Latest Articles by spygear4pros

Your Homeland Security - Integrate Your Wireless Cameras

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Want to add security cameras to your existing home network? It's really quite simple using current technologies. You can easily get a starter system going that will fully integrate with your home networking system that you can access anywhere in the world via the internet.

The first decision to make is whether to build your system using wired or wireless cameras. Wired cameras tend to cost less, and have the advantage of being powered by their cables. Wireless cameras operating at the 2.4GHz range can more easily be placed in any location. You then have the option to connect the remore camera to a nearby electrical electrical outlet, or use batteries.

You may also want to integrate your cameras via one device to manage them. Otherwise you will have to go to either a seperate IP address in your home network for each camera, and if you need to connect to your home system to monitor it remotely, then you will need to be able to also obtain a virtual private network connection. This can be a real hassle so I recommend getting a device that can control all your cameras and also act as a single point of access your remote monitoring.

Look for products like TCP/IP transmitter and receivers. This simplifies maintaining multiple cameras to keep an eye on your home or business. It is a smart and easy way to increase security without installing an expensive alarm system. Monitoring the surveillance feed isn't difficult, even if you're not right there on the premises. By connecting multiple video cameras to a TCP/IP Transmitter, you'll have access to the goings on at your home or business from any Internet-connected PC. Look for models that include software which most do. They can support a combination of wired or wireless cameras as well as PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom). PTZ cameras allow you to do just that, manipulate the camera position ans zoom via controls on your web brower.

This type of configuration will work for indoor or outdoor cameras. If building a security system that will monitor the perimeter of your property, or is external to your home, then go for the wireless cameras so cabling is simpler. Optionally for external wireless cameras are small transmitter and receiver devices that can transform any wired camera into a wireless one.

To summarize: start with your existing cameras to leverage your current investment, or start small with purchasing one or two higher quality wireless cameras. Then decide on a transmitter/receiver centralized unit, this can easily be plugged into your existing wired or wireless router. Use the uplink port on your existing router if all your connections are being used. The advantages to be gained by this configuration are many. You can monitor your own home or business without paying monthly fees. So for not much more than you have already invested in your home networking, you can add piece of mind as well.

Arthur Kettelhut is the owner of a popular web site which reviews personal

and home security products. He has over 10 years of security experience.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Wired or Wireless Cameras - What's Going On At Home?

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Determining which security video camera to suit you and your family's needs requires you to plan and access your specific situation. You will need to consider what type of area you live in, is your home in a high traffic area and have constant exposure to the public and traffic. Or do you live in a rural or secluded area where you may not have neighbors who can see your home, no matter what your living conditions we all want to know that our homes and property are safe from crime.

It is necessary for home owners and business owners to take every precaution to protect their property and possessions. Security video camera technology has improved dramatically with the increased demand from consumers and the understanding of the features of security cameras. Whether you are at the grocery store, parking your car, walking into a shopping mall or visiting a friend in their home don’t be surprised if a security camera is keeping a recording eye on your actions. These cameras have become so ubiquitous most of us don't even notice them anymore, this works to our advantage when setting up our security camera systems.

Trying to decide between Wireless Security Camera or Wired?

Wireless security cameras are advantageous to the do-it-yourself installer because of the ease of set-up and the portability of the camera.

These are some of the features of wireless security cameras:

1. Much simpler setup. Easily hidden as you don’t have to hide the wiring.

2. More cost effective. A wired security camera has to be planned for installation which means you will need to run wires through walls and ceilings. A wireless video security camera can easily be positioned or moved anywhere you feel is best.

3. Reduced restrictions on where you can place the wireless security camera. There is no need to be near a power connector.

4. With a wireless video security camera, you can log into your computer from just about anywhere and view the inside or outside of your home or office. Some models even have motion activated sensors which can email alert you in the event someone walks past them. They can also be calibrated against false positives from pets or small motion.

5. Easier to covertly install and hide wireless security models.

There are two basic types of wireless video security cameras available.

One type comes as package that includes a transmitter and receiver with the advantage being that the cable usually used with a television camera is replaced by the transmitter and receiver with the camera aligned to the transmitter. The receiver then is connected to the recording and viewing object. This can be a VCR time lapse recorder or more common these days a self contained DVR.

Another option operates like an IP camera and is installed with a wireless network adaptor, this requires a wireless router as well, but most cable modems include these now. This allows the installer to monitor their home from anywhere in the world via the internet.
An additional benefit of a wireless video security camera is their portable capabilities. Being able to change their position in your home or business to meet your specific needs makes wireless video security cameras more reasonable. Determine what specific task you want your camera to do before making any final decisions. Keep in mind that paying a little bit more for the best technology is worth in the long run.

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A Kettelhut is an information and physical

security professional who regularly reviews and

deals in personal and asset protection ideas and

products. He can be contacted via http://spygear-

4pros.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Mini Wireless Spy Cameras

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

I'm sure you've seen the popup banners and many annoying adds over the years for mini wireless spy cameras, although the marketing tactics turned a lot of people off - including myself, these cameras are very useful and fun. The trick is to purchase the right camera for you. Some of these older cameras operate at lower frequencies, these are not effective for any range and can interfere with household devices. Be sure to purchase a camera that operates in the 2.4 GHz range or higher.

Current technology can put a mini wireless spy camera in anything check out this screw camera - this can easily be placed anywhere and not noticed at all. You can put one in a baseball cap! Pinhole cameras can be self installed in just about any household object. Some models come with a DVR in the unit so the device is completely self contained. You can just set a clock radio, or similar object and have it record only when motion is activated. You them merely connect USB plug to your PC or laptop and download the video. Still images are also possible.

Color images are quite common now, although the more advanced models revert to black and white when low light conditions are present. You can check the mini wireless spy camera in question by its LUX factor. This is just a way of telling how dark it can be to get a readable image. Low lux cameras can photograph in almost complete darkness now, using the light of less than a single candle power. Note that it is illegal for civilians to include audio in covert recordings. Only law enforcement agencies can legally and covertly record both video and audio.

If you decide on a mini wireless spy camera you must have the recorder or video monitor within range. Most ranges are restricted to 100 feet. It is possible to extend this range with optional high power transmitters.

SpyGear4Pros.com is a leading provider and consultant organization dedicated to

providing quality personal and home security products and services.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com