Intro4u2u

Today’s announcement by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to change taxi policy toward increasing fuel economy standards, highlights Ford’s leadership in hybrid taxis. The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid meet the existing New York City taxi requirements and the proposed new fuel economy policy.

In early 2005, San Francisco was the first city to feature gas-electric hybrid-powered taxi cabs. The city chose Ford Escape Hybrid. Later that year, New York City added a small fleet of Escape Hybrid taxis based on the New York City Council decision to pass the Clean Air Taxis Act. In June 2006, Ford embarked on a nationwide tour promoting the advantages of the use of Escape Hybrids for taxi service, and since, Chicago and Austin have also introduced Escape Hybrids into their taxi fleets.

With hundreds of thousands of miles accumulated over the past two years in New York City, there has been an estimated fuel savings of $250,000 for the initial fleet of 18 Escape Hybrid taxis. Now there are 288 Escape Hybrids in taxi service throughout the city, and drivers are reporting that the hybrids are delivering on the durability requirements and fuel-saving advantages that make them a great choice for taxi use.

Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi Facts

Most fuel-Efficient SUV on Earth: EPA rated at 34 miles per gallon in city driving, the front-wheel drive Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on earth, and can provide drivers 500 miles to a tank.
Taxi Drivers Save $30 Per Shift: According to San Francisco cab driver Paul Gillespie, driving an Escape Hybrid saves him up to $30 per shift. Working four shifts a week for a year could equal more than $6,000.
Partial Zero Emission Vehicle ( PZEV ) Certified: The Escape Hybrid dramatically reduces smog-forming emissions, as it meets the cleanest emissions standard available for a vehicle that uses fossil fuels – California’s AT-PZEV standard. Over 100,000 miles the Escape Hybrid will conserve approximately 1,666 gallons of gas over a traditional cab, effectively preventing 32,000 pounds of carbon emissions.
Reliability and Durability is Key for Taxi Use: The Escape Hybrid is proving to be remarkably durable, capable of surviving around-the-clock use in one of the most severe driving conditions any vehicle will face. This durability is backed by a standard 8-year / 100,000-mile limited warranty for unique hybrid components, including the battery pack.
Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrid Have Highest Tax Credits: Because the real world fuel economy of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids increased for the 2008 model year, the Federal income tax credits available now are $3,000 for FWD models ( up $400 ) and $2,200 on 4WD models ( up $250 ). The Ford and Mercury Hybrids now have the highest tax credit of any hybrid – up to $900 more than the closest competitor. For both vehicles, the new EPA-certified fuel economy for FWD models is 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, and 29 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for AWD models.
Insurance Discounts for Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrids: Travelers, one of the largest providers of personal insurance products in the United States, offers hybrid drivers in the states of California, New Jersey, Texas, New York, Maryland, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia and Washington discounts of up to 10 percent on certain coverages. The company estimates their hybrid policy business grew by 200 percent in 2006

PHOENIX — In this shadeless Southwestern city, Steve Graber is living a car enthusiast’s dream. He built his own car, gave it a cool name — La Bala, Spanish for “The Bullet” — and has earned enough positive feedback to encourage him to sell it in kit form through his own small company.

Steve felt that modern cars are “overfeatured,” so his aim was to design a no-frills roadster that “looks good, [is] extremely light, has race-level safety features and goes like stink.” La Bala was built in a time frame of just three years. Steve used a friend’s Toyota MR2 as a basis but stripped it down to the bare chassis and clothed it in an attractive, sporty two-door plastic body.

The 1,500-pound prototype is powered by a 1.6-liter, 170-horsepower Toyota engine, and gets to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Did someone say Lotus Elise? Yes, it looks like one, and at 124 inches long and 67 inches wide, La Bala is not just conceptually, but dimensionally similar to the Elise.

