Saturday, January 6, 2018

DRI in Video Surveillance

DRI in Video Surveillance

Wish you a very happy new year 2018. In today’s competitive environment, having new customers constantly is one of the keys of success. To make professional quotes with proper sketches, realistic test objects, 3D images, mock ups etc, which leave a lasting impression on your clients.
When you are answering queries related to your product, you can quickly glance through the details while your client is on call.
DRI stands for Detection, Recognition and Identification in video surveillance. DRI ranges, expressed in meters, km (or miles), can be found in the specification table of infrared camera brochures. In order to select the right sensor meeting the application requirements, these DRI ranges have to be, first, perfectly defined, but also assessed with regards to globally adopted industrial standards.

DRI Definition

The terms “Detection”, “Recognition” and “Identification” were defined as follow:
  • Detection: ability to distinguish an object from the background
  • Recognition: ability to classify the object class (animal, human, vehicle, boat …)
  • Identification: ability to describe the object in details (a man with a hat, a deer, a Jeep …)

The following pictures illustrate these definitions:
    Left image: Detection – At several kms, 2 targets are detected out of the background 
    Center image: Recognition - a human is walking along the fence 
    Right image: Identification – 2 males with trousers and jackets are identified – one is smoking.
We detect an object when it enters the field of view. Detection means we are aware that an object (or person) now exists where previously it was not seen. Usually, this is due to movement of the object into the field of view of the surveillance camera. Detection simply means we are aware of the object, but have too little details to recognize or identify the object.
As the object moves closer, we may recognize the object from characteristics previously encountered. For example, aircraft recognition is taught to military ground troops and airmen. All aircraft have wings, engines, a fuselage, and tail assembly. They differ in size, shape, number, and position to each other. A particular model of aircraft can be recognized by recalling these characteristics from pictures, drawings or past detailed observations.
Identification is the process where sufficient details are available to uniquely discern a person or object that is previously unknown. Identification requires sufficient detail to accurately describe or recall the characteristics of the subject at a later time. For example, a mug shot (booking photograph) is taken following the arrest of a subject as a means of photographing (recording) sufficient details for later identification by a victim or witness. In video surveillance terms, sufficient detail is calibrated in pixels per foot of the area recorded by the camera.

DRI Ranges

“A picture is worth a thousand words” goes the old and equally wise saying. It is true that most human beings learn much quicker when aided by visuals rather than pure text as that is more in tune with the human psychology of learning.
So instead of remembering commands and functions you will easily remember that yellow color indicates areas where it is possible to recognize people, red color indicates areas suitable for people identification, green areas for detection and so forth.
To put this in perspective, sensors have a resolution of 640×480 which is over 300,000 pixels.
Human “detection” only requires 3.6 of those pixels and “identification” only requires 230 pixels, which is an extraordinarily small amount on the screen that can easily go unnoticed by the human eye. In fact, if this page were the size of your video feed, the area required for a human detection rating is about equivalent to a lowercase letter “i” in this text. The amount of detail visible at the detection, recognition and identification distances is not as high as one might expect, as can be seen in the chart below.
Another thing that is often not mentioned is that these ratings are based on what is termed “ideal conditions” which rarely happen in the real world. The average environmental application will get 25% less than the distance that the thermal camera is rated for and in extreme conditions can be less than 10% of the rated distance.

Based on SR-100 & SR-100P by FLIR the approximate DRI (Detection, Recognition and Identification) range for a vehicle and a human target is listed in Tables 1 & 2.
Lens
Detection
Recognition
Identification
100mm
4.4km
1.1km
580m
Table 1: DRI range for Vehicle with 2.3m critical dimension using a Thermal Security Camera with 38 micron pitch detector

Lens
Detection
Recognition
Identification
100mm
1.6km
400m
200m
Table 2: DRI range for Human Target using a Thermal Security Camera with 38 micron pitch detector
Assumptions:  50% probability of achieving objective at the specified distance given a   2-degree temperature difference and 0.85/km atmospheric attenuation factor.  Actual range may vary depending on camera setup, user experience, environmental conditions, and type of monitor or display used.
Each & every Camera has this DRI ranges, before preparing project oriented ppt, do confirm the ranges & show in a slide with sketch.
Artical publish at safe secure magazine January 2018 issue.

