Posts Tagged ‘security’
Spy Pen Digital Video Recording (DVR)
Posted by Jarrett in Cameras Friday, 7 August 2009 14:41 No Comments
Technology is advancing, fact. As time passes by more and more products are slowly upgrading. The latest craze and trend within the recording sector is going digital. Every single product that can seems to be turning digital, they tell you it’s for good reason. We couldn’t agree more.
The very first spy gadgets all recorded in a quite inconvenient way that required extra set ups of equipment else ware and generally proved to be quite a pain. Whilst the camera was small the other equipment was big, bulky and awkward to handle. Transmitter / receiver set ups were common place limiting their use to people willing to pay the money forcing them to require a proper need for one.
The decision to turn the spy pen into a digital device and bring in spy pen DVR completely reinvented the product. It allowed the user to operate the device on their own, and it made the footage easily accessible and easy to view. So how did spy pen DVR do all this?
The device was completely self-contained within the spy pen meaning you required to extra equipment in order to record the footage. It gifted you the key concept of independence and being able to carry out covert surveillance alone keeping it truly secret.
Spy pen DVR normally records in .avi format. This format is widely supported and can be played on most devices without additional software. We have found it compatible with some cell phones, i-pods, and every pc or laptop we have ever come across.
Live streaming has now also become an option with all sorts of hidden camera devices. By connecting the camera up to a live Internet connection you can make it possible to access it from anywhere in the world and view what’s going on. Whilst not a convenient set up with a spy pen, its cousin products make great hosts.
Poor lighting conditions constantly plague devices such as spy pen recorders, digital footage has the advantage of been easily edited or enhanced. This is an excellent tool which although not unique to digital footage. Has software easily available and the clip can be transferred freely between devices.
There is no doubt that spy pen DVR is the way forwards in all devices of this time. It is a solid update that offers you no distinct loss and can be produced cheaper than some of the bigger bulkier set ups. Make sure your spy pen has DVR.
How the Image Sensor Affects the Camera
Posted by Jim Johnson in Cameras Monday, 22 June 2009 05:33 No Comments
An outdoor security camera, like all cameras, uses an image sensor made up of many pixels which registers the amount of light and converts it to the corresponding number of electrons. The brighter the light, the more electrons are generated. There are two main technologies used for the camera’s image sensor.
The first is known as the CCD sensor which is an acronym for charge-coupled device, and the second is the CMOS sensor which is spelled out as the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor. Even though these two types are viewed a rivals, each has its own strengths and weaknesses so one would be better than the other in different applications.
CCD sensors were developed specifically for the camera industry while CMOS traces it’s beginnings to standard technology already in use in areas such as memory chips inside PCs. Today, modern CMOS sensors are advancing in technology and the quality is improving immensely.
CCD sensors are still slightly better in light sensitivity and produce cleaner images than CMOS sensors. Because of higher light sensitivity, the CCD produces sharper images in low light conditions than CMOS sensors.
The two downsides to the CCD sensors are really the true advantages to CMOS sensors. The CCDs make the cameras more expensive since they are harder to put into a camera and an equivalent sensor uses almost one hundred times more power than a CMOS sensor.
In contrast, the CMOS sensors are quickly over taking the areas that CCD sensors once ruled in terms of image quality. CMOS based cameras always had the edge when it came to cost. It is much easier to build a camera around a CMOS sensor.
Relative to the CCDs, CMOS sensors are more flexible to integration possibilities and functions and have a faster readout. They also require less energy and require a smaller system size. Megapixel CMOS sensors are much more common commercially than megapixel CCD sensors and much less expensive.
Megapixel sensors are sensors that contain pixels that number in the millions. Since megapixel sensors are commonly made to be the same size as traditional VGA sensors, each pixel is smaller. This allows the camera to capture more detail and higher resolution but also becomes less light sensitive since pixels are smaller in size making it a suboptimal choice for low light conditions.
Nanny Cameras Keep A Lookout
Posted by Sandra Jones in Cameras Monday, 22 June 2009 02:04 No Comments
Parents often face a difficult decision when it comes to the thought of leaving their children with somebody who they may not know. Whilst it may often be necessary, especially in these recessionary times when both parents may need to work, they still hesitate when they have to turn to outside help. In some situations, a known and trusted close friend may be available to watch over youngsters, but this is not always possible.
Parents who have decided to employ the services of a nanny, often consider the installation of surveillance devices to help them keep a watchful eye over the stranger. in this case, a nanny camera is a popular selection.
A nanny camera can be concealed within everyday items. It is basically a compact product that can be fitted into a lamp, a book or even into a stuffed animal. As it is completely unobtrusive, it is not noticed by the children or by the caregiver. High quality images are sent to a receiver and can be reviewed by the parents.
For flexibility, many parents choose a wireless nanny camera, which can be hidden without trailing wires which would act as a giveaway. Place the camera within a household plant, for example and locate the receiver anywhere up to 300 feet away.
