Surveillance Systems and You
As a business owner, decisions about security for your business can be difficult. Be sure to read a few of our articles on surveillance.
Planning a Surveillance System: Ensuring Maximum Prosecution
Tag Archives: surveillance
Do Fake Surveillance Cameras Work?
Let’s start with the facts: Quality surveillance systems can be quite an investment for a small business or home owner. However, there is a tempting way for potential clients to save money. Fake cameras are cheap, easy to install and they can look impressive to the untrained eye. Are they a viable option for your client? No, and let me explain why.
One of the main arguments in favor of fake cameras is that surveillance cameras are mainly there for prevention of crime. In theory, fake cameras should be just as effective as the real ones.
The first major flaw with this argument is that a surveillance system is not just about prevention. It is about prosecution if a crime does occur. Prevention is great but when push comes to shove, the fake cameras are not going to be there for your client. I like to compare it to buying car insurance. Sure, buying cheap, barebones insurance will save money in the short term but what if there is an accident? Too bad. Installing fake cameras means that the client is betting on no crime ever occuring in their home or business.
The second flaw in the prevention argument is that fake cameras can look, well, fake. To the home owner or business owner they may look pretty good. To the trained eye of a security professional and, sadly, some criminals, the dummy cameras are painfully obvious.
In many cases, fake cameras are really nothing more than a placebo for the business owner. I am reminded of an acquaintance who was the owner of a small retail business. Inventory shrink was a problem since she sold many small, expensive items. To prevent shoplifting, she installed some dummy cameras and put the more expensive items in a locked display case. The expensive items in the case were safe but the rest of the items in the store continued to be stolen at the same rate as before. However, the business owner bragged about how effective her dummy cameras were because her most expensive items were untouched. The locked display case, by the way, was given no credit at all.
Of course, I realize that cameras from name brand companies like IC Realtime cost a bit more than their ersatz cousins. However, a real surveillance system also means that the client is able to determine if something untoward has taken place, offer prosecutable images to law enforcement and have a real record of any criminal activity in their home or business.
I wish I could say that there was a bargain basement answer to surveillance systems. The simple fact is you get what you pay for. Check out our article on how much a surveillance system should cost. And always remember that the real thing is always the best choice.
Everything You Wanted to Know about Installing Surveillance Cameras that Get Results PART TWO
At this point it might make sense to start talking about the different type of sensors, how CCD sensors and are most prominent imaging sensors found in most security cameras and how they are different from CMOS sensors, but wait, this discussion might just start putting you to sleep and that is not my goal.
So we are going to move on to some more core factors relating to video quality which will greatly help you identify the right camera for the job. Perhaps at some later time we will talk about how CCD sensors are better for night vision than CMOS, and why CMOS is the most prominent sensor in Internet Protocol based cameras a topic we will get into shortly.
Considering our current predicament of living on a planet that rotates once every twenty four hours, we need to talk about night time imaging via security cameras since we spend a good portion of lives in the dark. The ability to see in low light (or no light) is an important factor to consider when looking at both indoor and outdoor cameras. Actually, now that I have brought up indoor vs. outdoor cameras I could venture into a discussion of the difference, but that will have to wait a bit because we need to first talk about night viewing.
Each camera’s sensor has a lot to do with its ability to see in low light. If the sensor is not sensitive enough, you just can’t see very well at night. As you probably know, the camera sensor is a lot like the rods and cones in the back of your eye which give you the ability to see at night. Not all camera sensors are equal, and many sensors are terrible at night vision.
This brings to mind those retail outlet style cameras with their poor night vision quality and a story about a silly conversation I had once with a customer. It turns out that contrary to my polite and unselfish explanation as to why she ought to stay away from retail style cameras, she went out and bought a retail surveillance system for her store. One day when she had me over to do some networking work on her Internet router (this had to do with getting her DVR on the Internet) she sheepishly complained about the night vision quality of her inexpensive retail cameras and how little she could see with them at night. I turned to her and said in the nicest way possible,” you need to spend more money for good night vision.” She responded,” I would never spend over $200 on a camera!”
The facts are that I never brought up the amount she needed to spend, because it would certainly be a bit more for good night vision. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that an effective night vision camera can run around $300-$500 per camera. I didn’t have the heart to tell her she was cheap and short sighted and that her store was an easy target for some neighborhood criminal looking for a quick score. So I kept my information to myself, since her ears were obviously filled with some kind of thick and oozing wax. I came to this conclusion since she didn’t hear me originally when I told her retail store camera systems were a waste of money and would never give her quality or prosecutable imagery.
I’m going to now get slightly technical on you and talk about light sensitivity measurements, but don’t worry, just pay attention to the next few sentences and you’ll be able to know what kind of numbers will give you effective night vision even if you don’t follow me completely. I’m not trying to hurt you, but we need to address some numeric values and it will be helpful enough and necessary. Take a deep breath and steel yourself.
