With crime on the rise and troublesome people a part of life, it pays to have home surveillance at times. If you suspect that you are being cheated on by a spouse, stalked, harassed or worry about babysitters with your children, here are some tips on setting up a simple mini spy camera to give you a little peace of mind. It’s not being paranoid but taking care of yourself when you feel uneasy about a security related situation. Only set up cameras where it is legal to do so check your local law enforcement if you have any questions about legalities. It’s always a good idea to make a quick call to the police and ask what the law in your area permits. My suggestions are for law abiding purposes only.

There are many types of surveillance cameras on the market, from the cheap to the incredibly expensive. The more money it costs, the more features and options you’ll have to work with, but for basic purposes, a simple pinhole or mini spy security camera with wireless receiver and an AC adapter should do a pretty good job. Sure, you can buy a teddy bear, clock radio or tissue holder with a camera tucked discreetly inside of it (for a few hundred bucks), but buying a mini spy camera alone is drastically much less expensive and you can disguise it any way you want.

In my situation, my home is wired against intrusion due to an overzealous person in my midst who has been looking into my windows and invading my privacy in multiple ways. To remedy this situation, I first contacted law enforcement and got their opinions, who told me that it was ok to set up a camera if I wanted to. So, never having done this before, I jumped on eBay and educated myself about surveillance systems. Being on a budget, it was important that this equipment was quality but not pricey. I found and bought a new wireless camera kit for around $40.

The discreet box was mailed to me, and it contained a receiver, two AC adapters, a cable and the tiny little camera. Assembling it all meant plugging everything together, an adapter into the camera and separately, another adapter into the receiver. Then, each adapter was plugged into the wall. It was as simple as that. The kit came with a battery hookup if I wanted a totally wireless camera, but in this case it isn’t necessary, the adapters were better for me. The tricky part for me was figuring out how to make the camera and receiver communicate with my television but in the end it wasn’t as intimidating as I first thought.

The receiver on my surveillance receiver has color coded video input plugs, one yellow and one white. I plugged the cable into those then hooked the other end of it to the TV, which has corresponding plugs of the same colors. Then, there’s a knob on the side of the receiver to adjust the picture. “What picture?”, you may ask. All you see is tv programs.

The trick to it is to set the TV through the “Video Source” button on your cable remote, which may go by other names on other peoples’ systems. This button controls your TV to switch over to VCR, DVD or others on channels (not the ones used to go to your programs but frequency channels). My camera is on video (or frequency) 3. My DVD player is on video (or frequency) 2. Just hit the “Video source” button a few times to get to the right channel. You’ll know you have the right one when you can see the (plugged in) camera picture (make sure the camera is connected and on) or a blank screen (this means you need to adjust the frequency of the receiver to see a picture). Then, adjust the knob on the pinhole camera receiver until you see a focused picture, and voila, there’s the closed circuit live picture you’ve been waiting to see.

The next trick is to angle the camera in a way so it is not seen, but is monitoring the area clearly with no interference of any kind. This is best done with a friend; otherwise you have to run back and forth to see if the picture is what you want, on the TV screen. To secure the little camera into place, I used heavy duty, double sided tape. I stuck a blank tape into my VCR (yes, VCRs still have a purpose in this high tech world) and now I can record what the camera sees anytime I want by hitting “record” on the VCR or my tv remote control. That’s it; my space is now being watched by a closed circuit camera, in color, with sound for only a fraction of what it would cost to buy a camera in a clock radio.

Using surveillance equipment isn’t for everyone but is a good idea for anyone who is being victimized, picked on, or stolen from. Don’t let the offenders get away with their bad behavior. If you plan to take a case to court, there is nothing better than to be able to visually show proof of your allegations against another person, otherwise it’s a “he said/she said” deal. Security doesn’t have to be expensive. Just take installing slow and easy, doing one step at a time. Think of it as a puzzle to figure out. Once it’s done, there’s a sense of mastery for those of us who aren’t technically inclined. Now, I think I’ll go tackle re-wiring my rented condo (just kidding), the world is my oyster. And, my place is secure.