Warrior 2.0 26BF2 is a 1080P 2MP Fixed Lens Mini Bullet Camera
Detect: 100 ft
Recognize: 50 ft
Identify: 25 ft

Laser 2.0 - 26ZV-LIR is a 2MP (1080P) IP PTZ Camera with 33x Optical Zoom & Laser Infrared camera and Spotlight 2.0 - 26ZV-W is a 2MP (1080P) IP PTZ Camera with 22x Optical Zoom & Full Spectrum Light Camera
Detect: 950 ft
Recognize: 875 ft
Identify: 750 ft

Lookout 2.0 - 26ZV is a 2MP (1080P) IP PTZ Camera with 30x Optical Zoom Camera
Detect: 1000 ft
Recognize: 900 ft
Identify: 800 ft

Judge 8.0 - 26DV8 is a 4K (8MP - 4x1080P) Multi-Purpose Lens Dome Camera with Motorized Zoom and IK10 Camera and Gladiator 8.0 - 26BV8 is a 4K (8MP - 4x1080P) Multi-Purpose Lens Bullet Camera with Motorized Zoom and P-Iris Camera
Detect: up to 200 ft
Recognize: up to 150 ft
Identify: up to 100 ft

Deputy 4.0 - 26DF4 - 4MP (2x1080P) Fixed Wide Angle Lens Turret Dome Camera
Detect: 115 ft
Recognize: 50 ft
Identify: 35 ft

Archer 2.0 - 26BV2-L - 2MP Long Range, Low Light Bullet Camera with Motorized Zoom and Focus
Detect: up to 450 ft
Recognize: up to 350 ft
Identify: up to 300 ft

Warrior 4.0 - 26BF4 is a 4MP (2x1080P) Fixed Lens Mini Bullet Camera
Detect: 150 ft
Recognize: 75 ft
Identify: 50 ft

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Port Forwarding on a Netcomm 3G Broadband Router

Port Forwarding on a Netcomm 3G Broadband Router 3G15Wn for Camera Online

This guide will walk you through the steps of port forwarding on the Netcomm 3G Broadband router 3G15Wn (Firmware L411-402NVM-C01_R10)

1) Open up your favorite browser and go to the router’s default gateway address.
 http://192.168.1.1 (Default Address)
2) Log in to the router.
Default Username: admin
Default password: admin

3) Once you have logged into your router go to the “Advanced” tab hover over “NAT” then click “Port Forwarding”.
4) Click on “Add” ad the bottom of the page.
5) Be sure to select the radio button “Custom Service” and choose a name for the service (small description eg. web, camera, xbox, etc..). “Server IP Address” is the Internal IP address that you want the port to be open on. Be sure you have “Protocol” set to “TCP/UDP” and “External Port” is the port you wish to open, “Internal Port” is the port leading to the machine on your home network. Apply/Save.

Once you save the settings you should now be able to test your port at www.portchecktool.com. Please keep in mind your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can be blocking certain ports such as port 8025 and 21. You can call and ask if they are. If you are still not able to see the ports check your firewall and anti-virus software on your computer.

An example configuration, you have a web cam that has the IP address 192.168.1.100 and it runs on port 80. You want to be able to access this camera from outside your network on port 8080. You would enter the below values into port forwarding page.

Custom Service = Small Description
Server IP Address = 192.168.1.100
Protocol = TCP/UDP
External Port = 8080
Internal Port = 80
Then to view the camera you would use your No-IP host of “somehost.no-ip.com” like this: http://somehost.no-ip.com:8080 to reach the webcam.

Port Forward Troubleshooting

If you are having problems with a port forward, try the following.
1. If you did not exactly follow the How can I forward ports with pfSense? guide, delete anything you have tried, and start from scratch with those instructions.
2. Port forwards do not work internally unless you enable reflection. Always test port forwards from outside your network.
3. If you're still having problems, edit the firewall rule that passes traffic for the NAT entry, and enable logging. Save and Apply Changes. Then try to access it again from the outside. Check your firewall logs to see if the traffic shows as being permitted or denied.
4. Use tcpdump to see what's happening on the wire. This is the best means of finding the problem, but requires the most networking expertise. Start with the WAN interface, and use a filter for the appropriate protocol and port. Attempt to access from outside your network and see if it shows up. If not, your ISP may be blocking the traffic, or for Virtual IPs, you may have an incorrect configuration. If you do see the traffic on the WAN interface, switch to the inside interface and perform a similar capture. If the traffic is not leaving the inside interface, you have a NAT or firewall rule configuration problem. If it is leaving the interface, and no traffic is coming back from the destination machine, its default gateway may be missing or incorrect, or it may not be listening on that port. For certain types of traffic you may see return traffic indicating the host is not listening on that port. For TCP, this would be a TCP RST. For UDP, it may be an ICMP Unreachable message.

