Protect your home use Security Cameras

I want to protect my home and use Security Cameras

So I want to protect my home.   I need a video surveillance system for night or in areas with low light. So looks like the best option would be infrared security cameras that capture images even in the dark.

So what is an infrared camera exactly?

An infrared camera works by calculating the brightness of a room or particular area. They feature special LED lighting which can be seen on the outside lens. These LEDs are able to capture light from the regions of electromagnetic spectrum that allow an image to be created even if there is little visible light. For this reason we refer to IR cameras as having night vision.

An infrared security camera will switch its mode to infrared only when the light drops below a certain level. It captures black and white images at that point.

Interesting side note, IR Illuminators allow many objects to be penetrated, such as the haze, fog and smoke. Infrared Illuminators are used typically for a low light environment. Sometimes, when the IR array is focused narrowly or the hold is not strong enough the external IR Illuminator will give an extra sharp image. It can provide an additional infrared light source that is invisible to the naked eye normally.

If you are going to use infrared security cameras outdoors, the best option would be to choose those that can stand up to the natural elements as well as tampering from criminals.   I found several options that allow for the greatest flexibility including direct bright light, vandal resistant, weather proof and cost effective.

Value of Video Verification

The Value of Video Verification

Alarm systems have been a part of security since the beginning. We all know that when an alarm goes off, police are called to respond, but how many of those alarms are false? To just one person or business it seems reasonable for police to respond to even the false alarms, but multiply that by hundreds and thousands of businesses in each city and imagine all the false alarms police are required to respond to each day. Unfortunately, police cannot respond to every alarm call within a fair amount of time. Staffing, policies, and priorities often conflict with these calls. With no way of knowing whether the alarm is real or fake, police have to make a best effort, which sometimes results in the real crimes remaining unsolved.

Today systems are being designed to allow video verification of alarms. This means that when an alarm is tripped a monitoring company is alerted and begins remote viewing the facility through installed CCTV security cameras. The monitoring company can then verify if a crime is occurring. Police departments respond faster to a crime in progress rather than an unknown situation. What does this mean to security customers? Well, it will require a higher monthly premium for monitoring your alarm system. With the higher price comes a quicker response rate from local police. In additional, customers with video verification systems will also have the peace of mind in knowing that even when they are unable to, there is someone watching over their property.

Many cities require fees to be paid for false alarm calls. Recently in Glendale, Arizona the city passed an ordinance that requires citizens to pay steep fines when police respond to false alarms. These fines range from $100 to $400 depending on the amount of previous false alarm calls received.

The equipment for a video verification system can be costly, but for some customers the price is worth the result. When you compare the potential loss of property if police are unable to respond in time to a real call or the increased risk of fines for false alarm calls, the setup and maintenance fees are well worth the investment.

How Video Verification Works

To those who are unfamiliar, video verification documents a change in local conditions. When a sensor goes into alarm, cameras record clips or open a feed to live video at the premise. The video and/or notification to view the live feed are sent to a central station where operators survey the situation.

With video evidence and other means of verification, such as audio or cross-zoning, central station operators can tell dispatchers more about what is happening at a property. As such, the quality of the process improves, raising the priority for dispatch and hastening response. This is in line with the protocol followed by most law enforcement agencies across the United States.

This is the procedure that the Central Station Alarm Association’s (CSAA) existing ANSI standard for video verification prescribes and it is an excellent starting point from which the industry can advance with input from law enforcement and the insurance industry. It is important for installing security companies to know that video verification is completely dependent on central station service.

Road to Making Gains

For video verification to truly gain acceptance by all ancillary industry stakeholders — from end users, police and the insurance industry — there must be uniformity in how it is applied. With several years of field experience gained by industry stakeholders, some of the advancements for the next generation of verification are being implemented.

Differentiations can be made for residential, commercial and high-value commercial, as well as interior and exterior applications. Within the commercial realm, there are different risk levels to be accounted for, such as the potential loss at a big-box electronics store compared with a sporting goods store that has a stock of weapons and ammunition.

Fortunately, one distinction everyone agrees upon is that professionally installed and monitored systems will garner prioritized response that DIY, self-monitored systems will not enjoy. That alone gives alarm contractors a tremendous selling point to current and prospective customers, especially as some of the largest technology companies enter into the smart-home market with automation systems and smoke/CO detector devices.

While the industry works on these issues, whatever the final form of this standard ends up being, video verification will deliver value for every stakeholder in the battle against property crime. Alarm system owners will get a fast police response and installing contractors will benefit from satisfied customers. At the same time, police remove criminals from the streets and the insurance industry cuts down on claims they have to pay out now and in the future.

The new video verification standard will be a win for everyone involved.

Basic Things to Know About CCTV as a Technician

Some Basic Things to Know About CCTV as a Technician, If you are manager just share this with your team.

