Finding the right
surveillance system can be very frustrating from the type of
security cameras you need, to how you will record the video to
what cables and components will make it all work.
We want your buying
experience to be stress-free so we put together a selection of
complete camera and video recording systems. The most obvious
benefit of purchasing a complete surveillance system is that
we've taken all of the guess-work out of the equation.
Shop for Surveillance Equipment.
Hidden Camera's -
Personal Safety -
Systems -
Video Recorders
How do
hidden cameras work? A small board camera is built
into an everyday item. The camera can be wired which means it
is connected to the DVR or VCR using a cable. The camera can
also be wireless, in this case the camera transmits a signal
to a receiver that is connected to the DVR or VCR.
Can I
get audio in my hidden camera? - No you cannot.
According to United States federal laws, audio should not be
used in a surreptitious manner. One example of surreptitious
interception is audio in a hidden camera. This includes
pinhole board cameras and all covert or hidden cameras; i.e.,
a clock radio. Audio in a hidden camera or board camera is
only available to law enforcement agencies. Title 18, Section
2512.
What is
the difference between a wired and a wireless camera?
- Wired cameras have a video cable that runs from the camera
to your recording or viewing device such as a DVR, VCR or
monitor. Wireless cameras have a built-in transmitter that
sends the video signal to a receiver. The receiver connects to
your recording or viewing device.
How far
can a wireless hidden camera transmit? - Standard
wireless hidden cameras can transmit up to 1000 feet and
high-powered wireless hidden cameras can transmit up to 2000
feet.
How many
wireless cameras can you have in one location? - You
can have up to four wireless cameras in one location. You can
view all cameras at once using four receivers or you can use
one receiver and switch to each camera. You will only be able
to view one camera at a time if you only use one receiver. If
you want to install multiple wireless cameras in one location
it's best to order them at the same time so that we can put
them on different channels.
Will a
cordless phone interfere with wireless cameras? -
Cordless phone that operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency will
cause interference with 2.4 GHz cameras. Interference should
be minimal and usually occurs if the phone is between the
camera and receiver.
What is
a 2.4 GHz wireless frequency? - A frequency is used
to transmit a signal or data like video. 2.4GHz is the
specific wireless frequency that our transmitters use to send
video signal to a receiver. All of our wireless cameras
operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. Range varies from 200' to
700' depending on environmental conditions. These units are
FCC approved.
Are the
transmitters FCC approved? - The transmitters used in
all of our wireless systems are FCC and Industry Canada
Certified.
What is
CCD? - CCD is used in professional cameras because of
it's high resolution quality and it's ability to record in
low-light situations. CCD is basically a small silicon chip
that receives light and turns it into voltage variations which
makes up an image. It's usually measured in inches with 1/3"
CCD being the standard. They are higher priced but are great
for cameras that may require vision in near darkness.
Do the
receivers work through walls up to two feet thick? -
Yes as long as there isn't excessive amount of metal in the
wall.
Do the
plug and play connections require extra wire to run the signal
back to the VCR or TV? - Yes, you need to buy the
length of cable you need we offer the
CA-25,
CA-50 and the CA-100.
What is
the difference between a DVR and a VCR? - A Digital
Video Recorder (DVR) system records high resolution digital
images to a hard disk drive (HDD) and eliminates the
requirement of maintaining VHS tapes. Since the video images
are stored digitally, the image quality will not degrade
overtime, as would a VHS tape when recorded over multiple
times. The time-saving search capabilities of a DVR will
enable the user to locate the desired video clips via user
defined parameters (camera, time, date, etc.) versus the fast
forward and rewind functions of a VCR. A DVR can be accessed
remotely from anywhere in the world using the Internet.
How many
hours will a DVR record? - The amount of time a DVR
will record for is based on the size of the DVRs hard drive,
the number of cameras recording and the number of frames per
second it is recording at. One camera recording in Real Time
uses 1 GB per day. So a 16 camera system will use 16 GB in one
day.
What is
a DVR card? - DVR Cards enable the user to convert
their computer into a Digital Video Recorder. The DVR Card(s)
is typically installed in an available PCI slot of a computer.
DVR cards are bundled with video surveillance software which
allows the user to record and display multiple cameras
simultaneously from the camera site or a remote location.
What is
a Plug and Play connection camera? - It is an RCA
Video plug and a power plug on the camera for easy connection
to VCR or TV. This is done by running the RCA (Aux) line into
the VIDEO IN of the VCR or TV. The TV or VCR must be set on
the correct channel to view the VIDEO IN picture.
How many
cameras can I hook up to one TV? - You can hook up as
many cameras as your TV has inputs. Most TVs have 2 inputs but
when using a quad you can hook up four cameras.
Do you
need a VCR to record or will the cameras record? -
You must have a VCR or DVR if you want to record.
How long
will the camera last with a 9-volt battery? - The
Cyber Eye and BD-127 will last 5 hours.
Between
what temperatures is it safe for cameras to operate in?
Safe for B/W cameras to operate between -23°C to + 50°C or
-10ºF to +122ºF
Safe for color cameras to operate between -23º C to +40ºC or
-10ºF to +104ºF
It is safe to store cameras between -30ºC to +70ºC or -22ºF to
+158ºF
What is
the operating voltage of a camera? - Our cameras
range from 9 volts (CMOS) to 12volts, and also 24 volt
professional models.
What is
a varifocal lens? - A varifocal lens is one where the
focal length of the lens can be varied. This is a fancy way of
saying it is a zoom lens. Most varifocal lenses have, and in
almost all circumstances should have, an auto iris feature.
