Posts Tagged ‘IP’


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Fake Security Cameras

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Fake security cameras make great tools that can be used to fill in “gaps” between real digital video cameras in a digital video security system. Used as a standalone item, fake security cameras can also be a less expensive alternative to the real thing. Security Camera King carries professional-looking fake security cameras that can help you complete a camera array in a real system or simulate a real system without the full expense.

In the world of digital video security and surveillance, fake security cameras can play an important and cost savings role. Fake security cameras, also called “dummy” security cameras or simply dummy cameras, look just like the real thing to an unsuspecting eye. They use the same cover and mount as a real security camera and may also contain visible lenses to further closely simulate a real camera.

How does a fake security camera work? A dummy camera is mounted just like a real digital video camera. Fake security cameras are constructed to look the same as any of the three general types of real security cameras. Dummy box cameras that can be mounted on walls, ceilings, and other structures normally consist of the actual box camera case and lens assembly. Dummy bullet cameras can also be mounted on walls, ceilings, and other structures and usually consist of the bullet shaped camera casing and lens assembly. Finally, dummy dome cameras which are usually mounted on ceilings consist of the base plate and dome and may or may not contain a lens assembly or a motion detector with a blinking Light Emitting Diode or LED for a realistic effect.

One of the greatest advantages in using a digital video security camera system is the ability to document an unwanted or criminal event with actual video coverage. The digital video file, once saved on the Digital Video Recorder or DVR, can be copied onto other portable media for distribution to police, courts, and insurance companies.

However, if documentation is the greatest advantage of digital video security systems, perhaps the second greatest advantage is the deterrent factor provided simply by using an unconcealed video camera system. It’s a known fact that security camera systems, especially those that use visible security cameras, deter theft, vandalism and other criminal actions. A perpetrator is not likely to commit an offense when they know they are being watched and recorded.

Don’t underestimate the power or presence of a digital video camera system. On fact London, England has the highest number of police owned and operated digital video security cameras per square foot of any city in the world. The presence of this system alone has lent itself to be called “The Ring of Steel.”

Based on an August 3, 2007 article by CNN.com’s Manav Tanneeru, Baltimore, Maryland police have attributed a reduction in crime of 17% in areas where their digital video security cameras are located.

Fake security cameras take advantage of this deterrent factor to the benefit of the user. Actually, real security camera systems can use dummy cameras that exploit this deterrent factor to enhance the functional capabilities of the real camera system and reduce the overall cost of the system enhancing cost performance.

For example, fake security cameras can be strategically placed among a series of working cameras to deter or push activity toward an area with a hidden camera. In addition, dummy cameras can be used in areas that may be difficult to access for a real camera.

Wireless digital video security cameras send their video data via radio waves to a corresponding receiver or DVR, or if IP (Internet Protocol) ready to a corresponding wireless modem or router. In order to make these cameras truly wireless, many are manufactured to operate using rechargeable batteries. Occasionally, there may be locations in a video camera system that are sensitive to unwanted activity, but by the nature of the location make it difficult to access the camera. This is an excellent opportunity to use a face security camera.

Security Camera King carries several models of fake security cameras. One of the benefits of purchasing your dummy camera from us is that we have cameras that look just like the real ones we offer for sale. For example, we offer the DPROCAM Professional Box Dummy Camera with lens for sale which is an exact replica of a real “C420″ series box camera. We also offer several other similar replica types for sale. Check out the full line of fake security cameras we have to offer.

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Deck Security Systems

Monday, September 27th, 2010

If you own a boat or a yacht then a deck security system is a small investment that can yield large returns in the area of security and surveillance. In addition, a deck security system offers you the peace of mind of knowing that your craft or vessel is safe and sound.

There are many types of digital video security systems that are suitable for use on your boat’s deck. If your boat is docked at a slip that provides electrical power, or your yacht has its own on-board generator, then there is an even greater selection of security systems available for use.

Let’s consider these deck security systems as two different categories. One type requires external electrical power supply either in the form of typical house current or as DC (Direct Current) supplied by the boat’s battery and the other contains its own self-sustainable on-board power supply. We’ll discuss the latter type first.

There are many different types of digital video security camera systems that can function by using rechargeable batteries. These systems are usually an “all-in-one” type system where the camera and Digital Video Recorder are all one unit. These deck security systems are usually suited for smaller craft, where one camera can satisfactorily cover the target area for security surveillance. In addition to creating digital video files these cameras often are capable of taking digital still photographs as well.

These systems usually contain an infrared (called a PIR) sensor. The sensor acts as a switch to turn the camera on and off when movement is detected. This motion detection switching conserves the power supply so that only a small amount of electricity is needed to maintain the unit when there is no activity.

