Well, when it comes to CCTV cameras and security related products, it can be.  But generally, buyer beware when looking at the specs offered by companies that seem to be offering “high resolution” at a low resolution price.  Sometime you may not be getting what you think you are getting.

And how would you know?

Most casual CCTV buyers do not use a resolution chart with standard CCTV test monitors when setting up their systems.  Most security and CCTV dealers and installers for that matter don’t bother either.  The import houses in the united states know this, and often will change the spec sheets to reflect whatever is needed to sell their product to an unsuspecting buyer.  In an exchange with another distributor, I was told:

We evaluated XXXX-Cameras every quarter going back 3 quarters as we speak. We ordered them months apart for a reason. “Just in case” one shipment was wrong, but 3 shipments being wrong spec? Not likely. We analyzed all samples using a Pelco monitor, and across three different resolution charts. It sounds pathetic Jason, but it is absolute fact, XXXX-Cameras intentionally orders 380tvl, Demands China insert 550tvl and higher specification documentation in the camera boxes. Their cost basis much lower than any honest seller, and its even worse than that. If you sell 540tvl, they’ll advertise 550tvl, sometimes 570tvl, even though the owner knows its crappy 380 stuff. Its this bad Jason, I called them out on it, the guy chuckled and simply says “everyone does it, get over it”

He goes on to explain how using this method the disreputable importer can reap incredible profits based on the “cheap” pricing for those supposedly “high resolution” cameras.  They just want to move numbers.  And usually you won’t even know.

Why?

Again, its unlikely you have a test chart on hand when you receive your camera, and the other part is the limitation of DVRs to fully utilize the resolutions that are now available from the good manufacturers.  Security Digital Video Recorders generally have not yet reached the point where they offer as high a resolution recording as the cameras can provide.  A machine that offers 704×480 recording resolution scans out at 360 lines roughly, not even close to the 380 line standard resolution model when tested with a CRT as an analog system.

Though a higher resolution will give the DVR better compression points, the differences are hardly noticeable.  Soon however, a greater number of HDMI recorders will be available as processor speeds increase, and those who upgrade to the new DVR technology using their “old” 480 + Line cameras will find they have been duped.

Knowing which manufacturer is likely to be the most accurate in their camera specs is a good way to protect you, and talking with your distributor, or seller also can be very helpful.  In my experience, I have found nearly ALL manufacturers exaggerate a little on their camera specs, but their is one which stands out in my view as the most accurate to date;  KT&C, which never seems to overstate its camera specs..

In the end, a good relationship with your seller will find them looking out for you long term interests, and they will be able to guide you to what IS a true spec and which products to avoid, and how to get all the lines you’ve paid for.

c) BANDWIDTH – This is the worst culprit. If you plan to deploy, say 16 mega pixel cameras on your existing 10/100 or 100/1000 network, along with your existing data flow, PLAN on kissing your network goodbye. You will SHUT IT DOWN and your business will come to a HALT because you simply can NOT support that kind of bandwidth. Anymore much more than 6 to 8 cameras MUST be on their own Network. How much will that cost? Depends on where you live but it can run from $600.00 up depending on labor costs, materials cost, etc. Let’s look again at some math: 16 Analog cameras, running 30 FPS at 4 CIF will need 16.48 Mbps of bandwidth ONLY if it is streaming the video OUT to a client user. If you are NOT streaming, then it will require ZERO bandwidth. The 16 1.0 MP cameras, 30 FPS will REQUIRE 83.20 Mbps PLUS another 83.2 Mbps if you desire to stream it out to a client application. Think that will cause a problem on your network? Just wait until your sales, accounting, purchasing etc. staff CAN’T process orders and paperwork, and we’ll SEE how happy you are with your mega pixel cameras. NOW. If that wasn’t enough, consider this, the EQUIPMENT you purchase to make this all happen, is going to cost you EVEN MORE…..and THINK about how much you’ll pay in additional ISP costs to stream that video.

Good to do business where you have a complete understanding of what you might be getting into.  Its good to ask questions as well to make sure you get exactly what works for your Security System.

Further, there are some HYBRID Embedded DVRs which allow real time D1 recording as well as D1 real time recording of an additional 8 IP security camera solutions.  Ask about the DS9000 series Professional recording solution for more information.

