Home Security

More and more large businesses and casinos are replacing their old analog used surveillance cameras for the newest technology in IP cameras. Does this mean that the old equipment that they took down is outdated? That is not always the case. Quite often, this used equipment is still perfect to be used in small businesses or home security systems.

Within the past few years, IP cameras came onto the market as the “next big thing” in the CCTV world. Several major corporations are following suit and upgrading their old analog security camera systems to the newest IP camera related systems. Some would say that analog cameras are outdated and that IP cameras will be the norm in a few years. This is simply not true. Major CCTV manufacturers are still making and marketing analog cameras to this day at full swing. Why? Because there is still a major market for them as they are more affordable and easier to setup for the average home owner or small business. The reason why these large businesses are upgrading to IP cameras and systems is because there are many more features that IP cameras have that would cater to a large business with several security cameras than what the older analog equipment could offer. But as a small business owner or an individual who needs 16 or less cameras in their system, analog cameras are usually sufficient enough to serve their surveillance needs. But even then, a good name brand name analog security camera can still be beyond the budget of some surveillance shoppers if you bought them brand new. So how is a person supposed to set up their security system without breaking the bank? The answer is simple:

Consider buying used security cameras.

Over the next few years, the market will be flooded with some great name brand used security cameras as these large businesses upgrade their surveillance systems. These cameras are perfect for the budget surveillance consumer who needs to save some money without comprising quality. Since most of these large businesses only use name brand commercial grade equipment, this used surveillance equipment is built to last and will last you many years to come in your home security system or for your small business. Deals are to be had in this market, be sure to take advantage of this while it lasts.



By: Sean Nelson

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There are few reasons why apartments are attractive for criminals. First, they would always have in their mind that they can easily break-in especially that not all tenants have known to their co-tenants. Second, the fact that it’s an apartment would always give them an idea that most of the occupants are all busy at work, thus more chances for intrusions. Third, criminals expect much out of your room (the expensive jewels, appliances, gadgets) tempting them to break-in your doors. Fourth, not all apartments have stand-by security guards to eye the apartment premises or if there is, only a few are deployed, thereby enticing the thieves to break in. These are just some of the horrible instances that could probably alarm you apart from the probable vandalism and car napping instances, which is why putting up apartment security cameras as preventive measure against burglary attacks is more than optional.

Video surveillance cameras do not exactly eliminate security issues in apartments; they just actually help to minimize these cases. This is because crimes seem to be everywhere and apartments are of no exception. In fact, apartments have been the ‘hot spot’ for burglary attacks nowadays. Implementing apartment security cameras could somehow, as what I’ve said, put you at ease. At least if intrusions ever happen, somebody’s eying on them and that it’s going to be very easy to trace the intruders. Security surveillance cameras, like other security systems such as alarm or motion detection systems, are devices dedicated for everybody’s safety. There’s wide selection of these cameras ranging from the analog CCTV camera to wireless, the digital hardwired cameras to IP cameras or remote security cameras, each with varying capabilities and specifications. But most of the apartments, for sure, are still attached to Analog-based CCTV surveillance cameras.

Depending on the needs or what seems to be appropriate, you can opt for wide range of security cameras that will guarantee a real-time security. Among those are the analog-CCTV cameras. This is perfect as apartment security camera for its superiority by performance. This type of camera works the same as to other cameras only that it records your images or videos in analog format and stores them in tapes. The captured analogs then are broadcasted to the monitors enabling the controller to watch who comes in and out. But the much preferred security camera nowadays is the digital ones. Digital security camera is also superb for apartments for its extended capabilities. This type of camera usually touted as IP camera for its capability to automatically send the captured data to remote servers over the internet may it be wirelessly or copper-wired. It is also equipped with remote manageability wherein a person can have a total control and access to the device. For instance, a tenant working 50 miles away from the apartment could still eye on his/her room remotely by getting a PC and have total control to his/her little robot in her/his room. Moreover, a wide variety of designations are also available perfect for apartments. For instance, there are infrared cameras specially designed to track dim places – good for parking spaces. There are also bullet-styled cameras where you can have the best angle of the image without altering it. C-mount security cameras are also good for its zooming capability that could reach more than 35ft. All of these, however, depend on your preferences and requirements.



By: Tony Benwell


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If you haven’t heard of home invasion where you live, then I must congratulate you for living in the safest part of the world. Home invasion has become the crime of choice for criminals, especially those addicted to drugs. And trust me, that’s a lot of people!