Cable Running

Many facilities use closed circuit television (CCTV) as part of an overall security system. Cameras mounted on buildings or ceilings transmit signals to a central monitoring room. CCTV takes two forms ---hard-wired or wireless. A technician just starting out in CCTV has to gain a knowledge base of how CCTV works, so he will be able to install, test and troubleshoot systems. Do not run 3+1/4+1 CCTV Cable, use RG11, RG6, RG59 only. Find-out the length of Video Cable from DVR to Camera, it should be on limit. Do not overlapping with High voltage wire. Do not join the Video Cable, use complete length ( One drum Video Cable its 305Mtr) of wire. If cable layed in out door use Armour cable.

RG 59 which can transmit signals up to 200 metres. This distances are for a single run of cable with no amplifiers or in-line correctors.

RG 11 which can transmit signals up to 270 metres. It is more expensive because it is thicker. This distance are for a single run of cable with no amplifiers or in-line correctors.

RG 6 which can transmit signals up to 400 metres. It is more expensive because it is thicker. This distances are for a single run of cable with no amplifiers or in-line correctors.

Twisted pair cable is a good alternative to coaxial cable if the length of the run is more than a few hundred metres. With pure cooper twisted pair, runs of up to 600 metres can be used without any in-line repeaters.

Troubleshooting Signal Loss

The picture on the monitor should never be fuzzy or have interference patterns. If it does, signal loss is occurring somewhere in the system. Technicians have specialized testing equipment and know how to use them in order to troubleshoot systems. Usually, a technician starts at the camera and works her way back to the receiver. She/he checks each connection until the test equipment indicates a loss. Some common problems are corrosion due to moisture inside the connectors or cables chewed through by animals.

Camera Installation

CCTV technicians can't be afraid of heights. Cameras are mounted high on the sides of buildings, or high in the ceiling areas of stores. You have to use a boom lift to reach spots to mount cameras. If you suffer from heights, becoming a CCTV Technician may not be a valid career path.

Cables are installed from the camera to the receiver station. You will have to drill through masonry block and below floor to run the cable. Be prepared to navigate through tight cramped quarters to get the cable from the camera to the receiver. Bring along a change of clothes, since you will get dirty in the process.

CCTV Camera Installation Tips:-

1. Test all equipment before installation. Therefore equipment can be replaced before arrival on-site if needed.
2. Ensure the mounting brackets of outdoor speed domes are properly sealed to prevent condensation in the camera housing.
3. Ensure sufficient space for camera, lens and connectors when choosing camera housing.
4. Avoid direct sunlight on equipment as it raises the temperature of the equipment.
5. Position cameras out of reach of vandals or 'curious' people.
6. Mount good quality mounting brackets in a stable location to avoid unstable or vibrating images caused by vibration or wind.
7. CS Mount cameras placed inside, at industrial or dusty/damp installations should be placed into outdoor camera housings.
8. Avoid installing cameras too high above the subject thus preventing 'top-of-head' video images
9. Ensure camera mounting poles are mechanically secure to avoid vibration on camera images
10. Before connecting power, ensure the supply is 12VDC regulated.

CCTV Cabling Tips:

1. Avoid running video cable parallel to AC power cables, especially those carrying high current.

2. RG59U Coax runs should not exceed 180m for colour and 280m for B/W

3.Avoid sharp bends when cabling

4. Avoid cable joins and using BNC barrels

5. Avoid over-tightening cable-ties

6. Ensure use of proper co-ax wire-stripping and crimping tools

7. Ensure BNC Connectors are properly crimped

8. Use Rubber BNC Boots after crimping to protect crimped area and bend radius

9. Mark or label camera and data signal cables

10. Outdoor cable runs should be housed in UV-proof conduit

11. In lightning prone areas, install surge protection devices

Final Testing and Teaching

A technician tests the system after it's installed. This involves knowing how to aim the cameras, knowing how to operate the monitoring equipment in the security room and knowing how to instruct the final operators of the system. You have to be part teacher. You may have to deal with people who have no knowledge of how a CCTV system is operated, so you have to use layperson-friendly language during the training process.

As you are a Engineer / Technician remember this few points:
Visually inspect all major components and connections for signs of deterioration or damage

Check all control equipment (DVRs, VCRs, monitors, multiplexers, video switchers, telemetry units etc) for correct operation

Check mains & power supplies and stand-by batteries including charging rates.

Check environmental conditions for adverse effects, including growth or shrubbery obscuring camera views

Check time and date settings in equipment and update the settings as appropriate

Check integrity of all cabling and sample check external insulation for damage

Clean cable fixings for security

Check auxiliary lighting equipment, infra-red units and photocells (if any) for correct operation

Check air vents are clear in all control equipment including PCs

Clean cameras, lenses and housing surfaces as necessary

Check al glands and seals on external equipment

Clean control equipment surfaces including PC (if applicable)

Establish regular back-ups are taken

Check camera is aligned to user specification, pictures for correct field of view and adjust as necessary

Check brackets, towers and fixings for corrosion or damage. Check clamping bolts/brackets are tightened correctly

Check wash/wipe units and wiper blades (if any) for correct operation and fill washer reservoir where necessary

Check quality of recording during day time and night time modes

Check pan and tilt assembly (if any) including fixings, electrical connections and functions.

Check the satisfactory CCTV transmission of images to remote site (if applicable)

Check warning signs are in place

Check all camera presets

Check all alarm presets