Residences of apartments, condos, mobile homes, and small houses; along with small businesses like offices, retail stores, restaurants, etc., are now able to add some security and have peace of mind at a minimum cost of investment. Air-Alarm provides several benefits to users:

No monthly service fee. With Air-Alarm, you can monitor your home or business yourself via a telephone line. There are no monthly fees to a security company. The system will alert you by phone call in any alarm event. Simply input up to five phone numbers that you want the system to call. The phone number could be yours, a neighbor’s, a relative’s and/or your best friend’s. In a case of alarm event, it will call one phone number at a time in priority until someone answers. The alarm call will give an alarm sound at default to alert you. You may also change the alarm sound to be a short verbal message (up to 9 seconds) to let you or your desired contact person know that it is a call concerning your home/business alarm. You can arm or disarm Air-Alarm system remotely through your phone’s numeric keypad.

Easy installation and user friendly With its wireless technology, anyone can install the Air-Alarm easily in minutes.

Running wire cables around your home/business and the assistance of a professional installer is not required. Simply mount all the components at desired locations, plug in all power adapters (host and siren), turn all the power on, connect the phone line, input the phone number(s), and you are ready to go. The batteries are included in some components (remote controller and sensors) may last up to 2 years. The main host also includes a backup rechargeable battery (up to 8 hrs) in case of power outage. You can easily arm/disarm by remote controller, telephone, or main host keypad.

Expandable to up to 60 sensors & 8 remote controllers The basic model Air-Alarm1 includes one main host, one wireless PIR motion sensor, one wireless door/window sensor, one wireless indoor siren, and two wireless remote controllers with panic button. Wireless smoke sensor, wireless panic button, and wireless outdoor siren are also available as optional add-on items. And, it allows you to add up to 60 sensors in total including detectors and sirens and up to 8 remote controllers.

That should be more than enough for covering any average home or business. All the sensors can be smartly deployed into three defense lines – 24hr Defense Line (i.e. emergency panic buttons and smoke sensors), 1st Defense Line (i.e. door/window sensors), and 2nd Defense Line (i.e. PIR motions sensors in living rooms, bed rooms, and hallways). Therefore, you could arm or disarm all or partially depending on whether you are at home/business or not.
Air-Alarm MSRP is $159.99, with a one-year warranty. To know more details of the product, please visit http://www.securitymaninc.com/product/air_alarm1.html

Air-Alarm can be configured with different components for a desired system.

The basic model Air-Alarm1 package includes:
• 1 x control panel (SM-8088E)
• 1 x wireless indoor siren (SM-103W)
• 1 x wireless outdoor siren (SM-103)
• 1 x wireless smoke sensor (SM-93)
• 2 x wireless motion sensor (SM-80)
• 4 x wireless door/window sensor (SM-87B)
• 2 x remote controller (SM-88X)

Air-Alarm1 product features and specifications
Features:
• Easy-to-use and cost-effective D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) wireless intruder alarm system kit.
• Supports up to 60 wireless sensors (15 wireless defense zones and 4 wireless sensors per zone).
• Transmit at 430-433MHz frequency band, wireless transmitting distance up to 300 feet (remote controller, smoke sensor, & siren) and up to 450 feet (magnetic door/window sensor & PIR motion sensor).
• Supports up to 5 phone numbers for auto alarm call and 1 management center protocol(CID).
• Armed/disarmed by remote controller, phone call, or host’s keypad.
• Easy “one-key” armed/disarmed operation.
• Programmable silent alarm or audible alarm.
• Recordable alarm voice message (up to 9 seconds record time).
• Telephone line disconnection alarm sound every 5 seconds.
• Smart 3 defense lines configuration-1st defense line is the perimeter, 2nd defense line for in-room, & 24-hour defense line).
• Internal rechargeable backup battery in alarm host last up to 8 hours.
• Battery (alkaline) included for remote controllers, wireless door sensor, and wireless motion sensor last up to 2 years.
• Programmable password.
• Ademco CID compatible protocol Specifications: Alarm Host (SM-8088E)
• Operating power: 9-15VDC
• Maximum available quantity of remote controllers: 8 PCS
• Maximum available quantity of wireless sensors: 60 PCS
• Rechargeable battery: Ni-Mh(4.8V), 600mAh, up to 8hrs long.
• Speaker Siren 100dB (built-in)