Home burglary, of course you’ve heard of it, is one of the most common crimes committed annually. And the number of all burglaries keeps going up. Part of the reason is because homeowners make it so darn easy. According to police statistics 90% of all home burglaries can be prevented. And 60% of them happen through unsecured doors and windows.

The value of goods taken in a burglary is about $1700.00 with another $1700.00 worth of damage. That’s bad enough! Home invasion is much more dangerous.

A home burglary is usually committed by amateurs who are looking for some quick cash. Burglars are unarmed and operate by themselves. They operate during the daylight and are frequently in the house for no more than five or 10 minutes.

Home invasions on the other hand are usually done by two or more people who are usually armed and often commit or threaten violence from **** to assault to murder. And drugs are usually involved.

If you just look at police statistics you will see that home invasions, in an astonishingly high number of cases, start at the front door. The perpetrators knock on the front door and hope for the usual homeowner response-that of reflexively opening the door to see who is there. Once the door is open even an inch the home invaders will force their way in.

Home burglars and home invaders don’t want to get caught. The best thing that you can do to prevent a home burglary or home invasion is to install a security camera. The very best security camera for home invasion prevention is the Pan Tilt Camera with remote.

It is designed to be installed outdoors so it is completely weatherproof and will operate in temperatures up to minus five degrees. It has an automatic pan capability that allows the camera to turn once and stay in that position for 5 seconds then rotate five times and stop. It includes a microphone so you can hear what is going on outside.

The best feature allows you to hook it up to your television so you can see what your camera sees from the comfort of your own living room. The control box can also be connected to a VCR, DVR or hard drive on your computer to view or record images and sound.

It has night vision capability with six built-in LEDs that allow a range of 16 feet. It includes 65 feet of cable which allows you to mount the camera in the best possible location to view your front yard, your front door, garage, side yard or even use it for commercial purposes. But the best purpose is for home invasion prevention. Install it at your front door and you can see who is at your front door without leaving your living room-an amazing capability.

An additional 55 feet of cable is available. Improve your home security and help prevent home invasion with this fabulous security camera.



By: David Artman

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Not so long ago, we sat in movie theatres watching spies and assorted bad guys being caught because of hidden video cameras. Before long, these devices were available to the police although only law enforcement agencies and the rich could afford them.

Today, even someone on a limited budget can afford a high quality surveillance camera. The image quality is excellent, they can be weatherproof. You can even get them in night-vision versions.

These devices have many uses other than catching criminals in the act. You might want video proof of who’s dog is making a mess on your front yard. Maybe you caught just a glimpse of someone lurking around. Either way, a motion triggered hidden video camera will give you all the evidence you could want. The police love it.

If you are a business owner, you probably suffer from employee theft, possibly suffer greatly. Your inventories never come out the way they are supposed to, bank deposits do not match receipts and so forth. A hidden video camera will allow you to gather video evidence of what is being stolen, where and by whom.

Here is an example. A man I know owns a liquor store. He knew someone was stealing some of the product, but he could never figure out how or who. It took months and the loss of many hundred of dollars of stock before he caught a janitor taking some product out the back door in a garbage bag. A simple security camera hidden in the exit sign above the door would of caught the thief in no time.

The devices mentioned here use dvr recording technology. What this means is that they are not only wireless, but they don’t need a central digital recorder. They have one built in with something called an sv card. So as to not use up memory recording hours of no activity, most of them have motion sensors that tell the camera to start recording as it has detected something moving in the field of view. The sensors can be easily programmed to deaden certain areas of the viewing field to work around little kids playing or animals visiting.

When you think you’ve got your man, you bring the camera to your computer and download the video. Voila! There it all is on your screen.

These are just two examples of how these cameras can be used.

They can be hidden in light fixtures, exit signs, wall clocks, coffee makers and just about anything.

Warning: Keep in mind that these cameras DO NOT prevent a crime. They simply record one. To stop crime, you want security cameras that are highly visible and that will be the subject of another article.



By: Octavien J. Remillard

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To find the best quality security cameras you really need to know what key features to look for before you make your purchase. Enhancing your security protection is an investment and as with any investment you should do your due diligence.

