How Does Home Video Surveillance Work?
When it was first introduced, video surveillance systems were used primarily by medium to large businesses. Currently however, they are becoming much more common in homes. video surveillance security systems are also known as closed circuit TV (CCTV) and are used to monitor vulnerable areas around the home to provide protection from burglars and other threats.
The viewing monitor is a key element of the home video surveillance system. The monitor will display video images from the cameras. The images are usually black and white and of a higher resolution than that of an analog television set - typically between 500 and 1000 lines.
The surveillance cameras are also an important component. When setting up the home surveillance system, the cameras are installed strategically around the outside of the home, in the most vulnerable locations. They should be placed where they are hidden or difficult to see. The cameras are always running, transmitting video to the monitors on an ongoing basis. To be effective at night, you will need either lighting or infrared security cameras which can monitor in complete darkness.
Unless you use a wireless security system, coaxial cables are also necessary for video surveillance systems. The coaxial cables transfer the video signals from the camera to the monitor. These cables are available in a variety of sizes and can be found at home security suppliers and electronics stores. Your home security system will come with coaxial cables, although you may need more depending on where you plan to set up your cameras.
A home video surveillance system should be controlled by switchers. The switches allow one monitor to show feeds from multiple cameras. If movement is detected by a motion sensor in one of the cameras, the switcher will lock the onto that camera feed. Otherwise, the switcher will cycle through each feed in turn.
Many home video surveillance setups use video recorders so that their live video feeds can be recorded and kept for future reference. If you travel or go on vacation, the recorder will see any break in that happens. If the burglar is arrested and goes to trial, the video recording makes excellent evidence against him or her. A video recorder in an inconspicuous spot, difficult to access, can ensure that burglars won't get away clean.
By combining a monitor and video surveillance cameras, home video surveillance systems can easily catch burglaries and break-in's. They are quite affordable these days, and are in use in thousands of homes throughout North America. If you're looking for the ideal way to protect your home - a home video surveillance system is certainly something you should check out.
Medium to large size businesses were the first to use video surveillance systems when they were pioneered. As technology improved, camera size and price tag got smaller and more and more systems made their way into homes. When setting up the home surveillance system, the cameras are installed strategically around the outside of the home, in the most vulnerable locations. To be effective at night, you will need either lighting or infrared security cameras which can monitor in complete darkness. Many home video surveillance setups use video recorders so that their live video feeds can be recorded and kept for future reference.
Published September 20th, 2008
Filed in Family