Wireless Remote Controller (SM-88X)
• Operating power: 27A 12V alkaline battery
• Wireless Transmitting distance: ≥300ft (in open area)
• Service life: ≤2 years
• Wireless Door/Window Sensor (SM-87B)
• Operating power: 23A 12V alkaline battery
• Wireless Transmitting distance: ≥450ft (in open area)
• Service life: ≤ 2 years
• Alarm Distance: < 4cm

Wireless Wide-Angle PIR Motion Sensor (SM-80)
• Operating power: 9V alkaline battery
• Wireless Transmitting distance: ≥450ft (in open area)
• Service life: ≤2 years
• Detecting distance: 100° 10×10m

Wireless Indoor Siren (SM-103W)
• Operating Power: 100 to 240VAC
• Receiving Distance:≥300ft (In open area)
• Siren Sound 120dB

Wireless Outdoor Siren (SM-103)
• Operating Power: 100 to 240VAC, 50Hz
• Siren Sound 120dB
• Maximum Alarm Sound with flash : 3 minutes
• Wireless Transmitting Distance > 300ft (in open area)
• Built-in 6VDC rechargeable backup battery (up to 100 hours)

Wireless Smoke Sensor(SM-93)
• Operating power 9V (Alkaline Battery)
• Wireless Transmitting distance > 300ft (in open area)
• Service life < 2 years
• Monitoring range: 20m2

About SecurityMan, Inc.
Based in Ontario, California, SecurityMan Inc. (a.k.a. Teklink Security Inc.) has been selling SecurityMan branded security products successfully through most regional or nationwide retailers, mass merchants, and direct mailers since 1999.  SecurityMan products are mainly designed for homes and small businesses in D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) concept – easy to install/use and low cost at satisfied quality.  SecurityMan helps homes and small businesses owners obtain enhanced security at minimum investment. SecurityMan products include wireless home alarm system, wireless and wired camera kits, monitors, DVRs (digital video recorders), and remote monitoring systems. For more information and find out where to purchase, please visit www.securitymaninc.com

Watch CBS Videos Online

After several years of tech support calls and countless hours of repeating some of the most basic instructions on how to connect your security DVR to the net, I felt it was time to produce a guide that will help in about 90% of you to quickly figure out how to make the connection to view your Network enabled digital video recorder online.  Click on the picture to download a basic PDF file.

Some Routers will be different, but the concept of forwarding is similar.

Most modern security cameras and lenses are generally CS mount rather than C mount. With CS mount cameras both types of lenses can be used but the C mount lens (typically ZOOM lenses still are “C” format) requires a 5mm ring to be fitted between the camera and lens to achieve a focused image. (Also, without this ring you may damage your ccd chip) With C mount cameras it is not possible to use CS mount lenses as it is not physically possible to mount the lens close enough to the CCD to achieve a focused image.

So when I get these calls, usually the quick answer is “take the lens ring off,”  As the imager cannot get close enough to the CCD.

Employee and Customer Theft - Like it or not, someone is stealing from you. It may be something as small as a candy bar from your dime store, or as large as the nicest Mercedes on your luxury car lot. A Camera system properly set-up, can catch them “in the act,” and help you recover what is rightfully yours. A simple system capable of helping you determine where your money is going, pays for itself. But… A word of caution.. You may be surprised to find out who is the worst offender.
Workmans Compensation Costs - On the job injuries are one of the most costly elements of business. (next to high taxes) You can observe unsafe work habits, potential pitfalls, and horseplay by reviewing your recorded video from time to time. You may be able to recover your costs for the system immediately from your insurance provider.

Poor Use of Time on the Job - Some people do not understand the meaning of a good work ethic. Perhaps they think you “owe” them a living, or simply do not have the skills necessary to be a part of your team. Find out who is “sleeping on the job,” or wasting time on unproductive tasks with a review of their activities from time to time. Poor time use is as costly as theft.

Armed Robbery and Break-in Costs - With a video record of these events, you can assist law enforcement’s efforts to quickly solve crimes, and recover your losses much faster. Again, insurance providers look favorably on this type of protection. – Speaking with an Allstate Rep here in Michigan, I was told it is safe to assume the average retail operation can see savings of 5%+ on their insurance bill if underwritten properly.