Digital Express

Archive for the ‘Camera’ Category

What to Look for in an Ip Camera Enclosure

IP camera enclosures help keep your IP camera safe from the elements of weather and vandals who would destroy the camera at any given chance. This article will discuss what to look for when purchasing an IP camera enclosure.

Enclosure Mounting

IP camera enclosures come with various mounting types. These include pole mounts, wall mounts, ceiling mounts and corner mounts. These different types of mounts allow you to install the enclosure in various environments easily and effectively. Some enclosures are sold with mounts, though some are sold separately. This allows you to use the same enclosure in various different applications by purchasing the necessary mountings for each enclosure installation.

Indoor/Outdoor Enclosures

Sometimes a heavy duty enclosure is not required. For some indoor camera installations, a basic plastic enclosure will do just fine. These types of enclosures are more affordable, but offer minimal protection for the IP camera protecting it from minor damage. If the enclosure will be installed outdoors, there are several other aspects that need to be considered. The following are some concerns when installing an outdoor IP camera enclosure.

Environmental Concerns

One main use of outdoor IP camera enclosures is to protect your IP camera from weather that would destroy the camera if unprotected against the elements of rain, snow, heat and cold. When looking for an outdoor IP camera enclosure, examine what type of weather conditions the enclosure and camera will have to withstand. If the enclosure will be in an open area which would allow rain to fall on the top of the enclosure, be sure to purchase an enclosure that is properly sealed to avoid moisture penetrating inside. You will want to make sure the enclosure offers proper airflow for the camera. A completely sealed enclosure with no airflow could potentially overheat your camera.

Heater and blowers are also common components of enclosures. These allow the temperature and airflow of the enclosure to stay within a suitable range for the IP camera. These are ideal for winter and humid summers. Be sure to find out the temperature range of the heater and blower to make sure it meets the required temperature range of the IP camera itself.

Installation

Some enclosures can be a pain to install. It is wise to read over the installation directions before purchasing the enclosure if possible. Some manufacturers offer downloadable manuals or guides for the enclosure installation. From these you will be able to tell how difficult the enclosure installation will be and it will give you a chance to purchase any additional equipment required for installing the enclosure.

Power requirements will also need to be considered as each enclosure requires different power voltages depending on the features including heaters, blowers, built-in camera power supplies, etc.. You will need to make sure what type of power the IP camera also requires and have separate power running to the camera if needed.

Supported IP Cameras

Not all IP cameras are supported by each enclosure. You will need to make sure your camera is fully supported by the enclosure or the IP camera may not mount correctly inside the enclosure. Some mounts are generic however it still is possible that the IP camera is too large for the enclosure causing the enclosure to not seal correctly.

The majority of enclosure manufacturers offer a Supported IP Camera list that you can check to make sure your IP camera is supported. Be sure to check that no additional mounts are required for the camera to be installed in the enclosure.

Some IP camera manufacturers also offer enclosures for their cameras which have been tested to ensure the camera works correctly in the enclosure.

Vandal and Tamper Resistance

Many enclosures offer vandal resistance and tamper proof screws. These enclosures are designed to provide protection when an intruder may attempt to damage the camera in an effort to prevent video from being recorded . If the IP camera enclosure will be within reaching distance, it would be wise to purchase a vandal proof enclosure that will protect the camera damage. Some enclosure manufacturers also provide results from tests done on the enclosure ranging from baseball bat attacks to .22 calibre bullets.

We hope this article gives you some pointers on what to look for when purchasing an IP camera enclosure.

Hidden Camera manufacturers love low lux ratings, but consumers may be left in the dark. You’ve seen the claims: “Night vision” or “Outstanding reproduction in low light conditions.” Night vision Hidden Cameras with low-lux ratings are the norm, and manufacturers seem intent on seeing just how low they can go. Claims of 2 lux, 1 lux, 0.75 lux and even 0.1 Lux are not uncommon.

What do these ratings really mean? What is a lux, and just how many do you need?

Simply stated, the lux is the metric unit for measuring the amount of light that falls on an object, and is the European equivalent of the British foot-candle (or lumen). Specifically, 1 lux equals the amount of light that falls on a one-square-meter surface that is one meter away from a single candle. 10 lux equals the amount of light produced by 10 candles one meter away. A hidden camera with a 1-lux rating claims to be able to produce an image by the light of one candle that is about three feet away from the subject. Many cameras on the market today can do just that. The problem is that the resulting image may be of very poor quality. When a manufacturer slaps a 1-lux rating on the side of its camera, it is giving a subjective opinion of what is an acceptable image. While the ratings are more uniform, objective and scientific than they have been in the past, what a given manufacturer considers “acceptable” is probably not up to the standards of the quality-conscious video grapher. A grainy, monochrome form is probably not what you had in mind when you purchased your night vision “low light” hidden camera. Also, since “acceptable image” is a subjective term, lux ratings will vary from one manufacturer to another. Brand X’s 2-lux camera may produce a noticeably better image than a competitor’s camera also rated at 2 lux. There’s no way to know without testing them both. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you been searching for point and shoot digital cameras, attempting to make a decision about which one is ideal to suit your needs? This article will make sure to give you some simple yet fundamental principles to enable you decide on the correct point and shoot digital camera so that you’ve no regrets following you acquire it.

