What is a DVR?
Filed under: Beginning CCTV, CCTV Articles, CCTV Glossary, General Technology
DVRs are versatile pieces of equipment. The main function of a CCTV DVR is to record the feeds of your cameras. But as with everything in technology, they have evolved into more sophisticated devices. The DVR can be a standalone or PC-based. Also, you have the option to use either analog CCTV cameras or IP (internet protocols). Finally, if you are on the go, like most working professionals, you can view your DVR from any computer that is running windows or from your smartphone. With this kind of versatility and viewing options, modern DVRs will put you at your home or place of business right in front of you even if you are half way around the world.
Top 5 Reasons to go with a Linux Security DVR
Filed under: CCTV Security DVR Cards, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System, Security DVR, Software
In my previous blog post, http://www.thecctvblog.com/home-security-systems-computers, I talked about the top 5 reasons to go with a computer-based home security DVR for your home security application.
In this post, I will focus on the top 5 reasons to go with a Linux-embedded security DVR for your home.
- Less expensive – Overall, Linux security DVRs are more cost effective than PC-based DVRs.
- TV Output – All Linux DVRs have some type of TV output, whereas not all PC-based DVRs do.
- Space Saver – Linux DVRs take up less physical space and require less power than a PC-based DVR.
- Less Chance of Viruses – Linux DVRs are less susceptible to viruses than a PC-based DVR, because they are an embedded system.
- Ability to be Hidden – Linux DVRs can be hidden and remotely accessed with a remote (in most cases, the remote will require an IR repeater).
Bonus! – Linux DVRs also run much quieter than a PC-based DVR.
As you can see, there are many benefits to owning a Linux security DVR, when compared to a PC-based DVR. If you have more reasons why a Linux DVR is better than a PC-based DVR (or vice versa), I’d love to hear from you…ok, go!
People Counting: Security Camera Video Analytics
Filed under: Access Control, CCTV Camera, GeoVision, Security Camera, Security Camera System, Security DVR, Software
People Counting is a feature that allows a user of specific DVR units to be able to count the number of people entering and exiting a given area that security cameras are viewing. This has really become useful in retail environments. Basically, how this application works is, you go in to the DVR settings and you can specify the location of wherever a person would cross an invisible line, you then specify the direction of an individual’s entering and the direction of those exiting. Once this is done you have the ability to monitor the flow of traffic in and out of a business. The retail locations can really benefit from a feature like this, it not only counts people but also has the ability to tell you when your heavy traffic periods are during the day, this can assist in scheduling employees and making sure your shifts are suitable to the consumers in your facilities.
Have a favorite Security Camera?
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, Security Camera, Uncategorized
Have you found that has worked for you? One of my favorites is this Varifocal Weatherproof IR Security Camera. From it’s sharp looks to sharp picture it’s a winner in my books.
What about you?
With Security Cameras, do I use digital or optical zoom?
When shopping for security cameras with zoom capabilities, the question I ask myself is which is more important; digital or optical zoom? When speaking of surveillance cameras you want to get “close” to a subject from a fixed camera position. The zoom control on your digital camera will let you get “close” enough to capture that bigger image. It will also let you zoom out to include a wide angle of view.
What is optical zoom?
Optical zoom lenses physically extend to magnify your subject. A motor controls the lens movement.
What is digital zoom?
Digital zoom crops your image and magnifies the result of the cropping. To make the cropped area bigger, digital zoom makes up, or interpolates, pixels to add to the image, which may give less than satisfactory results.
Both are equally important, and with the advances in CCD chips allowing high-resolutions up to 700 TV Lines, the digital zoom feature allows a much higher picture quality. I found this PTZ security camera (PTZ = Pan, Tilt, Zoom) offers both optical and digital zoom features and supports up to 700 TV lines making it top on my list for selection when PTZ is called for.
I want to protect my home and use Security Cameras
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, Security Camera, Security Camera System
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.
Security Camera options options I found
Need a small business security system? Consider GeoVision
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, GeoVision, Security Camera, Security Camera System, Security DVR, Software
Own a small business and need a security system, which one offers the values and features to match your needs? A standalone DVR system is a great match if you need coverage for your store and would like to cover the basics, surveillance. But what if you need more? Consider a GeoVision PC-Based DVR supported by a feature rich software package. Here are the main advantages for your busy store.
1) Unattended and missing object detection – the DVR remembers the placement of objects, so if you can imagine your inventory disappearing, wouldn’t it be nice to have an alert and an image to find out what, when, and how this occurred? In addition, with threats of unattended packages or objects being left around, GeoVision software will highlight area of object and an alarm will be activated for you.
2) Scene change detection – criminals are smart and many move or cover cameras to obscure their activities. Not with GeoVision in place, an alarm will be triggered and you will know immediately if a camera has been tampered with.
3) Intrusion Alarm – GeoVision software will allow you, the business owner, to secretly define regions in your store that should not be crossed. For example, you own a gas station and want to protect both the stock room area and safety deposit room from intrusion, simply define this area with the user-friendly software and you are covered.
4) Face detection – This GV-system feature captures human faces only, while ignoring background objects. To paint the picture, your health-food shop or jewelry store has an intruder and ‘everything happened so fast’ that you can’t remember the face. GeoVision has come to the rescue and has recorded all the faces entering your store for positive ID.
Many other features come standard on the GeoVision platform. If you have worked hard to establish your business then make the investment and purchase a complete PC-Based GeoVision security system today.
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