Which Benefits Could Be Added for Easier Home Surveillance?

Once a basic Home Surveillance system is in place and running, it may be the right time to consider which benefits would provide a few additional accessories.

One of the first priorities should be implementing provisions to limit the duration of time required for reviewing the long footage of recoded tape. Just imagine the time savings achievable if only significant images were to be reviewed.

A useful recorder known as time-lapse can be programmed to collect less than the ideal number of frames per seconds (24-30 for giving the illusion of continuity). The film viewed at normal speed will look jerky but essential information will be there. A lot of tape footage will be saved, permitting tape change at longer intervals.

Another way to perform the same task can be easily accomplished by having installed a device capable of operating camera and recorder only when some action is occurring in the field of view. Indeed there is no use in recording a still image for hours when luckily nothing happens.

These kinds of devices are known as video alarms or motion detectors. A few types are available based on various physical principles. They can be passive, if they stand there and collect the temperature changes caused by passers by, or active if they emit continuously a signal whose impact on the surroundings is analyzed to detect an alarm event that triggers the recorder operation start.

A different type of device, called an Image Processor is based on a software program operating within the camera that works all time. Here a portion of the scene is continuously scanned for change. Any detected variation is programmed to operate the recorder.

Additional accessories may be needed to manage the views streaming in from different cameras placed in strategic locations. These devices provide means of recording images from multiple cameras onto a single recorder, either by supplying the views in succession through an automatic switcher or sequencer, or by reducing the area of the images (multiplexing) to pack them together in a regular monitor screen.

Date and time can be added if needed for documentation.
In conclusion it is recommended to start with a simple system, one that is easily installed and operated, and then in due time to expand it by adding the benefits one prefers, through careful selection of suitable devices to the existing system.