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Written by KeepSafe Systems

Sometimes when I have some spare time, I peruse the various online support forums and answer alarm related questions for people around the world. Here are a few examples. Note these questions are copied directly, without editing.

https://www.keepsafesystems.ca... - KeepSafe Systems installs services and provides Security Alarm System monitoring services for security alarm systems in the Vancouver area of the Lower Mainland Fraser Valley British Columbia.

The KeepSafe Systems service area includes but is not limited to North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Tsawassen, Ladner, Surrey, Cloverdale, Abbotsford, Mission, Aldergrove, Maple Ridge, Haney, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby, New Westminster, Kamloops, Kelowna, Courtney, Comox, Nanaimo, Lions Bay, Squamish and pretty much everywhere in between.

What is a better home security alarm systems? Hardwired security alarm or wireless security alarm?

 Hardwired security alarms will always be superior to wireless security alarms. The simple fact being, modern airwaves are being increasingly cluttered with Radio Frequency (RF) Interference. This which interfere with wireless security alarm systems are many and can range from the simple high voltage power line to wireless routers and radio towers..

The thing is, wireless is highly unpredictable, particularly in security alarm systems. You may have a perfectly sound wireless security alarm system for years, then all of a sudden the neighbour 3 blocks away decides to purchase a ham radio. All of a sudden, the monitoring station is getting panic alarm, the police are being send on what appears to be a weekly basis and you have fines from the city for excessive false alarms.

Hardwired security alarm systems, on the other hand, are far more reliable in that they are not as susceptible to the problems of RF. Sure, if there is a strong source of RF behind a motion detector some of the older models may falsely activate. However this is simply fixed by replacing the detector with one with a higher level of RF Shielding.

Fact of the matter is, no security alarm system is entirely free from the possibility of false alarms. Hardwired security alarm systems are, however, much less prone to issues. Hardwired security alarm detectors are also universally compatible between hardwired security alarm systems; Wireless security alarm detectors typically only function with the wireless security alarm system for which they were designed - this can result in expensive system replacements if one wireless security alarm detector fails.

There is more information on the differences between wireless and hardwired security alarm systems on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca There is an article entitled "the truth about wireless security systems" in the archive.

I hope this answered your question.

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Can i use any Keypad with a home security control panel?

i want to play around with a security system off Ebay or somthing. was wondering if i have to use the same type of Control panel and keypad or can they be seaprate makes and models?

Answer:

Nothing overly exciting to play around with. But then again I work on them every day. Of course there is the fancier panels, like the HAI Omni panel I am working on today (burg, Lighting control, temperature control, music distribution.... all from a touch screen)

To answer your keypad question. Nope, not interchangable. Some brand have the ability to change keypads between lines, but other than that you have to have the same keypad with the same panel.

Be careful when you are buying off Ebay, alarm panels have this tricky little feature called "Installer lockout" The less reputable of alarm companies enable this feature ensuring nobody can default the panel back to factory. Simply put, this means you're playing around would be very limited.

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What is the best alarm system for my house?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Being in the industry and NOT making money off this advice, my personal opinion might be slightly different than that of Jon. I do share some of his opinions but although simple noise only alarms are effective at warding off most, I have been to houses where entire panels have been ripped off the wall and nobody knew about it until they got home. Nothing worse than walking into a house with someone unexpected in it.

All that aside, most crackheads will avoid houses with stickers. The other advantages of monitored systems are insurance discounts, monitored smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

As for what security system is best for your home, first of all I would say stay away from wireless. Although many sales people will tell you wireless security systems are superior to hardwire, they are just playing the numbers game. Wireless is easier and faster to install, therefor they can pay less money in labour and still get the monitoring account. Really a wine loose situation to their benefit. http://ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-Secur...
Or there is more in the archive on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca

The system you choose should really be customized around what you feel is important. The larger your home, the more zones and devices you need. A zone is an input on the panel which gets connected to a detection device (Which is basically a switch) Detection devices can be door contacts, motion detector, glassbreak sensor, smoke detectors etc. There is more info again on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca Articles of particular interest would be protection 101 and False alarm info. There is also some tips and advice on some non-electronic methods to make your home less desirable to the crackhead element.

Last bit of advice, try to find a local company with a proven track record. Companies listed as "authorized dealers" typically sell their monitoring accounts to the head company usually leaving you with a poor level of service.