One of the key features you will find in any good quality security camera is infrared capabilities. This is very different from a low light camera as it will be able to pick-up video even in complete darkness. It works by using a series of infrared LED lights to illuminate the area in front of the lens allowing it to be able to view everything clearly no matter how dark it is.

You should always try to get a camera that has infrared technology to ensure a criminal will never be able to use the cover of darkness to avoid detection. This feature is more than worth the extra money and you will be glad you have that added security.

Another key feature that any quality security camera will have is that it will be vandal resistant. You’ll notice I didn’t say vandal proof. The reason is that there is no way to make a camera vandal proof. If you give a crook long enough with the right tool he can take out any camera.

You can only hope to make it take them long enough to disable the camera that you get plenty of video or even better that they get caught by the police in the act. The last thing you want is a camera that can be taken out with one swipe from a bat.

Any good quality camera will also have a video resolution of 380 TV lines at the very minimum. You want to be sure you get as much detail as you can get of the criminal on video to aid police in the arrest and prosecution of the suspect. This means you will want to get a security camera with as high a resolution as you are able to afford to ensure you get the most detailed video possible.

A good image of a scar or tattoo could mean all the difference when it comes to finding the criminal since tattoos and scars are recorded by law enforcement to aid with identification every time a crook is arrested. This is also why you should consider spending the extra money to get color security cameras to ensure the police know exactly what color clothing the suspect is wearing and even the color of their hair and eyes.



By: Charles Dougherty

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Compared to Europe, and especially Great Britain, the United States is way behind in both the technology and the sheer number of Video Surveillance or ‘security camera’ installations. In England there is roughly one public surveillance camera for every 14 people, while in the USA it is almost 100 times LESS than that. When you consider the comparative crime rates between the countries, ours being much higher, this seems rather strange. I often wonder if the two factors, the crime rate and the number and sophistication of surveillance systems, have a direct correlation, – in other words does the fact that they have more, and more obvious, surveillance cameras keep their crime rate low? I suspect that it does, although there are many other contributing factors such as the criminal apprehension success ratio and the swiftness and certitude of punishment. Additionally, of course, there are the factors of geography and density of population – England will fit into North Carolina twice, and into Florida about 4 times, so they have a lot less cable to run than we do.

What does that have to do with you, and your business? Probably not much, but if the number and visibility of cameras does in fact reduce crime, wouldn’t you want to do everything you can to deter crime in your business? Much controversy exists as to “privacy” issues with surveillance camera usage, although the courts have repeatedly ruled that if public activity can be observed with the human eye (in person), then privacy is not violated if that observation is by camera so long as the camera is readily visible. It is curious that in the US, even in business establishments, we seem to feel the need to hide our surveillance cameras. Are we afraid that we might upset our customers if cameras are visible? Do we think that surveillance cameras detract from the ‘ambiance’ or ‘look’ of our store or business? Or do we think that if the bad guys don’t see that we have cameras, they might be bolder in their approach and less prone to disguising their appearance?

It’s a lot like the philosophy differences between law enforcement hiding behind trees or riding in unmarked cars to catch speeders, and sitting in highly visible (often garish) marked patrol cars on an elevated mound in the median or alongside the highway, as they do in Europe. Both have the intent of reducing speed and making the highways safer (I think), but one is focused on catching and punishing perpetrators and the other is focused on deterring them from speeding in the first place. Personally, I’m a firm believer in the deterrent approach. If crime is an unavoidable fact of life, I want the bad guys choosing somebody else’s store to rob or pilfer from and not mine. Therefore, in a business environment I want my cameras highly visible, and if possible I want a big color monitor where all my patrons can see that I have the entire facility under surveillance, including them, and that the pictures are sharp, in color, and with a close enough view to make identification undeniable. I also probably want a few “covert” cameras, placed where not even my employees know they are, and which do not show up on the public, or even the back-office, monitor. Inventory “shrinkage” is often more costly than overt crime, and unfortunately your employees are frequently the cause.

There are more types of cameras, and more types and sizes of lenses, than you can “shake a stick at” (as my Grandmother used to say). Each one has their specific and unique applicability and application to get the very best picture possible under every circumstance. Why then, do I see that many of my competitors, even those who should know better, installing virtually every project where every camera is the same? What is the current fascination with the “bullet-style” LED-equipped day/night cameras – everywhere? Is it for “looks” (as opposed to views) and symmetry (as opposed to functionality)? It must be, because as we at The Shepherd’s Eyes conduct surveys in our business we have yet to see an installation site where the exact same type and style of camera is appropriate in every location. As a consumer/client, if a video surveillance system vendor tries to tell you that 4, 8, or 16 cameras, each exactly the same, are needed in your business or store, send him away and call someone else because he obviously doesn’t know his business. The nasty little secret is probably that he’s probably bought some “surveillance packages” from a discount house and now needs to get rid of them.

