We can learn a lot about Night vision and infrared (IR) lighting. When the cameras have low to no-light situations, infrared cameras are the very popular choice for an easy quick fix. But to look more deeply into the issue, and understanding the camera vision and sensors, the infrared lighting is a much more complex and interesting matter.

All of our camera have sensors that are made up of two major ingredients: germanium and silicon – these materials are used and will factor exactly how the lens can react to the light coming from an outside source. Also many of the cameras sensors that are used with our security cameras use are actually developed and made by camcorder companies. These makers invest a huge amount of time and money to make a sensor that can operate in the spectrum of light that the human eye can see.  Our eyes can see light in about a wavelength spectrum of 380nm to 760nm. Infrared light coming from our night vision cameras are considered any light wave length above 715nm. That gives approximately 45nm of the IR light spectrum we can see, which is why you can see a pinkish or red color around the lens from the LEDs at night.

Color is achieved by inserting a red, blue, and green filter in front of the sensors. These filters lead to a drop in resolution and quality in image over the monochrome image. Also, with the filters in place, the camera cannot view IR lights. Despite this, there are dual-mode cameras that can do both color and monochrome. When the light sensor detects the light dropping below a certain lux, the camera will remove the filters and turn on the IR lights. The image will go from color to black and white and therefore infrared lighting remains king when you need to see in the dark.

What a difference 2 MP Makes!

Check it out here!

There are many different form factors available for security cameras. Box, dome and bullet are the most common shape categories, and there are different variants within each category. 

For any installation, it may be beneficial to employ a spot monitor (a small NTSC video monitor that allows viewing close to the camera itself) to aid in initially positioning the camera. Some cameras, notably dome cameras which often have hidden wiring, have a dedicated spot monitor connector that can be accessed by a lone installer. Without a spot monitor, there may need to be two installers - one aiming the camera, and another at the monitoring site to report on the camera's view. 

 Box Cameras

Typically are sold without a lens, or with an easily-removable lens that can be swapped for another for more specific applications. Box cameras are very versatile cameras for this reason. Most box cameras are mounted on a wall or ceiling using a camera mounting bracket. For outdoor applications, box cameras in outdoor-rated environmentally protected enclosures are available.

Box cameras are straightforward and easy to install: The mounting bracket is affixed to a wall, ceiling, or a similar structural feature, then the camera is attached to the mounting bracket. The power and video (BNC) cables are then connected. The camera's angle, zoom, and focus can then be adjusted, and when correct, locked into position. The camera is now ready for operation. In some cases, the back focusing control may require adjustment to avoid a noticeable focus change when in night mode with IR illumination.

 Dome Cameras

There are many different variations: plastic domes (generally for indoor use), IP-66 rated domes (for outdoor use), vandal proof domes, PTZ (Pan, Tilt, and Zoom) domes, and so on. Domes are generally more aesthetically pleasing than box cameras, and have an inherent design benefit that makes its view unapparent to an observer. Most of the time domes are installed on the ceiling. 

Installation is a bit more involved than for a box or bullet camera, but domes provide a cleaner and less-obtrusive solution. The area for installation must be decided, and power and video cables will need to be planned and routed, usually above a ceiling or behind a wall. Holes will then be made for the camera's mounting hardware, and if hidden wires are required, for the power and video cables. Many dome cameras come with paper hole templates to make proper hole-drilling location easy. The wiring (power and video) is then connected, the transparent dome is removed, and the camera is secured using its mounting screws. Once installed, check to see if there is a black liner that needs to be removed during installation, and adjust the camera module's view to the intended target using the 3-axis gimbal. If the camera includes a vari-focal and/or focusable lens, adjust the focal length and fine tune the focus using the control levers around the lens. When finished, secure the levers by twisting them finger-tight clockwise, as if tightening a screw. Replace the black liner back in the transparent dome, and affix the transparent dome to its now-mounted base. The dome camera is now ready for operation.

 Bullet Cameras

For an easy-to-install general purpose camera, the bullet is the way to go. The bullet is a very popular form factor because of its no-nonsense, straightforward and practical design. Most of them are IP rated for outdoor use and come with powerful weather-sealed infrared (IR) LEDs for IR illumination. Visible lighting is not needed, as a bullet camera with IR LEDs can go into "Night" mode, turning on its IR LEDs and automatically performing internal adjustments to be able to view in total darkness. Many bullet cameras have external controls so that they be manually focused and/or zoomed without the need to open the camera itself. Bullet cameras are available in a wide array of versions with different TVL resolutions, lens options, IR illumination powers and other convenient features, such as lens control mechanisms and OSD access, if present.

The bullet camera is generally the easiest type of camera to install, and they can be installed nearly anywhere. The physical mounting is normally accomplished with 3 or 4 screws, and access behind the mounting surface may not be needed. After the camera is mounted, power and video cables are connected. The camera is now functional, and all that remains is to adjust the angle of the camera and make final adjustments. The vari-focal lens and focus, if present, can often be set by external adjustment rings. Some cameras come with a tool for securely locking the rings afterward. Several bullets are furnished with an attached adjustable sun shield, and if installed outdoors, it is advisable to additionally shield them from weather, often by mounting them under an eave or awning.

