Security Camera Installation Guide

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• Security Camera Installation

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Table of Contents

• 5 Practical Steps to Follow For an Effective
  Security Camera Installation
• 5 Must-Have Elements of an Effective Security
  Alarm System
• Best Practices You Need to Know in 2019
• Unusual Tricks You Havent Thought Of
• Understanding Your Wireless Cameras Range
• What Does A Wireless Camera Range Imply?

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5 Practical Steps to Follow For an Effective
Security Camera Installation

• Drilling holes through walls and arranging cables
  to connect various security devices seems like a
  tall order. Nonetheless, modern security camera
  systems are modified in a way homeowners can
  install the devices without hassles and
  professional skills. A full security camera
  system includes cameras, cables, storage device
  (DVR) and a monitor to display the surveillance
  videos. The complexity of the devices will depend
  on your preferences and needs. Without further
  ado, follow the following practical steps when
  installing a security camera(s) in your home

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• Preparation
• Preparation involves planning the surveillance
  areas and buying a security kit. A plan
  determines the kind of camera system to purchase
  for your home or business. Undoubtedly,
  monitoring every square meter of your house will
  prove power-inefficient and utterly expensive.
  Hence, its critical to determine the key areas
  that you want to monitor throughout. Its
  advisable to draw a rough sketch of your house
  and pinpoint the area of camera installation.
  Subsequently, purchase the appropriate package to
  suit your surveillance needs. A basic system
  comprises a DVR, suitable cables, one to three
  cameras, and power cords.
• 2. Install the Cameras
• The best security cameras offer a wide angle of
  view. Mount your indoor cameras near the corners
  of your rooms. Some cameras come with sticky pads
  to attach on the walls, but its best to screw
  them in place. Mount your outdoor camera at least
  10 feet high on the wall to prevent easy access
  by intruders.
• Moreover, ensure that you install the camera near
  a power socket. Subsequently, attach your cameras
  to a power source. Each camera comes with a power
  cord that can fit in the standard power sockets.

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• 3. Install the DVR
• You will need a DVR (digital video recorder) to
  store the surveillance footage. A DVR receives
  video feeds from the installed cameras and then
  broadcasts the feeds on a monitor which can be a
  small TV or personal computer. DVRs have varying
  memory capacities which affect the length of
  stored videos. Placing the DVR inside a
  protective compartment is essential. This
  prevents a burglar or an intruder from tampering
  with the device or deleting the recorded videos.

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• 4. Connect Your Camera to the DVR
• Conventionally, BNC connection is used to connect
  security cameras to the DVR. BNC cables have
  identical ends and are easy to use. There is a
  BNC port in the DVR for each security camera you
  install in your home. However, you find that your
  camera cables lack a BNC connector.
• Consequently, purchase a BNC adapter online or
  from nearby hardware. During the connection, plug
  one end of the BNC cable to your cameras output
  and the other end to the DVRs input port. Ensure
  you lock the BNC in place by turning the small
  nut at its end.

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• 5. Attach the DVR to a monitor
• The step completes your camera installation. The
  monitor displays the feeds from the security
  cameras with the help of the DVR. BNC cables are
  commonly used to connect a DVR to a TV monitor.
  Nonetheless, you may use a VGA or HDMI cable to
  connect your storage device to your computer.
  Lastly, troubleshoot your camera system and power
  all devices.
• As you can see, security camera installation
  isnt that hard. Before buying your package,
  ensure that you have a plan that outlines all key
  areas that you want to monitor. Then, proceed to
  buy a package that suits your needs and as per
  your house blueprint. Subsequently, follow the
  steps outlined above to complete the installation.

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5 Must-Have Elements of an Effective Security
Alarm System

• Installing a security alarm system is a
  fundamental step to protect your home, family,
  and business from a variety of threats. The
  security assurance comes with peace of mind,
  allowing you to concentrate on your day-to-day
  activities with the knowledge that your home is
  under watch. Additionally, its now possible to
  monitor the situation at your home remotely with
  the incorporation of smart security devices. This
  said, an effective security alarm system should
  have the following elements

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• 1. Control Panel
• The control panel serves as the brain of the
  security system. The control panel determines
  when to sound the alarm or contact an emergency
  authority.
• Moreover, cables running through your system
  enter and leave the panel. Typically, its
  installed in a secure place such as the basement
  or a utility closet to prevent any malicious
  tampering. Besides, the package consists of a
  circuit board and battery pack, all put in one
  box. Notably, several security companies have
  evolved their services to incorporate online and
  remote control, consequently, eliminating the
  need to install an on-site panel.

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• 2. Sensors
• A sensor detects a threat and sends a signal to
  the control panel which determines the next
  appropriate action. There are several types of
  sensors that you can employ in your system. Door
  and window sensors will trigger an alarm when
  someone opens your door or window. Additionally,
  you may consider adding a glass break sensor to
  detect vibrations and noise of glass shattering.
  Its recommendable to connect the smoke sensor,
  motion detector, and water sensor to your alarm
  system.

