Viewing Security Camera Systems

How you monitor your digital video security system may be reactively (after an event takes place) or proactively. You could view security cameras online. You may even choose to publicly display your video security system output as a deterrent. At the very minimum, one must regularly verify that each camera is recording the images they should be and this schedule will be different for nearly everyone. Here are some possible ways in which to watch your CCTV system:

• Monitor – plugging a LCD or CRT monitor into the back of your DVR. Some DVRs allow for multiple monitors to be plugged in: one for “public” which shows only footage and one for the operator which will overlay additional details such as remaining recording space, status and menus. This is an excellent for retail applications.
• HTTP – also known as WWW or viewing your footage via your favorite web browser. Though most IP cameras and DVRs support this feature, be aware of browser support if you use something other than Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
• email – many DVRs and IP cameras can email an image of an event (motion). Mobotix cameras can be configured to send event “story” snapshots that show what happened before, during and after an event. Mobotix cameras can also be configured to send images at scheduled or random intervals which is ideal for applications where events are not triggered.
• FTP – a great way to implement off-site video surveillance and extra insurance in event of a disaster such as fire or theft of your recording equipment. An FTP server could be local or remote and this service is a very powerful piece of Mobotix cameras.
• Cable TV – using a channel modulator, you can take the video output from your DVR and assign it to a channel so that it is available on any television within your building which is popular for apartment buildings.
• Video Analytics – for advanced applications, video footage can be integrated with analytics software which can be used to count traffic (people, cars…), license plate recognition (LPR) and trend activities.

Care must be given when configuring “push” based systems such as email alerts as they can very quickly fill your inbox if not properly setup (false positives). Beware of cheap DVRs which send non compliant emails which can also get caught by SPAM filters.