CCTV Questions and Answers
(technical / general)
There are a growing number of companies claiming to have the best pricing available on covert cctv equipment. It is important to recognize the difference between true discount and the "cleaning-out" of old stock or the selling of inferior products at lower prices. Things to remember and watch out for:
The TRUTH about Wireless Systems
HIDDENCAMERA DOT COM has always researched the video surveillance market in order to find which video cameras and accessories gives you the most for your money. We have changed manufacturers and product brands time and time again in order to keep everything we sell at the cutting edge without cutting too deeply into your bank account. During one period, we started receiving defective wireless equipment so poorly made that some designs actually posed a fire hazard! This was unacceptable to us, so we immeadiately went elsewhere to buy. Then it happened again and then again! After refusing to sell inferior and dangerous merchandise to our customers, we had to make a decision and we did. We chose to build the wireless cameras ourselves, but build them under strict quality control standards. We decided that our first product would be the WLCLR3 Alarm Clock Radio since they were the most popular item of our wireless line. First, we redesigned several components within the WLCLR3 allowing much better operation at the same time, staying within FCC guidelines. It's now called the WLCLR5. We have since, added several new cameras to our wireless product line We also choose to install only the highest grade componates like the Sony chip board camera assuring that our customers would be buying the very best equipment money can buy. We hired our own true electrical engineers and technicians assuring a good quality and a fire safe design as well. To this day, our wireless equipment is unsurrpassed and the best part........ We charge you less for a product that is actually more durable and is higher quality than any other unit available. So when someone asks why our cameras are so inexpensive, maybe they should ask why "their" cameras are so expensive.
Camera Resolution, what does it mean and is it important?
Resolution is the number by which a camera's clarity is commonly measured. It is the number of horizontal video lines transmitted by a camera to reproduce the image framed. The greater the number, the better (clearer) the image. Although some cameras claim to have 380 or 400 lines of resolution and they may very well have, other factors play a critical role in the manufacturing of a truly good video camera. For example, a video camera may claim to have as many as 600 lines of resolution and still be a poor quality camera due to poor workmanship, cheap parts or something as simple as a poor quality lens. Obviously, resolution is important and should be considered when purchasing any video surveillance camera equipment, but should not be a used as a quality gauge.
What does Lux mean?
Lux (1/10 of a foot candle) is a standardized method by which to measure a camera's sensitivity to light. The lower the number, the less light it will take to reproduce a clear image. For example: A camera that sees down to 1 lux, means it generally has the ability to see an image during early evening hours or just before dusk. A camera that sees down to .1 has the ability to see an image in let's say, a well lit parking lot. A rating of .05, the ability to clearly view an image in a dimly lit area at night. A .05 image can usually enable a camera to actually see better than the human eye at night!
Lens, what type do I use with my camera?
Lenses come in many different powers and formats. Most CCD Cameras today utilize an automatic iris. (No mechanical iris needed) There are two benefits here. 1- Non-auto lenses are much cheaper, thus keeping costs to a minimum 2- Since an auto-iris camera contains no moving parts (mechanical expanding iris), they are generally more dependable. There is one other option to consider when ordering lenses. It is the most important. Will you need a wide angle or a narrow field lens? The guidelines below will help you decide:
2 to 4 mm- Wide angle lenses normally used to view a room no bigger than 30ft. x 30ft. With a wide angle lens, viewing over this distance will be difficult since further images will be small on your monitor. You would be unable to recognize faces, as well as actions over this distance.
5 to 8 mm- Normally used to focus on a particular area, lets say a cash register area or sales area across a room or to monitor an outside entrance from 30 feet away.
9 mm +- Obviously to view areas further away or to bring an image "close up". (The larger the number, the narrower the field of view or the closer an image will appear).
What about wireless?