By: Carolyn McFann

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Having home surveillance systems and keeping your home safe is a top priority for many adults. There are many instances where crimes committed in people’s homes cannot be proven due to the lack of evidence. With the use of home surveillance systems, you can help to keep your home safe and provide evidence against those who trespass against you.

Crime rates have risen everywhere. No matter where you live, you are threatened by burglary and theft. Large houses in nice neighborhoods are no longer the sole target for thieves. By installing a home security system, you are defending yourself and your loved ones against the crimes that are lurking around every corner.

Who Can Afford Surveillance Systems?

In our age of technology, surveillance cameras have transitioned from extremely expensive to extremely affordable. You see surveillance cameras in the common home more and more due to this decline in price.

There are many uses and reasons to install home surveillance system. Here are a few prime examples of such uses:

- If you are away on business or vacation, you can keep an eye on your home remotely. This can give you the peace of mind you need while on vacation while saving you money because you don’t have to hire a house sitter.

- Hiring a nanny is a tough task. But, you aren’t done yet! Making sure that things are going properly with your new nanny and kids can be very important. Nanny cams are installed in tons of homes every day. These are used to monitor the work and tactics of nannies and to make sure that the children being cared for are safe and away from harm. You never know, sexual predators or child abusers can be anyone, anywhere.

- Home surveillance systems can also be used to monitor babies on the other end of the home. This is very useful for mothers because they can check in on their young ones without leaving the room. You can make sure the baby is still sleeping without the risk of waking them up.

You can install cheap home security cameras indoors and outdoors. You can monitor the perimeter around your house as well as keeping track of the traffic in and out of your home. Outdoor surveillance cameras are used to monitor the entryways of the home (front door, back door, etc) and the indoor surveillance cameras monitor the interior of the home and all of the valuable goods inside.

Although having these cameras have proven to be very beneficial, there are also drawbacks. Wireless video cameras used for surveillance have caused legality issues to arise. Videotaping someone without their knowledge (such as caregivers) has cause some legal issues and lawsuits in the past. But, in most cases, visible cameras, as well as hidden cameras, are legal. You get into a grey area when it comes to privacy expectation laws. You cannot place cameras in areas where people expect privacy (the bathroom or changing room for instance).

Home surveillance systems are an affordable and logical way to keep your home safe.

By: Marc Willis

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There are generally two different types of intercom systems for homes out there in stores: wireless and wired ones. These days most people choose the wireless one, except for those situations where they live in a house that already has a wiring arrangement. Most people moving into newly constructed houses will have wireless ones installed while the house is being built, because it can cost quite a bit of money to have the the wiring taken care of.

There are a few major benefits to getting a wired intercom that you can’t enjoy with a wireless one. Usually, wireless systems may have an interference problem if you have people living next door who are also using their own intercom system. There are also black spots that may surface in some of your rooms when you’re using wireless ones.

Wireless intercom systems for homes are typically thought of as far more reliable, and if you are putting them around your home as a child-monitoring device, you’ll have peace of mind about the fact that it’s secure and that your child can constantly be listened to through the night.

Intercom systems for home are great for those looking to add to the level of safety in their homes. Through the use of one, you can force an individual at the door to tell you who they are before letting them in.

How many tragic stories have you heard about that result from somebody opening the door in oblivion and seeing someone there who shouldn’t be? You can also add a video monitor to the system if you want to have a view as to who’s outside.

Another thing you can do is to add an automatic gate entry device to your intercom if you should feel so inclined. These can work on many different types of gates, like sliding gates, swing ones, and single or double gates. You’ll access your gate with one command, and they’ll lock on their own as they close. This provides ultimate convenience to those who appreciate perks like these.

The value of intercom systems for home can vary dramatically depending on features, but a basic intercom will cost about $1200 for an average four or five bedroom home while a device with the major bells and whistles can sell anywhere within the range of $2500 to $5000 and more, depending on the features you want.

By: Felicia Cranston

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Security systems offer a level of safety and peace of mind that is otherwise difficult to achieve. The most effective systems, of course, can often times be complex and installation and maintenance can be a difficult affair. New systems and system upgrades require wiring, device setup, demolition and repair of walls, drilling through exterior and interior partitions, and a host of other tough jobs. For this reason, some of the more intricate systems have to be installed by professionals.

