Mobile Surveillance Cameras are devices that take pictures or record videos indoors or outdoors to monitor a property. They’re installed in homes, businesses, schools, parks, and public spaces to deter criminal activity.
Camera footage is typically accessible via a mobile app or connected to other smart devices. Many cameras also have built-in speakers for two-way communication with visitors.
Whether you’re monitoring a shop, building, or home, security cameras provide an extra level of protection that can help deter crime. They also allow you to monitor events, like a thief running off with your Amazon package or a burglar breaking into your home. The quality and quantity of video play a crucial role in how effective your security camera is. HD cameras with high resolution and night vision capability are best for capturing the details you need to identify perpetrators.
Most modern security cameras can connect to the Internet so that you can view footage from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection. They usually use Wi-Fi signals, but some can also connect to a cellular network for additional coverage or in areas with unreliable or spotty WiFi connections. They can also support power over Ethernet, which simplifies wiring by allowing them to run off a single wire.
Some security cameras also feature live two-way audio, so you can communicate with someone in the room. However, laws about recording sound (like conversations) vary by state and country, so make sure to check your local laws before using this feature.
Another key feature of a security camera is its field of view. This is the radius of coverage that the camera can detect, measured in degrees. The larger the field of view, the wider your surveillance area will be. The average security camera has a field of view that tops out at around 130 degrees, but some have much broader coverage.
Many security cameras come equipped with motion detection, a technology that triggers recordings only when something changes in the scene. This saves storage space and bandwidth, as it only records scenes that meet a certain “threshold.” Some cameras also have a setting that allows you to disable motion detection, which can be helpful if your privacy is a concern or you don’t want to be constantly recording.
The final D in our list is Documentation, and it’s an important aspect of security cameras as well. Whether you’re watching a live feed or reviewing recorded footage, you need to be able to clearly see what’s happening in order to act quickly when necessary. You can even use a security camera to document natural disasters, which will help your insurance process any claims faster and more accurately.
Detection
For many businesses, surveillance is a critical part of operations. Robust security cameras can provide peace of mind for visitors and staff, while adding an extra layer of protection in case something goes wrong. A robust system can monitor restricted areas and public spaces for suspicious activity, sending an alert in real time. It can also save money on additional security personnel and potentially reduce the need for costly maintenance. ARK Systems offers a variety of impressive surveillance options, as well as the expertise needed to decide which camera is best for your business.
Perpetrators of hidden cameras don’t give up easily, so you’ll need to be on the lookout for new tricks and places they may try to hide their lens. The best way to spot these cameras is to complete a physical search of the area. Begin by turning off the lights and looking for any objects that look unusual or as if they have been moved. If possible, use a flashlight to look inside objects like smoke detectors or USB charging blocks. You can also check for tiny reflections that could indicate the presence of a hidden camera.
If you’re not comfortable using the physical method, consider hiring a professional to do a more thorough scan of the area. This is a quicker option and can help you identify even the most cleverly-concealed devices. Professionals can also help you understand privacy laws in your area, which can vary from state to state.
The way that detection cameras work can vary slightly depending on the technology used, but most are based on two important principles: monitoring and detection. During the monitoring phase, the camera captures and analyzes images or frames. Once it detects a change from the baseline frame, it uses algorithms to confirm that the change is real and is indicative of motion. Then it takes action, such as triggering an alarm or recording a video.
In some cases, detection cameras can be installed in cars to monitor for illegal phone use by drivers or for seatbelt violations. The Victorian government has rolled out this technology with its ‘yellow vulture’ cameras, which have been in operation since 2020 and issue fines for these offences. These cameras take 2 photos of the vehicle interior, one with a shallow angle to detect mobile phone usage and the other with a steep angle for detecting seatbelt violations.
Monitoring
A security camera can be used for many purposes, whether it’s to monitor children playing in the yard or see who is at your front door. Some security cameras can also detect and send a notification when there is a break-in, allowing you to call police or take other actions.
The pictures and video recorded by a surveillance system are stored on storage devices, such as tapes, hard drives, or servers. The amount of data that is stored depends on the compression ratio, images recorded per second, and image size. Recordings are typically kept for a certain period of time before being overwritten.
Surveillance cameras are often found in public spaces such as airports, malls, and office buildings. The footage can be analyzed to deter criminal activity, provide evidence in legal proceedings, or track employee performance and compliance with safety regulations. The footage can also help with business operations and marketing.
Some security cameras are designed to be hidden or discreet, allowing users to monitor things without them knowing. These are commonly referred to as spy cameras. A hidden camera can be disguised as a piece of equipment, such as a keychain, watch, or pen. The device may also be integrated with a mobile phone. When a user comes within range, the device captures video and audio recordings. Some hidden cameras have a microphone, while others have a tiny display that shows the recording.
It is important to keep in mind that a surveillance system must be properly maintained and secured to ensure it works as intended. For example, a camera that is connected to the Internet must be protected with proper cybersecurity measures. It is a good idea to use a Wi-Fi router with a strong password and enable encryption. It is also a good idea to check if the company that makes your camera has any history of data breaches.
Some cameras can be accessed via a smartphone app and are usually linked to other smart home devices on the same network. Others can be accessed by using a computer or other hardware connected to the camera’s network. The camera can either transmit data directly to the computer or send it to an FTP server for offsite storage.
Storage
The footage captured by security cameras must be stored somewhere for future reference. This could be in the cloud, on a hard drive, or on an SD card inside the camera. Most wireless cameras use a transmitter and receiver to transmit compressed data over radio frequencies. This data is then decompressed by the receiver, which may be part of a monitor or a digital recorder, and transformed back into viewable footage. Wireless cameras typically operate at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, which are similar to the frequency ranges used by most Wi-Fi routers.
Most modern security cameras are designed to record video and images to a cloud storage solution, but some also offer built-in or local storage as well. Many of these devices are also equipped to communicate via cellular data, allowing them to transmit footage over the mobile network without having to be connected to a home or office Wi-Fi connection. This allows them to work in areas where there is no Wi-Fi coverage or when the internet connection fails for whatever reason.
Regardless of the type of storage used, it is important to ensure that you have enough upload bandwidth for your security camera system. Regular ADSL or cable modem connections tend to have much lower upload speeds than download speeds, which can cause you to run out of upload bandwidth before the camera has uploaded all of its data. If you’re planning on using a regular connection, consider upgrading to a business plan with a higher upload speed.
Some of the more advanced surveillance systems store footage locally on a solid-state drive (SSD) or hard disk drive (HDD) and also backup their recordings to a remote cloud storage server. These “hybrid cloud” systems are considered safer and more reliable than systems that rely solely on one method of storage.
The ability to remotely access and view your security camera footage is a huge advantage of having a security camera in your home or business. Some wireless cameras even let you receive motion alerts to your smartphone, allowing you to check in on your home or business from anywhere in the world. Be sure to select a camera that offers this feature, especially if you’re traveling or away from your home for extended periods of time.