More sophisticated bullet cameras come furnished with DIP switches, or even OSD (On Screen Display) menus to set up advanced camera features such as exposure control, color balance, etc. These features can be set by setting the DIP switches, using navigation pushbuttons, or even with advanced 5-way navigation control, depending on the camera model.

To help promote the website, and our newsletter, please use REVO5 at checkout as a coupon code to get 5% off of your full order!

Over $2000 has already been saved by SecuritAll.com customers using the REVO5 Code! So remember to share it, use it, and Save more!

A Blast from the Past!

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Outdoor IR Illuminator

    48 IR LEDs (132 ft range)
    60 degree angle
    CDS photosensor (Automatic operation at 10 lux)
    Wall Mount
    Outdoor
    AC adapter included.

Check out this amazing 60 minutes article about the new technology in CCTV Systems Analytics in New York City

Fighting terrorism in New York City

Always Remember to Change the Default Password on your DVR or this can Happen!

One user uploaded a montage of what he said were Trendnet feeds to alert the media to the problem

Feeds from thousands of Trendnet home security cameras have been breached, allowing any web user to access live footage without needing a password.

Internet addresses which link to the video streams have been posted to a variety of popular messageboard sites.

Users have expressed concern after finding they could view children's bedrooms among other locations.

Even tough a firewall will block all requests from the outside world by default, there could be times when you need external users into your network. For example, you want to access your DVR while away from your home or office. Because the default configuration of most firewalls blocks all external requests, you’ll need to open things up using a feature known as port forwarding.

Amazing Cathedral Made From 55,000 LEDs Rises at Belgium’s Festival of Lights!

Often the most confusing and difficult parts of shopping and choosing out a proper CCTV system is the resolution. We all hear about different amounts of TVL, if it is 450, 540, 600, and sometimes with Megapixel and digital CCTV, but we do not know what it is. And of course we know that a higher number can mean a better quality in recoding and with the pictures, but how does this work? When it comes to CCTV cameras and systems, we mostly use analog cameras, and with those systems, we use TVL, which means television lines.

Q: I like your explanation of this information. When is it best to use a megapixel camera over analog type? Is outdoor use ok for megapixel too?

A: Megapixel and better resolution IP cameras capture more detail in a given image than their analog cousins.

Q: Would an analog camera with 480TVL be similar to 640×480 resolution?

A: The short answer to your question is yes, but I will give you the more technical answer below.

What does the rating on the cameras such as IP66 Mean?

When you start looking for cameras, you may notice the term written IP66 as one of the features of our cameras. But what does IP66 compliant actually mean? IP66 is the rating that is given to any outdoor camera, and it determines the camera’s ability to keep out foreign objects. The IP stands for Ingress (the ability of a foreign object to enter) Protection. The first digit (and for our cameras it is a 6) will tell you the specific rating that the camera is rated for foreign objects entering the camera housing or the lens. A rating of 1, the lowest means the objects 0.5 cm or smaller can enter. On the other hand, a rating of 6 means it is dust proof, and it is a perfectly sealed camera, housing, and lens. The second digit (and for our cameras it is another 6) tells us how well the camera can keep fluids out of the case. A low rating of 1 tells us that there is no protection for the camera. The highest rating is an 8, which means it is fully submergible, and can be used under water. Check below for a description of what each of the values mean in the IP rating system.

Protection against foreign objects: (First Number)

0 Non-protected No special protections

1 Protected against solid objects greater than 50 mm a large surface of the body such as the hand (no protection against deliberate access). Solid objects exceeding 50mm diameter

2 Protected against solid objects greater than 12 mm Fingers or other objects not exceeding 80 mm in length. Solid objects exceeding 12 mm diameter

3 Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5 mm Tools or wires, with a diameter or thickness greater than 2.5 mm.

4 Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0 mm Example: Wires that are thicker than 1 mm.

5 Dust protected But dust can still get in, but will not affect the operation of the camera

6 Dust-tight Not even dust can penetrate into the camera housing

Protection against fluids : (Secondary Number)

0 Non-protected No special protection

1 Protected against dripping water (vertically falling drops)

2 Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15º Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15º from its normal position

3 Protected against spraying water. Water falling as spray at an angle up to 60º from the vertical shall have no harmful effect

4 Protected against splashing water. Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect

5 Protected against water jets Water projected from a nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect

6 Protected against heavy seas Water from heavy seas or water projected in powerful jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities

7 Protected against the effects of immersion Ingress of water in a harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time

8 Protected against submersion The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions, which shall be specified by the manufacturer

We will be running 3 tests - indoor, outdoor, and lights on and off in an office to test out our three most popular cameras:

    RCBY12-1    79.99   RBS20-1    69.99     RCDY12-1    79.99

Check them out on our YouTube Channel!

