Solutions for Challenging Surveillance Lighting

Lighting challenges are very common when setting up a surveillance system. However, it is usually one of the last things people think about when setting up their security cameras. It's not until the cameras are installed that the user looks at the feed, only to be disappointed by bad or challenging lighting. Challenging lighting can come in a variety of flavors: very dark, low light, too bright, and the really annoying case of back lighting where the intensity of the light can vary a lot, namely areas when there are both very bright and very dark areas simultaneously in the camera's field of view.
 

Solutions

Areas that are too dark: Sometimes the area is too dark or even pitch black. This can be solved simply by using an Infrared (IR) Security Camera. By using IR emitters (usually IR LEDs), the camera can send out infrared light to illuminate its target area. The image below was taken from an IR camera in a pitch black room using an iPhone application. The more emitters a camera has, the more effective is it at illuminating a target.

Outdoor areas with low or varying light: The best solution for these types of areas are day and night cameras. These cameras have the ability to see the picture during the day, when there is plenty of sunlight, and also during the night in total darkness. Using photocell activation, the camera recognizes changes in lighting conditions so that once the infrared is no longer needed it switches to non-IR modes.

Areas with back lighting and high-contrast lighting: Take the scenario below as an example, you have a security camera in your lobby. These can be very frustrating areas because when the sun is shining through windows or doors, a standard IP camera will display the door area looking like a big white sheet of light and nothing can be seen outside [see photo 1 below]. Conversely, the dark areas inside the lobby will appear to be black and hard to see [see photo 2 below]. In these situations, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) cameras work great. WDR allows the camera to filter the intense back light surrounding the area. In areas with back lighting (usually in areas where light enters from various angles such as a multi-window room) where the camera points towards the light source (doors or windows), the background washes out the area during the daytime [again photo 1]. With WDR the camera will be able to see through the intense sunlight (or artificial light) resulting in what you see in photo 3.

Photos from geovision.com.tw

For more information about lighting conditions or to purchase cameras equipped with these technologies, visit us at camerasecuritynow.com or call one of our specialists at 1-877-422-1907.

DVR Software Can Detect Theft As It Happens

One of the features not many people know about on the Geovision DVR system is the Missing Object Detection feature. This feature allows the DVR to look at a particular object, and if that object moves, this action will cause an alarm to be sounded. Geovision has a demo of this feature on their website here: http://www.geovision.com.tw/demo/vid/demo4.htm

There are many applications for a feature like this, especially in places where valuables may be easily accessible to the public. Imagine a sports bar that has a signed piece of memorabilia at the bar. Bartenders often get busy and may not notice if a patron were to quickly swipe the piece and leave. By setting up a Geovision DVR system to the watch the bar and especially the memorabilia, the bar owner can ensure that the piece doesn't get stolen regardless of whether their staff is paying attention to it or not.

This instant notification is much better for security protection than just being able to review the video after the theft. It is easy to conceal one's identity and hide one's face with the use of hoods, ball caps, etc. When reviewing video of a theft, oftentimes it is impossible to get a clear identity of the thief. With the instant notification that Missing Object Detection gives you, you can catch the thief while he or she is still on the premises and before they've disappeared.

If you'd like to see other demonstrations about the Geovision Missing Object Detection feature or get a quote on getting a Geovision DVR system in your business, contact CameraSecurityNow.com at 877-422-1907.

Security & Marketing Analysis: Two Birds With One Stone

Did you know that a Geovision DVR can count? Geovision has the technology to count the number of people entering and exiting a given space. By doing nothing other than setting up a video surveillance system with a Geovision DVR, you can instantly know how many people have passed by the visual field of a security camera. This built-in feature can have many interesting applications and can turn your surveillance system into a data gathering tool. While insuring security and gathering relevant data simultaneously and through the same means, you really can 'kill two birds with one stone' using a Geovision DVR.

Data Sampling For Marketing Analysis
You can keep a close eye on traffic to and from your store each day and even have an accurate ratio of customers who purchased to customers who were just 'window shopping'. If your cameras are placed strategically enough, you can even use this feature to gather data on how many people pass by a given product display or particular retail department, allowing you to gather market viability of a product or its display.

For Large Events
If an event like a convention or trade show is large enough, boosted video surveillance is a good idea. In addition to added security, you can also keep track of how many attendees you have. By setting up cameras connected to a Geovision DVR, you can let the People Counting feature run and always have an updated number on people currently attending your event. With strategically placed cameras, you can even keep track of where attendees tend to gravitate, giving you an accurate impression of the relevant markets that your event might focus on. If you are exhibiting at a trade show, you might even set up a small surveillance system to track how many people enter and exit your own exhibition space.

When in the market for a video surveillance system, it is important to be aware of all that you can get out of the system that you purchase or rent. With features like the People Counting feature, as well as other useful features, a Geovision DVR allows for multiple applications of a surveillance system over and above mere security. Which makes its purchase, lease or rental well worth your investment.

Find out what is going on in the Tech Army World.



What are the Top 10 Money Making Missions?

What other companies have joined and what do they do?

How do I join the
Tech Army Organization ?

GeoVision's new 5MP Fisheye

GeoVision's newest 5 Megapixel Fisheye is capable of doing what a system of several cameras does all by itself. With a 360 degree view that has no blind spot and features an interface that is both user-intuitive and user-friendly, this security camera makes a perfect addition to an inclusive surveillance system.

Features that make this camera so great:
5-MP: High resolution and clear, crisp images.
Moving Object Tracking: Target a person or object and track it. Simple as that.
Desired View: 360 degrees of source image allows the user to view at any angle and any zoom level.
Privacy Mask: Block out portions of the video to ensure privacy.
Rugged: Good for outdoor use.
Tampering Alarm: Alert beforehand any damage to the camera view
Other Features: Virtual PTZ, Auto Pan, Visual Automation, Electronic Day/Night, Built-in Microphone and Speaker

Having one of these cameras could reduce the number of cameras necessary in your surveillance system, saving you money.

