CCTV Home Security

By Ray Lam


Securing your property is one of the growing domestic issues in the UK today. Some research suggests that at least one home is broken into every minute. Therefore, protecting homes and properties has become a priority and the advent of Closed Circuit Televisions or CCTVs is timely to say the least and can be employed for this purpose.

Many independent studies in the United States and United Kingdom have suggested that CCTV surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. Studies also show strong evidence that CCTV can be an extremely effective tool in detection and prosecution. The men believed to have been responsible for the July terrorist attacks on London's public transport system were later identified on the prevalent CCTV networks in the U.K.'s public places.

Another important development is that CCTV also facilitate remote monitoring i.e. you do not have to be on site to view the images. So it is possible to view real time images of what is happening back home from your work place or on holiday, you need to type in the URL of the server that controls the wireless cameras from any browser. You can see these images just as easily on your mobile phone. Some security companies will also provide a service that monitors the premises for you, so you effectively are renting the equipment. That way you can keep up with any major technical advances.

Speaking of advances in technology, CCTVs now provide a new level of sophistication, such as infrared night vision. The ability to monitor in the dark is obviously fundamental to a comprehensive home security system. Another development is the Passive Infrared motion detection facilities and Pan Tilt Zoom cameras. These cameras are able to rotate horiszontally through 360 degrees, vertically through 900 and have zoom lenses capable of giving more than ten times the current optical zoom.

CCTV video surveillance is subject to the laws regarding a person?s right to privacy. We strongly believe that CCTV security is a powerful addition to your home security system. Your home is your castle, and you have the right to protect it. However, you want to remain on the right side of the law. Therefore, when installing a CCTV system in your home, it is important that you are certain of the legality of your surveillance. Consult with a lawyer or your local law enforcement to ensure that you are meeting all the requirements of local, state, and federal CCTV laws.

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