When we look at night vision sensitivity it is measured in numbers like .0002 or .1 or .001 lux. The more zeros before the number and after the decimal the better. So if you have to choose between a camera with a light rating of .2 lux or a camera with .0002 lux, which one is better? That’s right, the .0002 lux rating. Actually, it’s much better. Now that wasn’t too hard was it? Just remember, the more sensitive the camera, the more zeros will appear after the decimal.
Everything You Wanted to Know about Installing Surveillance Cameras that Get Results PART ONE
There are so many security camera manufactures putting out a dizzying array of products that its hard even for experts to understand when to use the right camera for the correct application. This is the reason I have decided to start this guide and which can help anyone from an old analog camera pro up to a seasoned Internet camera jockey. We will talk about the difference between domes and bullets, and cover the total spectrum of add-ons and features with fancy names like WDR, OSD, Infrared, and even the word subnet.
When I get called into a new client and they take me into an old closet or a new data center and show me their security camera setup, I look in wonder at the sloppiness and lack of professionalism of the installation. Usually I find large messes of wires entangled in bundles, cheap BNC connectors coming apart with their coax braids peeping out, and the wrong cameras strung up with what only seems to be lack of enthusiasm for what they were doing.
I’m not going to get into a discussion on large consumer chain camera products sold to worried home owners who have a false sense of security buying a “package” DVR and camera bundle. I’m not going to explain how these packaged products are made with only the cheapest of components and are engineered to show the owner only that there may be a human being in the area of their camera, and that it cannot display any level of picture detail due to poor resolution. This guide is not for homeowners or consumers; it is for integrators and dealers. If there is a homeowner out there in the audience who would like to learn something substantial about security video technologies and they have the muster to continue reading, I guess there is no harm in it as long as they realize that this article is those individuals that are looking to put together an effective surveillance systems that can get results.
When we talk about “results” I am referring to the ability to record detail, color, distinguishing characteristics that can lead to the prosecution of said criminals crossing by the CCD (or CMOS) sensor of your security camera and give law enforcement the ability to get their man or woman depending on the location. Crime is an equal opportunity business that does not always favor the sex or race of a person. It doesn’t matter if you work for retail outlets or wind farms, there are always vandals, thieves, and troublemakers about looking to hone in on an angle and get what’s not coming to them.
Please do not be fooled into thinking your employees are angels sent from heaven without temptation or guile. A recent University of Florida study found that 59% of business crime is done by employees of the firm. It’s trouble from the inside that is more likely to bite you. So let’s open our eyes, take off our rose colored glasses and get down to facts.
Camera resolution is a really important factor in selecting a camera. It’s hardly the whole picture, and there are a lot of other factors to consider, but it is a good place to start. Camera resolution refers to the number of pixels (dots) that make up the camera image and the more pixels the better the picture is going to be on the screen. It’s a basic rule when it comes to cameras, the more dots the more detail your image is going to have. If you open a security product catalog and look at the large array of cameras offered, you will see camera resolutions running the gamut from 300 TVL to 600 TVL or more. Most retail store outlets sell cameras in the 300 or 400 line arena due to their low cost and their ability to bet that most consumers will never know the difference between a low quality picture and a good quality picture. Most professionals, of course depending on their customer base, will use 500 TVL and up since it can deliver clear and detailed images that can be used effectively in a court of law. I know, this is a complex topic and resolution is hardly the end all be all of camera features, but it is a darn good starting point. At the time of the writing of this article in January 2012, most cameras being sold professionally are in the 600 TVL range. I am not going to get into the details of TVL yet, or maybe ever, since I need to get in as much information as possible and I am not trying to make you an engineer, just a good security video integrator.
In part two of this series, we will discuss sensors and light sensitivity.
Is Video Surveillance dependent on Computers, Networks, and IP?
Incorporate a DVR into your surveillance system to make your security state of the art.
People are simply surprised when I explain that we use a new approach to saving surveillance video and it’s called a digital video recorder. There are many people who still think we use VCRs to save security video from surveillance cameras. What’s exciting for me is that I get to explain that current digital video recorder DVR technology blows away VCRs — we are talking about a multi-generational jump forward in usefulness with the current batch of video computers. And yes, we are speaking about video computers now, because that’s exactly what they are, computers.
When I put up video surveillance in a building, each video camera is connected by coaxial cable to a digital video recorder computer somewhere on-site. This video computer stores each video stream onto its internal hard drive. That’s why when I want retrieve the video from this computer to watch some event which took place, all I need is my mouse and some quick clicking to get me what I want — instant video playback. Forget about the days of searching through endless amounts of video tape to find an event. Current DVR technology saves huge amounts of time since you can record just when the DVR detects movement. The DVR does not record every moment like in the old days of tape based systems. So when it comes time to find what you are looking for, it is amazingly efficient and fast.