Common Problems

1. NAT and firewall rules not correctly added (see How can I forward ports with pfSense?). Hint: You probably do NOT want to set a source port.
2. Firewall enabled on client machine.
3. Client machine is not using pfSense as its default gateway.
4. Client machine not actually listening on the port being forwarded.
5. ISP or something upstream of pfSense is blocking the port being forwarded
6. Trying to test from inside your network, need to test from an outside machine.
7. Incorrect or missing Virtual IP configuration for additional public IP addresses.
8. The pfSense router is not the border router. If there is something else between pfSense and your ISP, you must also replicate port forwards and associated rules there.
9. Forwarding ports to a server behind a Captive Portal. You must add an IP bypass both to and from the server's IP in order for a port forward to work behind a Captive Portal.
10. If this is on a WAN that is not your default gateway, make sure there is a gateway chosen on this WAN interface, or the firewall rules for the port forward would not reply back via the correct gateway.
11. If this is on a WAN that is not your default gateway, ensure the traffic for the port forward is NOT passed in via Floating Rules or an Interface Group. Only rules present on the WAN's interface tab under Firewall Rules will have the reply-to keyword to ensure the traffic responds properly via the expected gateway.
12. If this is on a WAN that is not your default gateway, make sure the firewall rule(s) allowing the traffic in do not have the box checked to disable reply-to.
13. If this is on a WAN that is not your default gateway, make sure the master reply-to disable switch is not checked under System > Advanced, on the Firewall/NAT tab.
14. WAN rules should NOT have a gateway set, so make sure that the rules for the port forward do NOT have a gateway configured on the actual rule.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Remote View Security Camera without Internet Access

Remote View Security Camera without Internet Access

Recently, I spoke to a business owner of a farm who wanted to setup IP security cameras in his barn (a large building on a farm) to keep an eye on his Garden. The farmer wanted to watch live video of the Garden from his house (which is located about 400 feet away from the barn). He also wanted to monitor his cameras when he was away from the farm using his mobile phone. The problem is that the barn does not have an Internet connection.

What is the wireless bridge?
Another option is using a wireless bridge. A wireless bridge connects two wired networks together over Wi-Fi. The wireless bridge acts as a client, logging in to the primary router and getting an Internet connection, which it passes on to the devices connected to its LAN Jacks.

How do you bridge two wireless routers?
1. Determine if your equipment is compatible. ...
2. Place both routers near your computer. ...
3. Set up your primary router. ...
4. Open the configuration page on the secondary router. ...
5. Enable Bridge Mode. ...
6. Specify the secondary router's IP address. ...
7. Enter a unique SSID. ...
8. Place the secondary router.

Using a Long Range Wireless Bridge with Cameras
The above picture provides an overview of how to use a long range wireless bridge to network two buildings (one with and one without Internet access) so that live video from an IP Camera can be remotely viewed from over the Internet. The building on the left represents the farmer’s barn (no internet access, but has power) and the building on the right represents the house. This particular barn was built to be very weatherproof and it is located in an area where there is very little moisture. For areas with more moisture or if the camera is going to directly exposed to more harsh weather elements, I would recommend an outdoor weatherproof camera.
Important note: long range wireless systems require a direct line of sight between the transmitting and receiving antennas. There can be no objects such as buildings and trees that obstruct the view between antennas.
Here is how the system work Long rang wireless systems, include a transmitter and receiver antennas.
1. Mount the transmitter of the wireless system on the outside of the building that does not have an Internet connection. In this case, the horse barn.
2. Drill a hole through the exterior wall to feed the power cable and a CAT-5 cable inside the barn.
3. Mount the camera and connect it to the wireless transmitter using the CAT-5 cable.
4. Connect the power supplies of the camera and WIFI transmitter to a power outlet.
5. Mount the wireless receiver on the house.
6. Drill a hole in the exterior wall for the CAT-5 and power cable for the receiver antenna.
7. Connect the CAT-5 cable to your network router.
8. Connect the power supply of the receiver antenna to a power outlet.
9. The transmitter / receiver pair are configured to form a wireless bridge over WIFI. They can be configured to only connect to each other so there is no interference from other WIFI equipment. The purpose of the wireless bridge is for the camera to communicate with the home network. The home network is connected to a high speed Internet connection such as cable or DSL.
10. Port forwarding is configured on the router so that the IP camera can be accessed from remotely over the Internet.
11. The live video from the camera in the horse stall can now be accessed from anywhere in the world from a web browser. You can require a user id and password for access. The camera can be accessed from Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS.
Some video servers and IP cameras support remote access from a web browser that works for Windows and Mac PCs.

More Video Surveillance Uses for Wireless Bridges

In addition to this single IP camera system explained above, here are some additional ways to use long range wireless systems with multiple security cameras.

Multiple IP Cameras
You can connect multiple IP cameras to a network switch in the building with no Internet access, then connect the switch to the wireless transmitter antenna. Now all of the cameras are connected to the network in the building with Internet access. All cameras can be made accessible over the Internet by setting up port forwarding for each of them.


CCTV Cameras Connected to DVR
You can use a wireless system with CCTV cameras if you have a DVR that is network-able. Here is how this works. The CCTV cameras are hard wired to a DVR using coax cable. The DVR is connected to the wireless transmitter with CAT-5 cable. Now the DVR is available on the network and can be controlled remotely using apps for iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows. Users can view all cameras that are connected to the DVR.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

eco-friendly security services

eco-friendly security services

Rising energy costs are compelling many organizations to optimize their computing environments. In fact, energy costs have quickly become the fastest growing operating cost. Many buildings & homes are now entering take a part of new conservation and "green" initiatives. Security services may seem far detached from the world of recycling and eco-friendliness. But the two can work in harmony. We’ve put together a few ways that remote monitoring stations, and the security industry in general, can still make a positive impact on the environment.

