremely reliable video recording. Simply plug in the unit and hook up any standard VGA computer monitor and you can immediately begin recording up to 240 images/frames per second (FPS) right away.

By utilizing H.264, the most efficient video compression standard that is available today, the Armor-Pro DVR is setting a new standard for standalone digital video recorders. The immediate benefit to you is drastically reduced file sizes, higher quality recordings and quicker refresh times for remote viewing applications using limited bandwidth.

Without compromising image quality, the H.264 encoder in the Armor-Pro DVR can reduce the size of a digital video file by more than 80% compared with the Motion JPEG format and as much as 50% more than with the traditional MPEG-4 standard.

H.264 presents a huge step forward in video compression technology. Because the file sizes are much smaller, you can record longer periods at higher quality settings. With standard MPEG-4 video compression, you are forced to choose between extended storage capacity and higher quality recording resolutions. This has a negative impact on the quality of playback as video images can become blurry or less detailed. With H.264 compression, you get higher resolution images at increased frame rates which mean you no longer have to compromise.

“The new Armor-Pro DVR represents the next generation of hardware based digital video recorders and it simply blows everything else out of the water”, said Joel Sung, the technical support manager for Automated Video Systems.

Video based motion detection allows you to only record video when there is movement or action in the picture. You can mask out certain areas of the picture such as trees, roadways or sidewalks so you only record the action that you want.

The system is so sophisticated that it will begin to record 5-seconds prior to sensing any motion and then continue to record for up to 60 seconds after the motion ends. Each camera can be programmed with its own customized recording schedule so you can elect to record 24-7 or only when there are external alarm triggers or video motion based events.

Each Armor-Pro DVR has an integrated network interface that supports remote viewing from anywhere in the world. It’s as easy as plugging the DVR into your router or network connection and setting up the IP address and port forwarding.

The DVR is shipped with a simple to use remote viewing client software package that allows you to connect and control up to 16 DVR’s at the same time. That means you could effectively manage up to 256 cameras located in sixteen different areas with a network of Armor-Pro DVR’s.

The Armor-Pro standalone DVR runs an embedded Linux operating system for extremely reliable video recording. You can literally set up the DVR and forget about it. There is no need to change hard-drives, re-boot the operating system, run virus scans or update the software. The system will simply and reliably record video so you will have the evidence when you need it.

With a clear and intuitive on screen menu the Armor-Pro DVR is so easy to set up and operate that you can have it up and running within minutes of taking it out of the box. It even includes an infrared remote control to access the menus and programming screens. With a unique addressing structure, you can control up to 16 Armor-Pro DVR’s with a single remote control, making it perfect for any size installation.

With the simple to navigate on-screen display you can quickly find motion or alarm based events or you can go right to a specific time and date to review recorded video. What used to take hours can be accomplished in minutes.

Once you find the evidence you need, you can easily back-up or transfer the recorded video to a network drive, onto a DVD with the built-in burner or you can even use a USB Flash Drive by plugging it into the port conveniently located on the front of the DVR.

The Armor-Pro DVR is so stable and dependable that Security-Kits is comfortable in offering a complete 2-year parts and labor warranty. You can purchase the new Armor-Pro DVR exclusively at Security-Kits and EZWatch-Pro.

The advent of Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) has definitely had an impact on modern society. Just about everywhere you go, you are probably being viewed or recorded onto a Video Surveillance System.

Whether it is at Work, a Bank, or a Convenience Store, the average person is Caught on Tape 2 or 3 times every day. The proliferation of CCTV Systems has been a boon to Law Enforcement Personnel who now have access to a wealth of information which is being recorded on a very large number of privately owned and managed Video Surveillance Systems.

A typical Crime Scene Investigation will involve the collection and review of Video “Tapes” from several locations surrounding the Scene of the Crime. Video from Hotel Lobbies, Gas Stations, ATM’s and Traffic Cameras can all contribute valuable evidence to the investigation.

From Boise to Beijing, hundreds of thousands of video clips have been used in Court Cases to help convict criminals, or at least place them at the Scene of the Crime.

During the bombings of the London Mass Transit System, video recorded from closed circuit television systems played a major role in the investigation that directly led to the arrest of many of the alleged terrorists.

With some of the top of the line CCTV Cameras currently being installed, you can zoom in and read a newspaper from more than a mile away. Many modern cameras can see in total darkness, while remaining completely discreet.

