Wednesday, 22 January 2014

How Digital Video Recorders Improve Security Systems



There is no question that video footage from surveillance cameras has helped locate, charge, and convict criminals. But in order to be useful to law enforcement personnel, surveillance video must be of high quality, and it must be fully traceable to a specific camera, location, and security system computer. Today's digital video recorders do away with the degradation that was common when video footage was recorded on analog tapes. A scene can be viewed an infinite number of times without the image losing quality. Furthermore, today's security cameras provide traceability through the hardware and software used to process digital imagery.
Processing of Visible and Infrared Images
Sometimes thieves or vandals commit their crimes thinking that because it's dark or because they can't see any video cameras that they will go unnoticed. However, cameras with infrared ("night vision") capabilities and cameras that are well-hidden in Exit signs or other disguises often catch criminals in the act. When you're looking at security cameras systems with infrared detection capability and image processing should be of high priority if your system needs to work in dimly lit areas. A clip from your system's digital video recorder can clearly show a person and their actions even if they are all but invisible to the eye.
Motion Detection to Provide On-Demand Surveillance
Another great feature of many surveillance camera systems is motion detection. Whether used around a home or a business, motion detection systems only click on and start recording when action is detected. These systems can also be set up to remotely notify the business or home owner when activity has been detected, so that they can notify law enforcement even if they are far away from the location of the camera. Motion detection systems also cut down on the amount of footage archived on digital video recorders where there is no activity.
Remote Viewing of Surveillance Footage
If you are evaluating security cameras systems that allow remote viewing of information on your digital video recorder over the internet give you the freedom you need and the security you want. In some cases, surveillance information can be accessed through smart phone applications, meaning you can see what's going on no matter where you happen to be. Installing a digital security camera system gives you 24/7 coverage of your home or business, and is far less expensive than hiring after hours security personnel.
Making Security More Affordable
It isn't only banks and big businesses that can afford a security camera system these days. As digital video technology has matured, cameras have become better, faster, and cheaper, so that even the smallest Mom and Pop business can avail themselves of all the benefits of a digital security system. Individual cameras only cost a few hundred dollars, and complete multi-camera systems with a digital video recorder and necessary software can now be obtained for under $2,000. Even if your system only prevents one or two thefts, it will have paid for itself in short order. You owe it to your business and your employees to provide a safe location, and doing that is now more practical and affordable than ever.