When I visit some of my customers, it is amazing to me that many people are still using VCR based systems. Aside from the benefits I have mentioned above, the DVR image quality is far superior to VCRs, and in a side by side comparison,these new digital recorders render VCRs an anachronistic tool.
Today’s digital video recorder DVR technology coupled with new high resolution cameras can make the difference between catching the action or losing it . What’s also great about today’s cutting edge technology is that it is affordable and seriously effective. I have many customer who upgrade to current security technologies and cannot believe that they toiled with those bulky tape systems and frustrating tape image quality.
PS. These digital video recorder computers are Internet capable and you can reach them from anywhere you have an internet connection. Which means you can sit at home and watch your employees at work. These DVR systems require some networking skill to set up and that’s why when you hire someone in your area to put in a DVR make sure they have solid IT skills for the job. I mean they should know networking, IP, and routers like the back of their hand.
Night Vision Surveillance Cameras Explained.
Night Vision Surveillance Explained
Keep in mind that most criminals love to work at night and hide in your shadows while they sit and plot their entrance into your office, store, or home. I’ve written about the need to remove shadow areas in around your property to make invasion and robbery more difficult. Shadows equal big trouble for you and great places for crooks to plan their strategy and make their entrance.
What a fantastic boon then for your video security needs with the introduction of night vision cameras. It is now easy to remove troubling shadows and chase night loving criminals from your property. Amazingly, there are a plethora of cameras that can illuminate dark areas without having to put up expensive security lights. Once the sun goes down these night vision cameras go from color mode to black and white night mode and become sensitive to visible and infrared light. Which means even if you have a small porch light turned on, it can improve a dark image dramatically and make hidden objects easily recognizable. Don’t get me wrong, security lights are a wonderful tool for fighting crime, but they not appropriate or adequate for all situations.
Now night vision cameras do tend to cost more than regular cameras, but almost all of them are weatherproof and worth the extra money. I recommend these cameras almost always since you can now benefit from full time surveillance instead of just daylight viewing. These cameras can usually illuminate the night out to a distance of between twenty five and a hundred plus feet depending on the model and cost. However, most of these cameras work very well indoors and can turn a pitch black room light as day. With these night vision cameras you can still watch your business all night long without having to keep the lights on and the criminals will get caught even if they think they are hiding in the dark.
For those other people who like to take it the maximum, my arsenal of night vision cameras includes military level cameras that can see out to fifteen hundred feet in a pitch black field. I also have robotic cameras which are IR night sensitive and can imitate a nifty zoom sci-fi like camera out of the TV show CSI. With these cameras you can pull out a face across a parking lot or read a license plate three hundred feet away. Whatever your security needs may be, there are a variety of night vision solutions which can lighten up your security situation and keep criminals on the run.
How much should a surveillance system cost?
How much should a surveillance system cost?
The question is a common one. How much should a quality video surveillance system cost? Customers in search of a new system can be surprised when they hear the actual answer. A quality system — quality being the core word – should usually run around $700 to $1000 per camera with installation and a digital video recorder.
For a four camera system the price should be around $2800 on the low side, and on the high-end of the scale around $4000. That range from $2800-$4000 represents the variable differences between the level of surveillance cameras you wish to use. Some surveillance cameras have night vision, vari-focal lenses, on-board computers, and such features which can add to the price and functionality of the system.
A four channel digital video recorder or DVR should cost around $800 if we separate it out from the system price, and an eight channel digital video recorder should cost around $1600. These DVRs (as we call them in the business) are actually dedicated surveillance computers which record the activity on your security cameras. Therefore, when you are buying a system, make sure the digital video recorder computer is a quality machine as well.
Now you may wonder, how would you know if it is a quality system or not — an excellent question. Essentially you can identify the DVRs pedigree by finding out how long it has been on the market. if a DVR has been around for more than a year and half, you are buying an old closeout system. Trust me here, you do not want to buy old technology. Do not be afraid to google the system before you buy and do some research about it.
The other important factor to examine about a digital video recorders is the compression scheme it is using to record its video. Compression scheme? Yep. I know it’s a fancy word, but it is actually very important. Compression is what the surveillance computer is using to record your pictures onto its hard drive system — the latest compression scheme is H.264. If you are being sold an old MPEG or JPEG based DVR, walk away. H.264 represents the cutting edge in today’s surveillance technology and will make the difference between blurry pictures and razor sharp definition.
Image quality can make all the difference. In the end, the video system is there to help the police nab the bad guy, and if your video quality is poor because you went for a “deal,” your video will not accomplish its purpose. The bad guys will get away, and you will be sitting there wishing you had spent more money on your video surveillance system. On the other hand, if you spend your dollars wisely on a quality DVR and cameras, the police will praise your foresight and reward you with attention. Ultimately because you are giving them sharp and clear video images the police will be motivated to search for the bad guys, because now they have evidence in hand and can make the crime stick.