To get an idea of what this camera is capable of, check out Andy's video demo below of the comparable 4MP Fisheye.

DIY: Build and Configure a GeoVision DVR

Camera Security Now is proud to present a 10 Part Do-It-Yourself GeoVision Series on how to build and configure a CCTV DVR. GeoVision is widely considered to be the leader in business class DVR technology and from the beginning Camera Security Now has identified GeoVision as the best value for our clients.

In these video tutorials, Brian Wood (Woodio) of Camera Security Now teaches the basics of how to build your own CCTV DVR so that our customers can learn the ins and outs of their security camera systems.

Check out the 10 Part Series:

Part 1: Building a DVR Server
Part 2: Setting a Storage Location
Part 3: Setting Up a Dynamic DNS
Part 4: Backing Up Your Video
Part 5: Setting a Motion Detection Mask

Part 6: Opening Firewall Ports
Part 7: CCTV Cable Crimping
Part 8: Weatherproof IR Camera Demo
Part 9: Installing a PTZ Camera
Part 10: Audio Interface Adapters

When choosing a Security Camera vendor for your security needs remember that Camera Security Now offers an unprecedented level of pre and post sale support.

For more information on building or configuring a DVR or to inquire about purchasing one, contact our CCTV experts at 877-422-1907 or visit us at CameraSecurityNow.com

New IP Solutions from GeoVision

GeoVision is all set to demonstrate a new full series of high performance, top quality 1MP WDR, 1.3MP Low Lux, 2MP, 3MP and 5MP H.264 IP cameras. The different camera types include a 360-degree fisheye camera, a box camera, a cube camera, a mini fixed dome camera, an IR fixed dome camera, an IR vandal proof dome camera, an IR bullet camera, an IR arctic camera, an IR PTZ camera, a standard PTZ camera and an IP speed dome camera. In addition to all that, GeoVision is also offering a free full featured 32-channel GV-NVR.

If you are looking for a TV-out solution of IP surveillance, then an HD IP video decoder, which has the ability to decode 1 x 1080p, 4 x 720p or 9 x D1 in 30fps, will be available for you. However, GeoVision isn't done there, they have another product that they want to showcase, a 13" display pad which has the HD IP video decoder built directly in. This product comes with a remote control that allows users to select a certain camera, scan the display and even set up an application.

If you are looking for more of a large scale IP surveillance project, you can opt for the 128-channel GV-Recording Server. The 128-channel GV-Recording Server supports ONVIF as well as PSIA and is another new product that GeoVision is debuting to the market.

GeoVision is debuting a host of other products as well including the Video Wall solution designed for central management as well as a Focus Adjustment Utility which decreases the manpower necessary for focusing GeoVision multi-megapixel IP cameras.

GeoVision's GV-Hybrid DVR and GV-NVR both feature a 32-channel monitoring setup, smart video management and a built-in video analysis. In addition to that, they both enable users to apply analytic scenarios to best fit their needs like a 360-degree fisheye dewarping and tracking, face indexing, face counting, face masked alarms, people counting, tampering alarm, missing or unattended object detection, intrusion alarm, defog, video stabilization, crowd detection, digital tracking and PTZ tracking.

The GV-NVR is an ONVIF and PSIA conformance product and it also supports more than 1,000 IP camera models from all the leading manufacturers.

Source: Security Info Watch - GeoVision to introduce new IP solutions

Find out what is going on in the Tech Army World.



What are the Top 10 Money Making Missions?

What other companies have joined and what do they do?

How do I join the
Tech Army Organization ?

GeoVision CCTV DVR Servers

GeoVision is popular among consumers due to its immense array of DVR and NVR products, but they also have a full line of servers as well. Each of GeoVision's servers is unique in different ways so if you are planning on getting one, it is important you know what they are, what they do and why a particular one may be better for you than another.

Tower Servers - Tower servers are an excellent office surveillance solution. They may be located anywhere on a local area network or stand alone. Tower servers are great replacements for existing low tech VHS systems and they also replace switches, multiplexers and recording devices in one self-contained unit. They also work with existing CCTV camera technology.

Cube Servers - Cube servers leave a very small carbon footprint and may be installed at a remote location. Multiple systems can be interconnected for use in large facilities and can connect to a switch or hub for total access. Cube servers may also be used for covert operations without a local keyboard or monitor.

VCR Replacement Servers - VCR replacement servers have the same footprint as a VCR when used in CCTV applications. These servers are good for general purpose office surveillance solutions and may be located anywhere on a local area network or stand alone.

Floor Mount Industrial Servers - These servers bolt to the floor, are difficult to steal, rugged for industrial applications, and good for construction trailers and other tough facilities. They also have filters on them in order to keep the server running in a dusty environment.

Tool Box Servers - These servers, like the floor mounted servers, are rugged for industrial applications, construction trailers or other tough facilities. They also have filters to keep the server running in a dusty environment. The only difference is that these servers are not mounted to the floor.

Rack Mount Servers - Rack mount servers are for server room-based surveillance and may be clustered or interconnected. Cabling options include cat-5 and coax with runs up to 2000 feet. Data can be stored on DVR Server Hard Drives, NAS Boxes or SANs.

If you have any questions about which server is right for you, how to acquire a server, how to get one set up or would like more information on each of the different server styles, then head on over to CameraSecurityNow.com. They are trusted and qualified GeoVision server technicians and are capable of handling any of your GeoVision Server needs.

Projector Rentals
Are Great for Business Meetings

Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.