However, there is an easier way to add additional coverage or even start a new system without many of those hassles. IP security cameras and IP wireless cameras are the easy solution to installation issues.

“IP”

The IP indication means that the security device works on the same type of network that home computes run off of. This also means that any family with a home or office network already has a lot of the infrastructure in place to create or expand their security system. IP security cameras are digital devices that transmit data through standard networking cables.

With IP security cameras and devices, those components of the system can be controlled and monitored through any computer. With the addition of an internet connection, a homeowner can see through the eyes of their cameras from their home computer, the office, or while on vacation. This makes it even easier to keep tabs on a home and allows a reliable neighbor to perform the same duty. Businesses can watch their stores 24/7.

Finally, any IP device can also record data to a computer as well. Instead of relying on a video tape that could be on a short re-write schedule, video records can be saved on a computer and then burnt to CD or a flash drive, offering a very flexible and comprehensive security solution for small businesses.

Wireless And Wired Options

Whether an IP security camera is wired or wireless, they enjoy the same benefits of any IP style device. IP wireless cameras are ideal for their ease of use and installation; they can be accessed through a secure wireless transmission, removing the need for wires completely. Wired IP security cameras still require some installation work, but they totally avoid the need for separate control panels and dedicated devices.

Wireless solutions work well in older homes that are not pre-wired for security systems, have a special value due to their age, or have plaster walls that cannot be easily taken down and repaired. They also work well for apartments and condos when alterations to the property cannot be made.

Wired systems are typically a little more reliable. They do not run off of batteries that have to be changed on a routine basis. The extra reliability requires the extra installation work, so it is best used on a home that is owned, rather than a rented property.

Overall, IP wireless cameras and wired devices allow for easy to install security systems that can be conveniently controlled and monitored through a computer.

By: Chris A. Harmen

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Keeping your property and family safe is not an easy task, especially as crime rates are on the rise. Simply having locked doors and windows and an alarm is not good enough anymore; these days you MUST have a surveillance camera system installed on your property to offer the maximum possible level of peace of mind. In this article you are going to learn about two different types of home security video camera, so that you have a better idea as to what you need to keep your family and property safe and secure.

Wireless surveillance cameras for home use have become a lot more advanced in recent years, and now offer attractive features such as color footage, expandable recording memory, wireless connectivity and more. However, they do also cost quite a lot of money- think upwards of $400 for a good system.

Therefore, if you are on a budget your best option is to actually make a DIY home security video camera. This is not a particularly difficult or time-consuming process, but you will save literally hundreds of dollars in the long run. Making your own camera works on the basis of the fact that you can easily convert a digital webcam to work effectively as a wireless surveillance camera. You then monitor the camera from your computer, laptop, or even mobile phone with the right software. The total cost of this method will be around $40, including the plans and detailed instructions for putting the system together, and the software to monitor your camera properly.

Of course if you’d rather just have a “plug n’ play” system that works right out of the box, then there are many different options out there; the best place to buy a professionally made video security camera is online as you will get the best price and have the biggest range/selection. You should look for an ability to expand the number of cameras in the system, as well as a minimum of 10GB recording memory. Other features such as being able to “date stamp” recordings for quick access are also important.

Basically, the decision as to whether you build a DIY system, or just go for a pre-made one is determined by two factors; your budget, and your willingness to put in extra work in order to save yourself quite large sums of money. Still, if you have no technical skills whatsoever then you should definitely just purchase a pre-made system, because it will save you from any possible frustration.

By: William P. Jones

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Many home owners who want the idea of feeling safer have security cameras installed over their garages aimed at the driveway or street, possibly another one over their door entrance, or at the back door entrance of the home. Often times these security cameras are basic, and some simply record surveillance, while others show real time viewing. The idea of having these cameras allows the home owner to feel at peace knowing the camera is installed.

If an intruder sees the security camera he or she will do everything possible to avoid it, and in essence feel as though there are other additional security measures taken on the house. Such as door alarms or window alarms. In this case an intruder would initially leave the premises trying to avoid being seen or recorded.