Because modern CCTV cameras can provide some “super-human” abilities, it is no wonder that some people feel that their civil liberties are being violated since they are constantly under surveillance in public areas.

Television shows such as CSI, 24-Hours and my personal favorite, Law & Order have all contributed to societies misunderstanding of the capabilities of current CCTV Technology.

Believe me, with today’s technology there really is no way to take a wide angle, fuzzily recorded image of someone standing ½ mile away and zoom in 20 times, enhance the video and get a perfect face shot.

In a few years, Super High Resolution Megapixel Digital Cameras may change everything, but for now, most high end Digital Recording Systems are stuck with image resolutions less than 720 x 480 pixels. A 720 x 480 image file simply does not provide the clarity required to digitally zoom in more than 3 or 4 times and still have a usable picture. The closer you zoom-in, the more pixilated the image becomes. That is a fact.

The limiting factor is not the cameras, as some of the newer digital cameras can provide images up to 10 mega-pixels or higher. The problem lies in the processing speed of the computers and compression formats available. When you are digitally recording an image, higher quality equals more pixels. The more pixels you record, the larger the file size. The larger the file size, the more processing speed is required to capture the image.

Manufactures currently use some type of video compression to make the file size smaller and more manageable so that they can be recorded onto computers. The speed of current computer processors and the existing compression technology simply is not fast enough to deal with the added load of meg-pixel cameras coupled with the recording of real time video on multiple cameras onto the same computer although newer technologies such as H.264 are showing some promise.

Never fear, nothing will stop the genesis of progress. After 9-11 Video Security Technology jumped in many new directions and some very new and interesting applications have emerged. Many are still in the design stages, while others are already on the market, but one thing is for certain. The use of Video Security Systems to monitor your activities is only beginning.

One of the universally limiting factors of CCTV was that there always needed to be someone manning and controlling the cameras to make it effect for anything other than forensic investigations.

Now you can purchase software based video control systems that utilize complex algorithms to monitor behavior and react accordingly. Real Time Video Intelligence and Analysis is one of latest trends to hit the industry.

Intelligent Video Systems can respond to certain behavior and automatically generate alarms to alert security or even dispatch an emergency response team. A simple example would include a series of cameras that are deployed along a fence line. People and vehicles can move on the non-secure side of the fence at any time. If a person or a vehicle should stop to long or loiter in one place, the camera system could generate an alarm to alert security. If a person tried to climb the fence, the system is intelligent enough to immediately dispatch a response team.

Normal behavior in a parking structure at the Mall is for a person to park their car and then walk to the elevators. If a person is moving from car to car, or staggering around the lot, the system will immediately call attention to the situation and alert Security. You can see how this use of technology could possibly prevent vehicle burglaries or even assaults.

Although most of this technology is being driven in response to terrorism, the uses and applications in commercial and retail environments are endless. From catching shoplifters to alerting grocery store of the potentially dangerous spills on aisle 5, this technology is headed to a store near you.

Believe it or not, a customer called our technical support line the other day and insisted that his Dummy Camera was not working. This was a real person with a real issue, which begs the question. How smart are Dummy Cameras?

Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) offer a very effective, highly visible deterrent to crime. The site of a Security Camera is sometimes enough to send would be criminals scurrying off to look for an easier location to rip-off.

So is a Dummy Camera as effective at preventing crime as a real Security Camera? Used in the correct application, the answer is yes. A high quality Dummy Camera installed in a noticeable location can offer an effective deterrent to crime.

Now before you run out and buy some Dummy Cameras and place them all over your building, there are some very important issues that you might want to take into consideration.

Consider the fact that, not only do CCTV Cameras provide a deterrent; the video recordings from CCTV systems can provide indisputable evidence of any number of illegal activities including robbery, shoplifting, muggings, assaults or even murder.

Video from a Dummy Camera has never been presented as evidence in a Court of Law. A Dummy Camera can not help you solve a crime after it has occurred and I can assure you that no one has ever caught a shoplifter with a Dummy Camera.

Another very important consideration that is often overlooked with Dummy Cameras relates to personal liability and lawsuits. There is something that lawyers like to call “Implied Security”. This simply means that if anyone, including your employees, customers, tenants or even just a passer by, see a Security Camera, they can have a reasonable expectation that the area is secure and that someone is watching that camera.

For example, if a woman was raped in your parking lot, surrounded by Dummy Cameras, you could be held partially liable. This is of course, if the woman felt reasonably sure that she was safe in your parking lot because of the Security Cameras.