All the responsibility lies with the manufacturers of Electronic security surveillance equipment, Consumer/Bulk Consumer, Dismantler and Recycler. 

Manufacturer’s responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint. The manufacturer shall be responsible to collect e-waste generated during the manufacture of any electrical and electronic equipment and channelise it for recycling or disposal. The import of electrical and electronic equipment shall be allowed only to producers having Extended Producer Responsibility-Authorization and also filing annual returns to the Central Pollution Control Board on or before 30thJune of following financial year.

Manufacturers can also make a difference by reducing the amount of paperwork that comes with their products. For instance, brochures and manuals can be replaced with CD-ROMs.

Manufacturers in all types of industries are working to minimise packaging used for their products. Manufacturers of security surveillance equipment are not exempt from this: whether they are reducing the impact of current packaging by producing it from recycled materials or altering it all together to reduce the size and quantity of materials used.

Consumer responsibility to know life span of electronic surveillance equipment with how to exchange / disposal of e-waste as per Indian Acts and Rules. Consumers or bulk consumers shall ensure that e-waste generated by them is channelized to authorized collection centre or registered dismantler(s) or recycler(s) or returned to the pick up or take back services provided by the producers and also shall maintain the records of e-waste generated by the bulk consumer. Consumers must buy only those products that are energy efficient. E-wastes should never be disposed with garbage and other household wastes.

e-waste’ means waste electrical and electronic equipment, "Electronic waste" may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, security systems equipment, mobile phones, television sets, air conditioning and refrigerators. This includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. Others are re-usable (working and repairable electronics) and secondary scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.) to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for residue or material which is dumped by the buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations. Properly disposing of or reusing electronics can help prevent health problems, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Reuse and refurbishing offer a more environmentally friendly and socially conscious alternative to down cycling processes.


Every recycler shall ensure that the facility and recycling process shall be in accordance with the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board from time to time and residue is disposed of in a hazardous waste treatment storage disposal facility.
However, there are numerous ways that remote monitoring stations and security installers can also make a positive impact with environmental initiatives. Moving toward sustainability through creating an eco-friendly security control room / PSIM doesn’t have to be expensive.

The future of all security systems is IP based, this means that CCTV, Access Control, Intruder and Fire Alarms will be computer based. Analogue and standalone systems are becoming more redundant and technology is moving rapidly towards converging all these IP based systems onto a single software management platform.
Some of these ideas are best suites for when you are building, remodeling or refurnishing your command control centre, but others can be applied at any time.

1. Choose carbon-footprint friendly displays
It is a costly renovation bringing in new displays for your remote monitoring team but it is often a necessary upgrade. When you do make the change consider opting for LED or plasma displays, which are far more efficient that cathode ray tube monitors.

2. Turn down the lights
While it’s important for everyone to be able to see what they are doing, turning down the lights can help to make CCTV monitor screens more visible while at the same time helping to reduce your carbon footprint in a direct way. Make sure everyone is comfortable with the lighting, and no one feels tempted to drift off to sleep.

3. Use recycled building materials
When setting up a dispatch command centre, if environmental friendly is a priority to you here are some tips for construction that may help. When choosing the materials to be used in the construction, they should be from recycled materials instead of going for new materials. Some of the recycled materials you could use include:
·        Carpets that are made from the recycled plastics
·        Roofing that is made of rubber from recycled products
·        Recycled material ceiling tiles
·        Recycled furniture or eco-friendly furniture made of recycled materials
Using recycled furniture can in fact be one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to reduce your ecological footprint.
These desks can then be refurbished and customised to your needs by most used furniture dealers.

4. Installers: Encourage use of environmentally friendly products
Work with end-users and monitoring stations to provide a fantastic security system, which consists of surveillance equipment that complies with environmental guidelines for electrical equipment.
Always ensure that the supplier of the surveillance equipment complies with WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations. This simply means that your customers, and you as the installer, have an easy way to dispose of old electronic security equipment in an environmentally friendly manner.

5. Make recycling easy for everyone
Waste management is one of the most important things to look at when trying to become greener in the workplace. Everyone pretty much has a rubbish bin at their desks, and most companies recycle to some degree.
But take recycling one step further and add small recycling receptacles at each desk. Basically, any spare receptacle will do but saving your team trips away from their phones can keep things like drink bottles, food paper waist and other recyclables out of their rubbish, and out of landfills.
In a busy security control centre with lives on the line, there’s really not much time to think about getting up to go recycle, but if you allow eating or drinking in your dispatch centre, you should think about adding recycling bins and see how much recyclable material you collect!

