Security Cameras

Security Cameras in the Home
Where to Use and How to Choose

Security cameras, wired and wireless are the answer to many security problems around the home. Already well accepted in the business environment and on our streets, security cameras are increasingly being installed in and around the home. As prices have been dropping dramatically over the last few years and installation has been made much easier, more and more homeowners are installing their own home security caneras and systems.

Typical uses:

To see who is at the door before opening. Determine if it is safe to do so, avoid the bogus callers. Especially important for the elderly, who are often prime targets for this type of scum. The security camera can be simply linked into your TV (via an RF modulator) and tuned into a spare channel, or alternatively to the scart input of your VCR and TV.
For recording who called while you were out
Watch over your cars, motorbikes, caravans, boats and trailers. There have been many instances where these valuable items have been broken into or vandalised on peoples own driveways. A security camera positioned over these areas and connected into your TV and VCR can pick up and record these events. A PIR activated security light can be used to trigger the VCR when movement is detected in the area. A prominently positioned camera may even deter any would be vandal or thief from attempting their crimes.
Watching garages or outbuildings where valuable equipment is stored such as: ride on lawnmowers, powerboats, jet skis, vintage vehicles, expensive cars and tractors.
Watching babies and small children when they are in their rooms or at play
General monitoring of house, garden and perimeter
To keep an eye on animals that are ill, are about to give birth or have young. Especially useful if the animals are in a building remote from the house.

Remember:

that recorded images should be of good quality if you intend passing them to the police to follow up on
domestic VCR’s do not start the instant that they are triggered, unlike a time lapse video recorder used in professional security applications. Inexpensive time lapse machines are now available and may be well worth considering.
if you have prominent cameras, the vandal, burglar or conman may realise that he has been recorded and try to steal the taped evidence. This could be a valid reason for installing covert cameras, although you obviously lose the deterrent effect of visible security cameras. Alternatively the VCR could be secured in a lockable steel box which is bolted to the floor or wall which prevents the tape from being removed. The addition of a hidden time lapse VCR would also fool most thieves, they would still probably take the tape from the domestic recorder.
surveillance cameras can be a very effective way of monitoring and recording activities in and on your property. Wherever you install home security cameras use good judgment on their placement, don’t ever install cameras that invade areas where others (such as your neighbours) expect privacy.
Other recording options now available, include recording to your computers hard drive or a separate digital video recorder. Once on the computer any recorded shots can then be sent to other destinations. Pictures can even be downloaded anywhere in the world via a mobile phone. You could watch what is going on in and around your house while still being thousands of miles away

Home Security Cameras and Systems

Many of the systems available today are very simple to install, with cameras that operate off low voltage power supplies. Several of these home security cameras are also available in wireless versions or alternatively they can have wireless transmitters linked to them, making them suitable for DIY installation by most reasonably competent people.

Today there is an amazing choice of home security cameras available, with new innovations constantly being developed. These constant developments are making it virtually impossible for surveyors and installers to keep abreast of the latest developments.

The information printed here should at least allow you to ask any potential installer the right questions, to enable you to get the right camera surveillance system to suit your needs, at a value for money price, rather than being sold the system that the salesman wants to sell. Alternatively if you are installing yourself you should know a little bit more about the equipment you will require to fulfil your needs.

SECURITY CAMERA CHOICE

Colour or Black and White

Colour is normally today’s preferred medium, it looks better and we are used to seeing it on our TVs’ and our still photos. In some situations, such as low light applications, a black and white camera will perform better than a colour camera, i.e. it can operate at considerably lower lux (light) levels. Black and white cameras also have more lines of resolution, which makes the picture sharper. Finally, black and white cameras and monitors are less expensive than the equivalent colour cameras and monitors, which can often be the deciding factor if several cameras are being installed.

Some more expensive cameras switch from a colour output during good lighting conditions to a black and white output under poor lighting conditions.

Internal or External use

All external cameras need to sealed against the weather, either by installing in weatherproof housings or by having their own weatherproof casings. This weatherproofing is essential for prolonging the life of your camera. Many of these weatherproof housings and casings are fitted with heating elements which as well as protecting the electronics from condensation, helps to keep the lens clear of frost and helps prevent the build up of snow. Most external cameras or in fact internal cameras facing outwards will also benefit from having an auto iris lens, which adjusts to suit the varying light conditions.

Hardwired or Wireless

Hard wired home security cameras are generally more reliable, cost less and provide better picture quality than the equivalent wireless security camera, so it is important to take these points into account when deciding on camera positions

When determining where you want to position the cameras to best monitor particular areas, note should be made of the nearest available power points and the ease with which any cable runs can be installed both for power and the video link. Digging up gardens and drives can be an expensive, disruptive operation and should be avoided where possible. Sometimes a compromise position can be found which will ease installation and still provide you with adequate camera surveillance of the particular area.

Both black and white and colour cameras can be equipped with transmitters’ which normally have a transmission range of approximately 100m. (uninterrupted view), this distance will be reduced when the signals have to go through walls of buildings to around 30m. (depending on the building structure).

Distance to Target, Field of View

If you want to cover a wide field of view you will need a wide angle lens, unfortunately these lenses reduce the amount of detail, making it difficult to identify any strangers in the picture, unless they are quite close to the camera. This is the trade off that you get for covering large areas of your property.

On the other hand a narrow angle lens will give you very good detail, but will not monitor a very large area. It is best to look at photos taken with various lenses at different distances from the camera to gauge your requirements more accurately. More expensive varifocal lenses are available where you can vary the field of view without changing the lens, thus matching it to your needs.

Some of the cheaper cameras have fixed lenses, which cannot be changed, they have to be ordered with the correct lens. Many miniature spy/hidden cameras are fitted with pinhole lenses, these lenses have apertures of approximately 3mm or 1/8 inch, which allows them to be easily hidden or disguised. These lenses do cause a slight decrease in image quality.

Although not warranted on the majority of home installations, cameras can be fitted with powered focus and zoom function lenses and can be installed on pan and tilt units offering complete remote control of all functions.

Camera Lux (Light) Ratings

As mentioned earlier all cameras come with a rating which shows how sensitive the camera is to low light levels. The lower the lux rating of a camera, the less light it needs to see and produce a good quality image. Good external lighting is required for colour cameras to perform adequately outside after dark. Black and white cameras, whilst working at lower light levels anyway, can also operate in total darkness with the aid of infra red illuminators. Some security cameras (black and white only) are fitted with built in infrared illuminators (around the lens) for short range uses, or can be fitted with external lamps for longer range applications.

Cameras can be controlled, viewed and recorded by a number of different methods, please see Security Camera Controls

Additional information items and hundreds more tips on how to protect your family, are now available in our new (211 – A4 page) security and safety book 'How to Protect your Family and Belongings Now'

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