Hats and Hoods vs. The Hidden Camera
Hats and Hoods vs the Hidden Camera
A business or home proprietor buys a camera surveillance system without consulting an expert.The system seems to work just fine. Then it happens. Criminals loot the house. The owner checks his recording system for the footage of this crime and in horror realizes that what only remains are images of covered heads and baseball hats moving along with his possessions out and through his front door.
So what happened here? Why did his video security strategy fail so badly?
Even a lazy robber realizes that cameras have specific limitations in terms of their viewing angle and can only see what is directly in front of them. So these bad guys cover their heads and put on hats and make sure not to look directly up and at the cameras. This hood and hat trick has become a modern modus operandi of many convenience store crooks.
So, what to do now? The secret is rather simple and when implemented properly, it can disarm the hat and hood trick completely. The key to surveillance success is the smart placement of hidden eye-level cameras throughout a space. I have numerous cameras that appear as everyday devices: clocks, bookshelves… Spy cameras, if you will.
I recall talking with a home owner who recently had her life-long collection of jewels stolen from her bedroom closet. Her husband was explaining to me why he thought cameras would not work in their case from stopping thieves since they may have been wearing hoods and such (in reality he had no idea what they were wearing). I explained how and where I could install cameras at eye level to catch and record prosecutable images if this situation came around once more. He admitted he had never thought about that solution. Mark one on the scoreboard for me.
Eye level cameras are just one of many possible strategies to foil the criminal mind and just one reason why it is important to hire an expert instead of doing it yourself. There are many tricks which thieves think they can use to foil a security system, but a good consultant will stay many steps ahead of the bad guys.
Beware: Not all Video Surveillance is Created Equal
Not all surveillance systems are created equal, find out ways to make sure that your equipment is up to the challenge of a modern video surveillance system.
It seems like an easy concept to understand, but no matter where my customers live they all seem to struggle a bit with the notion that all video surveillance is not created equal.
They ask me, “isn’t a camera a camera?”
This questions reminds me of when was explaining to a customer why various security dealers and installer sell a huge array sub-standard equipment. I explained that buying video surveillance is a lot like buying a diamond, unless you are a professional or an expert it’s hard to understand the subtleties of each item and the level of performance it is capable of delivering.
Not all surveillance equipment is created equal.
Unfortunately, from cameras to computers a lot of companies who sell surveillance equipment are pushing outdated technologies to their customers. After all, you would not willingly buy a three year old Windows computer from Dell if you can buy a brand new one for the same price? It is sad to say but many surveillance dealers push outdated technologies because they pick them up on close out cheaply and turn around and sell them to you. In contrast, dealers like me only sell the latest technologies even though I end up making less money.
Statistics show that 80% of surveillance video is useless. Wow, that seems like a high percentage, but it is true. Most cameras and recorders are bought on the cheap and installed by non-professionals. It is no wonder then that most video is useless as far as the police are concerned and end up serving no purpose.
I would also recommend staying away from trying to turn a PC into a surveillance recorder device. It is similar to turning a Toyota Camry into Tractor. It will end up neither being a very good car or a very good tractor. PCs require a ton of maintenance and expertise to keep running properly and vulnerable to viruses, spyware, and trojans.
If you need a specialized machine to do a specific job, get the right machine from the start. Swiss Army knives are useful tools, but I wouldn’t want to gut and skin a deer with it.
Brian Levy
Understanding How Lighting and Heat Affect Surveillance Cameras
Find out how heat and light affect surveillance cameras and how WDR cameras can save the day.
I get to see so many different video surveillance setups as I go from business to business and what is so obviously apparent is that most video installers do not factor the lightning range of a given location.
What am I talking about here? If you consider an office space with large windows, or an airplane hanger with large doors, once doors are open or window shades are lifted, large amount of light will flood a location usually blinding your average camera completely.
This is a somewhat common occurrence which renders a surveillance setup useless. As a result, more camera manufacturers have introduced wide dynamic range cameras also known as WDR cameras.
These special cameras have the ability to level out the surrounding lighting, making the video picture look great. These WDR cameras do tend to run a bit more expensive overall, but it is totally worth it if you want a video surveillance system which will do the job you intended for it — catch the bad guys when they are up to no good.
I also do a lot of work in desert locals, and I can attest to having to deal with more challenges than just harsh lighting. Specifically, a major culprit to surveillance troubles can be heat from the sun. Most of these desert locations in Kern County have summer day time temperatures which exceed 115 degrees. These temperature extremes can easily cook electronics and fry them into dysfunction. It is therefore important to understand how to shield electronics through the use of heat shielding and refrigerated units.
Brian Levy
Security & Cameras 