Home Security News

Internet Security Camera, Easier Than Ever for Homeowners to Install

If you've ever thought an internet security camera sounded cool, now's a great time to pick one up (or even install a network of them).

Prices have really come down, and the technology is getting easier and easier to implement all the time.  It really has become a plug-and-play kind of installation.

If this is your first time reading about internet security cameras, here are some of the cool things they can do:

• Let you monitor your home from work or even an internet cafe on the other side of the world.
• View your home's interior or exterior from an internet-enabled cell phone.
• Use one as a nanny cam to keep an eye on the babysitter caring for your children while you're away.
• Capture a video recording of anyone entering your home without authorization (i.e. catch thieves in the act!)

There are lots more features, too, depending on the model you get (some let you pan, tilt, and zoom in, all from a remote computer).  You can visit this site to read more about security cameras and internet security cameras.

Types of Home Video Surveillance Systems

If you're thinking of adding a video surveillance system to your home security system, it will allow you to monitor what's going on when you're not around, rather than just waiting for an alarm to go off.  You might be able to catch a burglar on tape, or just keep track of your grounds and watch for suspicious activity that occurs when no one is home. 

According to this article on "Home Security Cameras" there are two types of video surveillance systems: overt and covert.  Basically this means systems that are hidden and systems that are openly visible to anyone who comes to the house. 

Both types of systems have their merits.  With covertly hidden cameras (sometimes called "nanny cams"), you can monitor people who are in your house for babysitting, pet-sitting, cleaning, maintenance, or what have you. This can be a good way to go if you're not 100% sure of the people who are in and out of your home for various reasons, or even if you just want to keep an eye on things from work, vacation, etc. 

If you want to install a video surveillance system primarily for home security reasons (to stop burglars), an overt system may be better.  Instead of using hidden security cameras, you make the cameras plainly visible.  This can be a smart decision, especially with outdoor cameras that monitor the grounds and entrances, because if a potential burglar sees the camera, he or she may very well move on.  Burglars don't want to get caught (duh!), so all other things being equal they'll strike a house without a home security system before tackling one with one, and nothing says I've got a security system like a camera mounted by the front door!

More articles on home video surveillance: security cameras

Sales of Counter-surveillance Equipment on the Rise

If you think only James Bond worries about who's spying on him, think again.  More and more people are worried about who's got video cameras where and who might be watching them.  This is hardly surprising considering how small devices are these days and how easy it is for people to sneak hidden cameras into places, not to mention all the corporate entities keeping an eye on their employees. 

This has increased the number of people interested in buying counter-surveillance equipment, such as detectors that let you know when there's a camera in the room.  Whether you don't want your bosses and co-workers spying on your or you're worried someone's cell phone is a camera snapping pictures of you in the locker room at the gym, there are devices to counter these measurements. 

More at "Bosses Get into 007 Gadgets"

Dummy Motion-Sensing Camera Is Realistic

So you like the idea of a home security system, complete with video surveillance cameras, but you just can't afford the expense right now.  To be safe, you can follow some common sense stuff (lock the doors and windows, don't leave tools out that burglars could use to break in, etc.), but you could also add some fake "dummy" security cameras around the outside of your house.

Usually fake cameras look, well, fake.  But this motion-sensing dummy camera from SmartHome is a bit more realistic.  When the motion sensor is triggered, the camera's scanner motor goes on and activates a flashing light, which simulates an actual motion-sensing security camera.

Most burglars don't want to be caught on tape (duh!), so just having something like this mounted by your front door may prove an effective deterrent against crime.  The fake model is $24.99 and available online:

Motion-Sensing Dummy Cam

Silver Bullet Camera, Color by Day, Infrared by Night

If  you're thinking of installing a video surveillance system (or upgrading your existing system), one of the most important aspects is the security cameras.  You can get pretty good deals, and easily compare features, by shopping for these things online. 

The SmartHome Silver "Bullet" Camera caught my eye when I was over on their site this morning, mostly because I like the sleek design.  The features aren't bad either.  This security camera has color video that automatically switches to infrared at night.  This way you can perfectly see anyone that approaches the house, even when it's pitch dark outside. 

With other cameras with this kind of dual night/day capabilities, you often have to remember to manually switch it over, so it's nice that this one does it automatically.  Anyway, the security camera is just over $150 at SmartHome, if you're interested:

Smarthome Silver Bullet Camera

Ceiling-mounted Security Camera

You've seen those little round ceiling-mounted security cameras in stores, right?  They're kind of creepy up there, aren't they?  As if someone is watching your every move, and you can't even tell exactly which direction the lens of the camera is pointing...