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• 3. Keypad
• A keypad offers you essential control over your
  alarm system. You should use it to deactivate or
  activate the system. Moreover, a keypad features
  a panic button to summon the monitoring company
  immediately. Its highly advisable to install
  more than one keypad in your home. This will
  allow you to control your system from several
  sections of the room. Additionally, several data
  input devices ensure that you still have control
  over your system when an intruder tampers with
  one of them.

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• 4. Output Devices
• The conventional output devices for security
  alarm systems are the strobe lights and
  siren/horn. A horn serves to alert your neighbors
  about an emergency in your home and also scare
  away burglars and intruders. Strobe lights can
  also notify your neighbors about the activation
  of your alarm system. Besides, strobes are
  fundamental visual devices to warn people with
  hearing impairments of a security breach. Hence,
  you may install a strobe inside or outside your
  home, depending on your intended purpose.
  Nonetheless, consider mounting a siren/horn
  outside your home.

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• 5. Central Monitoring Service
• An alarm company offers central monitoring
  services to enhance the effectiveness of your
  alarm system. The service comes between your
  system and the emergency authority and serves to
  assess and verify alarm triggers before
  contacting the authorities. This helps to avoid
  contacting authorities in case of false alarms
  which can be caused by user error.

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Best Practices You Need to Know in 2019

• You have managed to buy the surveillance system
  that you have always wanted. Now, you are
  thinking that the hardest job is behind you.
  Well, its not. For most people, the biggest
  challenge is the installation. From deciding how
  youll mount the security cameras to how youll
  run the whole system, its never easy. You need
  to observe the best practices. While prioritizing
  on monitoring your premise, you also have to
  prioritize on securing the devices.
• Generally, here are the top 6 best practices for
  2019 you should know

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• Physical Security
• One major thing that thieves and vandals target
  when they invade a property is the surveillance
  system. So, theyll probably attack the cameras
  if they are within reach. To ensure that this
  doesnt happen, you need to physically secure
  them. You may choose any of these approaches
• Securing them in tamper-proof enclosures
• Installing them at higher points
• Integrating the camera system with the alarm
  system

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• 2. Cyber Security
• Just as much as its important to physically
  secure your surveillance system, its also
  important to protect it from cyber criminals.
  This protects the information captured by your
  cameras. Its also important in preventing
  unauthorized persons from accessing your system.
  Some of the things to do include
• Password Protect your surveillance system
• Always update your operating system
• Invest in the right cloud-management solution
• Ensure your system is protected by firewalls

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• 3. Power Backup
• Its not unusual to suffer power surges,
  blackouts, and other power issues. All these are
  interruptions to your surveillance system and may
  compromise your security. So, you need a backup
  plan. One thing to consider is buying a UPS
  (uninterrupted power supply) machine. Itll
  provide power backup in case of a disruption.

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• 4. Proper Placement
• Whether you decide to mount your CCTV camera on
  the front door, on the gate or on the wall, you
  have to ensure that its well positioned to
  provide the best coverage. Here are some of the
  things to do
• Position the camera at eye-level
• Ensure they are not obscured
• Target high-traffic areas like the balcony, the
  front part of the house, and the main gate.
• Cover the corners and all possible blind spots
• Position the cameras away from direct light

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• 5. Camera Storage
• Its very important to consider the storage of
  your CCTV footages upon installation. If you are
  installing multiple cameras on your property, you
  need to ensure that you have enough storage to
  accommodate the daily recordings. Sometimes, you
  may have to backup past recordings on an external
  source like a CD or DVD. The whole idea is to
  ensure that you never run out of storage memory.

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• 6. Hiring a Certified Installer
• Lastly, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by
  hiring a certified installer to install the
  surveillance system for you. The expert will help
  you in the following ways
• Picking the right mounting surface
• Adjust the angle of view
• Facilitate remote monitoring
• In general, the performance of your security
  cameras depends on the practices that you
  observe. So, to get the best performance, you
  have to leverage the best installation practices.
  It starts with the above ideas. They are
  instrumental in securing your property as well as
  the devices themselves.

