Archive for July, 2008

Wireless security cameras offer many more benefits than the wired surveillance models. The ease in which they can move around is only one reason these security cameras have become so popular.

People generally use a wireless security camera to watch over areas that they need to know what is going on at all times. For example, an office or business. It could even be in your home so you can be sure the babysitter is watching your kids properly and not entertaining other friends while you’re away.

You can never be too cautious when it comes time for your children. A security camera will alert you to any problems. I don’t know about you, but I want to know that children are being taken care of the right way. You’re putting your trust in someone who may be a stranger, or not very well known to you.

A wireless security camera will not only allow you to see that your children are safe, but that your home is safe as well.

Business owners find hidden security cameras especially useful in keeping an eye on employees. You’ll be able to know if an employee is working or goofing off while you’re away. These cameras can also be placed in sensitive areas where money is exchanged, such as a cash register or office. Theft is a serious issue for businesses and most of the time it occurrs from within, not from a robbery.

A wireless security camera is simple to install, and it is portable, so you can put it anywhere you need it. It’s always ready to use and provides surveillance around the clock.

You can’t be everywhere to look in and see what is going on. Now you can have some help with a wireless security camera.

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Security cameras generally transmit video over RG59 Coax Cable but in some cases it makes more sense to use Cat5 cable. This is especially true when trying to transmit the video signal over long distances. The solution to this kind of problem is the CCTV video balun.

A CCTV video balun is an impedance transformer. Impedance according to this web definition, is the total opposition that a circuit offers to the flow of alternating current or any other varying current at a particular frequency. It is a combination of resistance R and reactance X, measured in ohms.

In layman’s terms a CCTV video balun converts a 75 ohm video signal over to the correct 100 ohm impedance for Cat5 cable and then back 75 ohm’s again. In order for this to work you need 2 baluns. One for each end of the Cat5 cable.

Using baluns can be a real time saver too. For example: What if you are in a commercial office building and need to install a security camera You can see if there are unused Cat5 phone lines. Imagine eliminating the need run coax cable from the 1st to the 6th floor.

Another advantage of transmitting video over Cat5 cable is that you have multiple pair of wires. Typically you have 4 pairs of 22 gauge wire so you can use one cable for 4 cameras. As a side note you should either power the security cameras at the camera itself or use a separate Cat5 cable. If you don’t take this precaution, interference can occur.

While many years ago most people only dreamed of being able to have their very own wireless spy camera, today these cameras are actually a reality. Technology has come a long way in the past few years and now there are many different styles of these wireless cameras available to the public. Whether you are looking for a camera to use at home or you need one to use for the workplace you have many different options to choose from. If you are considering purchasing a wireless spy camera of your own, then you may want to consider the following benefits of having one.

Benefit #1 Keep an Eye on Your Kids and Their Nanny First of all, one of the main benefits of installing a wireless camera is that you can keep an eye on your kids, as well as their nanny. There are a variety of great spy cameras that will work well in your home to help you keep an eye on your nanny. Better known as nanny cams, these cameras will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your children are well cared for, and if they are not well cared for, you’ll have the evidence to do something about it.

Benefit #2 Watch Out for a Cheating Spouse If you think that your spouse may be cheating on you, having one of these wireless spy cameras may come in handy as well. You can keep an eye on your home with the camera to help figure out whether this is actually something you need to worry about. Either way you’ll be able to find out the truth and then make a decision based on what you see.

Benefit #3 Security for a Business Another benefit of having spy cameras is that you can use them as security for your business. Even if you don’t have an actual security system in your office you can install your own cameras and set up a security system of your own. You can even set it up so that you can review what the cameras record as well. So, whether you use it to watch your employees or to keep an eye on the place when you’re not there, it is still going to be a great addition.

Benefit #4 Offers Security for Your Home that you Can Watch If you set up these spy cameras in your home, you’ll have a great security system that you can watch in real time. If someone breaks into your home, you’ll be able to see them and where they are. So, for home security, a wireless spy camera is a great idea.

Benefit #5 Fits into Your Home Decor An added benefit of installing a wireless spy camera is that you can definitely find one that will fit right in with your home decor. You wont have to worry about any ugly cameras or something that everyone is sure to spot. There are available cameras that are hidden and that look great in your home. So, you can get style and security all with the same spy camera.

IP Network Cameras are designed to work in a Local Area Network (LAN) and over the Internet. Within
a LAN, IP Network Cameras allow for motoring local to the computer network to which the cameras are
attached to. With additional configuration of your computer network you have the ability to allow
for your IP Network Camera to be monitored not only locally but remotely as well using the Internet.
For advice on how to configure your network to allow for your camera to work over the Internet please
follow this guide.

Configuration - Local Access

Before you are able to configure your camera to work over the Internet we suggest configuring the
camera for local access first. Please refer to the technical documentation that came with your camera
for proper instructions on initial configuration of your camera. Once the camera has been configured
for local access you are then ready to start configuration for remote access to the camera over the
Internet.

Configuration - Remote Access

Before you proceed to configure your local network to allow your camera to be monitored from a remote
location, we suggest that you contact your network administrator to ensure you have the proper authority
to configure remote access to the camera. Once you have consulted with your network administrator you
may proceed to configure remote access to the camera.

In order to configure your camera to work over the Internet you will need to configure what is called
Port Forwarding. Port Forwarding allows for you to access the camera from a remote location by
forwarding the network ports used by the camera onto the Internet. These ports are usually forwarded
by accessing your network’s router and configuring the router to forward the ports used by the camera.
For details as to what ports will be required for forwarding for your IP Network Camera, please consult
the manufacturer of your camera. For additional information beyond this guide regarding Port Forwarding,
please visit www.portforward.com where you will be able to find step by step guides on Port Forwarding
specific to different models of routers.