Most of our cameras are hardwired (not wireless), however, we do offer high quality transmitters/receivers that you may add to any of our cameras that will allow wireless operation. Our units send a signal via RF- 2.4 GHz or higher and utilize digital technology which allows performance that equals some of the most sophisticated and expensive systems on the market. We only sell upper grade video transmission systems since the lower-end wireless systems seem to cause more aggravation then they're worth. Tests, customer return rate and testimony has proven this. Wireless transmitter/receiver prices range from $350.00 to $20,000.00. (don't worry, it is unlikely that you'll require the more expensive laser transmitter system). We advise hardwiring (running a wire to a VCR or monitor) when possible since wireless interference under certain conditions may occur, as well as the unsecured possibilities of broadcasting a covert image to unwanted locations. It is rare, but we felt must be addressed. Note: Self-installation of wireless systems to hard-wired cameras is not difficult, however, it is a bit more complicated than direct hook-up. If you're still unsure or still have questions, call us. You'll be glad you did!
Will your video cameras work on any VCR?
Every VCR has an additional female plug in it's rear panel [video-in] that
will work with ANY of our units. ALL standard home VCRs, commercial grade VCR's and time-lapse VCRs have a line video input along with an audio input usually located on the rear of the unit, allowing recording, as well as viewing with or without a TV connected to the recorder (line inputs are the female RCA type jacks at the rear of the vcr. They look like stereo phono plugs). Switchers or screen splitters may be added, allowing the simultaneous recording of up to 4 video cameras or more.
Should I feel guilty about video taping someone?
All of the video surveillance products sold by HIDDENCAMERA DOT COM
(The HiddenCamera Store) are top-shelf, commercial-grade products. They are
built to operate continuously with little or no maintenance for many years.
Please check with applicable authorities regarding local and federal laws as
they apply to party consent and audio recording.
I have always felt that an individual has the right to survey his or her
property, home and business. One certainly has the right to protect his
family against harm or his business against theft or his employees
against assault or in some cases, robbery. But......We strongly discourage
the use of our products in locker rooms, bath rooms, dressing rooms, private
homes(other than your own) or any other location where one's privacy rights
might be violated.
Our products are amazing and once purchased, you'll wonder how you "did
without" for so many years, but please use them responsibly.
I'm afraid to order over the Internet.
If you're afraid to order merchandise found on the Internet, you have good reason. We have all heard horror stories about never receiving what you ordered or not getting refunds for returned goods or even getting charged more that you agreed. Rule #1: Never submit your credit card number via on-line order forms unless the forms used are secured in some way. Call in your order whenever possible. It's worth the extra few cents spent on a phone call. Rule #2: Never submit your credit card number via email. There are actually black market programs that are designed to search and find 16 digit credit card numbers and their ex. dates so that they can be used or sold illegally. Rule #3: How long has a site been in business? There are ways to find this out. One way is to check their domain registration date. While HIDDENCAMERA DOT COM is a newly formed company the people behind it have years of business experience. This method also helps find out about their past merchant and complaint history. Rule #5: Call! Does the company answer the phone during normal business hours or is their an an answering machine doing it for them in their bedroom? Note: There are many small businesses that are ligitiment and utilize answering machines, so don't make your decision based on this one rule. Rule #6: Use common sense. If your gut feeling says don't do it, then DON'T!
Warranty
Generally, A warranty on security equipment is 6 months to one year. It should cover any parts and labor, of course ruling out abuse. Most of our items start at one year with some having three year warranties.
Summary
HIDDENCAMERA DOT COM/The Hidden Camera Store covert cameras all have a TRUE 380 to 460 lines of resolution or more. Our wireless cameras are all made in the United States and are manufactured under strict guidelines (some imported components are used). The lux ratings vary from .1 to .001 for our Black and White product line! HIDDENCAMERA DOT COM also guarantees it's cameras for at least one year and most for two full years, leading the industry in product, as well as technical support. We'll even "guide the way" during installation! Call us now if you still have questions call us toll free at 1 (877) 828-4085 or (856) 678-7462. and thank-you for your interest!
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