What is
a fixed lens? - A fixed focal length lens cannot
zoom. The focus is fixed. A fixed focal length lens usually
allows more light to pass through the lens at a given focal
length than a varifocal, or zoom lens. This can be important
in low light situations.
What
surveillance video recorder is right for you?
Digital
Video Recorder (DVR) - Unlike VCRs, DVRs record video
to a computer hard drive or other media such as a CD or DVD.
This makes a DVR easy to maintain because there are no bulky
tapes to change or the risk of losing video quality when
recording over previous footage. Except for the World's
Smallest DVR, all of our other DVRs can be operated and
monitored remotely from anywhere in the world using the
Internet. While the surveillance video data is stored on the
DVR it can be protected from loss caused by operating errors,
tampering and accidents.
Embedded
(Stand Alone) DVRs - Embedded DVRs do not use a
Windows® operating system. In fact, there is no software at
all on the hard drive. All functions are contained (embedded)
on software encoded computer chips. View in real time. Easy
setup. The Embedded series Digital Video Recorders (DVR)
operate just like a VCR. However, they have many features that
make them more powerful and easier to use than even the most
advanced VCR.
This DVR converts analog video (NTSC
or PAL) to digital images, and records them on a hard disk
drive. Using a disk drive allows users to access recorded
video almost instantaneously without having to rewind or fast
forward tape. There is no need to adjust tracking. You can
freeze frames and forward or rewind without image streaking or
tearing. Digital video can be indexed by time/date or events,
and users can instantly view video after selecting the
time/date or event.
All features can be controlled
from the front panel or from any computer (except SA-DVR-4).
The rear panel provides convenient connection for video and
audio input/output.
What can
you use a complete surveillance system for?
There are many uses for
complete surveillance systems including restaurants, retail
shops, child care centers, warehouses, private investigators,
animal kennels, boats, your home, vacation homes, construction
sites and offices.
What complete surveillance
system is right for you?
Hidden Camera Systems - Sometimes you can't just go in
a set-up a surveillance system, these are situations where you
need a hidden camera. The camera is built-in to items we use
everyday so that you can be as secret as possible. Whatever
the camera sees is recorded directly to the DVR on board. This
eliminates the chance of interference and disrupted recording.
4,
8 or 16 Channel DVR Systems - whether you have a large
or small area to secure one of our DVR systems will work for
you. Available in a wired or wireless version complete with
cameras, a DVR and all necessary cables and components. With
the use of
DVR cards your system can grow as your operation grows.
Perfect for most applications listed above. People will know
you mean business with a system like this.
VISEC Complete Surveillance System - when you can't be
on location but you need to see what's going on, the VISEC
surveillance system allows you to login through the Internet
and do so. VISEC installs on an existing computer and records
up to four wired or wireless cameras. Having a surveillance
system like this is a huge bonuses to day cares, animal
boarding facilities, vacation homes or for just keeping an eye
on things while you're away.
Portable DVR Systems - A portable DVR system is great
for situations where you are using a wireless hidden or
professional camera. Just set-up the camera then the video
signal will be sent from the camera to the DVR for recording.
Surveillance Definitions
AGC
- Automatic Gain Control is an electronic system found in many
types of devices. Its purpose is to control the gain of a
system in order to maintain adequate performance over a range
of input signal levels. Or An electronic circuit that tries to
keep the video signal at a constant level (1volt peak-peak).
Useful on cameras working at low light levels
AI - Auto Iris is an electronic circuit that
acts as an iris on CCD cameras by electronically shuttering
the CCD sensor. Or An automatic method of varying the size of
a lens opening in response to changes in scene illumination.
AWB - Auto White Balance is an electronic
process used in video cameras to retain true colors. It is
performed electronically on the basis of a white object in the
picture.
BLC - Balance Light Control ia a method to
compensate for bright spots in a picture. It is also important
to consider whether there are bright spots in the picture such
as car headlights which can make identification of the vehicle
registration or model impossible. This can also be a major
problem where it is necessary to identify a person who is
moving from bright daylight into artificial light. This could
result in the subject becoming an unidentifiable silhouette.
CCD - Charged Coupled Device: It is analog
technology. The CCD camera has a little bit higher resolution
than CMOS. The camera also functions better in low light. A
CCD camera drains a little bit more power than the CMOS
cameras. It uses 12v instead of 9v. CMOS camera is smaller
than a CCD camera and works longer with the 9v battery.
DVR - Digital Video Recorder.
Focal Length - the distance from the surface
of a lens and its focal point.
FPS - Frames Per Second is the number of
still frames (pictures) that give the illusion of motion,
which appear in a single second of time.30fps is considered
"Real Time". So for Real Time viewing of your cameras, you
need at least 30fps for each camera.
HAD CCD - Hole Accumulation Diode is a type
of CCD sensor with a layer designed to accumulate holes (in
the electronic sense), thus reducing noise level.
IR - Infrared, IR LEDS are used on Day/Night
cameras which allow the camera to see in the dark.
LUX - LUX is the measurement of low light
needed for the camera to view and record properly.
OSD - On Screen Display is a method of
displaying set-up information or instructions on to a display
monitor.
Resolution - Resolution measures the cameras
ability to reproduce an image. The higher the resolution, the
better the picture quality.
S to N Ratio - Signal to Noise Ratio is
simply the ratio of the signal power and noise power,
expressed in decibels (dB). Or measure of noise on a video
signal. It is represented in Decibels as the level of the
video signal compared to the level of noise present on that
signal. The higher the signal to noise ratio the better.
