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GROUP TEST
HOME CCTV CAMERAS
INTRO
TVs,
VCRs and hi-fi systems are high on every burglars shopping list. Rick Maybury
looks at ways to protect your investment, and even use your AV system as part
of a sophisticated video surveillance system
COPY
CQR
SENTINEL, £300 or less, installed
Most
security cameras are designed to see and be seen, they can have a strong
deterrent effect, but in the main they're often quite ugly-looking things. The
CQR Sentinel porch/lobby camera is an interesting alternative. The discrete
black plastic dome hides and protects a miniature black and white camera
module. However, the lack of external features is enough to draw attention to
itself, and hopefully caution unwelcome callers.
The
weather-resistant dome can be fixed to a wall or ceiling and the camera inside
is attached to a simple pan/tilt bracket, so it can be aimed in almost any
direction. The camera connects to any TV, via a 15-metre length of cable and a
power supply/TV interface box. This has an RF modulator, like a VCR and it
connects between the aerial and the TV. If there's a VCR in the aerial chain
the picture can be recorded. DIY fitting is possible, though the Sentinel is
normally sold through security specialists, who also carry out the installation.
When
someone knocks at the door, simply switch the TV to the camera channel and you
can see who is there. Picture quality in daylight is very good, and it can cope
with a wide range of illumination levels. Low light sensitivity is less than 1
lux, that's enough to provide a useable image from a porch light, for
example.
Value
for money 80%
Telephone
CQR (0151) 334 0933
GBC
COVERT CAMERA
We
shouldn't be telling you about this, it's supposed to be a secret. They're known as a covert cameras in the trade; the
idea is that they look like everyday objects, in this case a common or garden wall clock, but GBC and the
other companies in this field, also hide postage-stamp sized 'board cameras', with pin-hole lenses, inside intruder detectors,
fire alarms and all sorts of places you'd never suspect. Covert cameras are
mostly installed in offices, by suspicious employers, who want to keep an eye
on staff, but they're now widely available from high-street security
specialists, for domestic use.
The
camera is actually mounted behind one of four decorative black spots in
the corners of the clock face. It's almost impossible to tell which one it
is, even close up. Needless to say the clock is fully functional, the only
possible clue to its other role might be the wire carrying the power and vision
signal -- unusual on a battery-powered
clock -- though it could be easily hidden, or buried in the wall.
There's
only two connections to be made: a 12 volt DC supply, and the video output,
which can be fed directly to an AV input on any PAL TV. The camera has fair
low-light sensitivity and it will produce a reasonably clear black and white
image in normal room lighting. The price of covert cameras varies, typically
between £200 to £300, depending what
they're installed in. You could even build your own disguised camera; sub
miniature board cameras and lenses are freely available from companies
advertising in Exchange and Mart, for around £100.
Value
for money 85%
GBC
Europe Ltd, 01438 714069
DECOY
CAMERA
You'll
find this one in amongst the black-head suckers and electronic rat repellents
in the home shopping catalogues that fall out of the Sunday papers. The idea is
it looks so much like a real CCTV camera ne'er-do-wells and bad-hats will be
deterred from breaking into your property, for fear of being caught on camera.
In poor light, who's to know it's not the genuine article? At a distance it
looks fairly convincing. There's a winking red light on the front, it's powered
by a battery that lasts for up to two years, so it draws attention to itself,
(though in practice few serious surveillance cameras have this feature). It's
quite well made and should be reasonably weather resistant. It comes with a
fixing kit, bracket and pretend connector box, it's easy to fit, and forty quid
seems like a fair price to pay.
It's
actually a very good idea. There's only one problem, burglars get home
shopping catalogues as well, and can
probably spot this particular model a mile off. There are several other types
of dummy cameras on the market though, that haven't had as much publicity.
Larger B&Q DIY superstores do quite a neat little one for around £35, (they
also stock real ones) and many home security companies have them, so check your
local Yellow Pages.