Graber recently won the Editors’ Choice Award at the Knott’s Berry Farm National Kit Car Show, the biggest such event in the United States, which prompted him to set up a small company and offer La Bala for sale. It retails for $25,000 as a complete car in crates, excluding drivetrain and paint. Read all about it at the Graber Cars Web site.

What this means to you: A seriously Spartan (we mean that in a good way) track racer that does much credit to someone who calls himself “an average guy in an average garage.”

If you can’t afford to buy a Lotus, maybe you’ll just have to make do with driving one for a day or two. Those who check out the Lotus Experience through Waikiki Parc Hotel’s “Room & Vroom” package have a choice of driving a Chili Red or Chrome Orange Lotus Elise, a sports car (MSRP $46,270) with a 150-mph top speed, that goes from 0-to-60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

The two-night package starts at $565, single or double occupancy, and includes the room, use of the Lotus, and complimentary porte-cochere valet parking. Additional nights start at $195, and additional Lotus 24-hour rentals are $175 per day, based on availability, through Dec. 20. Prices are subject to taxes.

To book, call the Parc at 921-7272, or toll-free at (800) 422-0450 from the continental United States and Canada, or visit www.waikikiparc.com. The Waikiki Parc Hotel is the sister property of the Halekulani.

Security-tips are important pieces of advice. Learn what should be taken care of and implement that with utmost attention. Why?

Because one of the most painful and devastating experiences that could happen to anyone, is that of coming home to find that some uninvited guest was there during one’s absence. Precious items, unique souvenirs are missing and moreover all the house is in an indescribable mess as if a tornado visited it.

By failing to implement Security-tips that one may have thought of but never done anything about, one gives to burglars one more chance to try to break in.

We may have known for a long time that this could occur; we knew that we should have taken some precautions, but above all we did hope that it would not happen to us.

We feel offended and outraged, scared and helpless. But why let awful thing happen? Are we sure we did all possible efforts to protect our home? Are there any ultimative Security-tips to avoid completely all the dangers?

Although Security-tips may fall short of providing full security assurance, that may not be achieved even in principle, an acceptable good level of confidence can be reached, providing peace of mind and the sentiment that one has done all available and sensible efforts to implement effective means of protection.

Which Security-tips should be implemented before leaving?

* Close all doors and windows
* Leave the impression that somebody is at home
* Get the attention of helpful neighbors (and return the favor)

It is recommended, before leaving, to perform a routine check of doors and windows to make sure they are well closed. So obvious that it might be overlooked.

To evaluate if they are strong enough to discourage burglars from applying their skill to break in, one Security-tip to be considered is to ask a professional artisan of good repute for advice on how to best strengthen access control. Failing to do so in time might cause calling for the same people to repair whatever was spoiled during the break in.

The name of the game of helpful Security-tips seems to be how to best convince the occasional burglar to exercise his/her arts elsewhere. What has the most chance to work is a convincing proof that trying to burst in will not be easy and will take more time to perform than what the burglar is ready to invest.

Notwithstanding the human weakness to show off one’s wealth, conservative Security-tips would suggest to refrain from exhibiting in one’s home more wealth than what one is ready to loose in a burglar’s theft.

Unless there is evidence for an exceptionally high reward of valuable loot or of goods to resell, burglars will probably base the selection of the dwelling to visit on the ease with which they can accomplish their ugly deed.

Some objects may have much higher a personal value of memory or family significance than their actual cost, and be therefore irreplaceable.

That is why doors and windows must look sturdy enough to resist any attempt to push them open. Security-tips suggest that locks should be and look strong and durable. Burglars may check if a door is actually locked by passing a thin card over the lock in the space between jamb and door.

See how to keep an eye on your entrance door. Click on Entrance and Baby Camera

You may have seen safe doors at your bank, those thick and heavy doors with large locks designed to resist strenuous attempts to break them open. Apartment doors do not look like them. They are strong and heavy but unfortunately one should accept the fact that any security door can be thrown open.