Another good reason why a home owner would have cameras installed might be if they travel a lot, it will video tape the surroundings while they are away and if any type of vandalism or break in does occur, the appropriate measures can be taken.

Many apartment complexes have security cameras at the entrance for safety reasons. Each time a vehicle or person goes through the entrance it will aim for the tags of vehicles. This is often successful when vehicles that don’t belong in the complex are recorded or viewed.

So the fact remains obvious that security cameras being used do provide safety measures for a variety of people, even those who don’t really like the idea. They feel although in some ways it does interfere with their right to privacy they realize the increase of the acts of violence in the United States today. Therefore, they are not going to complain.

If a security camera is in a parking lot and their car is stolen in most cases it can be retrieved, not to mention they have that peace of mind of walking to their cars under surveillance and know that there is a lower risk of being attacked or abducted by someone intending to harm them or hurt them in order to gain access to their belongings or their vehicle. There’s just too much crime to not have security cameras in most places.

By: Michelle Dudley

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Every year many people face a concern regarding leaving their elderly parents home alone. As the generation of elders continues to expand, this is certainly a valid concern and a large one. In many cases, elderly parents are not necessarily ready for a nursing home or even an assisted living center; however, there may still be concerns about them remaining home alone without some type of monitoring. A live-in provider can be expensive and may not necessarily be an appropriate decision for many families.

Specialized home security systems make it possible for many elderly parents to remain at home and be independent. Loved ones and family members can have the peace of mind in knowing that in the event help is needed, it will be there.

One of the reasons that many seniors are so resistant to receiving care is the fact that they feel as though they will lose their dignity. In addition, they frequently do not want to leave the homes in which they have lived for a number of years and have numerous memories.

These security systems are ideal for seniors as well as other individuals who may suffer from disabilities and conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, respiratory illness, osteoporosis and arthritis. If medical assistance is required, it can be quickly summoned. The ability to receive rapid medical intervention in the event of an emergency can be one of the biggest factors in increasing the chances of a senior surviving a medical emergency.

In addition, rapid medical intervention can reduce the number of hospital admissions seniors must face as well as the length of their hospital stay in the event it does become necessary. Furthermore, the ability to receive medical assistance as quickly as possible will also help to delay a placement in a nursing home; allowing seniors the joy and independence of remaining in their own homes as long as possible.

These types of security systems typically work with two components. One is a personal help button that is wireless and provides access that is one-touch to call upon monitoring professionals who have been specially trained. Seniors can wear the help button either as a wristband or a necklace and immediately alert a monitoring professional in the event of an emergency. Due to the fact that the button is waterproof, seniors can wear it all day.

A two-way voice intercom system makes it possible for monitoring professionals to actually speak with seniors so they can determine the extent and the nature of the emergency. Monitoring professionals also have the ability to adjust the volume of a highly sensitive microphone. This makes it possible for the monitoring professionals to speak with the senior from anywhere in the home.

The nature of the training that the monitoring personnel receive allows them to understand the challenges that most seniors face including illnesses as well as physical challenges. As a result they are able to assess the nature and extent of many different emergencies while keeping seniors calm.

This type of monitoring system provides an additional layer of home security to seniors who desire to remain in their home; ensuring they are safe both from external threats as well as potential internal threats and dangers as well.

By: Bruce Kelly

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If you’ve been wondering if installing home security cameras at your house might be a good idea, here are some reasons why cameras are used in this context and why they are useful in everyday life.

– Young children: Most of us have seen “nanny-cam” footage on TV in the last couple of years. If you have young children that are regularly cared for in your home while you work, having hidden security cameras to monitor their activities and the activities of their caretaker gives you greater peace of mind since you can see exactly what is going on when you are not there.

– Teenagers: Never let your teenagers know where the hidden cameras are! If you have one or more teens at home, strategically-placed security cameras will help you to know if anything irregular happened in your house while you were away or out of town.

– Security: Placed around the perimeter of your home will record any unusual goings-on at your property at all times. If you have been having trouble with vandalism, a camera may be able to give a visual picture of the perpetrator. In addition, if your house is burglarized, any footage caught on camera may be able to help investigators.