6. Power over Ethernet
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology for wired Ethernet local-area networks that allows the electrical current necessary for the operation of each device to be carried by the data cables rather than by power cords. This minimizes the number of wires that must be strung in order to install the network. The result is lower cost, less downtime, easier maintenance and greater installation flexibility than with traditional wiring. Additionally, using PoE it is possible to provide the data required for network software to reduce enterprise energy consumption with better power allocation and management.

7. Video analytics and reduced video storage
Video analytics can play a sizeable role in reducing video storage requirements by only recording when relevant activity occurs. This, in turn, reduces space and energy requirements. It should also be noted that video analytics are significantly more accurate at detecting relevant activity than video motion detection (VMD), which means less storage is wasted for false events.
In a typical surveillance environment not using video analytics for event-based recording, the amount of storage required for 16 cameras, storing 24 fps at 640x480 resolution for 7 days using MPEG-4 is about 20GB per camera. Studies have shown in a difficult outdoor environment that using video analytics enabled results in storage savings of more than 50% as compared to DVRs using VMD.
With video analytics, video recordings caused by irrelevant background noise is greatly reduced, resulting in less disk space required for the same 7-day period. Better still, video analytics also reduces rack space and electricity dedicated for storage.
Unfortunately, in many cases video analytics is supplied by a different vendor than what was used for video recording. By adding an additional piece of hardware for analytics, which runs parallel to the existing recording product (such as a DVR or NVR), it undermines the green IT strategy by duplicating unnecessary hardware. By using a single software product for both video management and video analytics, users are able to take full advantage of the cost-saving benefits without the corresponding server increase for running analytics.

8. Think about the energy your systems use
Remote monitoring stations or security control room (PSIM) run 24/7, with CCTV monitors and PCs continually turned on so operators can view sites when alarms are detected. Because this it is essential that the systems opted for are environmentally friendly.
Consider upgrading your current PCs. By consolidating operator nodes, that may have two or three PCs, to just one modern PC you can make a huge difference to the efficiency of your security services – and reduce your carbon footprint. Instead, through using Microsoft 7 on the new PCs we will be able to run software that is only compatible with older versions of Microsoft.
Most CCTV deployments today make inefficient use of the energy they consume is hardly a surprise. With industry research estimates that more than 50 percent of the energy used in the server room goes to power and cooling equipment rather than computations and processing, the true costs of running excess servers and storage are not well understood. IP surveillance offers clear advantages over analog CCTV or DVR deployments with significant savings as a result of sharing existing network infrastructure, computation and storage.
Remember, if you decide to opt for reducing the number of your PCs, you will need to comply with WEEE guidelines when disposing of your old hardware.

9. Add some plants to the room
Plants help to purify the air naturally without electricity, while at the same time providing a moral booster. Succulents don’t take much water or care but can also be a great decoration for any desk or office space, even a security control console.

Approaches to green security aren't costly
Incorporating the above mentioned nine approaches will enable you to both reduce energy consumption and the environmental impact. And saving money via IP video surveillance is a welcome change from the pervasive mindset that green initiatives must be costly.
When you consider installing a home security system, you may not think about the eco-friendliness of your security strategy. However, technology is allowing people to greatly reduce the amount of energy their homes use—including the energy used to power home security systems themselves and the other security measures commonly used by homeowners. In fact, eco-friendliness and the technology behind many security systems are natural partners. Wireless alarm systems, paperless billing and interactive contacting methods have made many home security systems environmentally friendly. Wireless alarm systems require no drilling through walls or installing cables, thus making them good for the environment.
Professional alarm monitoring companies are switching to paperless billing methods and this results in saving paper and supplies. Interactive contacting methods include sending text messages to smartphones or other electronic devices when the homeowner’s security alarm goes off. New methods of communication delivers convenience and better response times for owners of newer home security systems. Here are five tips for making your home security strategy as environmentally-friendly as possible. 

1. Use Outdoor Lighting with Motion Detectors Leaving floodlights on outside all the time may deny intruders the cover of darkness they seek, but this practice is highly energy-inefficient. Motion detector lights are great for home security whether you're home or away because they come on when they detect motion and can startle a burglar into leaving. They're also great if you arrive home after dark because they illuminate your path to the door. When properly aimed, they won't come on every time a stray cat crosses your yard. What's even better is that today you can get motion sensor lights that are solar-powered. They charge up during the daytime and are ready to switch on after dark whenever the motion detector is triggered. 

2. Securing Doors and Windows. Many people forget to check their windows to see if they are locked. Surprisingly, a large number of burglars admit they went through an unlocked window. Make it more difficult for a burglar to enter these areas by installing high-quality locks on doors and windows. You can also buy window and door sensors that will sound an audible alarm if someone opens them.
Some window sensors are designed to know when glass breaks. Glass breakage triggers an alarm and can scare away a potential burglar. The doors leading into your home should be heavy and well-made. Buy the best doors you can afford and install quality locks. Deadbolt locks should be installed correctly to withstand someone trying to kick the door in. A properly installed deadbolt will hold and not give way. Keep your doors locked at all times even when you are at home. If you have a large family, this may be difficult but it is necessary. You can teach children of all ages to lock the door behind them. Soon, it becomes a habit and you won’t have to keep reminding them.

