When you finally set out to select your Surveillance Camera, for realizing your well thought out Home Security project, you should be advised that, besides other elements equally important, the lens plays a determining part in the camera performance.

It is the lens that determines the amount of light entering the camera. besides the quality of materials and of manufacturing, usually reflected in the price, some of the lens characteristics have much bearing on the viewed picture.

Even if you do not want to become an expert in lenses, there are a few concepts that you should understand before you purchase your surveillance camera.

The subjects are well known from the field of still photography, so that the principles should not be completely unfamiliar for whoever has some practice of family picture taking even at a very basic level.

In most surveillance cameras, lenses are interchangeable. therefore you should decide if the picture seen on the monitor is satisfactory for your application, with reference to the depth of focus, the angle of view and the amount of detail you want to distinguish.

In case you are not satisfied with the performance of the standard lens supplied, you should ask to see how a different lens would improve the images you want to observe.

Normally one should select the best overall picture for the purpose. Note that by changing one of the characteristics (i.e. aperture) one modifies other related properties (i.e. the depth of focus).

The overall result is a matter of compromise whereby, by sacrificing somewhat one feature one gains a better response from another one.

Fixed focal length is a common selection: although limiting somewhat the dimension of the space where all objects result clearly perceived (depth of focus), it simplifies the mechanical construction and reduces the price.

You may be familiar with autofocus feature found in modern digital cameras. There is no comparable capability in cameras because they must work unattended. a lens whose focal length can be manually adjusted is called a Varifocal lens but should not normally be considered for surveillance purposes.

Equally too sophisticated for the application would be a motorized zoom lens, capable of being commanded from a distance to select the preferred level of detail between wide-angle and telephoto.

Fixed iris or aperture is another characteristic to be considered that simplifies construction and operation, albeit with some compromise on picture quality. it would probably be easier to provide sufficient illumination then going for more complex optics.

In conclusion, despite the nice and costly alternatives available, for a simple home surveillance system it would be advisable to select one of the simplest lenses, provided that the quality of the picture is sufficient for the intended purpose.

The new film only has 8 shots, original Polaroid film had 10. Polaroid snapshots were always expensive per photo. the new film is much higher price per photo.

When the Impossible Project bought the Polaroid factory in the Netherlands, they bought a wreck. all the equipment had to be repaired. another problem is they didn’t obtain any of Polaroid’s formulas for the dyes, development and stopping chemicals. That’s all had to be re-invented.

Currently what they use to stop development isn’t quite right so they recommend putting the photos in darkness for a couple of minutes after they come out of the camera. the B&W film they make for the SX-70 is more of a sepia tone. their 600 film is better but still not a “crisp” monochrome. the color film looks closer to faded Eastmancolor than Kodachrome.

Great if you have deep pockets and are into the current fad of “artsy” photography done with crappy cameras and/or film. Not so much if you’re expecting the same as you got from your old 600 or Spectra camera. Yup, they also have film for the Spectra cameras.

What would be cool is a digital camera insert shaped like the Polaroid film pack. Integrating a small CCD or CMOS sensor into a camera with a mirror that spreads the light out over the photo area would be quite a trick. Digital inserts for 110 or 126 cameras would be easier. Kodak’s 126 SLR was a very nice camera, compatible with Kodak’s Retina Reflex lenses. They’re just shelf warmers now without film available.

Gregg Eshelman – September 8, 2011 @ 04:52 pm PDT

I’ve been picking up pristine SX70 examples on ebay and at flea markets for under $5 each. I’ve only rarely seen worn-out examples, generally they may need a bit of cleaning and tweaking. No way would I ever pay such a bloated price for something I can get for cheap or free.

William H Lanteigne – September 8, 2011 @ 04:52 pm PDT

Having disassebled a few Polaroid cameras I can tell you that they are very, very simple! They don’t run without battery (the shutter closes by electric power (when an electric magnet lets go of the shutter blade), just as as a classic Minox 35, when enough photons have hit the photo-sensitive resistor (varying ND filters are used to change ISO, and EV – couldn’t be simpler).

Any modern digital camera is more advanced, but not nearly as camp as SX-70!

Tord S Eriksson – September 8, 2011 @ 05:50 pm PDT

The Impossible Project is wanting to make a new camera for their film. what would be a good idea is to equip it with a flat battery slot on the bottom or a battery compartment for conventional AA cells -and- the standard contacts inside the film slot for film packs with a battery.

