Surveillance Systems Site

For most situations, standard surveillance equipment will provide enough security to satisfy the home or business owner.  But there are always cases where one might need something a bit more exotic.  It may be that you have a room which is prone to theft, or you need the ability to record on the go.  And it is quite possible that a situation may arise where you need something much more covert.  In this post, we will describe a few alternative surveillance options which may provide the extra pair of eyes or ears you require.

Two-Way Mirrors

A very useful and available tool for covert surveillance in certain circumstances is the two-way mirror.  Most often associate with police interrogations, these mirrors provide a one-way unrestricted view of the area on the opposite side.  These mirrors have a special coating that reflects an image back to its source, just like a standard mirror, while individuals on the reverse side can see through it, like a window.  You can find these mirrors in several stores online, as well as local spy and glass shops.  You may choose to install these in between rooms so an area may be watched by a live person, or you may opt to simply setup a spy camera on the window-side of the mirror instead.  Remember to keep the viewing side in much lower light than the mirror side, or you may be able to see through it from both locations.

Snake Cameras

If you are ever in a situation where you need to see around corners, in tight spaces, or under doors, a snake camera may be the tool for you.  These cameras are designed to be thin and flexible, so you can bend them around most objects.  Snake cameras come in various lengths, thicknesses, and camera quality.  Some even have the ability to withstand water to some degree.  Make sure you carefully evaluate your intended uses for one of these cameras and compare the specifications to your recording equipment to ensure they are compatible.  If you only need a camera of this type for a single use, consider locating a security or surveillance shop in your area to see if they have snake cameras for rent.

Cellular-Based Hidden Audio Devices

If you do not need visual surveillance, but are only concerned with hearing what is happening in a particular location, you may want to look into cellular-based hidden audio devices.  Sometimes called GSM hidden audio systems, these devices look like regular household or office items, such as a fully-functional surge protector or power strip.  They include a very-sensitive small microphone, which can be activated either by voice activity or a phone call.  Simply use any phone to call the number this device is attached to and you will immediately be able to hear everything going on near the device.  Currently, both AT&T and T-Mobile have plans that will work with these devices.

Choosing the correct type of security system, which addresses your current needs and leaves room for future expansion, is hard enough.  But then comes the installation.  Hiring an experienced surveillance system installer would be ideal if you have the funds available, but after dropping several thousand dollars on a custom system for your business, that may not be possible. Thus, many are left with the daunting task of installing a multi-camera system themselves.

Here we cover the major considerations involved in getting that system up and running.  Every situation is different and may require a few steps not mentioned here, but generally you would address most of the following areas during the installation process.  Let’s get started.

Determine Your Locations

The very first thing you need to do is determine where you will put the recording equipment and cameras.  Make sure you do this before you start drilling holes or running cable. 

Equipment Room

Locate a place in your home or facility where you will keep the recording equipment.  This may be a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), computer, and/or several monitors depending on the complexity of your system.  This location is where you will run all of the cables to (in the case of a wired surveillance system), so you want to make sure you will be able to keep the equipment here for a while.

Cameras

Determine every location you intend to place cameras.  It wouldn’t hurt to anticipate any other cameras you may add in the near future; that way you can go ahead and run cables for them along with the others.  You will generally want to watch entryways, parking lots, windows, gates, and areas with sensitive equipment or possessions.

Running The Cables

Now comes the fun part – running the cables.  Most wired surveillance systems use a single cable for both power and signal, which means you don’t have to try to fish multiple cables up through the wall to a camera location.  Generally, you are going to want to keep these cables hidden – a) because it looks more professional and b) because you don’t want any potential intruder to be able to easily disable your cameras.   This means you will want to run your cables through the walls and ceiling.  If you have a drop ceiling in your business, you will have a much easier time.  If not, you will need to access the attack and use fish tape to push or pull cables through to their destinations.

Mounting Cameras

Once the cables are in place, mounting the cameras are fairly straight forward.  You can mount the cameras on the wall or ceiling, but make sure you have something sturdy to drill into.  Measure and position the camera mount, mark your drill points, and drill your holes.  Screw the mount into the stud and attach the camera.  You can then plug in the camera-side of the data cable.

Configuring the System

After your cameras are installed, return to the equipment room and plug in your cameras to the recording device.  Once you can see a live feed of each camera, you will need to adjust each camera individually, either by remote or manually at the camera itself.  You will also want to configure features like motion detection and night vision, if they are available with your system.

In today’s world, many families are beginning to take a serious look at home security.  It has become necessary to take extra measures to protect our property and possessions, and even more so, our family.  Often it is deemed important to add a home surveillance system to the array of tools and methods employed to protect the homestead.  But once the decision is made, there often follows a question:  How do I know what I can and cannot record with my cameras?

This is a necessary question and an important one to ask.  States and municipalities treat this subject in different ways.  If you are thinking about installing any type of visual surveillance system, it is important to consult your local authorities on the legality of certain types of surveillance in your area.  With that said, we will attempt to outline some general rules on what is and is not allowed in the realm of home surveillance.

External Home Surveillance

In the case of vandalism or theft, it is often prudent to consider placing a surveillance camera in the vicinity of the crime.  But what about neighbors?  What will they think if you point cameras near their property?  Could they prosecute you for protecting your property?  In most jurisdictions, it is allowable to set up a surveillance system to monitor your backyard and driveway, including the areas adjacent to them.  The important thing to remember is to keep the cameras pointed at your property, as much as is possible.  If you get a bit of the neighbors yard in the camera view, it should be acceptable as long as it is not egregious.  If live cameras make you nervous, you might also consider installing a few false cameras on the eaves of your home.  They look real and may serve as enough motivation for intruders to leave you be.

Nanny Cams

A more touchy subject involves the use of nanny cameras, or small often-hidden indoor surveillance cameras used to monitor the home while you are away.  Many people have questions as to whether it is legal to record people in your home without their consent.  In fact, it is generally legal to videotape nannies without their permission.  Camera surveillance from nanny cams has been allowed admissible as evidence in cases of theft or abuse by the nanny if the cameras were installed for that purpose.  One sticking point is recording audio along with the video image.  Audio surveillance can fall under other laws regulating wiretapping or eavesdropping.  If you intent to record audio along with video, it would be prudent to consult a lawyer before installing the system.

Again, these tips should be regarded as general information based on past cases involving home surveillance.  You should inquire further about laws governing your  area before deciding on the right surveillance plan for your home.