tag: Video Surveillance - CCTV
iPhone and iPad Application for IP Video Security
Exacq Technologies, the developer of IP Video Software that offers very high quality and relatively cost effective solutions, has released their iPhone and iPad application. It is an example of the attention to usability and quality development that is characteristic through out their solutions and the reason why we prefer them in many IP video security applications.
We typically utilize this solutions commercial security however we do have residential customers that have adopted it as well. For more information please give us a call or visit the video security page of our website.
Manage Your Security Alarm System and Video on Your PDA
- Arm and disarm remotely
- View sensor status and recent activity
- Watch live streaming video from their security cameras
- View video clips recorded by their cameras
- Access a complete, search-able system event history
Security Camera Color Wraps
Security video cameras in retail or commercial businesses can be a fundamental part of security. Sometimes making security cameras being visible to workers and guests is a desirable deterrent but other times it mares the aesthetics of a carefully designed space. On a number of projects we have color matched the cameras to be the same color as the wall. This has a nice effect of blending the security cameras into the space minimizing their aesthetic impact.
Security is often a balance of invasiveness and effectiveness. Physical barriers, fire detection, intrusion detection, and surveillance cameras are always going to walk this line. Color marched security cameras are just one cost effective way to get at this issue. Cameras may be matched to any color, pattern, or image.
The photos show an example of the security camera without color matching (left) and with matching (right).
Don't Answer Your Door for Strangers -- Maybe The Worst Thing to Do
- Allowing you to answer the door, demonstrating the home is occupied, from a safe distance
- Asking the guest to leave without giving them any idea of who and how many people are in the home
- Demonstrating that the residents value security and have invested in systems to foil break-ins
- Capturing a photo of people coming to the front door when you are home or not
Recent Robberies in NW DC
Universal Gear was robbed on Thursday the 14th in the middle of the day. This was a brazen robbery by 9 people and was captured by security cameras (not Urban Alarm's). The video has been posted on YouTube with a award for information leading to the arrest and conviction.
Shoplifting is always a problem but this was an in-your-face robbery that takes it to a new level. It highlights the importance of staying aware of your environment at all times.
I was struck by recent surveillance video of a NW DC robbery showing shoppers browsing less then eight feet from an armed robbery in progress. The shoppers were unaware of anything out of the ordinary.
Staying aware of anything unusual or suspicious is always important to your safety. If you observe something suspicious leave the store immediately (if practical) and call 911.
If you are a shop owner or manager, you must make sure you have video and surveillance warning signs. Silent panic buttons should be located behind the counter, in the manager's office, and any other back of store area (e.g., stock room, walk-in cooler). Panic buttons can also be located close to the floor where accessible in the event you are forced to the floor. Wireless panic buttons should also be on the keychains of managers or other employees.
New IP cameras can show much greater detail then traditional analog cameras. Strategically locating cameras can provide the most clear pictures of burglars. We have started placing high resolution cameras above the doors showing a clear picture of people as they exit. This can be a better quality image then people coming into the store since exterior backlighting reduce the visibility of peoples faces.
At the end of the day, surveillance cameras serve as a deterrent. Ones that show greater detail of perpetrators' faces can lead to the arrest and conviction of thieves and give shoppers, storekeepers, and their neighborhoods greater peace of mind.
Remote Video Monitoring for Smaller Properties
Due to an increase in crime and uncertainty in our community and convergence of technologies, Video Surveillance and remote video monitoring (or Closed Circuit Television -- CCTV) are rapidly increasing in popularity and effectiveness. The result is video surveillance being used in an increasing variety of situations and application from private homes and small businesses to large scale government and commercial applications.
Recorded video archives can be a valuable resource for determining what happened when a security breach occurs. But more importantly, video surveillance is one of the most effective tools for proactively preventing breaches in the first place. How can this be accomplished?
Larger commercial and government properties have the advantage and economies of scale. They have live guards on site 24 hours a day 7 days a week. These guards can monitor banks of video and respond to potential threats. Full time on-site guards can easily cost more than $16,000 per month which is clearly not cost effective or practical for most smaller properties. Fortunately, there are other options.
Urban Alarm’s remote video monitoring service utilizes the latest in digital video surveillance cameras, or IP Video, to view and asses activity on a property in real time. IP Cameras are programmed to connect to our central monitoring centers immediately when a defined event is triggered. These may include motion detected on specified portions of the screen, a person loitering for more than 90 seconds or an object left by a person in a crowded lobby.
When such an event is detected, our central station views the event and follows up with additional video analysis within seconds. If a threat is identified, the central station may engages the individuals or groups over a two-way intercom at the camera location. Or they can dispatch guards on the ground or the police.
Remote video monitoring starts at $95 per month making it extremely cost effective for commercial and retail applications and even for homes. To be effective, clear rules must be defined that are actionable. Watching cars pass by is not going to be useful since the monitoring center personal will not be able to distinguish a threat from a passer by. Watching a pool or playground for anyone loitering during night time hours is a good example of actionable events.
For more information on how to utilize remote video monitoring strategies on your project give us a call.
Security Video on your iPhone or PDA
Video can play an important role in any security system for verification and evaluation of alarm events. When an alarm goes off video can be used to evaluation what is occurring and the best response.
Storage of video can unlock what (or who) triggered an alarm and provide the information needed to pursue a legal resolution. In some cases it can also be used to limit liability (more on this in the future post).
Urban Alarm’s Web Dashboard, powered by Alarm.com, now supports integrated video. The video is available through a web browser but video clips can also be accessed via your Apple iPhone or other video enabled PDA.
While video is supported on any iPhone, the new 3G iPhone from Apple and ATT supports significantly higher speed improving performance of streamed video to your PDA. Setup rules in the alarm system web dashboard to email you video from specified cameras based on alarm events, sensor detection, and/or motion detection in the video.
You may also arm, disarm, and control other features of your alarm system through your iPhone or web enabled PDA.
Video integrated with your alarm system is useful for:
- 1 to 4 camera retail security systems
- small offices
- remote viewing of conditions and activity at a vacation home
- monitoring of elderly or special needs individuals living at home
- monitoring the exterior or interior of primary homes
Urban Alarm video, powered by Alarm.com video, is integrated with the web dashboard. The only equipment required is the video camera and a wireless (wi-fi) wireless network. All video is stored on Alarm.com servers and retained for a period of time.
For more information on video and CCTV system for a residential, retail, or commercial property call us at 202-265-2700.
Washington DC & Surrounding Areas
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