In addition, the Digital Video Recorder or DVR is normally some sort of flash drive that saves the digital video or still photographs to removable flash media such as a Smartcard, Flash drive, etc. Since the DVR uses flash media, these units have the advantage of being able to remove the storage media and view any recorded data on another device, such as a personal computer for example. The disadvantage with these units is that the flash drives have relatively small storage capacities (for example 2 to 8 Gigabytes) so recording time is limited compared to a typical DVR unit that may have hundreds of Gigabytes of storage. Nonetheless these units are still powerful security devices that can provide high quality images of any one trespassing or tampering with your boat.

Another type of deck security system that is similar to this system uses the boat’s DC current for power. These systems should also be motion activated to conserve energy usage. These units normally run off of 12 volts of DC current so they may possibly be powered by your boat’s battery or by an extra battery carried on board the boat dedicated specifically to the security system. These deck security systems may employ the Flash drive type DVR or may even contain a mini-hard disk drive DVR to record images.

Finally, for slips that provide external electrical power or for ships that contain their own on-board 110 volt AC (Alternating Current) power, standard digital video security systems can be used as deck security systems. These security surveillance system cameras can be mounted either on the deck of the boat or on supportive surfaces of the dock/gangway.

There are several different types of systems that may be used in these cases depending on the resources available, location of the dock, etc. For example, wireless digital video cameras can be used that transmit their video data to a corresponding receiver inside the home or marina. If the home or marina has broadband internet access, these systems can be easily networked using the internet so that the owner can monitor the boat area anywhere in the world there is internet access. This includes using 3G or 4G cellular smart phones to view the target area.

Depending on the equipment used, these deck security systems may be able to store up to four weeks or more of continuous video monitoring. These systems can also include audio recording, motion detection, and many other features as well.

Regardless of the deck security system you choose, make sure the camera(s) are designed for outdoor use so they are protected from the elements, especially water. Cameras used for this purpose should have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of at least IP65.

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What is an IP Rating?

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

This term can be confusing when dealing with security cameras because some digital security cameras can be IP networked cameras, which has nothing to do with an IP rating. An IP Rating also referred to as an IP Code, is an abbreviated form of the International Protecting Rating also known as the Ingress Protection Rating. For the benefit of clarity and distinction, an IP networked camera is a camera that can take advantage of Internet Protocol to transmit its video signals over a network or the internet.

An IP Rating or code is based on the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) international standard 60529. According to the standard, it “describes a system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by an enclosure. IEC 60529 is NOT a ‘product standard’ and does not cover enclosure requirements other than the ‘degree of protection’ provided. An IP rating is usually represented by two digits and may contain an additional optional letter.

An IP rating can be thought of as a more exact classification of the degree of protection offered from the security camera from intrusion by solid and/or liquid matter. The rating is usually expressed as “IP 65” or “IP 65M.”

The first digit represents the level of protection provided by the camera’s enclosure against solid objects foreign to the camera and against access to hazardous parts. The first digit can range from 0 to 6, with 0 meaning no protection at all and 6 indicating the greatest protection. The following is a list of each individual digit (level) and its classification based on EIC 60529:

0. No protection
1. >50 mm – any large surface of the human body but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part
2. >12.5 mm – fingers and similar objects
3. >2.5 mm – Tools, thick-gauge wire, etc.
4. >1 mm – Smaller wires, screws, etc.
5. dust protected – encroachment of dust is not entirely protected but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment
6. dust tight – complete protection from dust

The second digit represents the level of protection provided by the camera’s enclosure against water. The second digit can range from 0 to 8, with 0 meaning no protection at all and 8 indicating immersion possible over 1 meter in depth. The following is a list of each individual digit (level) and its classification based on EIC 60529:

0. No protection
1. dripping water – vertically falling dripping water drops will have no effect
2. dripping water when tilted up to 15 degrees – when a camera is tilted at an angle 15 degrees from its normal position vertically falling dripping water shall have no harmful effect
3. spraying water – Water falling in the form of a spray at an angle of up to 60 degrees will have no harmful effect
4. splashing water – Water splashing against the camera from any direction shall have no harmful effect
5. water jets – Water projected from a nozzle against the camera in any direction shall have no harmful effects
6. powerful water jets – Water projected from powerful jets will have no harmful effects
7. immersion up to 1 meter* – Harmful penetration of water will not be possible when the camera is submerged in water up to 1 meter in depth
8. immersion beyond 1 meter* – Harmful penetration of water will not be possible when the camera is submerged in water beyond 1 meter in depth
*Time and pressure are normally stated by the manufacture in addition to the IP rating for this designation.

The following letters can be appended to classify only the level of protection against access to parts by persons:
A. back of hand
B. finger
C. tool
D. wire

The following letters may be used to indicate the additional protection to the camera:
H. high voltage device
M. device moving during water test
S. device standing still during water test
W. weather conditions

Not every security camera manufacturer provides an IP rating, nor are they absolutely necessary. However, and IP rating provides a potential user a more specific means of determining the protection afforded to the camera from foreign objects. For example, many cameras are rated by their manufacturers as “Weatherproof.” However, a camera that is rated as IP 66 would indicate that it is impervious to dust and that water projected from power jets will not cause harm to the camera and its parts.

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