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Camera-systems:which one is right for you?Home > Camera Systems How do you know which is the best system to choose? But first, what is it that goes into every Camera System? Here is the answer. A few elements, notably one or more home surveillance cameras, transmission media, monitors and possibly recorders (depending on the purpose) are present in all Camera-systems. These are being dealt with in detail in other pages of this Website. If you want to know how to select one of the best security cameras you may wish to see our other page on Surveillance Cameras. However critical items may make-up quite different Camera-systems on budget, as we are going to see in the following camera surveillance guide. You will find in this Website all you need to know about home security cameras but you should know the options before deciding. Your home surveillance system may look somewhat different, but it will still show essential similarity with one of the following, showing you the best camera viewing system detail. Even if you wish to purchase a complete, self contained surveillance camera system you still should decide which type you prefer, as explained in the following.
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Camera-systems come in Three Basic Types How you select the best video quality home surveillance, on a budget, from the three basic types? 1 - The first Camera-system of this diy video surveillance guide is based on Analog Technology and makes use of long time proven magnetic tape recording devices. Analog in this context means that the video electronic signal is a continuous waveform with inserted synchronizing signals. All the critical elements in the chain must be also analog, to accept and display the signal provided. If you decide to set up only the real time viewing feature, without recording at all, the system will be even simpler. We will see this solution applied for Entrance Door Surveillance. Although a home recorder, also called a Video Cassette Recorder or VCR, could be used in principle if the views of only one camera are to be recorded, this option may not be practical because of the need to change, manually, the tape at too short time intervals. We deal with special Time Lapse Recorders and Multiplexers in more detail in another page (click on Video Recording) The main benefit of using this system is that it is quite simple and does not request complex programming expertise. It may also be less expensive than more complex outfits. The system is self contained, without the capability to transmit images to long distance via Internet or of being queried from far away.
One should also consider the shortcomings. These however, in our opinion, are not much important for simple home surveillance projects. The video quality is considered inferior when compared to digital Camera-systems and may be degraded in time (but who needs to keep security records for a long time?). The video tape has to be changed when full to permit further recording. Recorders need a minimum of cleaning and maintenance. 2 - The second Camera-system is based on Digital Technology and utilizes surveillance camera hardware assembled specially for performing the required functions and for recording on magnetic Hard Disks. It includes special software to permit program control. Programming is performed with a hand held remote control of the type used with regular video tape recorders. The images are digitized before being recorded. Digitized means represented by numbers (that are expressed in a PC in long series of zeros and ones), rather than by a continuous waveform. This presentation permits manipulation by computer technology and provides additional advantages such as freedom from quality losses. The hardware based Camera-systems include a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), where digital images are saved to the hard disc drive. Viewing is on analog monitors. For play back the DVR converts recordings back to an analog signal to be sent to the monitor. Internet connection is possible. 3 - The third Camera-system that can be considered is again based on Digital Technology but employs a standard dedicated Personal Computer (PC). Depending on requirements, relative to its wide ranging capabilities, it may represent one of the most economic solutions. In addition to the standard PC components, these systems include video capture cards, essentially analog to digital converters (ADC), and special comprehensive software to control all the required functions. Knowing what you will need lets you put together the best personal computer (pc) based surveillance camera system. One of the biggest advantages is that standard file compression formats are used to limit the amount of hard drive space occupied. Another is that the computer screen is used as a monitor. A third benefit is that viewing is possible through the Internet. Backup of records, if needed, is easily accomplished. Playback is possible without interrupting current recording.
Which one of the above Camera-systems technologies is the best for you?
1 - First solution. If you do not need to implement Internet connection and are quite satisfied with the simpler, proven, old fashioned video cassette recorder (VCR) technology, then the first Camera-system proposed above (Analog Technology) may be all you need. Especially if you just think to become acquainted with the basics of home surveillance with a limited budget, to prepare for future development of a more sophisticate Camera-system with all the capabilities that you will then be able to use and enjoy.
2 - Second solution. If you are not so comfortable with PC programming you might be better off with the second Camera-system proposed (Hardware based Digital Technology) that, although less versatile than the PC based, may still let you enjoy the digital video high quality and Internet connectivity. Note that future expansion may be limited or impossible without major additions. 3 - Third solution. If you are comfortable with PC or if you can get help from some expert person to set up your Camera-system and instruct you on its routine use, this is probably the most versatile solution. Plan from the start for the possible expansion of the system in the future. Your Camera-system can be connected to the Internet, permitting you to monitor from any distance the views of your cameras. Even if you fear you don't know how set up pc based camera systems, once you have procured the elements it will not be hard to find out how to connect them. You should know that you don't need a dedicated PC to operate an Internet based camera. See our page on IP Camera. In related pages we are going to elaborate on the subjects outlined above. Looking for Camera Systems?
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