cctv4u Blog

Picturesque and serene, a beautiful farm house in the countryside with fireplaces and picket fences could be a great weekend getaway. With criminals and anti-social elements targeting the isolated countrysides as hubs for all kinds of covert and criminal activities, security is a major concern when it comes to properties in the countryside.

From cultivation and manufacturing of illegal drugs to poaching and toxic waste disposal, such remote areas are often the chosen areas of activity for criminals. Unfortunately for many of us who enjoy the untainted beauty of the countryside, the issue of security has become prominant while planning a holiday to our countryside homes.

However, with the advancement in CCTV security technology, there are affordable options that one can now go for. When earlier there were concerns regarding the placement of security cameras in the open due to their limitations in withstanding adverse weather conditions, there are new generation CCTV cameras that are designed especially for such conditions.

As power supply could be a major problem in remote areas, battery-run models are most suited for surveillance here. CCTV cameras that run on Sealed Lead-Acid batteries (SLA) is the best option as the battery life is much higher for these, compared to the Lithium batteries. It is best to use, motion detectors also in such cases as they can help save power, by turning on and off depending on activity happening in the area.

So, if you are thinking of getting security CCTV systems for your farm house, please feel free to contact us at CCTV4U for any assistance in choosing the best equipment.

Many a time, when we leave our children with some youthful babysitter, we aren’t left with much option but to assume that the babysitter is taking their responsibility very seriously. No matter how well they might be looking after our little ones, as parents, our minds aren’t really at peace until we come home and see the children safe and smiling.

Covert CCTV cameras and security cameras have therefore come as a tool of reassurance, to keep constant watch on our children even while we are away from home. As parents, most of us would go to any extent to ensure that our children are in safe hands. However, nothing could be more unpleasant than having to question an innocent person or raise allegations, based on some passing suspicion or false alarm. When we feel something is amiss in the way they are taking care of the little ones, we might end up causing strained relations with a caring babysitter, for no reason at all – if we don’t now what is happening.

By keeping a watch on what is going on when we are not at home, through the discreet eyes of a covert camera and CCTV equipment, we can be at peace wherever we are that our kids are fine and having fun. At CCTV 4U, we are only too happy to keep you equipped with the latest CCTV equipment to help you keep your loved ones as safe as possible. CCTV cameras can enable you to have a great evening of relaxation.

Of the different types of CCTV cameras available today, Infra Red (IR) cameras are in demand because of the superior features that it provides. Though IR CCTV cameras were earlier preferred for defence and other security purposes, they are now widely in use even for home security purposes as they have come down in price over the past few years.

The major advantages of the IR security cameras are that they can provide very good quality images even in poor light conditions. As the Infra Red radiations fall in a frequency much lower than that of visible light, the advantage is that the light will not be visible to the intruders – but you would get very good quality images of the culprit even in the dark. They also provide superior quality colour footages in daylight and high resolution black and white video images in the dark.

Moreover, IR CCTV security cameras save a lot of energy as compared to the regular ones, as they use an LED to generate the illumination. The LED uses less than a quarter of the energy that normal bulbs use, but produce much better lighting compared to the normal incandescent lights. In addition, the ability of the IR light to penetrate better through smoky or hazy atmospheres has made them the preferred type for outdoor as well as indoor use.

For assistance in choosing the best CCTV security cameras and equipment, please feel free to contact our expert team at CCTV 4U.

When crime levels in broad daylight are increasing by the day, it requires much more than a few bouncers to keep things safe during a good night out when the lights are dim and spirits are high. Statistics show that at least two cases of stabbings alone are reported at each of the UK’s local hospitals on Saturday nights.

The efficiency of the CCTV security system is generally low in many of the night clubs because of the constraints caused by the low lighting. The dim ceiling lights and the multi-coloured strobes could make it difficult for ordinary CCTV cameras to capture good quality pictures.

It is always ideal for night clubs to go for good quality black and white cameras for the dance floors and indoors. It is much easier on the eye to monitor the crowded indoors bathed in the dancing lights with black and white cameras. However it is imperative that the entrance be scanned only by colour CCTV cameras, as you don’t want to miss out specific details like the colour of clothing of all those who pass through.

There are high-quality, low-light CCTV security cameras which merge well into the night-club décor and are also capable of capturing very high-quality images, even in the dimmest lighting.

At CCTV4U we ensure that our clients are sold the equipments that are ideal for their specific needs. We make sure that the equipment our customers take away for their security doesn’t remain as useless fixtures, but provides them the security and peace of mind that they expect from investing in one.

It is more than thirty years now since ‘closed circuit television’ came into prevalence. From providing security for commercial and private properties to helping in monitoring traffic, the use of CCTV systems has become indispensable for the modern society. In addition, the rise in terrorist and criminal activities has led to an increase in the use of CCTV cameras in public places.

One of the major advantages of a CCTV system is that it can act as a crime deterrent. Surveys show that the very sign showing that a particular area is covered by CCTV cameras has reduced the rate of theft and mugging in car parking lots.

According to the ‘rational choice theory’ a possible criminal decides whether or not to commit a crime just minutes before the act, after weighing the cues that he gets from around him. The knowledge that they could be being watched can in fact deter the person from committing a crime.

Similarly the installation of CCTV systems in a locality is found to bring down the rate of crime in the neighbouring localities as well. Unless in the case of rehearsed acts of crime, where the criminals generally have a thorough idea of the security system of that area, awareness about the presence of CCTV systems can prevent impulsive acts of crime and vandalism.

With the increasing rate of crime in today’s society, a reliable security system is crucial even for personal safety. A good CCTV system is an assurance that you will know what is going on around your premises and that you have relative control over any attempts of crime against your property or your loved ones. Our team at CCTV4U will be happy to provide any assistance if you feel you want to set up a surveillance system for your business or your home.