Depending on its build up, a better door is one that takes just more time to break open: a determined burglar unfortunately knows how. This is why cautious Security-tips would seriously suggest to implement additional means to protect one’s home.

Surveillance Camera Systems are now available at reasonable price for increased protection.

It is not hard to leave a few lights on, or to install a clock switch to light them up in the evening. An occupied house is a much less attractive object for a burglar. This may not be a foolproof trick because burglars can ring at the door, to check if somebody is in, with a prepared excuse for their call.

But a helpful Security-tip confirms that a kind neighbor might help, if alerted by a bell ringing also at his/her home (it only takes a connection with a selector switch to route the call also to the other apartment).

Just by asking how to help, possibly through an intercom set up specially for this purpose, the neighbor proves that the premises are under surveillance and that a witness is ready to testify on the forcible attempt to break in, should something happen. That is usually enough to discourage anybody from pursuing an evil plan.

We learnt recently of a curious anti-burglar gadget, consisting in a device operated by the door bell, to play back the recorded barking of a threatening watch-dog. Except that the home owner had a hard time to convince the city staff that there was no real dog to collect the dues for…

Security-tips advise that these easy precautions should be supplemented by a home surveillance system. The best of them use security cameras to record what happens at home when nobody is there.

For additional Security-tips consider that you could use Outdoor Surveillance Cameras or Indoor Surveillance Cameras and build up a comprehensive Surveillance Camera System.

This whole website, Home Surveillance Guide, is prepared to provide guidance in designing and setting up a complete surveillance system both effective and economical, depending on the specific requirements of the installation required.

All information is available by browsing through the different pages and looking into the details of whatever needs clarification.

A well conceived home surveillance system has remarkable deterring power and could even help reducing the premium of a good insurance where implemented to reduce the damage in the worst of cases.

Hidden-camera Guide:
why, when, where? What is the gain? What are the risks?

Hidden-camera: why should one consider the bona fide use of a hidden surveillance camera? If and whenever there are good and acceptable reasons to use them for surveillance.

People may consider a visible surveillance camera in a home objectionable and unacceptable.

An exposed surveillance camera is justified in a public place, and can be welcomed by all if contributing to a feeling of security. It is not, however, accepted indoors by people resenting the mere thought of suspicion, justified or not, on their behavior.

When can a Hidden-camera be used with confidence?
If there is no doubt that no breach of privacy is intended or probable, and when the need to know what happens can be justified for the security of children or of disabled people, or for general surveillance of the premises. Otherwise it can be considered illegal.

Where is the most natural place to use a Hidden-camera?
Inside or outside one’s home. Installing a Hidden-camera in an office is questionable, unless there is a need to uncover recurring theft, because there is no justifiable need to conceal the surveillance, as it is considered legitimate.

Click on the following link for a recommended solution:
Tiny Wireless Cameras Record Everything- Hide it Anywhere!

Which needs does it cover?
The user ideally wants to get reliable answers, without generating resentment, to get rid of doubts or worries. A Hidden-camera presence being concealed, it does not influence behavior, which remains natural and uncensured. It can be used for observing covertly a scene for security or surveillance.

What are the inherent benefits from such a Hidden-camera device?
The main benefit is peace of mind reached after either confirming or disproving a suspicion of unacceptable behavior of people hired to perform a duty in house.

What should one beware of?
Of the temptation to use a Hidden-camera to spy on unaware people in their privacy. It must not be used for breach of other people’s privacy (i.e. tenants). This is inadmissible and illegal conduct to be absolutely avoided because indictable.

A surveillance Hidden-camera is obviously not visible to an occasional onlooker. It should not be considered, erroneously, absolutely invisible. On the contrary, if there is a suspect of clandestine use, it can be looked for, and found quite easily. See on Countermeasures the page on Counter Surveillance.

What is the gain? What the risk?
Persons seen from a covert, clandestine, furtive, discreet or candid camera are probably acting more naturally, displaying their true attitudes and intentions, without concealing them by pretending to perform natural and legitimate actions. Or keeping out of the field of view. Or obscuring the objective, to remain unseen.