Good Luck

 

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thank you so much! Both you and Jon really heleped me out! God Bless!

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What is the likeliness of a criminal continuing the crime when an alarm system goes off?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

It depends where they are when the alarm sounds. If they are already inside and there is something small and easy to grab they will do so. If, on the other hand, the alarm goes off prior to entry (ie glassbreak detectors) they are less likely to enter as glass has to be cleaned out of the way etc.

Of course, this also depends on whether an item is chosen or not. Take for example a cash register with the cash drawer left in and locked. You can pretty much be guaranteed that the little S*&T will run in and grab it. It is all about reducing temptation and pre-entry detection (check out protection 101 at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca ) The likelyhood of smash and grabs is drastically lower on residential over commercial.

Phone line cutting is always a possibility, however with cellular back-up available most will cut the lines then wait to see if there is a response. If not, they thrash the alarm panel and clean the place out.
(I've seen that happen to a neighbour of a commercial client. My client had Cell back up and was left alone, the place next door wasn't)

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I have a wireless router in my home. Will it interfere with my alarm system that communicates wirelessly?

It only communicates with the doors and the windows, and calls via landline if someone is breaking in. Will these two systems interfere with one another.

My wireless router is through verizon and my alarm system is ADT. Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I know DSC uses 433 at one point I believe they were playing around in the 900MHz range. I will have to check what Ademco uses (These are the to systems typically used by ADT). Check the inside of a contact as well as the back of the router.

In my opinion, even if the frequency doesn't match your router there are still plenty of things out there which can interfere with your wireless security system (Both inside and outside your home). As for the opposite frequency thing, I don't know where you heard that but in 20 years in the industry I have heard no such thing. Wireless security is wireless security which is crap. I have written a number of articles on the topic which can be found in many places online including http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-S...
Unfortunately the security alarm industry has become increasingly numbers based. The more accounts the better at all costs. Wireless security systems are easy to install, therefor they win out in the numbers game. Hardwire security systems will always be superior.

With your system, if it is set up properly, it will indicate detector supervision loss. In which case your keypad should beep. Of course with wireless being flawed in nature, many shady companies are disabling supervision entirely because they know it will cause costly service calls. All for the might dollar, the industry makes me sick sometimes. Now comes the hate mail. :P

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Security system needed to keep teen in, and others out.?

My teen is sneaking out. We are researching security systems, but need input on what systems other people have used that were effective and not effective. Preferable systems that allow more than one access code, and controls when those codes can be used.

I am curious about thoughts on security cameras at entryways as well. My fear though, is spending money on cameras that get stolen or destroyed by a BB gun or slingshot.

I read that some systems have window sensors that can be bypassed easily using glue, or strong magnets, etc. Is there any truth in that?

Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I installed a similar system a number of years ago, except it was designed to keep a wandering alzheimers patient in. The system was set up as a regular alarm when it was armed, but during certain armed periods, windows would set off a buzzer in the nurse's room. This way a late night adventure would not result in the neighbours being disturbed with a siren.

Typically you would install window contacts on the windows, there are also window screens available in which the window can be opened for fresh air and the screen provides the security. As far as bypassing with gum and a strong magnet, can't say I have ever seen that work. The thing is, magnets are polarized. If you introduce the wrong polarity it will effectively cancel the field out and the alarm goes off.

If you want codes to have certain access restrictions such as time of day etc, you need to get a system with access control and scheduling features. Personally, I like the Paradox EVO series. These panels are loaded with features and do include the ability to schedule the working time of codes. Nice price point too and not made in China.

With teenagers, I know there are a few issues, another fun thing to do (Now I'm sounding like a sadist) is to program the system to disconnect all phones except for 1 at a certain time. This eliminates the problem with noisy middle of the night calls out.

With camera's, damage and theft is always a concern. I have seen it happen and if a person is determined enough they can always try. The best thing is to get vandal proof camera's and mount them high up and out of reach. You could also go for hidden camera's... hard to steal what you can't see. The one problem with pinhole camera's is image quality. For more info on camera's you can check out the surveillance section of my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca. There is also some information on other security related topics. The archive in particular is full of alot of older stuff and rough articles which have yet to be proof read and catagorized.... Lots of idea's just too busy with installations. (No this is not an invitation for website designers)

One last suggestion, stay away from wireless. Aside from being faulty by nature, these are fairly easy to defeat from the inside.

