Different Types of Surveillance Cameras

Video surveillance cameras are must-have products for home and business owners to ensure safety of their property and possessions. Here are different kinds of surveillance cameras available today.



Use Of Video Surveillance Cameras

Video Surveillance cameras have previously been used by police and similar agencies only, but now they have become accessible to an ordinary man also. If we look around our houses we will discover that some people might have a surveillance camera installed outside their houses. Surveillance cameras are becoming increasingly common, and in addition to police and homeowners, several businesses, schools, government and security agencies use surveillance cameras to catch students catching on exams, stop staff from embezzlement, deter vandalism, burglaries, find areas of congestion, and monitor and fight general crime.

Since surveillance cameras have become a need of the hour by all sorts of businesses, private properties, and government facilities, the surveillance camera manufacturers have made available different kinds of cameras, to suit our specific needs. The different types of surveillance cameras available today are described below.

Wireless Security Cameras

These are normal video surveillance cameras but work without wires. These are often small and can be moved easily. The wireless security cameras are becoming the best option for the security cameras because they offer ease of install, set up and use. IP based wireless cameras are also available. They allow you to easily create a network of wireless cameras, and effectively monitor your office or home from a far place, using an internet connected computer.

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Wired Surveillance Cameras

These are the typical surveillance cameras, used at most places. If you want to install a camera at a location where it will never need to be moved from, a wired camera then is an appropriate option. Wired surveillance cameras are easy to set up because no wireless or IP configuration is required.

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Night Vision Cameras

The night vision surveillance cameras are best for use in low-light areas. These cameras record videos in black & white so that images could be captured in best quality, and are often used at places where permanent surveillance is required. These cameras are also useful to monitor the interior of warehouses and stores at night. The four types of night vision cameras available are SWIR, thermal, laser-based and infrared.

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Fake Surveillance Cameras

A fake surveillance camera is a way to deter intruders and burglars. These cameras are non-functional cameras designed to fool anyone who it is supposedly watching. These cameras are an easy way to deter intruders and burglars easily, without spending a lot of money. These cameras have an advantage that they are inexpensive but their disadvantage is that should something happens; you’ll not have a record of it.

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Home Surveillance Cameras

Home surveillance cameras are an important electronic for keeping houses safe from burglary or damage. These cameras are easily found at many online stores and are not very expensive compared to other types of cameras. The home surveillance cameras are easy to install and set up, as they are intended for use by non-technical people and for basic use. These cameras are slowly becoming a standard in residence safety, and are some of the most popular products in the market today.

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Covert Surveillance Cameras

The convert surveillance cameras are tiny hidden cameras, which are conceled in a wall clock, potted plant, book, toy, and about anything you can think of, for monitoring and recording. These cameras are used for capturing a specific area outside or inside an office or home, without being noticed. A convert surveillance camera is very difficult to detect unless you look hard or know that it is located somewhere.

About Video Surveillance Systems

Getting a crime committed against your business or home without any clues left behind can be frustrating. Before the next crime is committed without anyone being punished, you may want to consider installing a video surveillance system. Systems range from full professional coverage of your home to small kits that you can actually set up yourself. This process can help safeguard your home from future crimes and give you a glimpse of what really is going on at your office.

Function
Having a video surveillance system can be used for different functions. The functions will mainly depend on whether you intend to use the video surveillance at your home or work. At home it can be used to monitor goings-on inside and outside of your house, as well as be a protection for when you are away or asleep. At the job, it can be useful for any robberies or concerns with dishonest employees.

Identification
When installing a video surveillance device, the type that you purchase could have an effect on what you are looking for. Obvious video cameras, mounted in the corner with a blinking red light, can help deter any potential robberies before they occur, but hidden cameras can capture true moments that you may not see if you not are focused on robberies.

Types
Video surveillance cameras can be as simple as a camera connected to a location or a hidden spy camera disguised as something else. The type of surveillance you are looking for could be affected by price as well. For example, if you want a cheaper surveillance system then you should purchase a black and white surveillance system without any sound or night vision capabilities. More advanced surveillance systems will feature color, sound, night vision and multiple angles.

Features
Older surveillance systems capture all of the footage using a time-lapse tape recorder. Now you can still use those tape recorders or record directly to a hard drive using a Surveillance DVR or a computer that the cameras are connected directly to. You could have live video feeds using wireless video baby monitors that will show the action instead of just displaying the audio as well.