3. Use Lighting Efficiently While Away Using multiple light timers on different on/off cycles can go a long way toward making your home appear occupied. It can also help you save significantly over leaving lights on all the time. You can also make eco-friendly choices in your light bulbs. LED bulbs are far more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, using 80% less energy and lasting for years. They're more expensive up front, but generally pay for themselves after 18 months, and can continue working for up to a decade after that, keeping your energy consumption for lighting down. 

4. Improving your security and safety at home starts with choosing quality equipment. Surveillance cameras do a great job of monitoring the outside of your home. These cameras are available with motion detecting capabilities. This can save the life of your battery and spare you hours of unnecessary review of images. Motion detecting cameras will only start recording when it senses movement. Choose a surveillance camera that has the ability to record when there is a low level of light available. You can find high-quality surveillance cameras online at great prices. Choose a complete system to ensure the additional components are compatible with each other. You can find these cameras on sale several times a year. Make sure your surveillance camera system includes a warranty.

5. Medical Emergencies and Fire Alarms is under basic home security packages. You can also buy them at a security retail store and install them yourself. One advantage of using a fire alarm system is the ability to have the system connected to the fire department or the central monitoring station. When it comes to smoke and fire, it is important that swift action is taken. Consider installing fire sprinklers that will contain any fires that might break out while you’re gone. Smoke alarms detect smoke, while fire sprinklers go off if there is enough heat in the room. You can install a home security system that has a medical emergency option. These emergency buttons will contact your local emergency management team if activated. If you have small children, elderly adults or you are caring for someone with a medical condition, this option is available.

6. Lockup Your Valuables / expensive jewelry, guns and art collections at home. If you have valuable items that a burglar would like to steal, consider buying a wall safe. These safes are available in a variety of sizes and can be placed in discreet areas of the home. You can get some ideas by searching online for wall safes. Many people leave expensive jewelry lying on the counter top or in the bathroom. This makes these items easy to steal. Most burglars love jewelry because of the increase in the price of gold. They are also easy to pawn at a pawn shop. Consider locking these items up or put them in a safe deposit box at the bank. A common burglar will make the master bedroom their first stop. That’s because this is where the jewelry, guns and cash are often stored.

7. Work with Your Neighbors to Improve Security Some of the best home security practices don't involve energy usage at all. Having a neighbor gather stray newspapers and door handle flyers while generally keeping an eye out for anything suspicious is about as eco-friendly as it gets. You can also arrange for neighbors to park in your driveway while you're on vacation, or make tire tracks in your driveway if it snows while you're out of town. Usually, the only "cost" for this is being neighborly yourself when they're out of town. Keeping your home secure doesn't have to increase energy consumption. In fact, many eco-friendly practices can improve home security, and many home security measures can be made energy-efficient.

 8. Smart energy management. The vision for the solar-powered smart home is compelling. By combining rooftop PV with learning thermostats, web-connected appliances, energy monitoring software and battery storage, homeowners will soon have unprecedented control over their energy use.
Smart meters provide the Smart Grid interface between you and your energy provider. Installed in place of your old, mechanical meter, these meters operate digitally, and allow for automated and complex transfers of information between your home and your energy provider. For instance, smart meters will deliver signals from your energy provider that can help you cut your energy costs. Smart meters also provide utilities with greater information about how much electricity is being used throughout their service areas.
Solar app can help you monitor your photovoltaic solar system no matter the size – whether solar panels are on your home’s roof or powering your entire building. You can see all the data live, if you’re sitting in your living room or even if you’re escaping winter snow on a sunny beach halfway across the world. Not only do you get to access this info from your phone or tablet.
9. Noisy Dogs. If you own a dog that barks, then you have an additional layer of security available to you. One thing burglars do not like is a loud, noisy dog. Even if your dog is small, they make a lot of noise. Noise is a burglar’s main enemy. They will avoid homes with beware of dog signs or noisy little house dogs. Burglars will at times go around a neighborhood ringing on doorbells to see who is at home. When the homeowner opens the door they make up an excuse but make note of who is home. If they encounter a noisy dog, then this is noted as well. It will be much easier for the burglar to target another home without dogs. You can also buy devices that sound like you have a large dog. Search online to find these devices. They are inexpensive and simple to connect to your doorbell.
India is on its way to develop its first ‘100 Smart Cities’. The ambitious project has been under the spotlight ever since the Narendra Modi government announced its vision of developing smart cities for India, and investing $1.2 billion to create them. The need to recast the urban landscape via smart cities arose with the increasing pace of migration that India witnessed in the past few years through deploying eco-friendly nature.

This artical publish on Safe Secure Magazine Nov 2017 issue.