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Unusual Tricks You Havent Thought Of

• Over the last decade, the installation of
  security cameras in homes has improved
  significantly. This has seen the rate of home
  break-ins go down. However, theres a challenge.
  Burglars are becoming smarter by the day. They
  know that theres the possibility of being
  watched and so these devices are the first thing
  that they target. They either destroy them or
  avoid facing their direction. So, what should you
  do when you really want to catch burglars?
• Its simple you have to change your strategy.
  The cameras shouldnt be fitted in obvious
  places. You need to mount them in unusual places
  and use unusual hacks to disguise them.
• Here are 6 installation tricks you havent
  thought of

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• 1. Mount on a Plant
• Whether its potted plants inside your house or
  trees outside, they are all unusual places to
  mount security cameras. Since burglars are always
  in a hurry to invade and steal, they wont have
  the chance to check the plants, especially if
  they are many. Before they know it, their faces
  are caught on camera.
• 2. In a Bird House
• Do you have a birdhouse at home? Its a great
  surface for mounting your outdoor security
  camera. Hiding your camera there allows you to
  catch burglars when they sneak into your
  compound. You just need to place the birdhouse
  strategically so that the camera can have better
  coverage.

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• 3. Under Your Ceiling
• There are a number of mini cameras in the market
  that you can use at home. Such options are easily
  mountable under the ceiling. Most of them come in
  colors that easily blend with the ceiling. You
  are required to position the camera at the end of
  the ceiling to ensure wide coverage. Besides, if
  the ceiling is raised, chances are that burglars
  wouldnt raise their head to see the devices.
• 4. On a Photo Frame
• We all love photo frames at home. They are not
  just a great décor but also remind us of memories
  that we hold profoundly. You can take advantage
  of their existence to mount mini home security
  cameras there. When the burglars look at the
  frames, all theyll see are beautiful photographs
  that are meant to improve the appearance of your
  house.

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• 5. Behind Glass
• Glass windows can disguise security cameras
  really well, more so when they are a little
  darker.. But you should be aware that motion
  sensing and night vision can be affected. But
  still, the footages that you get are enough to
  launch an investigation into the burglary.
• 6. On an Electric Outlet
• The last place that a burglar can check for a
  security camera is an electric outlet. So, its
  always a smart place to disguise your camera. The
  installation can be done both indoors and
  outdoors. It depends on where the electric
  outlets are situated and how many cameras you
  want to install.
• Clearly, it takes unusual strategies to keep your
  security cameras hidden in the eyes of burglars.
  Let them not suspect that they are being watched.
  This is how you improve the chances of catching
  them and seeking justice if it ever gets to that.
  You can start with the above tricks.

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Understanding Your Wireless Cameras Range

• Home security is no longer a luxury in todays
  world. According to Safewise, a burglary takes
  place every 18 seconds in the United States. This
  translates to 200 per hour and about 4,800 per
  day. While a security system will do nothing to
  avert crime, it acts as your eyes and ears when
  you are away or asleep. A report by the
  University of Carolina showed that approximately
  60 of burglars tend to avoid homes with security
  systems.
• With this in mind, it is important now more than
  ever, to have a working security system as a home
  or business owner. One of the elements that make
  up a security system is a wireless camera. Having
  a security camera means you rest easy knowing
  your family or office is safe at all times.
  Today, there are numerous options to choose from.
  Lets talk about a wireless cameras range. What
  is it and how do you know the right one for you?

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What Does A Wireless Camera Range Imply?

• Wireless security cameras are the most preferred
  option for many homeowners because they are not
  only easy to install but are cost-friendly as
  well. However, a good understanding of the range
  of a wireless camera is an important factor of
  the installation process. Ideally, every camera
  has a standard range that ensures a clear line of
  sight from the receiver. The minute the camera
  approaches the edge of this set range, youll
  start to notice errors on the camera feed. Before
  you purchase a CCTV wireless camera, you will
  need to keep the distance in mind. For a larger
  property or room, you might need to go with a
  longer range wireless camera.
• Speaking of security camera installation range,
  there are two categories, you should be aware of

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• 1. TVL and IR range
• If you walk into a security camera shop now, the
  salesperson is likely to quote two figures to
  you the IR range and the number of TVL. This is
  sometimes referred to as the night time range. IR
  range concerns itself with the distance from
  which the cameras infrared can be detected by
  the camera. In essence, these values have nothing
  to do with the best distance for capturing
  sufficient detail.
• 2. Optical range
• This refers to the specific distance at which
  adequate detail can be captured. This isnt
  necessarily the number of TVL the camera has or
  its brightness it depends on the kind of lens
  fitted on the camera. A standard DVR stores
  images as pixels or tiny dots. For instance, a D1
  resolution gives you about 400,000 pixels for one
  image frame. Therefore, a wide-angle lens causes
  a rapid spread of pixels as you move further from
  the camera which means less detail will be
  captured. In contrast, a more telephoto lens
  gathers pixels and hence captures plenty of
  detail further away from the camera.

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• Bottom-line
• The security camera installation range is the
  parameter used to quantify details in wireless
  security parameters. Some systems can adequately
  capture great detail even as far away from the
  camera as possible while some are ideal for
  smaller properties. Choose a system depending on
  your specific needs at hand.
• For more information, please visit -
  https//cctvsystems.ca/