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Home > Home security cameras: you won't believe what they can do nowadays
June 26, 2012
By: Will Roberts
Home security cameras used to be rarely seen except on
the estates of the rich and famous. With the lower cost of
camera systems coupled with the increased convenience of
using digital and IP-based cameras, private surveillance
systems have become increasingly popular. Enterprising
homeowners have also found new and creative uses for them.
A number of new technologies have made home video
security systems much more useful. Cameras with infrared
sensitivity allow you to use them to see in the dark.
Wireless cameras operate without being hooked to a network
or, in some cases, to a power outlet, making it much easier
to place and hide them. Many of these cameras have remote
controllable pan, tilt and zoom functions that allow you to
change where they are aimed. Finally, the greatest advance
is likely the advent of the digital internet video camera
that lets you monitor your system from anywhere. Many
systems are even compatible with smartphones and tablets,
allowing you to see your home from anywhere even if you are
not close to a computer. These technologies let you do all
of the following things, and more, with your home security
system.
Security
Security remains a major application for residential CCTV
(closed circuit TV) systems. Modern systems support a number
of different security applications including:
- Front Door -- Having a camera at your entryway not only
lets you know who is at your door but can also let you know
who went to your door when you were not home.
- Driveway -- A
camera lets you see who drives up to your property, or when
your kids attempt to sneak home.
- Perimeter -- If you have a
big lot, perimeter cameras can help to detect trespassers.
- Internal cameras -- If someone gets into your house, internal
cameras can create a record of what they have done
Monitoring
- Nanny cam -- Internal cameras let you keep an eye on
nannies, caregivers, maids and other people who come into
your home. Cameras can be plainly visible or hidden in such
things as clocks or
teddy bears.
- Baby monitors -- While audio
monitors are helpful, video cameras let you see what your
children are up to when they are being "too quiet."
- Pet
monitoring -- A video camera lets you see just what your dog
is up to. If you do not have a dog, cameras pointed at your
front lawn can help you catch someone else's dog who may be
leaving "landmines" on your property.
- Backyard cameras -- These help you see what is happening when your children are
outside. They can be especially useful if you have a pool or
hot tub.
Creative Uses
- Observing nature -- Video cameras can help birdwatchers
and, on large hunting properties, identify deer or other
animals as they come into range.
- Property management -- Property managers can install remote cameras at all of their
properties to let them monitor every building from one
location. IP cameras that send their video over the internet
are especially good for these applications.
- Home businesses -- Running cameras in your home business not only
helps with security but can also let you give your clients a
look at what you are doing.
- Home automation -- Integrating a
camera with motion detector with a home automation system
can let you do such things as automatically turn lights on
when someone enters a room.
Advanced video technology has
propelled video security into the home. Modern security
systems let homeowners actively keep an eye on their
property, wherever they are. The higher quality and
increased flexibility of these systems also makes them a
more effective deterrent against crime. With all of these
benefits, it is not surprising that the penetration rate of
these systems has increased so much over the last few years.
Also See:
[ The benefits and dowsides to CCTV systems ]
[ 2500 year history of biometrics timeline ]
[ Pro & cons of red light traffic cameras ]
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