Then they could make film packs without a battery but with more shots. the new batteries used in their new film packs are 750 mah, more than Polaroid’s original Polapulse. They have postage pre-paid envelopes to send used batteries back. With so much “extra” power, I expect they can test and re-use the batteries at least once. it would make sense to do that, save a bit of money rather than putting a new, way over powered battery in every film pack.

Years ago I used to break the empty film packs apart to extract the batteries for use with various things since even Polaroid’s version had more than enough juice to kick out 10 pictures. Polaroid used to sell a Polapulse developer’s kit that consisted of a special battery holder with pre-attached wires, at least one battery and some information. That was with the original style battery, before they switched to the version that seemed to be a little thicker and didn’t cover the entire cardboard backing.

Gregg Eshelman – September 8, 2011 @ 07:17 pm PDT

I bought the Polaroid SX-70 about 2weeks after it came out back in the 70s I also invested in the accessories package. Total cost was around $350.00, which was a lot of money for a Polaroid back then. However, it had the coolest design and people were fascinated with it. Picture quality was typical Polaroid. Film and flash bars were expensive. I used it up until the time where you couldn’t find film or flash for it anymore. I found a website online that sold both the film and the flash bars; however it was at about double the original price. Back then I calculated each flash picture cost about $1.50.

I still have the camera, and also my garndfather’s SX-70. one works, and the other one has issues.

It was a beautifully designed camera and was way ahead of it’s time.

dmadisontn – September 10, 2011 @ 08:15 am PDT

Sony Dsc T2 Digital Camera

Want a camera that stores up to 40000 snaps? Yes, it’s true! Sony DSC T2 comes with 4096 MB memory which can be upgraded. The camera also has a WiFi option. Let’s look at its features more closely.

Key Features
Sony DSC T2 digital camera has a CCD imaging sensor. CCD sensor works by converting light into electrons. Also CCD sensor is known for creating images that are high on quality and low on noise. The CCD imaging sensor is powerful 8 megapixels. The LCD touch screen is also 2.7′ large. This gives you the opportunity to view whatever you want to capture quite clearly.

User Friendly Aspects
Another feature that will appeal you to own Sony DSC T2 is the Red-Eye Reduction mode of the camera. With this option, you definitely do not need to worry about the quality of the picture. You will not find those red eyes again in the snaps taken by you from this camera.
The Metering feature of Sony DSC T2 digital camera is one of the most interesting features of the camera. It has three metering options, namely: Multi Metering, Centre Weighted Metering and Spot Metering. Multi metering gives the right exposure to the image when the whole subject is very bright. Centre Weighted Metering gives the right exposure when there is a bright subject on dark background. Spot Metering allows only a small area of the whole frame to be metered and the exposure of the rest of the frame is ignored. This is useful for highlighting the subject and enhancing the visual impact, and also for capturing the details in a highlighted section.

Know More
The camera has 4096 MB internal memory which is upgradeable. Sony DSC T2 digital camera come with 3x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom. With this camera you’ll get the options of Auto mode and Fill-in mode. The shooting modes present in the camera are Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High-Speed Shutter, High Sensitivity and Soft Snap. With all these features available in your camera, you can do wonders if you have the creativity. If not creative then also you can rest assured that the pictures that you take will definitely come out very well.
The dimensions of Sony DSC T2 digital camera are 86.8 x 56.8 x 20.2 mm and the weight is 156 grams without the battery set. This is quite heavy for a camera in this range.

Conclusion
Sony DSC T2 is one of the best buys from the house of Sony.
To know more visit: http://www.naaptol.com

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How do you upload videos from a sony ccd-trv608 to you computer?

You’ll need an analog to digital converter – have a look at the Pinnacle Dazzle or the Kworld DVD Maker as examples.

Wi-fi compatability Outdoor Camera – Defender PHOENIX1 No Need for Cable connections

Your PHOENIX1 is an simple to use, insert free, colouring mobile following method and these can be used indoors or out-of-doors to keep your loved ones and things safe and secure. Your camera sends audio along with video wirelessly to the mobile monitor, which has a 2. 5-inch shade LCD filter for crystal clear taking a look at of the camera’s video not having need for any wiring. To protect your privacy and avoid interference, the PHOENIX1 wirelessly transmits the two audio and video for a distinct rate of recurrence than the standardised 2. 4gHz, letting you to view ones video without worry of interference or interception. The little but successful camera features auto-magically activating night vision which helps you view clearly at night and in dark conditions. Keep watch over your belongings and special loved one with no bulky system or wiring when using the PHOENIX1!