An unknown author one time wrote, “I believe a photography class ought to be a requirement in all instructional courses simply because it tends to make you see the globe as opposed to just look at it.” Certainly, taking photos can deliver out the soul and essence of every single thing it captures. Nevertheless, just before getting a photograph that exposes the heart of its subjects, one ought to possess the device that will allow it to be feasible for a great image to come to life. A camera that suits you as best as it can becomes necessary, do you agree?

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How to Set Up a Cheap Surveillance Camera System and Secure Your Home

Cameras are just about everywhere in today’s day and age. There are few places you can go in public that you are not being recorded by a camera. From the streets to the local fast food restaurant you are likely being recorded. Surveillance systems have also been part of the security systems for the wealthy for many years and now they can be an affordable part of your homes.

There are several things you must consider when choosing your camera system. Just like most technology you can get more features for more money. Choosing a system will require you to consider budget along with wanted features and find a happy median of the two.

The first step is deciding how many cameras you plan to use. A system for just one camera can be set up for very little cost and be very effective. If you choose to have more cameras like 4, 8 or 16 then there are complete packages available that make cameras more cost effective. Once you know how many cameras you want, you will need to decide if you want to run wires or not. Most cameras are available in wired or wireless versions and normally the wired cameras are much more cost effective.

Surveillance cameras can come with many different functions including night vision, covert, color, black & white, weatherproof, high power wireless, pan tilt zoom cameras and many other options. If you need special application cameras they are likely available at a cost. Currently the most commonly used cameras for homes and businesses are dome cameras, bullet style cameras and hidden cameras. The type of camera will greatly depend on the application.

Next you will need to find a way to record your cameras. Recording is not necessary and it is possible to just view the cameras using a monitor, but you will find that having a recorded system has many advantages. The cost of recording can vary greatly depending on your choice of recorders. Below are the different recording options you have to choose from.

VCR -The cheapest may be an extra VCR you have lying around. Most cameras can be plugged directly into a VCR or TV’s video input. If the connection is not the same then there are adaptors available. You may be limited when using a VCR to just one camera. You can split the video of more cameras and use them with a VCR if you purchase a quad. A quad splits video inputs so they take up just a portion of the screen. Most quads are 4 channel, but more channel quads are available. VCRs can’t be viewed over the internet.

Surveillance Software and Hardware – This method of recording can also be a very cheap way to record. You must have a computer with some extra RAM and a USB port . This software will turn your computer into a feature rich DVR or digital video recorder (more on this later). To connect a camera to the computer you will need a analog to digital video converter. Just plug the camera into one end and the other end into the USB port on the computer. Most software will be able to see the camera as soon as it recognizes the video converter. If you have more cameras, you will need more converters and more free USB ports. You can also use a quad between the cameras and the video converter cord to increase the number of cameras you can view using this method. This is a great economic way to go if you only have a few cameras. These systems can be connected to the internet and viewed from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.

DVR Card – a DVR card will need to be installed into one of the PCI ports in a PC in order to work. If you can’t add a card to the inside of your PC, then this may not be the best solution for you unless you can get some help. There are many people that have the ability to install a PCI card so help should be easy to come by. These cards range from 4 to 16 cameras and some can be used in sets for systems up to 36 cameras. The exposed part of the card on the back of the computer will allow you to connect the number of cameras the card allows. Most DVR cards will also allow audio microphones to be connected along with the cameras. DVR cards can be full of features and can compared with a high end DVR. DVR cards usually can be connected to the internet and viewed from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.

DVR – is a digital video recorder. This device basically allows your cameras video to be recorded onto a hard drive or internal disk. There are 2 types of DVRs, windows based and embedded. Windows based DVRs are similar to a computer and use the Windows operating system to run surveillance software. Most people find Windows based DVRs much easier to use than embedded DVR. The embedded DVR does not use any software and all functions are embedded on software encoded computer chips. Embedded DVRs are cheaper than Windows based DVRs in most cases. DVRs are generally the most expensive way to record your cameras. Both types of DVRs allow you to connect the cameras directly to the back of the DVR. Some DVRs can be connected to the internet and viewed from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.

You may also want to hook a monitor up to your system. The monitor will allow you to review the recorded video and also watch it live. Depending on the system you are setting up, the monitor may be a TV or may be a computer monitor. Monitors are available in all different sizes and qualities. If you plan on building a surveillance system you may want to consider one of the many systems available that provide everything you need in one discounted package. For the beginner it is many times easier to purchase a complete surveillance system then to try to piece together each thing individually.