Step 1 - Obtain IP Address Information

In order to access your network’s router for configuration of port forwarding you will require the IP
Address of the router to which the camera is connected to. You can obtain this IP Address information
by consulting with the network administrator of your network or by opening up a Command Prompt within
Windows and entering in the “ipconfig /all” command. To open a command prompt window you will need to
click on the Window’s Start button and then proceed to click on Run. Now you will enter in “cmd” and
click on “Ok” to proceed.

Once you have displayed the IP Configuration for your computer using the “ipconfig /all” command, you
will then be able to record the IP Address for your router. You will need this IP Address in order to
access your router for configuring Port Forwarding. Your network router’s IP Address will be displayed
as the Default Gateway.

Step 2 - Accessing your Network’s Router

Now that you have obtained the IP Address for your network’s router you will then need to proceed to
access your router by typing in the router’s IP Address in a web browser.

Step 3 - Configuring Port Forwarding on your Router

Now that you have access to the network router you will then need to proceed to browse to the
configuration section on the router where port forwarding is to take place. Please consult with the
manufacturer of your router for details as to where this section is. You may also review the website
NetworkCameraReviews.com where you will find detailed forum posts on port forwarding with various routers.

The Private IP Address for the camera (local IP Address of camera) has been entered in as well as a unique
name that will be associated with this particular port that is to be forwarded. In this example port
80 will be forwarded for the camera. Please consult with the manufacturer of your camera for details
on what port(s) will be forwarded. Some IP Network Cameras require more then one port to be forwarded
in order for you to obtain all the features the camera has to offer. You will also be presented with
an option to select a Protocol to be to be used. Common options found are UDP, TCP or Both. Your router
may have additional options. In most cases you will need to select the protocol option “Both”. This
will associate both UDP and TCP protocols to the port(s) being forwarded. In this example we with click
on the Apply button once all required information has been entered.

After the settings have been saved within the router’s configuration you should be able to see this
information displayed in a list. There may be other entries in this list already by default.

Step 4 - Accessing your IP Network Camera over the Internet

Now that you have configured port forwarding on your network’s router to allow the camera to be accessed
over the Internet, you are now ready to attempt to access the camera. We suggest attempting to access
the camera from a remote location and not within the local network for confirmation that port forwarding
was configured properly. At a remote location you will need to type in the Public IP Address that is
provided by you Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order for you to be able to access your camera.
Please contact your ISP if you are not sure what your Public IP Address is. You will not be able to
access the camera by it’s Private IP Address (Example: 192.168.0.100) because the camera’s Private IP
Address cannot be seen on the Internet and can only be seen within the local network to which the camera
is attached to.

In most applications port 80 will be forwarded and because of this no port information will be required
in the Address Bar when attempting to access the camera. However, there are cases where an IP Network
Camera will not use port 80. These cases are usually related to security concerns with using port 80.
We suggest contacting your network administrator or the manufacturer of you router to inquire upon the
possible security concerns with forwarding port 80. If port 80 is not the port being used you will be
required to enter in the full IP Address followed by a colon and the port number used.

You should now be able to fully access your IP Network Camera from a remote location using the
Internet. If you require any additional support for configuring your camera for remote access, we
strongly suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your camera, the manufacturer of your network’s
router or review the detailed guides found on NetworkCameraReviews.com

Are you thinking of installing a home or office CCTV security system? Don’t rush it. Take the time to shop for the latest gadgets and choose a system that’ll work well for you. This is an investment worth your money, time, and effort.

CCTV Cameras and Lenses

For your home and business security, you cannot afford to scrimp on your CCTV cameras. If you are after performance, shell out extra cash to get a better performing system.

Brand name cameras are a bit pricey, depending on the features: higher resolution, larger formats, and better sensitivity. If you want those decent cameras that can be cleverly hidden, you’ll be spending $150-$250.

A Pan-tilt camera (PTZ) that has angling flexibility and wider coverage fetches a hefty $1,500 to $5,000. This comes with a controller so you must have a worker to operate the camera.

After the CCTV cameras, you’ll need lenses because you’d be buying cameras without these. Lenses with fixed focal lengths are cheaper.

You will require camera housing to protect it from the elements and possible vandalism. Perhaps the dome tinted cover is best for your indoor camera if don’t want the subjects detecting camera direction.

Your CCTV Monitors

After you have decided on the CCTV cameras, choose the appropriate monitors. The monitor should be able to go on for 24 hours daily. You may have a TV but perhaps this is not built for a non-stop daily grind.

Choose a flat panel LCD because these generate less heat, take up less space, and are known for their exceptional resolution. Be sure that the monitor complement your CCTV system. Buy color monitors if you want colored security cameras.

Don’t go overboard with more than a 15-inch monitor if your purpose is to merge multiple images from different cameras into one monitor. For a smaller system, a 9-inch monitor will do as long as the operator keeps a close watch.

Before Your Purchase

Before you rush to the store, take a look at the area where you want constant surveillance. If you have a grocery store, you might want all aisles monitored. You want to see what customers are picking up and plopping into the cart.

Do you want to see who is getting in and going out of your store, or who is getting off the car at the entrance? Do you want to see crowds, merchandise, and faces? Do you want good face shots? At home, do you want to know who is at the door? Do you want to watch the baby in the crib, or your teens in their band practice in the basement? The answers to these questions can help you pick the right CCTV cameras.

Having decided on what you want will make it easier for you to choose your CCTV component and system. Also consider if you need an operator to control the system or not. Quality will come next in your shopping agenda - detailed images and speed of frame rate.

Knowing your security needs will delight the supplier and eliminate post purchase problems. The supplier will make sure that you get what suits your needs for home or business security.