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> Holiday Season Safety and Security tips. Awareness of home safety and security shall not only be raised during the holiday seasons. It is something that we should always take in considerations of. And this includes when we are at work, school, out on the weekends, or even out of town on vacation. These are the perfect timing for intruders to take advantage for breaking and entering. How can we increase our home safety and security standards? What we can do to prevent or eliminate the chances of break and enter from happening? Security Surveillance System it is, in this short article, let’s take a look at some of the key elements when it comes to Security Surveillance System (CCTV). I work at a security installation company (CCTV, Access Control, Automated Doors, Glass & Locks) as Sales Manager & Technical Consultant, our focuses is to provide solutions and products to users for their various size projects. Here are some facts and knowledge that I would like to share with everyone. > Is Security Surveillance System really needed? Based on the report from << Securing Home and Businesses >> by Simon Hakim & Erwin Blackstone, homes without surveillance cameras stands a 2.7 times chance higher to be invaded compare to the ones that are installed. Another study from University of North Carolina shows 83% of home breaking and entering are based on if the home is equipped without an alarm system, and over 60% invaders would not target homes that are equipped with security surveillance system. This is a clear indication to home owners that security surveillance system does play a huge factor to reduce the chances of invasion. This also allows home owners to remote view their property over the internet, or on their mobile phone apps, in the event of an invasion does occur, the surveillance system would greatly increase the chances for the authorities to make arrests. > Does my home need a Security Surveillance System? Generally speaking, most crimes do happen to occur in unsafe neighborhoods, and security surveillance systems would seem to have more demands in those area. But let’s be honest, is this really the truth? There are no definite answer to it, and the fact is criminals will travel between neighborhoods to causes crimes, but can your home always travel to a safe neighborhood and stay under the radar and not become the next victim? Didn’t think so! > Alarm System & Security Surveillance System, What’s the difference? Alarm System = [Notification] function When intruders enters a property, loud siren will go off, and alarm system will send a signal to a central monitoring center, if the intruders cannot identify themselves, authorities will be dispatched. Surveillance System = [Eyes] function Not only having eyes over your property, it can also record the entire incident for later review. And it can be used as evidence to assist authorities to make arrests. Overall, a complete home safety and security system should consist the 2 systems above. It can be viewed remotely, recordings for evidence use and it can also send immediate notification for authorities dispatching. > The most common home safety and security system? Alarm System: A loud siren will go off when the inferred sensors has been triggered by abnormal movements or it can be the magnetic contacts on the doors and windows loses its connections it will also trigger the siren to go off. This serves the purpose to scare off intruders and make awareness. Standard home alarm system monitoring are being offered by monitoring company that will provide 24/7 services, and when the alarm is triggered, their dispatch center will be in contact with you to verify, if needed in some cases, they will dispatch local authorities and emergencies units to your premise. For such services, there are monthly fees and you are most likely tied to a contract. Here are the 3 most common connectivity that these monitoring company would use. 1. Landline: - Traditional way for alarm setup, but if it has been tempered or damaged, it loses connection and the purposes of an alarm system. 2. Cellular (GSM): - Can omit the possibility of tempering and damages of the landline, only suitable for strong cellular signal coverage area, and it is not ideal solution for areas that experience poor signal coverage. 3. Broadband: - Connection are much faster than landline but doesn’t have the speed of a Cellular connection. If power outage or internet service provider terminal malfunction, this would cause down time to the alarm system. Under some circumstances, there are some home owners that don’t want to be tied to a contract and pay a monthly monitoring fees, but will still have an alarm system installed for the siren to go off purposes only. Definitely there won’t be 24/7 monitoring service, and there won’t be monitoring station dispatcher to reach authorities or emergencies units when needed. In some cases, home owners would even only have monitoring company’s stickers and signs on their property, but without an actual alarm system. Surveillance System (CCTV): Cameras are your eyes, they can be install around your property, and it gives you the ability to view different angles of the surroundings of the premise. The can be done over the internet from your personal computer or your mobile smart phones. Also recordings can always be review and backup for evidence use. With the rapid changes in technologies, the new ERA of Surveillance System (CCTV) has changed a lot comparing to the conventional camera system. There are many new functions and capability that a camera can do nowadays, when there are motion detected on a camera, the system can send a picture to the home owner’s email or their mobile as a SMS message. Moreover, home owners can live view, play recordings, or make changes to settings right from their mobile phone or personal computer. For some advanced system, it allows the home owners to integrate their smart home and home automations functions to the Security Surveillance System. > Security Surveillance System advantages & disadvantages. Advantages: 1. False Alarm Chances: For ordinary alarm system, the monitoring company does provide 1-3 times allowance for false alarm per year. If incidences exceeds, there will be penalty charges. Not only that there are penalties, the home owners will have to verify if their premise is trouble free at the time of occurrence. 