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How can you hook up your vonage telephone to a security system?

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Dial tone has nothing to do with it. The problem comes with the VOIP bandwidth being clipped. Traditional copper is analog which is ideal for frequency based transmissions like Alarms and faxes. Of course, nothing in telecom is anaolg anymore but some companies are better than others. Hence the term managed networks. As for the alarm panels, all dialer based alarm panels communicate in the same manner and are subject to the same frequency based problems.

I have several customers who have tried various forms of VOIP. The only on I have seen to be reliable most of the time is the Cable versions. Locally it is Shaw, in the US Comcast and others should be similar. Vonage never worked.

Before I say anything about connecting the panel to the phone I should say CALL YOUR ALARM COMPANY. If you insist on doing it yourself, please make sure you test the alarm afterwards. The phone line is the lifeline of your alarm and should not be messed with. Doing so may also void any warranties.

As for the actual connection. Telephone consists of two wires (tip and ring) in most cases polarity does not matter, but Tip is positive and Ring is negative. On a standard cable Ring is red Tip is green.

OK, that aside. the incoming line from your VOIP router should be connected to Tip and Ring on your alarm panel. Tip1 & Ring 1 are for the house phones. This way the alarm panel can isolate the incoming line from the house phones to ensure there is no interuption. I would also suggest you have a battery back-up for your router and modem. Otherwise your phone will die with the power.

Of course, all that being said I would suggest you stick to a standard POTS line or at least get cellular or IP back-up. Personally I prefer cell as it is not reliant on the modem power or internet which does still go down alot.

Here is an article on the topic http://techyhowto.blogspot.com/2007/11/c...

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Advice on improving home security?

After a few car robberies where the keys have been obtained by gaining entry to the house, i am worrying as i have a car thieves would love. I'll give an overview of what i have now, basically i just need to make it hard to force entry.
I have a patio door on the porch that deadlocks then the main front door with a normal Yale latch/lock and a 5 level lock also. House is alarmed with PIR's in main areas. Back door which is in kitchen has a five lever lock and a small latch at bottom of door, this door has 6 glass panes in, whether these can smash easily, i don't know. I have CCTV ( cheap system - quality not great) looking down the side of the house, this is how you get to back door. I also have 4 PIR security lights around the house.

Can i improve anywhere. My main worry is that back door?

Answer:s

I would change lock cylinders to high security type such as Medeco, Assa Abloy, or Schlage Primus. Standard lock cylinders can be picked of "bumped" open fairly easily.

The weak spot on any door is usually the door frame at the jamb. If you have not done so already, install a reinforced strike plate that is fastened all the way into the stud adjacent to the door, rather than just to the door frame itself. This should be done on all exterior doors.

The back door that has the glass panes is also a vulnerable spot. Consider replacing the door with a solid wood type; if you can't do this, consider installing expanded metal over the windows on the inside of the door.

Be sure that your alarm system has a very loud sounder both inside and outside of the home. The inside sounder is particularly important as it will intimidate the intruder and make him want to spend as little time in the house as possible.

silvaconsultants has some great pointers. Just to add a couple of things. Make sure the screws on your strike plate as well as the hinges are long. The typical 3/4 pieces of junk make it easy to boot a door in. Also strengthen around the dead bolt and make sure you have a long deadbolt. A good way of extending the bolt length is to get a pipe which fits around the bolt and drilling it into the wall beside the door. This way when the bolt slides into the pipe, you have basically extended the deadbolt length to the pipe length. Also, reinforce the frame around the door so the frame cannot be spread.

As for electronic security, you may also want to look at installing glassbreak detectors, these are great because the alarm goes off before the crackhead actually makes it into your home.

I have some more tidbits in the protection101 article of www.keepsafesystems.ca

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What is the BEST Home Security to use?

My home was almost broken into, and now I'm worried all the time while i' m at work. So please suggest something cause I've never had to choose home security before.

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

The system you choose should depend entirely on your needs. Personally and professionally I would strongly recommend against wireless security systems. The reason being, the technology is flawed by nature. As a last resort, I guess it is better than nothing if it is impossible to run wires. However, in almost 20 years in the industry I have never seen a job where wire runs were impossible. For more information on wireless security systems check out the archive on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca or http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-S...

