|
|
|
|
Home Video Surveillance: Residential Security with IP CamerasVideo Surveillance
Burglary is by far the most common threat that homeowners face, occurring upwards of four times per minute in the United States alone. Most often acting on opportunity, thieves target prominently displayed valuables like electronics, jewelry, cash, and other assets. Many homeowners choose to protect their homes with security systems, which commonly consist of sensors placed around doors and windows, motion sensors, and an alarm which sounds in case of a disturbance. Some home security systems are constructed so that they notify authorities in case of an intruder. Many of these notifying alarm systems are also integrated with a home’s fire and smoke alarms, and will notify authorities in case of an emergency. Traditionally, video security in homes, especially with complicated CCTV systems and analog video cameras, is limited to very big homes with a large amount of valuables. These systems are considered too bulky for common single family homes, and are difficult to install inconspicuously and often prohibitively expensive to maintain. However, the rapid development of digital technology has made personal digital technology widely available and relatively inexpensive. The “webcam,” a PC-powered camera connected to a computer with a USB cord is a tool that has been adapted by homeowners for simple motion detection or monitoring purposes. Many working parents use webcams to monitor the safety of their children while they’re in the care of nannies or babysitters. Homeowners with sensitive information or valuables near their computers have also used webcams for motion detection – many webcams, upon detecting an object in their field, will snap a picture or take short video segments of the occurrence and notify the owner so they may review the footage. IP (internet protocol) cameras are security video cameras which utilize digital technology. They may be configured like traditional CCTV systems, with cameras connected to a server, digital recorder, or computer with an Ethernet cable. However, their biggest innovation is wireless capability. By connecting to a central server or recorder wirelessly, IP cameras are able to be installed in previously impossible configurations. Installation with wireless cameras is discreet and easy; cameras can stand alone, snap into track lighting, or fit into wall brackets. Also, digital footage requires much less storage than analog – video can be stored digitally on servers as opposed to taking up much more physical space on a cassette tape. Unlike cassettes, footage from an IP camera is not in danger of losing quality over time, and it’s easy to delete and record over numerous times. IP cameras bring great flexibility to home security, not only in configuration, but in monitoring. Many homeowners already have systems where monitoring and response is done by a vendor, usually the company who sells and installs the system. Video security presents the opportunity of monitoring and installation by an outside company, but wireless digital technology also allows the homeowner to install and configure the system at their own discretion. This gives the power of controlling security directly to the homeowner, and would grant the greatest amount of privacy. Home security with wireless IP cameras also offers prime opportunity for integration. Long considered the “holy grail” of security, integrated security systems would combine many services into one package. Integration already exists in the home security market, namely with alarms that come bundled with fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors. Future integrated systems might include video security, motion detectors, door alarms and life protection systems, as well as controls and access to home systems like electric, HVAC, and plumbing. |
Choose from a Complete System below, or fill out the Needs Analysis so we can design a system for you.
|
Call us at 1-800-717-8080 or complete the Needs Analysis Form to get exactly what you need!ID Card Catalog · News on ID Cards, ID Badges and Photo ID Systems · ID Card Forums · ID Card Blog · Support ·
Search
© 1998-2008 Alpha Card Systems. All rights reserved. |
|
Telephone: 800-717-8080 · 415-945-1777 · 
Fax: 415-945-1781