A surveillance system is more reasonably priced than ever before

A surveillance system for your home or business is cheaper now that it has been at any point in the past. This is in large part due to advances in technology. And they're easier and cheaper to install now, too, thanks to wireless technology. There are a number of components to consider when purchasing a surveillance system.

The first thing to consider is whether to buy a wired or a wireless system. Wired systems cost less and have less problems with interference, but cost more to install. This is mainly due to the cost of the wire and labor to install it. Wireless systems cost more, but you can save money on installation. If you plan on installing the system yourself, you may want to go for the cost savings of a wired system. But if you don't want all the manual labor involved in running wires, the added cost of wireless might well be worth the price.

The type of cameras you buy is the next thing you need to consider. You'll need to purchase weather-resistant cameras for locations outdoors, and decide where they will be mounted. You also have the option of purchasing hidden wireless cameras, mainly designed for indoor use, if you don't want to advertise the fact that you have a surveillance system. Exposed cameras are not a bad thing, however, as police statistics show that when burglars and vandals see a surveillance system, they go somewhere else to do their dirty work.

After deciding on the cameras, you'll need a display device. You can use a spare video input on a TV if you just have a few cameras (you can purchase a quad multiplexer that will allow you to use up to four cameras with one video input). Or you can purchase a dedicated video monitor. In addition, you can buy a kit that turns your PC into a DVR and a display device.

The next thing you will need to consider is some type of recording device to keep a record of activity. You can use a VCR, but you have the hassle of rewinding and fast forwarding to find a spot on the tape, plus the hassle of tapes wearing out. A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is preferred nowadays, and they are not as costly as they once were. With a DVR, there's no fast forwarding or rewinding -- you can instantly jump to any spot in the video. Plus there are no tapes to wear out. You can buy a standalone DVR or one that's PC-based. In addition, as mentioned previously, you can use an existing PC as a DVR with the necessary kit.

Now that you know a little more about what you need for a surveillance system, you need to select a dealer to buy from. Be sure you select one who has experience in the surveillance and CCTV markets, and ask them to recommend the system that would be best for you. For more information about a surveillance system, visit the Total Security Warehouse website.

Hidden Security Cameras Have Many Uses

Maybe you need to know what your employees are up to when you're away from your business. Or what your kids are doing when you're not at home. Or you might like to know how your child's caretaker treats your child when you're away. You might suspect that your spouse is cheating on you. Or that some illegal activity is going on near your home or business. Hidden security cameras can provide answers to these types of questions.

You can buy hidden security cameras these days that are disguised as working, everyday objects. For example, you can get a working cordless phone, a functioning kitchen can opener, a wall clock, a teddy bear, a working smoke detector or a fully-functional CD boombox -- all with undetectable cameras hidden in them. They look and act like everyday objects, so the people you are watching will never suspect a thing. And they're relatively inexpensive, too, thanks to advances in technology.

These hidden security cameras use small "board" cameras with a pinhole lens -- this is the key to hiding them in everyday objects. They can "see" through a very small opening, which can be disguised as part of the object. And since they're wireless and battery operated, there's no wires to give away the fact that they're actually cameras. They're also easy to install because there are no wires to run to the camera. You simply place the camera in the area you want to keep an eye on, and plug the output of the receiver into the display or recording device you plan to use to display or record the images. This can be a TV with a spare video input, a specialized display monitor, a VCR or a DVR (Digital Video Recorder).

These wireless hidden security cameras operate on a 2.4GHz frequency, which means they can transmit their signal through walls, ceilings and doors. Cordless phones and some wireless computer networking gear operate on this same frequency, so be sure you choose devices that are capable of selecting a free channel within the 2.4GHz frequency band. This will help to minimize any possible interference.

If you need to keep a record of the images, you can use a VCR or DVR. VCRs have limited storage per tape, and you have to deal with tapes wearing out, so a DVR is preferable. Prices have come down on dedicated DVRs considerably, too. As a matter of fact, you can even by a kit that contains all of the necessary hardware and software to turn you existing PC into a sophisticated DVR and display device.

No matter what your need might be for hidden security cameras, now you know a little bit more about them. Be sure and shop for equipment such as this at a company that has experience in the video surveillance and security business. Ask them for suggestions on the cameras that would be right for your particular purpose. For more information on hidden security cameras, visit the Total Security Warehouse website.