New York Police Working on Technology to Let Them See Hidden Weapons

Tomorrow night (Thursday, Dec. 8) at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT, a new show premiers on The History Channel that pits two regular Americans against an "A-team" of surveillance experts in a race to stay hidden. It's called "Off the Grid", and the catch for this reality TV show is that the two contestants win a million dollars if they can remain hidden from the surveillance experts for a single day, while completing a few essential tasks in downtown Los Angeles. It's a real-life game of cat-and-mouse for the biggest purse prize in cable TV history.

Determining if your current security system needs a complete solution basis is very important right now. An important  question to ask yourself is if my security system up to homeland security standards.  Usually we run into cheaply outfitted systems and applicatins that will upset an end user. Lets look into this:

Measuring the Effects of Video Surveillance on Crime in Los Angeles - A great report on the effects - policy - prices and more!

US crime rate is down: six key reasons

The crime rate fell last year across America, across all categories. Here, criminologists cite the key factors, which include better policing

There are many ways that a CCTV system can improve your business, employees, customer service, and your cash flow, so lets see some of the  advantages of investing in CCTV security cameras for business owners

1. Using the DVR as a Time Clock – The DVR can keep accurate date and time recordings to correctly monitor employee work start times, breaks, etc
   
2. Using your installed Cameras as a Crime Deterrent – Since CCTV cameras constantly monitor the area you set, any crime is easily detected.  When the customers or employees know that they are being watched, it can have a helping hand in reducing theft or any other problems in the work place.
3. Your CCTV System can aid in Protecting Employees – From the presence of the cameras, and the DVR that is recording behavior, this can help the safty of employees, and your customers.
4. A Possible Business Insurance Discount – After installing, you can check with your insurance providers for a possible discount in your insurance, since your installed your system.
5. Aid in Recording keeping – At any time if a crime or any other problem occurs in an area that has installed CCTV cameras, the investigation will be aided by the DVR Recordings.
6. Remotely view the flow of customers - Since customer satisfaction declines the more that the customers have to wait to make a purchase, find a parking spot, exit the parking area, wait to be seated, you can remotely view the operations that happen in your business so that these problems do not happen.
7. Remotely view Your Business - Check to see your business for neatness and cleanliness. The CCTV system can help monitor any problems that need to be cleaned up, and can bring awareness to these areas.
8. Overall Customer Service - Monitor your employees interactions with your customers to make sure that there is a high standard of service for all of your customers.
   

The dome camera is the number one most versatile camera style around!
Easy, clean, and safe to mount
Quick to Set the angle lens
Protected by vandals
Captures Audio as well
Check it out Here!

You guys think this will come true?

Smarter CCTV system to be used to recognize and prevent crime

The negative impact surrounding terrorism, crime and anti-social behavior has resulted in an escalation in the amount of remote surveillance undertaken around the world, but especially in the UK, which, according to the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), has deployed more than 4 million CCTV cameras.

Are you looking for a new surveillance system?  Here is the info for a DIY to installa new CCTV system:

When searching a power supply that powers up several cameras from one source, pick a unit which has a fuseless design. This will decrease the possibility of having fuses go out and cause your cameras to not monitor and record feed properly

Always remember and research how you want to watch and monitor your  DVR and cameras. If it is over the web but are installing the system yourself, look for a system that offers support over the phone so you will not be charged a fee to have someone set it up for you.

Ask your sales webste if they have all of the installation tools – when you are choosing them.  And always make sure to have items that are classified within the security industry, you may run across items that require special tools to work with them, you could damage or break a camera or a cable by using the wrong tools.

When trying to setup & focus the cameras to see the area or item you want to monitor, it can be helpful to have a system that allows you to view the actual image the camera is seeing. The best device to start with is a full security system – Check us Out!

What makes Revo Quick Connect System and Cable Great? Only one cable needed to run Audio, Power, and Video in one. Easy Upgrades, just disconnect and connect like a telephone system. Easy to use Couplers help attach and create long systems, up to 1200 feet! No need to run extra cables ever again! 100' RJ12 Cable RJ to BNC Coupler

Oh No - This is why everyone needs a Revo Security System! 

On Camera: Homeowner Slashed by Attacker

Check out the video clip from Fox News Here

Unlike other cables where you have to run a cable for video and a separate cable for power, our RJ12 cable has the power, audio and video built all in one.

100' RJ12 Cable 300' RJ12 Cable

What makes the RJ12 Cable so Special?
- It Carrys Audio, Video, and Power in one, QuickConnect Cable
- Easy to setup and forget about
- Fits all Regular Cams
- Length up to 1200 feet
- Copper Cable
- Comes in 30',60',100',200',300'

Check out our YouTube channel for Reviews, Feeds, Setup Info, and More!

http://www.youtube.com/user/mysecuritall

Check out our YouTube channel for Reviews, Feeds, Setup Info, and More!

http://www.youtube.com/user/mysecuritall

We're open to blogging