2. Barrier for Intruders: Intruders will not pick any random homes as target, they will study and monitor before they act. Homes with only the signs and stickers around the property, or without an actual monitoring system are the mostly targeted. But with a Surveillance Camera System installed, intruders know that they will be capture on camera, this will create the barrier of fear. And the chances of being a targeted home will greatly reduce. 3. Other benefits: • Over view the baby sister or nursery personal • Cleaning personal or Gardener • Deliveries • Inside and outside surrounding conditions • Pets • Any fixtures being forgotten to disable (lights/garage doors) Disadvantages: 1. Having a Security Surveillance System doesn’t mean you are worried free and in safe zoom. The camera system and the alarm system are there to protect you, your family members, and your property. And it is there to reduce the chance to becoming a victim. 2. Security Surveillance System cannot completely replace the ordinary alarm system. Not until the technologies have come up with a combined system, having both system installed would still be your ultimate choice. 3. Live recording footage are legal in many provinces, but it is illegal to record voice or audio without proper notice. 4. There is a life to everything, same for electronic products. The camera’s inferred lights will have its normal wear and tear when they comes on to provide clear night vision during low light conditions. But once the inferred lights becomes malfunctions, during the day, there won’t be any issues, but at night, it will be all blacken out. > What is a good spot for a camera to be installed? Main Front Door & Backyard Entrance: This will provide a clear record of whom was at the main entry points or in and out of the premise. Select an angle that will give you the coverage of the door and the person’s facial image. Most of our standard mail boxes are without locks, provide coverage to the mailbox would also be a great consideration. Large Window Area: Windows are just another entry point for intruders, and it is also an observation point. Some intruders will observe over these large window area to see the conditions of inside. Having cameras installed inside pointing at the windows will provide a in and out coverage. Exterior Wall & Soffits: These area are to provide a clear view of the premise exterior, to cover areas around the building and an overall view of the surroundings. Garage Doors & Drive way: Your vehicle is also a property of yours and it is another highly target object for intruders outside your premise. Outdoor Structures: Swimming pool, storage shade, and fences. Cameras should also be installed and angle to provide an overall view. > Picking the RIGHT system and cameras. 1. Number of Cameras and Expansion of Recording Device: Deciding where the cameras should be installed and the number of cameras are needed to provide the total coverage is the most important point when it comes to getting a surveillance camera system. The consideration on having some extra channels on the recorder would also be a wise idea. Don’t max out the number of channels right from the beginning and when additional cameras are needed, there are no room to add, and replacing the recorder would be your only options. 2. Style of Cameras: Easy to be spotted? Something easy to blend with the structure? Vandal dome cameras with the half sphere dome styles are more discreet, eyeball style cameras are the most common style nowadays, and it is somewhat discreet with its compact size and directional given type of camera. There is also bullet style cameras, they are more directional given and is easy to recognize, however it carries the highest level of awareness. 3. Indoor or Outdoor: Most of the cameras that are available in the market are indoor and outdoor rated. The only concern will be where the cameras are pointing. If the camera are pointed to an incoming driveway, the camera should be capable to counter the headlights of the vehicles, so that the camera will not be blinded. Similar situation for indoor, if a camera is pointing at the windows, the compensation of the exposed light from outside should also be considered. 4. Day and Night Use: Many cameras are equipped with inferred lights for day & night use nowadays, picking a camera to provide the all-around use will be ideal. With the changes in technology, most the camera’s inferred light has transformed into using LED for long lasting and low energy consumption. When installing, beware of the surrounding and avoid any object that will reflect the inferred lights to back to the camera or a whiteout condition will occur. The amount of inferred lights is also a factor for good night vision, it is not always the more the better. Cameras with extra inferred lights are perfect for longer range distance, too much inferred lights will also create a blurry and whiteout image. 5. Remote Access: Forget the ones that doesn’t provide remote access. It is becoming a standard in the market to have the capability to remote view over a mobile app and/or over a personal computer. 