There is also an increasing prevalence of “dome” cameras (as opposed to other styles) today. Even some of my bank customers are insisting we install them. Frankly, I don’t understand why. They are “neater” in appearance than what are called “box” cameras in the industry, and with the smoked polycarbonate dome it is difficult to see where the lens is pointing, so I suspect that the intention is to not make it obvious that a negligent or lazy layout designer has left an area unprotected. The lenses are more easily kept clean, and they are less prone to some overzealous and careless janitor knocking them out of alignment or focus, so I guess this (mistakenly) means you can install them and forget them? – but in my never-to-be-humble opinion the ‘cons’ against their use often far outweigh the ‘pros’. I suspect that in many cases it’s a simply a matter of laziness or lack of expertise again; if the system specifier or the salesman specs dome cameras, all the same, he or she doesn’t need to have the expertise or take the time to do a detailed and thoughtful layout of the building and it’s use.

They don’t need (if they are designing from floor plans) to be able to envision traffic flow, imagine where customers or patrons will stand, which side of a double-door exit most people use, where a hold-up robber will probably be, or where a nighttime break-in will begin and end. They also don’t need to worry about creating a detailed sketch of the facility, showing exact camera type, placement, and field of view for an installer, and then ensuring that the cameras spec’d are placed in the locations intended, – heck, the salesman might even have to visit the site during installation if he specs different types of cameras in different places. This same logic (or lack thereof) applies to any installation where the exact same camera is sold for every location in the facility. The fact is that they are short-changing their customers, and often leaving areas insufficiently or inadequately, or even uncovered. That’s why often, on the evening news, you see fuzzy, distant, unfocused or partial images of a robbery, the wrong cameras or lenses, or insufficient cameras, were installed in the wrong places. There’s no excuse for that.

In summary then,
• If you allow the general public into or on your property, you probably will be best protected by having a professional install a professional video surveillance system. This isn’t just to protect against robbery or burglary or theft, or to provide pictures of the perpetrator(s) to law enforcement, it’s also to provide evidence should a liability claim be made against you. (More about this topic in a future article.)

• Make sure that whoever you get to install the system knows exactly what they are doing and why (and yes, this means you too if you misguidedly decide to do it yourself to ‘save money’). If your system doesn’t provide clear, identifiable (meaning close-up face views) and setting-appropriate images, you may as well not even bother. In the earlier days of financial institution surveillance, the FBI and the FDIC required that customers standing in typical customer service settings the images being recorded from the cameras show a 1″ ‘customer head size’ on a 10″ monitor – that equates to the face shot being 1/10th of the frame vertically and horizontally. That’s still a good rule of thumb to follow. [Please, DON'T ever install "dummy" cameras - they have the potential of costing more in court-sustained liability claims than you can ever imagine. (More about this topic in a future article.)]

• If somebody suggests that the exact same camera will work well in every location, and for every area to be covered in your premises or on your property, ask them why, how, and to show you the views they get before you write the check for the deposit.

• Think about why you’re installing a system, and what you need it to do for you. No video surveillance system alone can be all the protection you need, – it should be part of a complete premise protection approach. (More about this topic in a future article.)

• Consider the applicability and appropriateness of a (big) “public view” monitor. They are not inexpensive, but they can be the most important element of your system depending on your type of business and your premises.

• Consider your hours of operation and your lighting conditions. There’s absolutely no point in installing IR Day/Night cameras (the IRLEDs tend to burn out within 2 years or less, requiring the cameras to be replaced) although they are all the rage nowadays, if your DVR is set to either an open-hours schedule or motion sensitivity and you’re not open 24 hours a day. (More about this topic in a future article.)

And last but certainly not least… Give serious and long consideration to your DVR. It’s not only the heart of your system, but its most expensive element. Nothing has been said in this article about DVRs – that’s the topic of our very next article, appearing shortly.

With your best interest always in mind,

Howard A. Barraclough
for The Shepherd’s Eyes
April 28, 2010



By: Howard Barraclough

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