Therefore by covertly viewing the people to be observed one can determine if they are behaving as expected, and if they are performing their dues with natural and legitimate actions or not.

That is why some hidden cameras are also called nanny cams. Caring parents who wish to avoid child abuse toward their babies, may intend to control the behavior of nannies or babysitters. Or to keep an eye on assistants in charge of catering for old people unable to defend themselves.

A Hidden-camera can be used to discover home or office theft, vandalism, illegal access to personal valuables, illegal or forbidden use of home facilities, actual presence or absence, unauthorized computer use or any other unwanted action.

Family use?
Let us now consider also other possible uses for a Hidden-camera. Old wisdom has it, believe it or not, that ignorance is bliss. Classic tragedies are often based on nasty secrets suddenly revealed. Do not let technology decide on behalf of your own life or your family’s. We wish to strongly dissuade from improper use of a Hidden-camera. You know what we mean.

A covert camera should not be implemented to resolve difficult family relationships. Other means like frank discussion, counseling or professional assistance are more suitable to bring about a successful outcome. Compromised situations in interpersonal relations can sometimes be mended, possibly with external help, if they are taken care of, the sooner the better.

Instead of installing a hidden camera, think in advance dispassionately, with logic, not overwhelmed by emotions, of all possible consequences. Innocent creatures may have to sustain pain, anguish and the burden of an impulsive decision, and be made to pay for someone else’s pride and arrogance.

Is it worth it at all? If anybody already decided to break, he/she should assume full responsibility, and do it with elegance, with courage, openly, without looking for pretexts.

Not for identification
Covert cameras are designed to gather images and information which certain people would prefer sometimes to keep to themselves. Their use is more to reveal not allowed behavior of known people than to identify unknown criminals. Unfamiliar offenders are not the real target of these cameras, as generally they cannot guarantee adequate recording of needed identification traits.

A Hidden-camera also known as covert surveillance camera, can be disguised in almost any regular household object. Pinhole cameras, mirror cameras, smoke detector cameras, emergency light cameras, clock cameras, radio cameras, mirror cameras, phone cameras, miniature or mini and even picture cameras are available. Furthermore fully equipped tiny cameras on a card can be purchased, to be inserted by the user in any object presenting a small peeping hole.

Backup use
One might consider to use a Hidden-camera as a backup system, in case the visible system is suspected to fail in providing useful images or if it can be tampered with too easily. One may also design a combined system including a few outdoor cameras and one indoor Hidden-camera or two for increased coverage.

An unrelated advantage of a covert surveillance or Hidden-camera is that, being out of sight, it is less prone to be damaged, vandalized or disabled and put out of use. As it is not in view, the covert surveillance or Hidden-camera does not risk to be tampered with, the energy supply line is not going to be unplugged, the transmission lines are not going to be cut, the recorder will not be removed or damaged etc.

Illegal use of Surveillance Cameras
We wish to discourage firmly and absolutely any application of covert surveillance technology to questionable or outright forbidden situations. If uncertain please give up, it is probably not worth the risk. Being discovered for breach of privacy can be quite unpleasant and prosecutable. In case of doubt consult with your lawyer.

It should be stressed that covert surveillance may be licit or illicit depending on the use one makes of it. It will most probably be considered illegal by the courts if used to breach the privacy of somebody or to spy on perfectly legitimate but private behavior of unaware people. In this case it may also provide ground for prosecution, as in known cases of landlords that used hidden cameras to spy on their tenants.

Transmission and Peripherals
As explained in a separate page on transmission techniques, see Video Signal Transmission, also these mini cameras can be operated through cable or wireless. And motion detection devices can activate camera operation and recording, see Video Accessories. Most of the additional devices available can be used with a Hidden-camera, provided they are compatible with its technology

Counter-surveillance, also called anti-surveillance, anti spyware or anti spy activity, is any form of technological measures that can be taken by interested malicious people to block surveillance cameras and to void the purpose itself of home surveillance.