I know choosing any product or service can be difficult if the technology is foreign. I find a little simplification of alarms in general can be of help to clients. An alarm in its simplest form consists of a control panel similar to a computer, which has sensors connected to it (window contacts, motion detectors, glassbreak detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors etc.) The entire system is controlled by a keypad. How the zones react and what signals they send to the monitoring station is entirely programmable.

Choosing who installs your system, well now that can be about as fun as a root canal. I would suggest you ask around locally, try to find a company which is small enough to care but big has been around long enough to ensure you will continue to receive the service you were promised. I would avoid "Authorized dealers" as this typically means they sell their monitoring accounts to the host company. I really hate it when consumers are treated like commodities. I have written a little bit about choosing an alarm company in the false alarm section of www.keepsafesystems.ca.

Aside from electronic security, there are several things you can do in and around your home to make it less inviting to the crackhead sector of society. Once again, feel free to check out protection 101 at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca for a little more information on securing your home.

I know I really didn't give you any specific companies, but I hope this will help you in your decision making process.

Good Luck

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Could a home security system interfere with my home theater system?

I recently installed a wireless home security systems (ADT), and now I am noticing a clicking emanating from my home theater system. I am wondering if it is caused by the new security, and if so, how can I fix it?

A bit of detail on the clicking: it is similar to, but not the same as, the phone interference caused by certain (GSM) phones.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

This is one of the many reasons I stay away from Wireless Security Systems. The thing is, the industry is well aware of the problems wireless security systems cause. Unfortuntately the ease of installation and quick monitoring revenues tends to win out over providing a decent system.

I'm not going to profess to being an expert in home theatre, I don't know where the interference is entering the system. If you have RF audio or video transmission I could see that as the culprit. As for changing the frequency, I don't know if this can be done but if so, that might just fix your problem.

Another solution would be to block RF out of the media room, although costly, metal walls might do the trick.

Honestly, I would suggest you contact the company who sold you the system. If you are positive the alarm system is causing the problem, they can test it out by powering the ENTIRE system down. This includes the wireless door contacts, motion sensor and anything else that would be sending that pulse. If the problem goes away, tell them to make the system go away. Opt for a hardwired security system. Yes there is more work involved in the installation, but the quality is better.

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What could be the cause of false alarms in a home alarm system (installed by a company, not a do it yourself)?

No pets on the premises.

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Many things can cause false alarms. The first thing to look at is the source of the false alarm.

If it is a motion detector, you might have a bug in the sensor or the sensor could have gone bad. Motion detectors also are prone to environmental issues (Particuarly the cheaper ones) Drafts, sources of heat and direct sunlight on the lens can cause problems.

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

KeepSafe Systems installs and services residential and commercial security alarm systems and provides alarm monitoring services in the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our service area includes but is not limited to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Abbotsford, Hope, Harrison, Aldergrove, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond and everywhere inbetween. Give us a call and let us help you feel more secure. We are here for you

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Written by KeepSafe Systems

Depending on where you live and your insurance requirements, residential smoke detectors and in some cases sprinkler systems, are rapidly becoming a requirement in all new construction. Aside from the regulations, it is important to remember that smoke alarms do save lives. For that reason, you should consider carefully the technology behind the various detectors out there and how best to install them in your home.

The starting point is to understand fire and how it works. There are four basic stages to a fire, understanding how a fire progresses and how you can protect yourself in each stage is critical in designing an effective fire detection system.

I - During the first, incipient stage, which may last for seconds to days, there is no noticeable smoke, heat or flame. During this stage, flammable gasses, or “products of combustion” are emitted

II - Next, is the smoldering stage, during which there still is no substantial flame or heat, but the combustion increases enough to create visible smoke.

III - The flame stage usually involves less smoke, but flames break out generating substantial heat.

IV - The fourth stage of a fire is often referred to as the high heat stage. At this point, the fire has spread rapidly throughout the home, producing extensive flames, extreme heat and many toxic gases.

The next important factor in effectively detecting the threat of fire is to look at the various types of smoke detectors on the market. Smoke detectors are abundant and are found in almost every hardware and grocery store in town. As with anything that costs money, not all smoke detectors are created equal. From the basic technologies involved to the testing procedures, it is important to know what you are buying. U.L.C. (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) does test and rates fire devices, however you should still examine the technologies as well as how their limitations may apply to the area in which they are installed.

