Setting Up A Robust Surveillance Network
Technology is constantly becoming cheaper and higher quality. Thanks to an explosion of innovation, a combination of faster computers, faster internet, and easier development at the business and consumer level, devices such as surveillance cameras and recording systems can be connected to computers and tweaked for amazing features without requiring an engineer's level of skills.
What Can A Network-Enabled Surveillance System Do?
Many surveillance systems of the past have proprietary systems that can be difficult to use. The monitoring part is usually easy as long as the system is installed correctly, but recording and tracking down specific times in the system can be a challenge.
Newer surveillance systems with network features are a combination of a lot more intuitive options. Although computers are more high tech and have advanced configurations, the end user experience is mostly connecting a few cables and using a mouse or keyboard.
By connecting a surveillance camera to a computer, you can record information on a simple point and click system that makes it easier to retrieve evidence. With certain models, software or considerable programming skill, you can even control the camera's focus and direction if installed on a rotating mount.
The recording features can go beyond taps and discs. In addition to storing the video on a computer's hard drive or solid state drive, you can configure the output as a video stream. This means that your video can be played on the internet using sites such as YouTube, Earthcam, Livestream, and many others.
You have full control over where the videos go. Private streaming sites are available, or you can open the videos to limited audiences. Fully public is always an option, but make sure that only the outside perimeter cameras are public unless you're fine with anyone in the world stumbling in on cameras pointing inside your home.
Finding Surveillance Systems With Features You Need
There are a few specific cameras that are designed for use with computers and network, but these merely add more features. Almost any modern video camera can work with a computer if it has a proper adapter to convert the video signal to something that the computer understands.
If you don't already have surveillance cameras, opt for Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled cameras. These are already designed to work with computer input and output and can be controlled more easily across a network.
The term network refers to connected computers and devices, which mostly means your computers and devices connected to a router. It's possible to just connect the camera straight to the computer, but there is usually a dual connection for a straight-through connection and a network connection. Every camera has a different set of features for both options.
To purchase a surveillance kit that has the best experience, you're looking for three things: a network connection, a USB or video card connection, and software compatible with your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux distributions, etc).
Contact a surveillance and security company, such as Enhanced Telecommunications and Data, to find surveillance cameras, adapters, cables, and the right software to make your new surveillance system as efficient and full of great features as possible.