Burglar Alarm Tips

Most Americans recoil at the idea of Big Brother. But after video surveillance cameras helped the FBI find the man who parked a truck full of explosives in Time Square, many people began to view them more favorably.

Video surveillance systems first caught on during the 1970s and 1980s, when banks, gas stations, and other businesses that were frequent victims of theft started using them. These early systems recorded video on VHS tapes that were often used as evidence in court cases. Within a couple of decades, most ATMs had video surveillance cameras that recorded every transaction.

Video surveillance camera

Advances in digital technology brought many improvements in video surveillance, including better image quality, easier storage and retrieval, and less expensive installation. Internet Protocol (IP cameras) let those with a network video camera monitor the feed live from any PC or device with Internet access.

These days, IP video surveillance cameras are much more affordable than they were in the past, and they can help prevent crime or convict criminals if a crime is committed.

Cameras should be positioned at “chokepoints,” which are places people or vehicles must pass through to enter or leave an area. And they should also be pointed at items that are most likely to be targeted like safes, or other valuables.

There are several kinds of video surveillance cameras to choose from. Because wireless security cameras are easy to install, easy to relocate, and portable, they are usually preferred for home installation. Cameras that pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) are significantly more expensive than fixed cameras, which are sufficient for most residential situations.

In most well-lit areas, color cameras are used. In places with low light, night-vision or infrared cameras which record in black and white are a better choice. Both standard definition and high-definition (HD) models are available.

IP video surveillance cameras transmit digital images over an IP (Internet Protocol) network and have the advantage of providing live feeds to any Internet-enabled device.

Surveillance cameras that are disguised as something else – an alarm clock or smoke detector – are also popular. Also known as nanny cams, these cameras let you record events without anyone’s knowledge.

Adding video surveillance to your home security system can significantly enhance your home’s security. Talk to your local service about how much it would cost to upgrade.

Video surveillance camera Image Flickr: Shaun Greiner