There are two basic types of smoke detectors available today. Yes, at the end of the day, both detect fires but the differences lie in reliability and detection technology.

I – Ionization detectors are the most common and often least expensive detectors available. This detectors' smoke chamber contains a radioactive source that emits radiation, resulting in a weak flow of electric current. When particles such as those produced by fire enter the smoke chamber, they reduce the current and trigger the alarm. This type of detector is generally most effective in detecting the “products of combustion” produced during the incipient stage of a fire.

Although early detection is always desirable, there are several inherent flaws with this technology. For example, some ionization detectors are not as effective in detecting the smoke produced during the smoldering stage. Another downfall is their general susceptibility to false alarms that have a tendency to become more than a minor nuisance, once the fire department is dispatched.

II – Photoelectric detectors, although not effective in detecting the invisible gases created during the incipient stage, are generally more stable and reliable when it comes to false alarm immunity. Further to that, good quality photoelectric detectors are far superior at detecting visible smoke that may not contain the invisible gases required to set off an ionization detector.

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There are two types of detection methods within the photoelectric realm; obscuration and light scattering. Obscuration involves a the interruption of a beam of light while light scattering utilizes the light diffusing properties of smoke to redirect a beam of light to a light sensor. Both are effective, however the obscuration type detector requires more smoke to activate than the light scattering type.

Smoke detectors can be either battery operated, wired in or a combination of the two. Traditionally, wired in detectors were powered by the standard house wiring and installed by the electrician during construction; however, there is a better option available. Many security alarm companies offer low voltage smoke detectors that obtain their power directly from your security panel. Not only does this simplify integration, the security systems' back up battery will provide power to the detector, even in the event of a power failure or electrical fire.

In addition to smoke detectors are Heat detectors, rather simple in their design; these detectors utilize the heat produced during the flame and high heat stages of a fire to physically activate a switch. The two basic types of heat detectors on the market are “Fixed temperature” and “Rate of Rise”.

Fixed temperature detectors utilize either thermostat technology or a fusible link that will melt at a preset temperature. Rate of Rise detectors, on the other hand, often use an air chamber with a small hole that allows a measurable amount of air to escape during expansion. A rapid increase in temperature will cause the pressure in the chamber to expand faster than the small hole will release, resulting in the expansion of the air chamber and activation of a switch. The most common heat detector utilizes both technologies, however certain applications may not be suited for rate of rise detectors.

Sprinkler systems also utilize the principles of heat detectors. Some sprinklers rely on a small glass tube that will break once a certain temperature is reached - resulting in the activation of a mechanical switch, while others rely on the fusible link technology.

Finally, there is the aspect of remote monitoring. It is great to have a buzzer sound when your home is on fire, however, what about the times you may be overcome with smoke or out of town. Who will notify the authorities? Fortunately, most of the better quality detectors are able to connect to your security system. Even a sprinkler system has the ability to connect a “flow switch” to your existing security alarm. If you have any questions, or would like to know about enabling fire protection on your security system, please feel free to contact KeepSafe Systems at (604) 874-8772

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

KeepSafe Systems installs and services residential and commercial security alarm systems and provides alarm monitoring services in the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our service area includes but is not limited to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Abbotsford, Hope, Harrison, Aldergrove, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond and everywhere inbetween. Give us a call and let us help you feel more secure. We are here for you

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Written by KeepSafe Systems

Access Control is commonly associated with card readers and access cards, however, access control can go beyond a simple card swipe.

At KeepSafe Systems, we specialize in going beyond the normal and creating systems custom designed around the needs of our friends and clients. In fact, access control is more than controlling entry, it can also be looked at as a way to monitor and control exit, as seen in Wandering Patient Systems. Access Control systems can also be used for Time and Attendance / Employee Time Tracking purposes.

When security is of utmost concern, Access Control can consist of a "Sally-port" or "Airlock" type setup, where Access is controlled with two doors on either side of a secure corridor. In this type of application, access and egress require both doors be closed in order for any door to open. This access control measure eliminates the risk of tailgating, particularly when integrated with video surveillance, such as a 360 degree Mobotix IP Camera.