Considerations
If you do not have the money to have a professional surveillance system installed, then you can create one of your own. The only thing you will need to purchase is a time lapse DVR, VCR, or another capture device as long as you have your own video camera. Mount the video camera where you want to capture the footage. Make sure that the camera is plugged into a power source, because running it on battery power will cause the camera to shut off. Run RCA or S-video cables out from the camera and run them until they reach the capture device or video monitor. Record as needed and make sure your camera is protected from weather if it is placed outside.

Off Site Video Surveillance

Remote video surveillance allows a person to monitor others by using live video and a computer. People who travel may want to check up on things at home while away. To do this, cameras must be on and then any computer with Internet access can pull up the video by using a video channel. Using off site video surveillance a business owner may want to set up several cameras to monitor the company location when he or she is away. Security resources help to protect people, buildings, and assets from vandalism and theft. Industries that would greatly benefit from using this type of technology are government institutions, law enforcement, educational institutions, banks, financial institutions, airports, retail businesses, auto dealers, churches and restaurants.

A homeowner may want to consider using security resources to check up on children, pets, and property while away. People who travel and are gone frequently and for long periods of time can have some peace of mind when using remote video surveillance. Several cameras can be positioned in key areas and be left on so that when the homeowner is away he or she can use a computer to access the live video. This can be done by using a special video channel that pulls up the live broadcast instantaneously. People who live in an area with high crime rates may want to install cameras all around the outside of the house and grounds as well as inside.

Security resources that provide peace of mind are becoming more popular in today's world where population growth and crime are increasing especially in big cities and in the suburbs of those cities. Off site video surveillance along with motion detection and recording can help to prevent intruders and occurrences of crime. A company may prefer that their employees know that there is security monitoring to try and deter them from committing a crime. For those who are not deterred from monitoring an employer can still have peace of mind that perpetrators will be caught through security resources that inhabit the latest technology.

Banks and financial institutions can benefit from using security resources to monitor employees and transactions between employees and customers. Even people who are primarily honest may become tempted to pocket money if they find themselves in a financial bind especially when their job makes it easy to steal. To help remove the temptation and to catch anyone who commits theft remote video surveillance can provide a valuable resource to banks and financial institutions that often suffer from employee theft. Another good idea is to monitor computer usage especially when employees have access to other people's checking and savings accounts. Surveillance cameras can be positioned to see detailed transactions on a computer screen if needed.

Many companies are already using the security resources to monitor for possible theft and vandalism. Government institutions, law enforcement, and airports have resources that include remote video surveillance. Incidents reported by the media have caused this type of surveillance to increase especially around public areas. Even educational institutions are increasing security around campus because of incidents that have been reported in the media. Airports have increased security measures over the last several years in an effort to catch those who try to hurt others. Although the things happening in the world can cause people to be fearful, Christians can have faith in God that He will watch over His children. "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." (Psalm 46:2)

Some companies have used security monitoring for marketing research and studies. Off site video surveillance is used to monitor people's reactions to advertisements. This is done through monitoring of facial expressions with the use of software. Before using cameras to monitor others a person should do some research and be aware of privacy laws that could be broken by doing so. In many cities, surveillance of public places is not unlawful but monitoring others without their permission or on private property is considered an invasion of privacy.

Growing churches may want to consider using security resources to monitor the buildings and sanctuary where worshippers are located. Churches today have thousands of members that attend services. Off site video surveillance and onsite monitoring should be considered to keep members safe. Cameras equipped with motion detectors can provide live video or live play back that can be accessed from one computer. In addition, when a large group of people are gathered in one place clergy may want to consider posting security personnel at strategic access points as well as using security monitoring with cameras.

Security companies offer services that help their clients monitor homes and businesses in an effort to prevent crime and to catch perpetrators. These services can be tailored to a person or business owners needs. Normally the services will include the equipment and the monitoring service as well as any repairs that are needed to maintain equipment. An alarm will notify the employee at the security company's location and then he or she will call emergency services. This type of service may include remote video surveillance if the customer so chooses. Computers tied in with cameras provide life feed to keep a facility safe from intruders. Building owners can choose to purchase equipment and software and do the monitoring themselves or hire a security guard to do it. Some research on the Internet can provide options for those with concerns on making property safe.