As such, Counter-surveillance actions need to be addressed explicitly in this Guide, so that whoever plans to implement a home surveillance system be advised on the limits of effectiveness of surveillance cameras, for behaving accordingly and protect investment and home.

It would be a pity to spend considerable time and money for building a well conceived home surveillance system… and have it turned useless by some easy Counter-surveillance means.

The mere possibility of Counter-surveillance tricks being played against your system, requires to foresee the risks, to acknowledge the weak points of unprotected surveillance cameras in order to take at least the most obvious provisions to assure meaningful and continued operation.

Warning

We want to warn users that surveillance systems may be the object of determined Counter-surveillance efforts to sabotage, spoil, shut off, ruin, break and destroy them, from the part of hostile people wishing to avoid the proofs of their malicious acts and their own identification.

If you plan your own home surveillance, you must know how fragile it may be, if not protected effectively against Counter-surveillance. This page of your Guide intends to alert you on the risks that your system may be subject to.

When you plan to install your home surveillance system, it will pay to be concerned by possible vandal actions, in order to take proper precautions. Indeed whoever would not want to be observed and on record might be tempted to disable the system, if easily accessible.

Therefore one should dedicate thought and ingenuity to pile up hindrances and obstacles, to make the task of Counter-surveillance difficult or impossible to achieve in a short time, to convince would be offenders to give-up any vicious attack without trying.

Precautions

Cameras should be out of reach, especially of children or anybody else, by being located, if outdoors, high on the wall possibly under a protective roof overhang. The installation should have needed the use of a long ladder not to be kept in view or easily brought in.

You may wish to play the part of the Counter-surveillance saboteur of your own system, in search of possible weak spots like those where a minimal destructive intervention shuts off the whole operation.

The weakness of a surveillance system are many, the power supply and the transmission cable being only the most obvious targets of Counter-surveillance.

A live power line is not a tempting object to cut off, because of the risk of electric shock. However, as we saw elsewhere, many surveillance cameras are powered by low voltage supply (easily cut off without danger). Other ways of sabotaging the power line without being hurt may be available to determined and inventive perverse minds.

The coaxial cable, if the signals are transmitted by cable, must be hidden from view or hardened in a protective metal tubing, to discourage the thought of cutting it off. In this respect wireless systems may have at least the advantage of not needing a cable.

The only thing that may put off ill-intentioned persons planning Counter-surveillance attacks, is the risk for them of being caught on record when approaching the camera for sabotaging it.

A system might be designed therefore to have a visible exposed camera controlling a sensitive spot, and a hidden camera aimed at the surroundings of the first one, for documenting any attempts of Counter-surveillance to harm its operation.

If an intentional blackout to the whole house, caused by criminals, is to be feared, then provisions for uninterrupted power supply (UPS) should be arranged for camera and recorder.

Daily check

It would be unwise to presume that once installed your home surveillance camera system will always be working to your satisfaction. This would be true in case it is no more than a Dummy Camera, put there in full view just for deterrence purposes. But it will achieve its purpose only if it appears to be in operating order.

As with every electronic appliance, or for that matter with anything at all, malfunctions can always happen, and they often occur when their damage is most harmful.

We are not talking here however of periodic maintenance, designed to keep the system always functional, which anyway should be scheduled at regular times, as recommended elsewhere
(see System Maintenance) to permit easier fixing of small problems.

A daily minimal visual check is something everyone can do, especially those that put in place the whole system to begin with, and know all details about it.

Disclosing hidden cameras

The following information has a twofold purpose. To inform you how you can disclose hidden cameras if you suspect that they may be operated against you without your knowledge. And to let you know that those observed by your surveillance with your hidden camera, may discover your plot if they want.