Home
Free order line (01793) 480000
Value
for money 85%
XTRAVIEW
This is
another camera that connects into the aerial feedline of a living-room TV, so
there's no need for a separate video monitor. You can see who's at the door,
simply by flipping channels. The design of the camera's weatherproof housing
has deliberate security overtones, but at first glance it's not clear whether
it's a small floodlight, or one of those PIR (passive infra-red) intruder
detector. Inside there's a black and white camera with a 3.6mm lens, giving a
good field of view. It operates down to 1.0 lux, which is sensitive enough to
produce a useable image with only a small amount of incident light.
The
camera is connected by a pre-wired cable to a small box, that provides power to
the camera (via a plug-in mains adaptor) and processes the video signal, so it
can be viewed on one of the TV's spare channels. The box plugs in between the
aerial lead and the TV or VCR; in the latter case the VCR can be set to record
the picture. The system can be easily upgraded, the camera module can be fitted
with a microphone and a movement detector, the signals are carried by the same
multi-way cable. The control box has an alarm output; any tampering with the
cable, or activation of the optional movement detector can be used to trigger
an alarm system or activate a separate siren. The basic camera and control box
is being sold for around £250 that excludes the cost of installation, though it
could be fitted by any reasonably competent DIYer.
Security
Technologies International, telephone (01276) 36565
Value
for money 75%
WOLSEY
VIDEO SECURITY SYSTEM
This
one actually looks like a miniature security camera, and in common with a
couple of the other systems in this roundup, it is designed to work with any
domestic TV, instead of an expensive video monitor. It has been designed for
DIY installation and the outfit, which is currently selling for just under
£200, includes comprehensive fitting instructions. The camera has a 3.8mm wide
angle lens; low-light sensitivity is just 0.3 lux and it is fitted with three
infra-red LEDs, that illuminates anything close to the lens, so it can
literally see in the dark. It can hear what's going on too, it has a built in
microphone that provides a one-way audio link between the camera and the TV.
The
black and white camera module is housed inside a sealed metal case, it comes
complete with mounting brackets, 15 metres of cable, cable clips, all necessary
fixings and the TV converter box. The manufacturers tell us the design will be
changing shortly, to a moulded case, though it will still be fully
weatherproofed and capable of working outdoors. The converter box, which also
supplies power to the camera, plugs into the aerial feed to the TV, picture and
sounds are shown on a spare channel.
Wolsey
TV Distribution, telephone (01443) 440011
Value
for money 85%
BOX
COPY 1
CONCLUSION
Feeling
of security Wolsey
Sneakiest
camera GBC Covert
Cuteness
factor Sentinel
Best
features Xtraview
Build
quality Sentinel
Value
for money Wolsey
BOX
COPY 2
TEN TOP
SECURITY TIPS
* Mount
the camera high up, preferably out of arm's reach, as it could be stolen or
vandalised, though it shouldn't be out of sight as it will loose any deterrent
effect
* Make
sure there are no bright lights in the scene as this can affect the camera's
auto exposure system, this includes reflections from windows, car headlights or
street lights
* If
the camera has a view of the sky make sure the Sun does not come into the field
of view during the day as this could damage the camera
* Keep
the camera lens clean and check regularly for uninvited guests, they make warm
and cosy homes for bugs and spiders
* Don't
forget the basics: fit strong window and door locks, and remember to use them
when you go out, or go to bed
* Leave
lights and a radio on when you go out, use a timer or sensor lights, to make
the property appear occupied, and if you're away for any length of time make
sure someone comes round every so often to check everything's okay
* Mark
all your system components with an invisible marker pen, or better still,
scratch your postcode or initials somewhere they can't be seen. Note down all
serial numbers, and if you've got a camera or camcorder, make a photographic
record of your possessions, and keep it in a safe place
*
Deterrence is half the battle, if your property looks secure, or more bother
than it's worth, villains will usually go elsewhere
* Many
insurance companies offer discounts on properties that have been fitted with
alarm systems, though this usually only applies when the alarm and installation
meets their approval
*
Alarms systems need to be regularly tested and maintained, if they're going to
work reliably
---end---
( R. Maybury
1996 0801
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