6. High Definition Picture Quality: A study from the authorities, due to poor surveillance camera recording, over 80% of the footages are unable to distinguish the details of the criminals. With the new technology of HD cameras, it has greatly improve the detailing of clothing, facial, and even license plate number. 7. Camera’s Angle of View Requirement: The lenses on the camera will determine how wide and how narrow the angle of view, a 2.8mm lens can provide a 90 degree viewing angle. Each area and situation may require a different lens to obtain the best angle of view. Installers often will use a Vari-Focal Lens, a typical Vari-Focal Lens camera can be adjust from 2.8mm~12mm (90-40 degree). Generally, 2.8mm lens will give a wide coverage and more suitable for outdoor use, and 3.6mm lens would be more adequate for indoor use. 8. Camera System Properties: • Analog: Older technology, been used over many years, non-HD image, makes it hard to define facial details or license plates. • HD Analog: New technology, with the HD definition, easy to install, plug and play with existing cables, and economical pricing, it has becoming a very popular choice over the last couple of years. The HD Analog has 3 different category: HD-CVI, HD-TVI, and AHD. Overall, the HD-CVI & HD-TVI has greater quality and improvements over AHD, and since HD 720P & HD 1080P price points are reaching to standard analog level, it is more preferred by residential owners. On the latest release of 4 Mega Pixel from HD-CVI, and 3 Mega Pixel from HD-TVI, the choice of High Definition equipment has just reach a new level. • IP-HD: IP Cameras are based on a network platform and it is the highest level of surveillance cameras system and the IP solution offers much more flexibility, functionality and Mega Pixels for high clarity. The IP 1080P solution has already been phased out, the current entry level of equipment would be a 3 Mega Pixel solution and with advanced equipment reaching 20 Mega Pixel. With a price tag much higher compare to the HD-Analog solution, the IP solutions would more often been used in commercials and higher-end buildings. 9. Price Range for Different Requirement: • HD-CVI and HD-TVI system package price are fair to mid-range, based on an 8 Channel system package prices varies from $700 to $1300 and upwards. • HD-IP pricing are higher, based on an 8 Channel 3 Mega Pixel system package, the price varies from $1500 to $2500 and upwards. The price variations are based on the specifications, style and functions of the cameras. > Comparison of Different Type of Systems Available in the Market: 1. Retail Store Purchase – Hire an Installer or Self-Install Complete system can be purchased from retail stores, self-install or hire a professional installer to do wiring and setup the recorder and cameras. Pros:  Low cost system  Can save on installation cost  Easy plug in play Cons:  May not provide total coverage as needed  Limited functions and capabilities  Pre-made cables, limitations on distance and quality  Defective equipment will require the entire system to be returned or exchange 2. Professional Equipment – Hire an Installer Hire an Installer to make recommendations of what equipment should be use and purchase the professional grade of equipment, get proper wire routing and consultations. Pros:  Professional installation and use of equipment  Select equipment to suit different conditions  Carefully design and proper wire routing plan  Full customer support and warranties on equipment and installations  Integration with home alarm or other home automaton devices Cons:  Equipment & installation cost may varies  Overly charged labor  Amateur installers and bad reputation installation companies > Overall Conclusion: For the safety for you, your family and property, it is still highly recommended to hire a professional company to provide a stable and reliable system. Based on the professionalism to preform proper wire routing and installation. Although the cost to hire a professional company or installer will be higher. But in a long run, what you lose might not be justify to what you are trying to save. Some “LOOK FOR” Elements When Hiring Professional Installers: 1. A proper wire routing plan is a must, the installer must explain where the cameras are being installed, and what view of coverage will be achieve. 2. Make sure the products are not regular consumer products where it can be easily purchase from retail chains. Verify the brands and the type of products that are being offered. 3. To ensure the stability and quality of image, professional installers will not provide or use pre-made cables. 4. Power supply is also an important part to a camera system, check to see if a proper power adapter or a power box is being offered. 5. When cameras are being installed, wiring should not be exposed, especially outdoor cameras. Proper junction boxes are required to keep wires safe and extreme weather. 6. Try to avoid wires that are going behind walls or over ceiling to cross with power cables. There are chances for interference to build up and affected display image. 7. Once installation is complete, double check the camera’s position for best view of coverage, are the cameras secured, any exposed wires, and are the image under each channels are satisfactory with no interference. 8. Consult with multiple Installation Companies or Installers to achieve the best quote, obtain recommendations, compare the differences and pick the ultimate solution. 9. Based on the structure layout and conditions of the project site, the cost of installations may varies. Suggested market installation cost per camera ranges from $120-$350 & upwards. Hope this can help and assist some of you out there whom are interested in getting a CCTV System for your property. Feel free to check with me if you have any questions. Cheers !