Is there any chance that a surveillance system be operated against you? In that case, assuming that your actions are legal and that you want only to prevent the invasion of your privacy, you may wish to protect yourself and to unmask the agents trying to spy on you.

The full range of a comprehensive search of this kind lies outside the scope of this website, but is briefly addressed at the end of this page.

However a limited search may be done by suitable active Counter-surveillance measures. First in the list is uncovering if hidden cameras are controlling your actions.

We repeat our vigorous warning against spying on locations with expectancy of privacy. Although we strongly warned against illegal use of hidden cameras, we think it is proper to advise that, however well disguised and hidden, those cameras are not beyond the risk of being discovered, if a determined intention drives a thorough search.

It is therefore pertinent to give a thought to the consequences of having your hidden camera discovered to your shame and contempt, and possibly prosecution, unless, as we repeatedly stressed, your application is perfectly legal as it should always be.

As hidden cameras can be discovered, you should know that your own covert cameras risk to be detected. At the same time it may help if you learn how to guard yourself from hidden cameras controlling you, by knowing how to expose them if necessary, by using Counter-surveillance to your advantage.

SpyFinder You should be advised that a simple hand held device is available, to whoever wants to scan a place in search of a hidden camera.

It is called SpyFinder® and you can order it online for a low price by clicking on SpyFinder.

It is battery operated and in operation it emits a few beams of blinking invisible infrared light that are mirrored back to the viewer from the objective of the hidden camera, however small and disguised. The reflected beam is highlighted in the device and the viewer is immediately alerted.

Extensive searches

Counter-surveillance measures against spying activities (anti-spy) may include sophisticate technologies and means for detecting and eliminating hostile eavesdropping devices and computer or telephone bugging activities.

This kind of extensive search of a place, generally beyond the needs of a home, is best performed by a company of detectives specializing in such operations, called technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM)

Internet-surveillance:
Is it for you?

Internet-surveillance is what lets you monitor video images form a far away computer screen, connected to the Home Surveillance Camera System through the web.

The scope of operation is expanded in this way from local to global, and its efficiency is enhanced. Remote access to the computer screen, provided by a connection to the Internet, permits to view from afar either live or recorded home surveillance video images.

If you plan to view your home security video recordings from anywhere in the world, using the Internet is a secure and simple way to access your computer by a standard connection.

Personal Computer
You should have selected the solution that is based on Digital Technology employing a standard dedicated Personal Computer (PC). Click on Camera Systems.

Different software programs are available, offered for a no-cost limited time trial or for a modest monthly charge, that perform the connection to the Internet and then let you read your e-mail, work on documents and resources, and retrieve video compressed files from your computer while far away from home.

USB 2.0 DVR w/Indoor Color Camera with Night Vision icon

Internet Connection
Reviews and recommendations on these software aids are also available online, to help consumers select the Internet-surveillance solution best adapted to their own preference and computer skill.

From any remote computer called Viewer you can see the desktop of your enabled computer, typically your home computer, designated as Host. Using your remote computer’s keyboard and mouse, you can operate as though you were directly working on your other computer at home.

Requirements
The requirement is that the host computer must be left operating with the software running in order for Internet-surveillance to access files from afar. Additionally, the PC must have a continuous Internet connection such as DSL, cable or LAN.

Actually a single surveillance camera operating in a remote location can be connected to the web for Internet-surveillance without a computer. The camera, identified with a proper address, is endowed with suitable hardware and software that permits direct connection to an internet provider. Other than live viewing, any recording and retrieving of images should then be performed by computer at the other end.

See IP Camera.

Security Issues
The entire communication traffic between the Host and the Viewer can be encrypted to ensure security during remote access.

However one must never forget the risks connected to Internet-surveillance security. Under the title “The dangers of Remote PC Access”, it was published (see http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3513_7-5053016-1.html) that public access computers (like Internet cafes) available around the world may have keystroke loggers installed, that make subsequent abuse very easy (security access codes etc.).