Awareness about the Code of Practice: The Data Protection Act of 1998 has charted out strict guidelines that are to be followed while installing CCTV surveillance. It is important to go through the Code of Practice for CCTV use before installing a security system:

Posting of signs: The public should be aware that they are entering an area monitored by CCTV cameras. Legible signs saying that the area is under CCTV surveillance should be posted where they are clearly visible. The signs should also contain the name of the person or organisation that is responsible along with their identity and contact information.

Storage of images: The images are not be stored for longer than necessary unless absolutely vital. If the footages are to be used for evidential purposes, the images should be stored in a secure place. In all other cases the images should be erased after the period of retention.

Access to the images: There are strict regulations for accessing the recorded CCTV images. Third party access should be strictly restricted and limited to the police and other law enforcement agencies, and the media (in the case of covering any crime). However, in the case of allowing the media to access the CCTV footages, the images of the people are to be blurred.

Placement of cameras: CCTV cameras should always be positioned in such a way that they scan only the areas that are meant to be monitored.

If you are planning to install CCTV systems for your property, make sure you go through the guidelines, which we can help you with. For any form of assistance regarding the purchase or installation of your equipment, our team at CCTV4U is available to help.

As simple as it might sound, installing CCTV cameras should always done be carefully as the positioning and placement of the cameras plays a major role in determining the level of security provided by your CCTV system. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while installing your CCTV system:

Positioning: An ideal position for fixing your CCTV cameras is the fascia, where the wall meets the roof. Fixing the cameras in this position also gives the advantage of a wider angle of view and better visibility. It also shields the cameras from rain and sun and keeps it away from sight.

Wiring: Never underestimate the importance of cable quality. It is extremely important to use good quality cable, as it is important for the quality of signal strength. Also make sure you find a position that keeps the cable length at a minimum while offering good quality signals.

Spacing for cables: Always see to it that you do not run your CCTV cables within close proximity of other high power electrical lines. A minimum spacing of 12 inches is ideal if you intend to draw your cables alongside other power lines.

Though installing CCTV cameras yourself is not a cumbersome task if you have a basic idea of wiring, it is much safer and easier to get it installed professionally. At CCTV4U, we make sure that our high quality CCTV equipment is installed suitably to provide you the maximum safety.

Bright yellow signs indicating the use of CCTV cameras are a common sight in the UK. However, it often turns out that many of the signs are meant as mere deterrents and do not in fact have any real CCTV systems functioning. This is a major security blunder generally adopted by many establishments trying to cut costs on security.

Although this could temporarily generate a feeling of security, fake CCTV cameras could actually put you at a higher level of risk. When the dummy cameras might fool potential offenders temporarily, these cameras can easily be identified as fake upon closer examination. This could raise your vulnerability as the false sense of protection is likely to raise your chances of being exploited.

Dummy cameras can be helpful though, if you place a few dummy cameras along with your actual CCTV cameras. Placing fake cameras in the line of view of covert security cameras can help to divert attention from the original ones. This is especially ideal for isolated properties where there is a higher chance CCTV cameras being tampered with.

It also reduces the risk of damage to your CCTV equipment in areas where anti social activities are prevalent. Posted signs of CCTV surveillance are often seen to trigger drunks and anti-socials to throw stones at the visible CCTV cameras and damage the equipment. Dummy cameras can serve to protect your real cameras in such instances.

For all help regarding the purchase and installation of CCTV systems, please contact our friendly team at CCTV4U.

The majority of the UK is constantly watched by more than 4 million CCTV cameras every day. Despite this surveillance, crime rates are still on the rise across the country. A good portion of the recorded footage is never viewed by surveillance officials or the authorities unless there is the need to look them up for any investigational purposes. The practical difficulties involved in viewing the visuals from such a huge number of security cameras can mean many criminal activities go undetected.

The Centre for Secure Information Technologies at Belfast University is developing new visual recognition software that can assess whether a person is deemed ‘risky’ by assessing their age, gender, colour of clothes, body language and other physical factors. Looming too close to a driver, loitering on the stairs or moving stealthily could all make you appear as a threat to the computer. The recorded visuals from CCTV cameras will be filtered by the computers at the control room and the ones that could seem like a potential threat will be highlighted.

Surveillance officials can immediately appear on a screen in the bus, train or the building, tell the individual that he is being watched and pass the message immediately to the nearest police patrol. These proposed CCTV systems are anticipated to be a great help as a major crime deterrent by facilitating instant intervention.

For the latest equipment in CCTV cameras and security, please contact us at CCTV4U.

Before setting out to buy security cameras for your home, make sure you do a little inspection of your home and premises, looking from the perspective of a burglar. This could help you identify the areas of your home that would require constant CCTV surveillance.

If you decide to install your CCTV cameras outdoors, there are a few things you will need to keep in mind:

• Outdoor CCTV cameras need weather-proof housing cases with built-in heater and blower. This would require a separate power supply. However, water resistant models are also available that do not require separate casing.

• It is also important to select CCTV cameras that can automatically adjust to changes in lighting. Black and white cameras are a good choice if you are on a low budget. They are cheaper than colour CCTV cameras, and are more sensitive to low levels of lighting too. But accurate recognition is often difficult as all objects would appear grey irrespective of the colour. However, if your budget permits you, you could go for the Day and Night CCTV cameras that can switch from ‘black and white’ to colour depending on the level of light available.

The selection of lens for your CCTV cameras would also vary depending on your specific needs. Auto-iris lens are ideal if you intend to mount your security cameras in low light areas. However, if you decide to place CCTV cameras inside, you could opt for the manual-iris lenses, as the lighting would be comparatively stable indoors.

At CCTV4U, we are happy to offer any further assistance in choosing your CCTV equipment.