E Waste Collection Centers
Zebronics has put in place an all India collection mechanism to assist its customers for disposal of e-waste, assuring all its customers that all its e-waste collected will be recycled/disposed by an authorized recycling agency. For more info on how to dispose off Zebronics products at the end of life, kindly contact us at 
enquiry@zebronics.com or call us at +91 44 4000 0004. 
S.No.
Location
State
Address
Contact Details
 
1
Ahmedabad
Gujarat
Zebronics India Pvt  Ltd
Basement, Harivilla Apartment,
Near Sarthi Hotel, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad-380054
 
079-32456417
ahm.service@zebronics.com
2
Asansol
West Bengal
Zebronics India Pvt Ltd
Gita Market, GT Road, Asansol-713301
 
9330763323
asansol.service@zebronics.com
3
Bangalore
Karnataka
Zebronics India Pvt Ltd
Shop No.7, 3rd Floor, P.P. Lane,
Near Amar Radio/Above Deepak Telecom,
S.P.Road, Bangalore-560 002
 
080-42180668
bangalore.service2@zebronics.com
4
Berhampore
West Bengal
Zebronics India Pvt Ltd
Block B/1-4, First Floor, K.N. Road,
ChurchMore, Berhampore-742101
 
9330712439
berhampur.service@zebronics.com
5
Bhopal

 
Madhya Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt Ltd
No.207/108, 1st Floor, Saibaba Complex, Zone-1,
M.P. Nagar, Bhopal-462011
 
7554209777
bhopal.service@zebronics.com
6
Bhubaneshwar
 
Odisha
Zebronics India Pvt Ltd
A/361, Near E.S.I.C. Hospital, Saheed Nagar,
Bhubaneshwar-751007
 
0674-3274904
bhubaneswar.service@zebronics.com
7
Calicut
Kerala
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Door No.1/2999, ABC Bhavan, Behind India Express,
East Hill Road West Hill, Calicut-673005
 
0495-2384455
calicut.service@zebronics.com
8
Chandigarh
 
Punjab
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Plot No.809, Industrial Area Phase II,
Chandigarh-160002
 
0172-3261513 / 0172-4015465
chandigarh.service@zebronics.com
9
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.31, Wallers Road, 2nd Floor, Mount Road,
Chennai-600 002.
 
044-42149116 / 9345086097
service.zone@zebronics.com
10
Cochin


 
Kerala
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Warehouse No.2&3
(Kerala State Rubber Marketing Fed. Ltd.,)
Warehouse Complex Road, Kadavanthra,
P.O. Gandhi Nagar, Cochin-682020
 
0484-2207733/ 91-484-2203533
cochin.service@zebronics.com
11
Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.331, Nila Complex, 1st Street Extension, 100 feet road,
Gandhipuram, Coimbatore-641012
 
0422-4206504
coimbatore.service@zebronics.com
12
Cuttack
Odisha
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Near Mahaveer Apartment
New LIC colony, Link Road, Cuttack-753012
 
09337186521
cuttack.service@zebronics.com
13
Dehradun
Uttarakhand
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
57, Indra Nagar, Near Asian School,
Dehradun-248001
 
09359276068
dehradun.service@zebronics.com
14
Delhi-Laxmi Nagar
New Delhi
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
201, Basant Complex, Second floor, 38,
Veer savarkar block, Shakar pur,
New delhi-110092
 
011-42654642/ 9311963393
laxminagar.service@zebronics.com
15
Delhi-Nehru Place
 
Delhi
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
610, Eros Building Nehru Place, New Delhi-110019
 
011-31920333 / 011-41606883
delhi.service@zebronics.com
16
Delhi-Wazirpur
 
Delhi
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.112, Kumar Tower Community Center,
First Floor Wazirpur Industrial Area, Computer Market,
Near PF Office, Delhi-110052
 
011-31920111 / 011-45261336
wazirpur.service@zebronics.com
17
Ghaziabad
 
Uttar Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.3, M-34, Ground Floor, Ambedkar Road,
Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad-201001.
 
09312317424
ghaziabad.service@zebronics.com
18
Gurgaon
 
Haryana
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Basement, Kataria Complex,
Opp Ram Mandir, Shiv Mandir Chowk,
Rajiv Nagar West, Gurgaon-122001
 
0124-3215700
gurgaon.service@zebronics.com
19
Guwahati
 
Assam
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Tarun Nagar, 1st Bye lane, Saptharshi Villa,
House No.7, 1st Floor,  ABC, Near Rajiv bhawan,
Guwahati-781005
 
9707086555
guwahati.service@zebronics.com
20
Hamirpur
 
Himachal Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
170, Ward No.1, Krishna Nagar, Hamirpur,
Himachal Pradesh-177001.
 
09318079115
hamirpur.service@zebronics.com
21
Indore
Madhya Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
101, First Floor, 14-15, Jaora Compound,
Near Family Court,  Indore-452001.
 
