What You Should Know About Dome Cameras

In case you couldn't tell from the name, a dome camera is a security camera housed in, yep, you guessed it, a dome casing. There are a bunch of different models of dome cameras ranging from infrared to varifocal to fixed lenses or even monochrome and color cameras. Some dome cameras are even resistant to tampering, having a high resistance polycarbonate casing.

In the world of dome cameras there are two main types, fixed cameras that are static and remain in one position and PTZ cameras which have the ability to pan (P), tilt (T) and zoom (Z). Most of the dome cameras on the market are covered with a dark dome. This is to make it more challenging to see in which direction the camera is focused. Most dome cameras also have varifocal lenses that make it possible for the camera to observe a 360 degree area.

Your dome camera can also have an infrared lens as well as some other day and night features like changing from color to monochrome in low light conditions. One key factor of the dome camera is that it is almost completely resistant to vandals. Dome cameras are also ideal for use outside as many dome cameras are weatherproof and can easily withstand the harsh fury of mother nature.

One thing many people are worried about with security cameras is the installation process. However, dome cameras are quite easy to install. Most dome camera systems usually come with all the necessary mounting brackets and other equipment. Dome cameras can also be mounted in nearly any location and on nearly any surface.

If you are looking to purchase a dome camera, then you should look for one that has good protection from both nature and vandals. You should also look for one that has good white balance as well as an auto gain feature. Also important is a low lux rating if you are looking to get the best possible images during the night or in situations of low light.

Picking the right security camera is vital and with this information you can hopefully pick the right type of camera, whether it be a dome, bullet, box or PTZ camera.

Source: Security World News

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ATM Security Camera Catches Robbers

You'd think that with all the high profile crime dramas on t.v. and in movies that this generation of criminals would be smarter. The saying "Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat" seems to come to mind here as a group of robbers in Minneapolis completely forgot that ATM machines had security cameras on them and proceeded to rob somebody directly in front of one.

Two women and a man kidnapped a woman at gunpoint on December 15, 2010 on West Broadway in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They then forced her to hand over her ATM card as well as her secret password as they helped themselves to all of her money. However, and this is where stupid comes into play, two of the criminals either A) didn't notice the camera. B) forgot about the camera, or C) have clearly missed out on every episode of C.S.I.

Because of this flub, the criminals' faces were recorded for all the world to see and laugh at. The driver of the car, according to the cameras as well as the witness, was described as a black female, about 20 years old, of light build with a light brown complexion and long black hair and was dressed in a black hooded coat.

The suspect seen at the ATM itself is described as being a black female, 18 to 20 years old, approximately 5'4" to 5'7" with a light build and medium complexion, black hair and a lip piercing. She was described as wearing a blue hooded jacket with pink and white pajama pants. I still don't see how people think pajama pants are acceptable outside apparel. The male was, unfortunately, not seen on the ATM security camera.

According to Minneapolis police, the woman was kidnapped as she was walking out of the Broadway Winner a little before 10 p.m. that night. The kidnappers apparently abducted her, drove her to a nearby ATM, stole all of her money and then released her about a block away. The woman was unharmed, however, the robbers were not caught.

At least with the footage from the ATM police have a clear visual image of two of the three robbers which they have released to the public. Police are asking anybody with any information about the two women in the security footage to notify Officer Patricia Nelson at 612-673-3013 or the Robbery/Assault Unit at 612-673-2941.

Source: City Pages

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Need Some Extra Security?

Everybody wants to keep their home and family safe, especially during the holidays when a break-in threat is at its highest. That is why surveillance systems are so popular. People recognize the threat out there and are doing their best in order to make sure they do not become another victim. The most efficient means of protecting your home and family is a comprehensive surveillance system.

A comprehensive surveillance system has two main purposes, to keep intruders out or to scare them off. But in the unfortunate event that neither of those happens, a comprehensive surveillance system can at least offer visual recordings of what happened and who did it.

Properties equipped with surveillance systems are usually passed up by criminals. When there is no alarm to go off and no footage of what is happening, the risk of getting caught diminishes drastically. That is why it is always a good idea to to install your surveillance cameras in an easy to see area just in case someone thinks of breaking in.

Alarm systems that you may get through Brinks or some other company are good. They send alerts to you or the security company who can then notify authorities. The only bad thing is that by the time that happens, it may already be too late. Surveillance cameras can provide physical evidence of both the crime and the intruder which can help police in capturing the thief or at least get some of your belongings back.

Surveillance systems have been considered a luxury in the past because they used to be very expensive. However, due to technological advances, full surveillance systems are affordable to nearly anybody who needs one. Just keep in mind the size of your property when getting a system. How big or how small your property is can greatly affect the type and price of your surveillance system.

Motion sensors are also a good idea. Many burglars are creative and can find holes in your system. That is why you should pay close attention to where you place your cameras and how you should angle them. Motion sensors will trigger your system whenever any motion is detected, eliminating the deficit of camera holes.