Beware, that Implied Security can apply to Broken Cameras as well as Dummy Cameras. If you have a CCTV Security System which includes some broken down cameras, you might want to get them fixed.

As an inexpensive theft deterrent, a Dummy Camera can be a wise investment, but it will never provide you with the protection and peace of mind that are an inherent benefit of owning a complete CCTV system.

Watch for my future post; I have cut the wire three times and it is still too short and Where is the “Any” key on my keyboard.

Video systems are becoming a part of our everyday lives. When Video Surveillance Systems first hit the market in the mid 80’s, they immediately made a major impact on crime prevention and the way crimes are investigated. Early Video Systems required a hardwired connection between the camera and the recording system. Recent innovations in wireless video transmission are changing that requirement.

Wireless camera systems are popping up all over the place to satisfy a range of consumer requirements. From wireless baby monitors to high-end high-definition wireless broadcast systems, wireless video systems are available in a wide range of prices, features and functions. Most modern, consumer grade Wireless Video Systems will fall into one of the following frequencies; 900 MHz, 2.4 GHZ or 5.8 GHz. Almost all of the affordable consumer grade wireless cameras on the market fall into the 2.4 GHz range.

Every wireless video system consists of a camera, a transmitter, a receiver, an antenna and a power supply. Transmission ranges can vary greatly depending on the frequency, the antenna and the rated power output.

With the exception of higher end, high power broadcast quality systems; most wireless video systems do not require a license from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to operate. No matter what frequency you plan on using, if you are installing a high powered installation, especially near a highway or an airport, you should secure the appropriate FCC license.

For the best results and the longest range, most wireless video transmission systems require a clear line of site between the transmitter and the receiver to operate consistently. Wireless video signals do not penetrate very well through glass, walls, concrete, trees, steel or other obstructions.

In addition, other RF signals around the same frequency can cause interference. In the 2.4 GHz range popular with most security applications, interference can be caused by cordless phones, microwave ovens, local television broadcasts, computer monitors, power supplies or wireless LAN/WANs.

Many interference problems can be solved by re-locating the transmitters or receivers.
2.4 GHz Analog RF vs. 2.4 GHz Digital IP Wireless Video Systems

Since 90% of consumer grade wireless video systems fall into the 2.4 GHz category, we will discuss the features, limitations and benefits of this technology.

The entire 2.4 GHZ bandwidth allocated for consumer use is from 2,412 MHz to 2,462 MHz. As per the FCC standards, there are 11 possible channels which are 22 MHz wide with a 5 MHz spacing interval between each.

In order to allow multiple cameras on the same system, residential, consumer grade 2.4 GHz analog video transmitters such as a wireless baby monitor or a front door camera require fixed frequency, non-overlapping channels to reduce interference.

These 2.4 GHz analog wireless cameras are some of the most popular video surveillance systems for consumers and end users, yet very few Professional Security providers will offer these wireless cameras.

At best, Professional Security Installers consider the 2.4 GHz Analog Video Systems as low-end residential solutions which are notoriously unreliable. These Analog 2.4 GHz cameras are easily identified by their price tag which is usually in the $ 69.00 to $ 140.00 range per camera.

If you take away the benefit of their low cost, there are several inherent limitations to Analog 2.4 GHz video transmission including:

In the 2.4 GHz range, there are only 4 available non-overlapping channels. This limits these systems to a total of 4-cameras, each of which is tuned to a different pre-defined frequency. Each of these fixed frequencies is capable of transmitting about 11 mega-bits per second of data (Mbps).

Because the Analog 2.4 GHz Wireless Video Transmitters are on fixed frequencies, they are especially susceptible to interference from outside sources. A typical transmission range for an Analog 2.4 GHz Wireless Video Link is about 300 to 500 feet when installed outdoors with a clear line of site. The relative transmission distance is greatly reduced when installed indoors with some lower end analog systems typically providing about 10-30 feet.

Since these cameras are transmitted on a fixed, un-secured open frequency, the signal is easily intercepted and can be seen by anyone with a 2.4 GHz 4-channel receiver. A Voyeur or a Burglar could simply drive around a neighborhood with a receiver and see inside your home.

If you currently have one of these systems installed in your home or office, perhaps a burglar is watching you right now.

Soon I will post n article on the benefits of a wireless internet security camera system.