0731-3228474 / 0731-4248335
indore.service@zebronics.com
22
Jabalpur

 
Madhya Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
2nd Floor, Shop No.205, Mohit Chamber,
Wright Town, Jabalpur-482002
 
07614003799
jabalpur.zebcare@zebronics.com
23
Jaipur
 
Rajasthan
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
S-32, Second Floor, Raisar plaza, Indira Bazar,
Near Baba Harishchandra Marg, Jaipur-302001
 
0141-3194978
jaipur.service@zebronics.com
24
Jammu
 
Jammu
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
54 A/D, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu-180004.
 
09858548940
jammu.service@zebronics.com
25
Jodhpur
 
Rajasthan
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Shop No.127, First Floor, Razdon Mansion,
Jalori Gate, Jodhpur-342001
 
08766110999
jodhpur.service@zebronics.com
26
Kolkata
 
West Bengal
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.154, 2nd Floor, Lenin Sarani, Kolkata-700013
 
033-32957004 / 033-31927130
kolkata.service@zebronics.com
27
Lucknow

 
Uttar Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt Ltd
Katyayani, 47/5, Prag Narain Road,
Lucknow-226001
 
0522-3223531
lucknow.service@zebronics.com
28
Ludhiana
 
Punjab
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
House No.3369/0, 1st Floor, Gurcharan Park,
Model gram back side, Pothohar, Gurudwara,
Ludhiana-141002.
 
0161-3298866
ludhiana.service@zebronics.com
29
Madurai
Tamil Nadu
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.2, First Floor, Sambanthamoorthy Street,
West Masi street, Madurai-625001
 
0452-4377340
madurai.service@zebronics.com
30
Mumbai

 
Maharashtra
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Shop No.9, Aditya Arcade, Topiwala Lane,
Lamington Road, Mumbai-400007
 
022-32663643 / 08652372141
mumbai.service@zebronics.com
31
Muzaffarpur
 
Bihar
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
2nd Floor, Badal Market, Shekhar Cinema Road,
Chhoti Kalyani, Muzaffarpur-8420017238
 
0748836
muzaffarpur.service@zebronics.com
32
Nagpur

 
Maharashtra
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Sitabuldi, Agrawal Galli, Opp.Anand talkies,
Tellipura Anand Nagar,  Somwari Bazar Road,
Nagpur-440012
 
0712-2553524
nagpur.service@zebronics.com
33
Naza(Lucknow)

 
Uttarpradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Shop No.11, 2nd Floor,
Hytech Plaza, Naza Market-226001
 
07499867389

naza.service@zebronics.com
34
Patna
 
Bihar
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Near Sinha Library, Sinha Kothi,
Faster Road, Dakbangalow Chowk,
Patna-800001
 
0612-3211588 / 09308716978
patna.service@zebronics.com
35
Puducherry
 
Puducherry
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.6, Goubert Street, Kamaraj Nagar,
Puducherry-605011
 
09344303095
pondicherry.service@zebronics.com
36
Pune

 
Maharashtra
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No.3, 3rd Floor, Oswal House, 691,
Taboot Street, Camp-Pune-411001
 
07387119944
pune.service@zebronics.com
37
Raipur
 
Chhatisgarh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
C-130 Sector-1, Devendra Nagar,
Raipur-492001
 
0771-3191100
raipur.service@zebronics.com
38
Ranchi
 
Jharkhand
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Plot No.1422, Beside Manpuria Furniture Mart,
P.P. Compound, Ranchi-834001
 
9304450776
ranchi.service@zebronics.com
39
Secunderabad

 
Andhra Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
7th Floor. No: 702, A Block, Parklane,
Chenoy Trade Centre, S.D Road,
Secunderabad - 500 003
 
040 - 66387490 / 040 -32599998
secunderabad.service@zebronics.com
40
Siliguri
 
West Bengal
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Agarwal Mansion, First floor,
160, Sevoke Road, Siliguri - 734001
 
09330721622
siliguri.service@zebronics.com
41
Surat
Gujarat
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
Flat No.104, Luv Kush Apartments, 1st floor,
Near Jay Ambe Society, Adajan, Surat - 395001
 
09327435998
surat.service@zebronics.com
42
Trivandrum
Kerala
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
TC - 4/2361, VH-363, First Floor, Vikaramapuram Hills,
Kuravankonam, Pattom. P.O. Trivandrum - 695004
 
0471 - 3273310
trivendrum.service@zebronics.com
43
Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh


 
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
No. 27-14-92, 2nd Floor, Rajagopalachari Street,
Opp Sarovar Hotel, Governerpet,
Vijayawada - 500002
 
09396852572
vijayawada.service@zebronics.com
44
Visakhapatnam
 
Andhra Pradesh
Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd
49-34-21/1, First Floor, Main Road, Akkayapalam,
Beside Kanaka Mahalakshmi Co-Operative Bank,
Visakhapatnam - 530016
 
0891 - 3249341
vishak.service@zebronics.com