Therefore it is recommended to perform remote access for Internet-surveillance or any other use only from trusted PCs or from one’s own web connected laptop computer.

Outdoor-surveillance-cameras page is your Guide to Do It Yourself installation. Here you have your Home Surveillance Project made simple. This Guide includes all that you need to know for easy set up with no surprises.

If you need visual surveillance of an area outside your home and if you determine that one or a few fixed Outdoor-surveillance-cameras, strategically placed in selected sensitive spots will provide adequate information, then we believe we have some of the best solutions to soothe your worries.

For your home video surveillance we recommend fixed Outdoor-surveillance-cameras with fixed focus lens. This simplifies the issue and excludes expensive and unnecessary options. Exposure control is provided by electronic shutter.

For outdoor mounting Outdoor-surveillance-cameras are built with weatherproof sheathing, nonetheless they are preferably located under the overhang of a roof. A few options must be considered.

If night vision is not required, meaning that there is always some light from fixed lamps, or that the scene need not be monitored at night, you may select Color bullet Outdoor-surveillance-cameras or less expensive (recommended) Black and White ones.

Black and White Outdoor-surveillance-cameras require less illumination to provide still useful pictures. This much cannot be said of surveillance cameras displaying Colors.

Smarthome, Inc.

In exceptional cases, for very cold weather applications, you might need special cameras with integral heating. You may Contact us for specific recommendations.

Alternatively, as you can see in the following, Color Outdoor-surveillance-cameras are available that switch automatically to black and white in low light conditions, and operate infrared LED lamps to illuminate the scene.

Audio capability is not essential and may be unlawful, (see Camera Audio) so it should be avoided and is not considered hereafter.

When approaching selection of Outdoor-surveillance-cameras one should keep in mind the main purpose of surveillance for every specific case. One should also remember that the overall performance of the system will reflect the quality of the weakest element in the chain.

Therefore there would be no point in selecting high performance Outdoor-surveillance-cameras if the other elements are pretty standard.

We would like to stress a further point. If you are going to build the system yourself, as is much recommended if you are confident you can do it, then it would make sense that you learn in the process. That means to start small, with only one of the selected Outdoor-surveillance-cameras, and expand later.

Even if you plan a four Outdoor-surveillance-cameras system you can buy just one and install it. Then you can decide if what you got meets your expectations and also you learn a few lessons in the process. That will help you avoid pitfalls in future expansion and save you useless expenses.

If however you need to hire somebody to install your Outdoor-surveillance-cameras, it would make more sense to have them installed in one single session that will cost you less than many visits. Therefore you should have purchased all your Outdoor-surveillance-cameras before installation.

In the following you will find a list of different Outdoor-surveillance-cameras suitable for home surveillance. They are all believed to be reliable, although the quality of image may differ.

They are all followed by Customer Support and phone assistance is usually available from the Supplier. The differences in performance and price possibly reflect costs of components and technology used.

Although we tried to list the Outdoor-surveillance-cameras in order if increasing prices, just to give you an idea, you should be advised that vendors may change their pricing from time to time according to various marketing criteria.

They may promote specific items by means of deals, discounts or time limited offers. And they may propose auctions for certain items or open box rebates. Therefore the supplier price should always be checked in the specific product order page.

We believe that the information provided here is correct and complete at the time of writing it and that it proves pertinent and useful to our readers, who are also referred to the Disclaimer published in our Contact Us page.

To reach the Supplier’s pages referring to specific Outdoor-surveillance-cameras and containing all needed information, interested readers can click on the listed links.

Recommendations:
Interested readers are invited to examine the technical data included in tables that are displayed when clicking on links with the following note:
“Click here for more Product Info >”
that appear in all specific Product Information Pages.

Readers browsing through the listed Outdoor-surveillance-cameras are advised to check which items are included in the package. In particular one should verify if the required power supply is present or if it needs separate purchase. Even if present, the supplied cable length should be checked and compared with the planned layout (it might be shorter), to avoid surprises later.