– Baby Care: Smaller security cameras are ideal to use as nursery monitors. These portable little electronic devices offer compact an audio camera complete with night vision so you can always keep track of your littlest angel.

Security cameras of all shapes, sizes, and types are the new must-haves for homeowners across the country, and there’s probably one that’s right for you.

By: Ryan Coisson

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Home security cameras have become popular over the last few years. These home security camera systems provide customers with the ability to record exactly what happens at their home and protect their property from vandalism and theft. However, this is only the basic features of a home security camera system. When selecting a camera system, you should be looking to find out what the advanced features of the system are, so that you can select a system that will grow with you and give additional peace of mind and protection.

Some PC-Based home security camera systems and standalone DVR systems provide the ability to record from your cameras, and also remotely view over the internet. These systems connect to a DSL or Cable internet connection and provide the ability to view your cameras over the internet. Depending on the type of system, it may view directly through an internet explorer web browser, or it may have a remote client software that installs to allow remote viewing and playback. Remotely viewing your home security cameras provides you with the ability to always know what is happening at your home, so that you can have peace of mind that everything is ok. Remotely viewing cameras from a PC is becoming a more common feature of home security camera systems.

A few more advanced home security camera systems like our Alnet PC-Based DVR Systems and H.264 standalone DVR systems provide advanced remote viewing features that will even allow you to remotely record video to a PC over the internet. With these features, you can keep a backup of your video on another PC over the internet, so that if someone were to steal the DVR or DVR PC from your home, you would still have a copy of the video on an off-site location.

Beyond remote recording capabilities, a few home security camera systems also provide the ability to remotely view your security cameras from a PDA phone or even iPhone. There are two different types of remote viewing from an iPhone that may be available from your surveillance system. The first and most basic type of remote viewing from an iPhone is a web based application. This type of viewing uses the web browser and can give a basic view of what is happening on your cameras. It loads a JPG image from the cameras and then can refresh the page to update the image up to 1 time per second. With this remote viewing, you can view up to 4 cameras at a time, and is most popular with standalone DVR systems. The second, and more advanced remote viewing from an iPhone is an application that was designed specifically to communicate with your PC-Based DVR system. This type of system is more full-featured and can provide streaming live video, control of PTZ cameras, control of digital inputs and outputs, playback of pre-recorded video and even saving snapshots right onto your phone. These Alnet PC based systems provide the best features and functionality for iPhone users, and also have clients applications for other PDA phones like Android phones, Windows Mobile Phones, Blackberry phones and more.

By: Michael Dunteman

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The world we live in today can be a scary and dangerous place. Your home is the one place where you should always feel safe and secure. For that feeling of safety and security many people take steps to protect their homes and their families by installing various security devices. One simple and low cost way to get some peace of mind is to install window bars.

Window bars are exactly what they sound like, a set of bars in the window frame to help keep intruders out. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Many sets of window bars available on the market today have a locking mechanism so that intruders can’t get in but you can unlock it if you need to get out through that window in case of an emergency. Window bars are also a good thing to have if you have small children. These bars allow you to have the window open without worrying about a child falling out of the window.

The downside to window bars are that many don’t have any easy to use release mechanism. If there is a fire or some other emergency it may not always be easy to find a key to unlock the bars and the bars would then blocked a potential escape route. In the case of a fire, the bars could possibly block an entry point for firefighters.

If you do choose to use window bars for home security, look for an option that does have an easy quick release mechanism. Preferably a release mechanism that would be easy to use in an emergency and yet something that a child would not be able to release themselves.

Home security window bars may be an inexpensive option but should only be one part of a larger home security plan. To protect your home and your family you should include other components as well such as outdoor lights turned on by motion detectors and possibly a burglar alarm system. There are many things that you can do to protect your home and family and there are a lot of inexpensive home security options available today. A thief is always going to look for the easiest target so anything you can do to make your house more difficult to break into will make your house that much less appealing to a potential thief and they are more likely to move onto an easier target.

By: Stan Jenkins

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