On the topic of Mobotix IP Camera's, Integration becomes even more powerful when utilizing the "Smart" video Analytics and two way voice capabilities of a Mobotix IP Camera. In addition to live 2 way voice communication, the Speaker in some Mobotix IP Camera models can be used to announce event specific instructions and or warning. For example, a warning message, remote alert and even security lock-down can be triggered if more than one person enter with a single card swipe.

A recent custom application involved the custom programming of an ESP32 Firebeetle "logic controller" to respond to the proximity of a specific smart phone BLE ID (Bluetooth Low Energy)

KeepSafe Systems Installs and Services card access and Biometric Access Control Systems for residential and Commercial Applications. Give us a call if you have any questions

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

KeepSafe Systems installs and services residential and commercial security alarm systems and provides alarm monitoring services in the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our service area includes but is not limited to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Abbotsford, Hope, Harrison, Aldergrove, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond and everywhere inbetween. Give us a call and let us help you feel more secure. We are here for you

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

KeepSafe Systems installs and services residential and commercial security alarm systems and provides alarm monitoring services in the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our service area includes but is not limited to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Abbotsford, Hope, Harrison, Aldergrove, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond and everywhere inbetween. Give us a call and let us help you feel more secure. We are here for you

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Written by KeepSafe Systems

Below is an older video surveillance article. Video Surveillance technology has advanced dramatically, since it was written, however I felt it was important to keep older information on the website, for informational purposes.

The starting point of any C.C.T.V. system is the camera. Simply stated, a camera is a light sensitive device that converts particles of light into electrical impulses, however, there is a vast difference in the quality of cameras available to the consumer. Factors that differentiate the various cameras include whether they are colour, black and white, light sensitivity, image resolution and image transfer technology. The consumer must also consider the inherent advantages and disadvantages in each of these different camera technologies and decide which features best fit their individual needs and goals.

In the past, color cameras have been both very expensive and lack-luster in their image performance, when compared to black and white cameras. New technology is now bringing the innovative technologies closer together in both the price and performance scale. The current differences between the two technologies are almost entirely limited to light sensitivity and light reactivity.

Light sensitivity is measured in LUX. The lower the LUX rating, the higher the sensitivity to light. It is important to keep in mind that even the best-rated cameras are limited by the technology of the day, as well as the visibility conditions present at the time of the surveillance. Although great advancements in low light surveillance continue to be ongoing, the image quality in a low light situation will rarely be up to the standards of daylight surveillance.

Color cameras, although much more appealing on the outside when compared to their black and white counterparts, generally offer less low light sensitivity than a black and white camera. The other advantage of black and white cameras over colour cameras is its ability to "see" infra-red light, which is invisible to the human eye. You can test this by aiming a standard television remote at a black and white camera while watching the monitor, the flashes you see are bursts of infra-red light. The advantage of this becomes apparent in the ability to light up a dark area with infra-red light, thus making images visible in almost pure darkness. With the colour camera the area will appear unlit, however, to a black and white camera, the area will appear almost like daylight.

The black and white camera's reactivity to the invisible light spectrum can also pose a disadvantage in certain applications. Infra-red light, although not visible to the human eye, is found in abundance in many everyday situations. For example, when aiming a black and white camera at hot pavement, it will "confuse" the camera resulting in an unbalanced image. Professional grade black and white cameras often incorporate infra-red cut-filters. These cut-filters inhibit the infra-red light spectrum in turn decreasing the cameras low light sensitivity.

The C.C.T.V. Industry measures image resolution in horizontal lines. The higher the line rating, the clearer the image will appear. With this fact in mind, consider that all electronic components within a C.C.T.V. System, from the camera, to the VCR, to the monitor. These items are all rated in the same way. The actual resolution of the entire system will only be as high as the lowest rated item. For example, if you have a camera rated at 450 lines and a monitor rated at 300 lines, then the result will be 300 visible lines of resolution because the monitor is the lowest rated item in this example. Another point to keep in mind is that the line rating is "Total lines" not lines per inch. Therefore a 12" monitor with a 300 line rating has a far better clarity than a 17" monitor with the same line rating.