Also the length of the supplied coaxial cables may fall short of what needed for specific installations. The length of the coaxial cable that connects the Outdoor-surveillance-cameras to Monitor or TV, depends obviously on the locations selected and on the resulting distance in between.

Combo cables including, besides RG59 coaxial cable for video signals, also two power wires under the same sheath are available. Proper connectors must be mounted at both sides.

Black and White, Wired

If Black and White images are adequate for your purposes, we would like to suggest any one of the following suitable and inexpensive Outdoor-surveillance-cameras (important if you need four)

Mini-camera is a digital surveillance camera whose dimensions are reduced to the maximum to allow its use in minimum space. Some are quoted to be only a little larger than a match box and of course the technology has already compressed the camera to the size of a cellular phone, which is not usually intended for surveillance.

The Mini camera is generally suitable for indoor use but some models may be mounted also outdoor. Inexpensive, although possibly somewhat limited in definition and resolution, depending on the specific hardware used (sensor, lens etc.), it may have all the major features expected from a regular surveillance camera.

The following is possibly one of the best examples. Click on Mini Camera.

If the Mini-camera has to take pictures in total darkness it may be provided with a few infra red (IR) illuminators, included in the camera casing. The illumination will be brighter for deeper fields of view the more bulbs are provided.

On this subject see Infrared Illuminators. If the Mini-camera does not include sources of invisible light (infrared), an external source of IR illuminating units may be needed.

Often they are called pinhole cameras as their lens is also quite small. A Mini-camera is called a Board Camera if it is built on the electronic board with or without a case. Either an original case or a home made one should always be considered for board protection.

Mini-camera can be wired or use wireless technology depending on the planned use and also on the circumstances. Wireless may be preferred if mobility is a required feature, while having to replace batteries is not considered an issue.

A Wired Mini-camera may be more robust as installation, but obviously it is suitable only for fixed locations.

Door-chimes are your silent watchdogs. Would you leave your home unguarded?

If you search for the term “Door-chimes” you find two kinds of answers. The first means the equivalent of a doorbell.

Whenever a visitor pushes the button at your entrance door a pleasant tune or melody can be made to resound from a central source.

Several units can be operated by the same doorbell and placed strategically throughout the home, to make sure that the doorbell is heard all over the place even in remote areas of the house, garage or garden. This maybe a nice welcome for any visitor.

The other meaning associated with the same Door-chimes term is rather a security device, a sort of alarm, meant to alert whenever a door or a window are opened. You may remember old shops, possibly in the country, where opening a door would shake a bell or other noisy device to alert the owner of the entrance of a new customer.

Modern sophisticated versions of Door-chimes that make these primitive gadgets obsolete are now available. The new devices, besides alerting of any movement, which may be friendly and unthreatening, or sneaky and dangerous, are capable, when set-up accordingly, of performing a given set of actions.

Door-chimes can actuate a siren or send off a prerecorded message to a series of prearranged phone numbers. There may be also a panic button that can be pushed anytime you want the alarm to sound and lights to flash, to call for help.

This kind of Door-chimes are what we present here, because they may be a useful low cost supplement to other existing precautions if you want to be made aware of a door or a window being opened, to protect children and aging parents. Movable wireless Door-chimes systems are easy to install and can move with you to any new location.

Door-chimes may operate as you wish either when you are at home or when you are away.
So you may wish to consider the products indicated here.

Protector Plus Security System

“Protector Plus Voice Dialer security system sounds a screaming siren, flashes lights and automatically phones 4 pre-set numbers to provide your home & family with maximum protection. It’s wireless and it’s cool. It’s also extremely easy to install with no new wiring of your home & no security technician is needed. It allows for complete security with 16-zone coverage of your house through the wireless motion, door & window sensors. The dialer will call 4 phone numbers. It’s not fooled by answering machines. Once someone is reached, they can listen in to your house directly through the Protector Plus Voice Dialer.