Well, now you can have a cool ceiling-mounted security camera like that as a part of your home surveillance system.  Now it'll be potential burglars who will feel uncomfortable if they're scoping out your house.  The X10 Sentinel camera is designed for outdoor use (mount it above your porch or in the eaves of your house), though there's no reason it couldn't be used indoors too.  It can withstand severe weather conditions, and it has such advanced features as 44X zoom, pan, tilt, and easy set up. 

The best part is that you can get a wireless version, so you don't have to install a complicated security system with wires in the walls and everything to get it up and running.  You can also get a version that's remote controlled via Internet connection, so you could keep an eye on your front door even while you're at work.

44X Zoom Video Camera System

Security Cameras Increase in Popularity

Security cameras are just about everywhere in the government and commercial sector (note a recent article on security cameras monitoring courthouses), but they're becoming more and more popular for residential use as well.

They are a smart part of any home security system.  You shouldn't use security cameras alone (since being able to identify the "perp" can only help you get your stuff back, whereas an alarm system will prevent a thief from entering the premises in the first place), but combining them with an alarm system, sturdy doors and locks (including windows), and a common-sense attitude toward home security (i.e. lock doors when you step out, set the alarm, etc.) can go a long ways toward protecting your home and your family.  Many would-be burglars won't even consider your house if they see a prominently displayed security camera on the premises.

Hidden security cameras are also popular among homeowners who would like to monitor what's going on in their house when they're not there (this is particularly useful when your children are being watched by a babysitter or someone is coming in to feed your pets/take care of your house while you are gone).

Today's technology makes installing a basic camera system relatively easy.  Thanks to home computer software and wireless components, a do-it-yourself installation is perfectly possible. 

You can get more information on the types of security cameras available at Security Cameras and Systems.

Baby Monitor with Camera--and Night Vision too

Watching out for your kids is a big part of home security--after all, they're the most important reason you want to make sure your home is safe for them.  When you've got a new baby, you're even more concerned.  No matter what precautions you take to make the baby's room child-proof, you'll worry.  That's why so many parents decide to buy a baby monitor with camera.  In ye olden days, you had to settle for a walkie-talkie kind of deal where you could only listen to the baby, but now you can set up a camera to watch the crib.  The Palm Watch II, which is for sale over at Smart Home for $150, transmits the video feed to a portable receiver.  That way you can take the baby monitor all over the house or backyard--anywhere you're doing things--and you can take a peek any time to check in on the baby.

This particular camera has an added feature: night vision.  I think that's pretty cool, because that way you don't have to worry about the light keeping your baby up when it's nap time, but you can still keep an eye on what's going on.

Palm Watch II Baby Monitor with Camera

Panasonic Wired Network Camera Review

Jimmy left a short review of the Panasonic Wired Network Camera in the comments section on another page, but I figured it was interesting enough to make a post of (with his permission), since lots of people are interested in buying do-it-yourself home surveillance equipment/web cams that take pictures while you're gone.  So without further ado:

Panasonic Wired Network Camera Review

I received this Panasonic web camera as a birthday day present last summer which was pretty cool. My family wasnt thinking about home security at first. They just thought it would be a fun techy toy for me. Something I could tap into and access from work. This is because the camera can be operated over the Internet. I can tell it to pan and tilt so I can get pictures from any angle. The pictures get uploaded to the family web server so we can all log in and check on the house. It was nice this summer when we were on vacation. We positioned it in the living room and were able to check on the kid who came in to feed our cats. Not that we expected anything to happen but it is just piece of mind, you know?

The camera was pretty easy to set up for someone who knows how to changes settings and poke around on their computer and web space but might be a little more complicated for someone who isnt web savy.  There are directions though so if you're patient you could probably do ok. 

After a few months the Panasonic web camera is still working well.  Even though the cats have knocked it to the floor a couple times (make sure to secure it or put it someplace high if you have pets) it is still working fine.  We're actually going to order a couple more for Christmas so we can monitor more of the house.  That's all I have to say.  There are some longer reviews at amazon for people who are thinking of buying.

--Jimmy Foxworth

The Panasonic network camera is available on Amazon for under $200: Panasonic Wired Network Camera

Types of Home Video Surveillance

According to the Home Security Information site, there are two types of home video surveillance: covert and overt.  Covert systems employ hidden cameras (i.e. nanny cams disguised as teddy bears), in order to identity the thief without them ever knowing it.  There must be something appealing about this, because a lot of people are interested in hidden video cameras.  Must be the voyeurs in us.  In truth, an overt system, or one where the cameras are prominently displayed, is more of a deterrent for thieves.  They see the cameras, assume you have a good home security system, and decided to bother someone else.  With a covert system, even if you ID the thief, he's still made off with your belongings, and they'll probably be pawned long before the police ever catch the thief (if they do.)

Read the whole article for more on home video surveillance information.