Instances of home invasions, including violent crimes and burglaries, are on a rise in the UK and can cause anyone sleepless nights. Hence, safety and security have become paramount concerns. The need for security is heightened at night when regular visibility is impaired due to the lack of proper illumination. This is where standard security cameras fail and infrared cameras become the need of the hour.
Infrared cameras were first devised to be used in the jungles of Korea by the US Army. Since then, their application has diversified and they are now the preferred product for security surveillance at homes and offices.
Infrared Cameras
Infrared light is invisible to the naked eye. This is because it has a lower frequency and a longer wavelength than the regular white light. The name itself means 'below red,' as it comes below the red wavelength in the white light spectrum. It is emitted by everything in the world and the intensity varies according to the temperature of the body. Infrared cameras use infrared LED sensors positioned all around the exterior of the camera lens to capture the thermal rays and create an image without the need of any other form of illumination.
Infrared cameras guarantee to work in even the most extreme environmental conditions. This means taking images even in the middle of a moonless night or through dense fog when nothing is visible. The images taken in such conditions are black and white. However, when proper illumination is present, they work like ordinary cameras and give coloured images.
Choosing a Good Infrared Camera
The first measure of an infrared camera's prowess is its Lux rating. This refers to the amount of light it requires to take an image. The best products have a 0.0 rating; which means that they can take pictures in total darkness. For use at home, a slightly high Lux rating is acceptable, as there will always be some artificial illumination around.
The second factor to consider is how far the camera can see in total darkness. This depends on the number of infrared LEDs that is attached to the camera lens. Some infrared cameras have a capturing range of up to 150 feet. However, if you need to protect a smaller property, then you can opt for short range products which are significantly cheaper.
The pixel resolution of the camera is also a very important factor to consider. These resolutions are not as high as that of the standard digital cameras, which generally start from 10 megapixels. For infrared cameras, the standard resolution starts from 160x120 or 19,000 pixels and can go to a maximum of 640x480 or 307,200 pixels.
DVR Cameras
Do you not feel safe while leaving your child alone in the care of your babysitter? Do you believe that your spouse is cheating on you, but you cannot do anything about it because you have no proof to confront him/her? These are circumstances in which people opt for DVR cameras. The best thing about these cameras is that, due to their small size, they can be placed away from normal vision and record activities without alerting the actors. The video records captured by these cameras can be used as evidence for identifying burglars involved in a house robbery or as concrete proof for divorcing an unfaithful spouse.
Using Infrared Cameras as a Wildlife Camera
A majority of the activities in a jungle occur during nighttime. Standard cameras will not be of much help in such situations because of the lack of illumination. The technological advantages of infrared cameras make them perfect for use even at night.
Besides having infrared vision, a wildlife camera is also supposed to be equipped with motion detectors. This means that they take pictures only if they sense any motion occurring in their vision range. Thus, manual control of the camera is not needed and they can be left hidden in the jungle for days at a stretch.
Use DVR Security Cameras That See In The Dark
In case you did not know, infrared cameras are great alternatives to the more expensive night vision security cameras. Infrared cameras are great if you're thinking of using them as outdoor DVR security cameras for your home security system. To make the most out of your infrared cameras, here are some points to remember.
Focus On Your Property's Entry Points
Since most infrared cameras do not have pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) features, you can maximize its field of vision by placing it in key areas around your property. Driveways, front and back gates, garages, and porches are some examples. To turn infrared cameras into efficient DVR security cameras, make sure that they are always pointing at the right direction to avoid gaps in security.
Go Wireless If You Must
Putting an infrared camera at the mouth your long walkway means that you have to go wireless to prevent exposing any wires or cables to intruders. The good thing about wireless infrared DVR security cameras is that you can easily change camera positions and fields of vision. Predictable camera placement increases the risk of robberies and trespassing, so move your cameras around when you can. Most wireless infrared cameras are battery-operated to counter power outages that could cripple your surveillance systems. Use uninterrupted power supply (UPS) devices as power backups for your computer and DVR.
Hide Your Infrared Cameras
Infrared DVR security cameras would not be so effective if it is too visible, would it? If you are using wireless infrareds, mount them in plastic or metal cases to keep them away from trespassers. This way, it would be easy for you to take the camera out and mount it somewhere else. However, if you are camera placement is fixed, the best way to keep your infrared cameras secure is to screw the casings to the walls of your home. Bolt your cameras in very high places. This way, its field of vision is wider and it would be hard for intruders to tamper with your camera because it is so out of reach. When you protect your cameras, you are also making them weather-proof.
Do A Line-of-sight Check
When your infrared DVR security cameras are in the right place, it is time to evaluate your system's lines of sight and fields of vision. You can ask your friend to walk around your property while you monitor him through your surveillance software. If there are blind spots, attend to it immediately by changing the angles your cameras. Because your infrared cameras may not be able to zoom in on objects, make sure that there are no obstructions, such as trees, to lines of sight and fields of vision.
It is a fact that most homes are intruded during the night time. That is why you must use infrared cameras for your DVR surveillance system. You can use these cameras indoors or around your property. Either way, you would be sleeping more soundly because your infrared cameras are keeping you safe even in the dark.
Selecting DVR Hidden Cameras As A Part Of A DVR Security System For Residential Or Business Use
There are plenty of good reasons why the employment of residential security cameras is so practical to the property owner for home security as part of a dvr security system. These cameras permit an authorised individual to monitor a remote property without the need to physically be on site at the property. The hidden camera operated in stealth mode, unseen by possible intruders. This allows for a elevated quality surveillance to take place as criminals will go about their business without realising they are under surveillance. This is also helpful as it raises the likelihood of the perpetrator being caught on scene, or quality video proof being obtained.
Where the surveillance cameras are located is extremely significant and ought to have been decided during the pre-planning stages. Will your system need a pan-tilt function? There is no point deciding it will AFTER the system has been mounted. Finding one to suit your needs should not be an issue as these cameras are to be had in a broad choice of styles and sizes.
When installing residential dvr security systems, give some deliberation to whether you need surveillance cameras, can door and window protection on it's own be satisfactory? I believe that the employment of residential outdoor security cameras adds a massive amount of security protection to the home of business and ought to not be disregarded. It is possible to purchase a 4 camera residential surveillance system for less than $500 and they are very simple to fit, usually within the ability of the competent DIYer.
In a future article I will be looking at the DVR video recording system itself, and how a cheap system can be set up very easily. Defending ones house or business is exceptionally important and the protection and piece of mind it affords shouldn't be underestimated. But I would give some serious thought to utilizing at least one residential security camera in your home.
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