Parents are able to monitor every eventuality by using a nanny camera. It is true that the majority of caregivers are trustworthy, but there is a lot at stake when you entrust your loved ones to a stranger. The caregiver may provide perfectly adequate service and control under normal conditions, but they may not be quite as good should the child exhibit poor behavior, be disruptive or cry a lot.
There are many different types of camera available and many different scenarios to cover. As nanny cameras can be fitted anywhere and are completely unnoticeable, consider different choices. For example, put a camera within a boombox and place it in the family room, put one within an air purifier and place it in an office, put one within a teddy bear and place it in the children’s room or place a camera hidden within a book in the living room.
There are over 30 different styles of pre-hidden nanny cameras available, and they can be selected according to intended location, your budget and the amount of recording time necessary. Prices vary depending on whether you want the basic camera set-up or a digital system, which can send live images to a cell phone, for example.
Nanny cameras were initially designed for use in a household environment, but are also being used in day care centers as well. The operators at the center are offering parents the choice of spot checking on their children whilst they are away.
Camera Domes Are Security Stalwarts
Posted by Peter Write in Cameras Sunday, 21 June 2009 07:36 No Comments
Camera domes are very versatile as they can be used in lowlight situations, or at night time, indoors or outdoors and they consist of a fixed lens housed within a dome. You can choose a day/night type of camera, a popular choice as colors change according to the lighting conditions to capture the best quality image.
A fixed lens camera is commonly called a board camera because it is pre-mounted. They provide a wide angle view with varying lens openings depending on their usage. Fixed cameras are typically found in mini, dome, spy and hidden security systems.
There are several different types of camera domes. There are day-night weatherproof domes with powerful infrared LEDs for use in all lighting conditions; armor domes, which are vandal-proof and weatherproof; and mini ones that are about 3 inches in diameter and ideal for confined places and low light conditions.
Many camera domes are equipped with high resolution digital chips that make them sensitive to light so they can be used in all types of high and low lighting conditions. Lighting, along with high resolution capability, is important for the quality of the image when it comes time to view the tape. The better you are able to see the suspect in a security situation, the higher the chances of the police being able to catch the person.
There are many different types of security and surveillance systems for homes and businesses. Each type has its advantages, as well as limitations. Before investing in one, its best to learn more about all your options so that you are buying the right device to meet your needs.
Camera domes are effective and can be very unobtrusive. You will typically see them in retail stores, apartment buildings, warehouses, break rooms, casinos and restaurants. They tend not to interfere with the ambience and are very effective in monitoring for criminal activity.
Crime prevention is on everybody’s mind these days. It is of particular concern to business in these tough economic times. Security devices are often found protecting valuable assets at home, including jewelry, heirlooms, money and computers. Round-the-clock protection is a sound investment these days, especially when you are away from home or business. A good security and surveillance system will keep an eye out for you.
Camera domes are very popular because it is difficult to determine where the camera is pointing due to the dome shape of the unit. Sometimes it is even more difficult to see where the unit is pointing because the camera is mounted high on the ceiling. You cannot even see if there is a functioning camera inside.
Deter Thieves With A Dummy Security Camera
Posted by Sandra Jones in Cameras Friday, 19 June 2009 06:00 No Comments
With an increase in crimes, particularly home burglaries, store thefts and vandalism, it makes sense for homeowners and business owners to protect their premises and valuables. Law enforcement officials point out that most types of security measures are effective in serving as a deterrent to crime.
You do not have to install the real thing when you are looking for a visual deterrent, you could install a dummy security camera. This nonfunctioning surveillance camera looks just like the real thing, contains lenses, cables, connectors and indicator lights and appears to be authentic. Different styles are available, including those housed in a dome, a box, or in a traditional monitor.
A dummy security camera can be used in the home, at the office, or inside and outside retail premises. Many people use them with actual security cameras to reduce costs while still providing a deterrent to criminals. The strategy works because the fake cameras provide more visibility that the grounds are being monitored while the real cameras pick up any criminal activity.
With a dummy security camera, thieves would think twice about committing a crime at the location because they believe the premises is being monitored. The device serves as an effective intimidation method because criminals fear they are being caught on tape. Any device that can give a criminal pause does its job in protecting you and your valuables.
Even the most professional criminal can be fooled by a dummy security camera. These units are very inexpensive, come in different styles and run on batteries, yet they look just like the real thing. Dummy cameras are ideal for business or homeowners who do not have the available funds to invest in a real system.
Many places are susceptible to crime, but those places where criminal acts seem to occur most commonly include parking lots, inside homes, home garages where expensive cars may be stored, stores, and the entrances and exits to homes and businesses, where criminals might look for crimes of opportunity.
As the dummy security camera needs little or no maintenance, it is ideal for most people. The camera has no inner workings, requires no connectivity, needs only an occasional battery change and is easy to mount pretty much anywhere.
Whilst fake surveillance systems do not carry the same advantages as real security devices, studies have shown that they do indeed reduce the likelihood of thefts, robberies and vandalism, and as such are a worthy crime deterrent.