These basics should be enough to get you started on finding a home surveillance system to meet your budget. Many times if you speak to a surveillance expert you can simply tell them your needs and your budget and they will put together a system that will work well for you. There are a lot of options for you to protect your home and family, be sure the system purchase will meet your security needs.

Kodak Easyshare M893 is Digital Camera

Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Digital Camera provides great image quality and advanced features in an ultra-compact and affordable package. The camera provides a resolution of 8.1 megapixels, which allows you to print clear, crisp images up to 30 x 40″ in size, and a 3x optical zoom lens that makes the camera great for typical family and vacation shooting.

In addition, the camera includes Digital Image Stabilization that detects camera movements to digitally compensate for camera shake, and blur reduction that uses high ISO settings to produce clearer pictures in low-light situations. It also incorporates Kodak Perfect Touch Technology so you can take consistently better shots under all sorts of shooting conditions.

Kodak’s Face Detection technology is provided so portraits and group shots always look great, and the Versatile Scene and Color Modes allow you to be creative without the difficulty of manual shooting. Finally, the vibrant 2.7-inch LCD screen is perfect for instantly sharing clear, bright pictures and videos, or displaying your own customized Multimedia Slideshows right on the camera.

The Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Digital Camera provides great image quality and advanced features in an ultra-compact and affordable package. The camera provides a resolution of 8.1 megapixels, which allows you to print clear, crisp images up to 30 x 40″ in size, and a 3x optical zoom lens that makes the camera great for typical family and vacation shooting.

In addition, the camera includes Digital Image Stabilization that detects camera movements to digitally compensate for camera shake, and blur reduction that uses high ISO settings to produce clearer pictures in low-light situations. It also incorporates Kodak Perfect Touch Technology so you can take consistently better shots under all sorts of shooting conditions.

Kodak’s Face Detection technology is provided so portraits and group shots always look great, and the Versatile Scene and Color Modes allow you to be creative without the difficulty of manual shooting. Finally, the vibrant 2.7-inch LCD screen is perfect for instantly sharing clear, bright pictures and videos, or displaying your own customized Multimedia Slideshows right on the camera.

The Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Digital Camera provides great image quality and advanced features in an ultra-compact and affordable package. The camera provides a resolution of 8.1 megapixels, which allows you to print clear, crisp images up to 30 x 40″ in size, and a 3x optical zoom lens that makes the camera great for typical family and vacation shooting.

In addition, the camera includes Digital Image Stabilization that detects camera movements to digitally compensate for camera shake, and blur reduction that uses high ISO settings to produce clearer pictures in low-light situations. It also incorporates Kodak Perfect Touch Technology so you can take consistently better shots under all sorts of shooting conditions.

Kodak’s Face Detection technology is provided so portraits and group shots always look great, and the Versatile Scene and Color Modes allow you to be creative without the difficulty of manual shooting. Finally, the vibrant 2.7-inch LCD screen is perfect for instantly sharing clear, bright pictures and videos, or displaying your own customized Multimedia Slideshows right on the camera.

The Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Digital Camera provides great image quality and advanced features in an ultra-compact and affordable package. The camera provides a resolution of 8.1 megapixels, which allows you to print clear, crisp images up to 30 x 40″ in size, and a 3x optical zoom lens that makes the camera great for typical family and vacation shooting.

In addition, the camera includes Digital Image Stabilization that detects camera movements to digitally compensate for camera shake, and blur reduction that uses high ISO settings to produce clearer pictures in low-light situations. It also incorporates Kodak Perfect Touch Technology so you can take consistently better shots under all sorts of shooting conditions.

Kodak’s Face Detection technology is provided so portraits and group shots always look great, and the Versatile Scene and Color Modes allow you to be creative without the difficulty of manual shooting. Finally, the vibrant 2.7-inch LCD screen is perfect for instantly sharing clear, bright pictures and videos, or displaying your own customized Multimedia Slideshows right on the camera.

The Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Digital Camera provides great image quality and advanced features in an ultra-compact and affordable package. The camera provides a resolution of 8.1 megapixels, which allows you to print clear, crisp images up to 30 x 40″ in size, and a 3x optical zoom lens that makes the camera great for typical family and vacation shooting.

In addition, the camera includes Digital Image Stabilization that detects camera movements to digitally compensate for camera shake, and blur reduction that uses high ISO settings to produce clearer pictures in low-light situations. It also incorporates Kodak Perfect Touch Technology so you can take consistently better shots under all sorts of shooting conditions.

Kodak’s Face Detection technology is provided so portraits and group shots always look great, and the Versatile Scene and Color Modes allow you to be creative without the difficulty of manual shooting. Finally, the vibrant 2.7-inch LCD screen is perfect for instantly sharing clear, bright pictures and videos, or displaying your own customized Multimedia Slideshows right on the camera.