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CCTV PACKAGEA compact digital camera can produce stunning pictures, so why not use it for CCTV purposes? Only one camera is necessary to cover a large retail premises such as a bank or restaurant, or even an area as wide as Oxford Circus or Oxford Street. The resolution of many modern digital cameras is 5 or more megapixels (depending on your choice of camera), and so the captured camera scene is much more extensive and detailed compared to using video cameras, as you can see from the above surveillance images. You can cover the street outside your home, or your business entrance, and many other locations. See a live camera in action: :http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/4406420/1/CCTV?h=691724 Equipment Required: 1) Digital compact camera (supported Canon cameras) with a time-lapse function. Note: Casio and Nikon cameras can also be used where a remote capture program for the model is available. (Check on the internet regarding availability). The camera can be connected directly to a laptop running Windows XP / Vista using a USB cable, or wirelessly using a WiFi-enabled memory card (see www.EyeFi.com ) Images can be saved on any computer in a network, and not just on the computer connected to the camera. They can also be uploaded automatically to an online storage space like Dropbox.com, which offers a free 2GB account and a 100 GB paid account. 2) Laptop or PC
running Windows XP Professional / Home Edition /Vista 5) Remote Capture Software - . This may be supplied with the camera or else may be available for purchasing online (check camera model). Motion detection can also be used with cameras which support a live view of the camera scene on the pc whereby trigger spots are positioned within the camera scene window displayed on the computer to activate motion detection as desired. Thus, new customers entering a premises can be photographed when the front door opens, or the till area can be covered, without movement in other areas triggering the camera. Motion detection however requires that the camera shutter remains open and this tends to degrade the cemera sensor over a period of months. The time-lapse option produces
images regardless of whether motion is present in the camera scene and leads to less wear
and tear on the camera sensor (cameras can function quite well for a year or more). Connect the camera to your laptop or pc and run the camera remote software. Select the shutter speed ('TV' mode 1/125th of a second and ISO setting of 200 is suitable for most cases). Choose the folder where you wish to save the captured images. Select motion detection from the camera menu if available, and run the Zonetrigger utility or set the camera on time-lapse basis (one photo every 3 seconds for example). You'll now have possibly the best CCTV system in the world with software costing under £60! OPTIONAL EXTRAS Burglar Sensor Lights
minimum 3000 watts (6 x 500 watts) for night-time shots.
£17 each. Remote Live Viewing
- you can log in to your cameras over the internet from any computer in the world to see
the live camera scene (like a webcam) and also to view or retrieve snapshots on the remote
laptop/pc. There are a number of companies selling remote viewing software. Extra Hard Drive Storage
This can be arranged using an external USB hard drive purchased in any computer shop. In
this case a 400 gigabyte hard drive would store the saved images for several months (all
in date and time order). The external hard drive containing the images can also be
strapped down for extra security. CAMERA AND COMPUTER SET-UP TIPS
COMPLETE PACKAGE INCLUDING FREE INSTALLATION
Less than £60 for the software! |
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