One good feature is the ability of your cameras to be integrated into your existing system. If you have an alarm system monitored by an alarm company, then you can also have them monitor your camera feeds as well. If you want another option, then you can always go with having your camera feed live footage directly to your home computer, mobile device or laptop.

Whichever way you roll the dice, you cannot go wrong with a comprehensive surveillance system. With one you can potentially deter criminals from breaking into your house for good or at least catch them in the act and have physical proof to give to your local authorities.

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Biometric Security Surveillance

What is Biometric Security Surveillance? It sounds like something out of a spy movie, doesn't it? Well, Biometric Security Surveillance is basically technical methods through which your personality and/or unique factors that define who you are are calculated and thoroughly investigated so that they can be legitimized, acknowledged or recognized and/or examined for different purposes. There are many unique factors that humans possess. Patterns on the face, fingerprints, DNA and others are just a few examples. A person's personality may be in physical features like the way they walk, stand or sit, their voice, hair length, mannerisms etc... All of these things can be used in Biometric Security Surveillance.

Many technologies that deal with biometric security surveillance have been developed to date. Some use high quality video cameras that, when something like a face recognition program software has been installed, are able to give the desired results. This implies that even if the video was taken when the desired person was far away, even as far as 200 meters, and their face may not be recognizable to a normal video camera or the human eye, the facial recognition software will be able to clearly identify their face. Departments in the U.S. Government decided to fully fund these technologies to ensure that they are as efficient as possible when they first discovered them.

Recently, new discoveries have emerged that show a link between a person's DNA and their fingerprint. What this means is that by having a person's DNA in a computer database, they can scan their fingerprint and gain access to the secured location or data. This should make work for the Federal Government a lot faster and easier, and because of this they are building databases which will accommodate all of this information. The biometric information that will be contained in these databases will include fingerprints, palm prints, eye information, DNA, facial recognition information and as well as various other information.

There is also a program that has been developed to be used in conjunction with computers where a person's emotions can be analyzed based on a variety of different factors. This allows the computer program to predict the mood of a person from all the data it collects to come up with the current emotions for that person.

The new advancements in security are no less than spectacular. It seems like every day we are becoming more and more like the spy movies we watch. Soon we may even be able to make silicon faces of other people and mimic their voices, but I would not hold out on that for too long.

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Driveway Security Cameras

Security Camera Tips and Benefits for Protecting Your Driveway

The use of Security Cameras at a private residence is becoming much more common. While not a new concept, recent advances in technology, the lowering of the cost of camera hardware, and the increased need for security in many areas have spurred this trend to record levels over the last year.

If you are new to the concept of using security cameras in order to keep an eye on your home or your driveway then we should  review some of the basic benefits and options that you may want to consider.

The first thing to consider is, obviously, what's in your driveway. Why, for example, would you want to watch your driveway in live time from inside your home or even in live time while on vacation? Is the need serious enough to justify the cost of a professional grade security system? Then, consider whether or not you would have the need to keep a recorded copy of the driveway activity. Also worth thinking about is the benefit of having the security system notify you via text message, phone call, or e-mail should there be activity in your driveway during any special time for which you have chosen to monitor and receive alerts for.

Many people simply want to keep an eye on their driveway because it contains some very expensive items. For example some people may park their RV in their driveway during the off season, and others may have a work truck or vehicle parked there with valuable tools. Other times you simply want to know who's come over or pulled into your driveway while you were out.

Continues: Driveway Security Cameras

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Gas Station Security Camera Thoughts

Security Cameras at Gas Stations is not a new concept but it is one that should be touched on and brought up to speed with the economic times of today.

Most gas stations across the country have been using one form or another of security cameras for years. Many stations still have their original taped-based security system while others still use just a monitor with no recording device at all. If you are using tape based our not recording at all, you need to upgrade as soon as possible.

Here is some good news for upgradingThe wire that the CCTV security cameras are most likely using is a common coax cable still used today. This allows a great deal of the old infrastructure and sometimes the cameras themselves to be easily incorporated into a new PC Based DVR security system.

Security Cameras Save you Money Not Cost you Money
A security camera system at a gas station can be a great way to cut down on merchandise shrinkage from both staff and customers, and it can also be a great deterrent and aid in the prevention and prosecution of drive-offs.


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Gas Station Security Camera Systems

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Ohio to Link Security Cameras

The Controlling Board, a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers, approved $235,000 for a Homeland Security project that links cameras throughout Oho.

Ohio's Camera Integration Project to link and monitor thousands of security cameras in Ohio is underway. The project will be modeled after one that has operated in Alabama since 2006. Alabama's system, called Virtual Alabama, came together in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Thousands of cameras that monitor roads, schools and private businesses will be used in an effort to provide more eyes for first responders in emergencies.

Ohio's Camera Integration Project will be accessible by police, firefighters and other 'authorized officials.' The integration will include government-operated systems watching highways, public buildings and airports, and the private security cameras at businesses, shopping malls, office complexes and other major facilities. Privately help companies will not be required to join.

Video from the cameras will not be continually monitored, recorded or stored rather they will be used as a resource during emergencies.

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