The most recent and predominant advances in the C.C.T.V. Industry are the changes in image transfer technology. This technology deals with how the camera takes light particles and converts them into electronic images. Without going into too much detail, image transfer technologies include the following:

Phosphorus Tube Cameras - This camera has low quality, old technology and is susceptible to "image burn". Image burn is when intense light sources will burn themselves into the camera‚s light receptor resulting in the image appearing "memorized". Although this is not a problem with modern day cameras, image burn can still occur on monitors. Tube cameras are also known for poor low light sensitivity.

C.C.D - Also known as "Chip cameras". This camera is the most standard of cameras in the professional realm. C.C.D. cameras do not suffer from the problem of image burn and can incorporate various methods of signal processing, which offers a high level of flexibility to the installer.

CMOS Transfer Cameras - These cameras are very small and continue to get smaller as the technology advances. Although very attractive in their size, CMOS cameras generally do not offer the signal processing, image quality or low light sensitivity of the higher priced C.C.D. camera models. However, the technologies are slowly growing closer together to the point where CMOS cameras may eventually take over the Surveillance Industry.

The Surveillance Industry has continued to move towards the implementation of color cameras that switch to black and white, or even infra-red in low light conditions. Although there are some models currently available on the market, the technology is not at a point where it is affordable enough to be manufactured on a large scale.

Depth of Field - There are plenty of "good deals" on security cameras, out there. But how good is "good" and is the quality even acceptable as video evidence? When looking at a camera one needs to consider the lens. Most cameras available online or in big box stores are designed for the DIY market, for this reason they are made as close to plug and pray as possible. If you are goal is general surveillance, and your only concern is seeing if there is an object moving around the yard and if said object is a human or a trash panda, this type of camera will suit your needs. If, on the other hand, you are wanting to capture an image with sufficient detail to identify the person on your property, the wide angle focus free lens will leave you disappointed.

Unlike the human eye, a camera is incapable of rapidly shifting focus on the object of interest, for this reason the lens of the camera needs to be focused in on the area you expect the target to be. There is also a photography term known as Depth of Field, this is the distance an object will be in identifiable focus. Higher end lenses with glass optics are often designed to have a larger depth of field. Sure there are some manufacturers who try to wow the consumer with a high "megapixel" resolution, this resolution is meaningless if the lens is incapable of providing a detailed view. Basically you are paying for high resolution blur.

Image Compression - In modern digital video surveillance, images are often digitally compressed, in order to take up less space on the harddrive and to provide a higher frame rate. While this may seem like a positive, over compression can result in digital artifacts and pixel averaging.

Digital artifacts appear as foreign lines or dots in an image and are the holy grail for criminal defense lawyers, as they provide a clear (or unclear, as the case may be) pathway to reasonable doubt. Pixel averaging is just as detrimental as this results in the loss of shade and shadow detail, in favour of bright and vibrant high contrast images. While vibrant images may look great when looking at a flat object or single solid lines, the results are less desirable when dealing with the details of a human face.

In addition to saving space, image compression allows a manufacturer to increase the specified resolution (or megapixels) and still maintain an acceptable frame rate. Sadly, the end result is more often than not, questionable image quality.

IP Video Surveillance

Technology has advanced substantially, since this article was written, and KeepSafe Systems strives to be on the cutting edge of these product developments. Nowhere is this more evident in our implementation of Mobotix IP Cameras.

Manufactured in Germany, Mobotix goes beyond simple video surveillance and is designed with solutions in mind. With advanced features like edge recording, event based logic, 2-way voice, advanced analytics, thermal imaging and the ability to seamlessly integrate with many other systems, Mobotix is clearly more than a simple video surveillance system. That being said, the Mobotix system is easy to use and completely scalable.

Some interesting applications include detecting threats of fire with thermal imaging; proactive trespass notification / verbal warning; integration with lights, sprinklers, alarm systems and more. If you have a security concern, give us a shout and we can come up with a solution. The image to the left was taken with a Mobotix S16 camera. The discreet design enabled me to disguise the camera within the bushes, as not to disturb the growing family.

In addition to recording at the camera, Mobotix IP cameras are also remotely accessible through a free App (iOS / Android) and there is no additional monthly charge to access your cameras remotely. All you need is an internet connection.

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www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

KeepSafe Systems installs and services residential and commercial security alarm systems and provides alarm monitoring services in the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our service area includes but is not limited to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Abbotsford, Hope, Harrison, Aldergrove, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond and everywhere inbetween. Give us a call and let us help you feel more secure. We are here for you