Avoid Interference & Interception with Crystal clear Signal Technology

The PHOENIX1′s Apparent Signal Technology is a solution to many other overseeing systems that experience disturbance from other wireless indicators. With the growing reputation of wireless devices brings interference issues and issues over interception and privacy. This system transmits audio and video with a 900mHz frequency, creating a specific picture which will not interfere with any of the consistent 2. 4gHz wireless systems, devices, and access points as part of your home or business. Both audio and video signals are able to pass through floors and walls within the 75 foot optimum assortment.

Completely Wire Free Surveillance

The PHOENIX1 is while portable and versatile since you need it to always be. Because the system’s camcorder transmits its audio and video signals with the 900mHz frequency, there is for many who hook any wires from your camera to the observe. The monitor is powered with a built-in rechargeable lithium battery along with the camera is capable of running on battery power, making this system in a position to operate completely wire totally free. This way you can easily carry the LCD monitor to you as you move out of your office to warehouse, or move the camcorder from room to room as your young ones play. The versatile PHOENIX1 provides you with the ability to check your valuables or family and friends, no matter how a great deal they move!

Continuous Stability — Day or Evening!

With the PHOENIX1 you will not worry about what you’ve been missing overnight once you’re inside for that evening or send your young ones to bed. This camera has night vision, which enables you to see when the spot you’re monitoring is dark. Twelve infrared LEDs activate automatically about the camera when it gets to be dark and deactivate in the daytime to save energy. With the PHOENIX1 you can be able to see what is happening in your residense or business.

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How to prevent outdoor surveillance camera from being stolen?

We have a warehouse and installed outdoor camera along our wall to surveiling our parking lot and backyard inventory. Recently we have people stealing our camera and the police have no way of catching them and not bother to do anything about it. My questions is… how could we protect the camera that we installed outside our building from being stolen again? It’s been stolen 3 times already. Please advise if you have any suggestion.

One way is to conceal it…

Security is about multiple layers…

How about adding another security camera (or 3) that is pointed at the one getting stolen?

Putting it up higher so it is more difficult to reach.

Using a security company that can install it and sy they will replace it if stolen (they have “security hardened” mounting hardware available).

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For a number of reasons, to some degree because of financial constraints and difficulties, and partly because of certain leaders belief in the importance of being relevant via the internet, many organizations have become increasingly dependent on social media. While certain not-for-profits have been quite effective in their fundraising efforts by using social media, most of those have generally been relatively well known organizations, or celebrity- driven organizations. A main reason for that is that social media effectiveness often require a mechanism or method to “feed people” into reading or following that media form.

Many organizations have read about all the excitement and “buzz” generated by certain individuals, causes, or organizations by using social media. These include sites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, My Space, You Tube, etc. They then assume that all they need to do is create their own accounts, and they will experience similar results. In fact, some of these organizations have had relatively good results because something or someone “picks up” on their message, and it helps to spread the word. However, what leaders of these organizations fail to realize or fully understand, is that it is necessary to create an organized effort to “drive” people to follow them on their social media sites. It does not “just happen” on its own, or without much time, effort and a concerted, well organized plan of attack.

Most of us are familiar with the reality that print media and print advertising have been adversely impacted by electronic and digital alternatives. The real estate industry, for example, which only a few years ago, was almost entirely dependent on print media for advertising, relies almost exclusively on internet advertising, and Web real estate sites, and only, to a very small degree, uses print media. While much of this was financially and economically motivated, it becomes a prevalent strategy when an industry “convinces” the public that digital and electronic better meets the public’s need.

There is indeed a demographic influence on which type of media should be used. Many individuals under forty years of age, rely almost entirely on the internet for their news, communication, etc. E-mail and text communications are often used more than person-to-person telephone communication. This trend has proven successful in some ways, yet also has many drawbacks. There is far less “bonding” that goes on when the “human factor” is eliminated. E-mail is often lost in cyberspace, goes into spam, accidentally deleted, or overlooked. While some people respond quickly to e-mail, others check their e-mail on a far less regular basis. There is definitely far less accurate communication, misinterpretation, etc., when e-mail is the dominant, if not the exclusive, form of communication. It is also far easier for someone to avoid commitment, or even responding to an e-mail than a telephone call. There is always the convenient excuse, “I never got that,” or “I never saw that.” Statistically, while e-mail has many benefits, and is excellent for follow-ups, forwarding data and information, etc., it is not nearly as effective when it comes to getting something accomplished, especially in a time sensitive situation.

Similarly, social media definitely has a place in an organization’s overall armamentarium. Unfortunately, far too many organizations expect unrealistic results from using this media. They also do not understand that, unless other methods are being used to “drive” results and followers, this is often little more than a “gesture” to show that the organization is “hep,” and thus is merely a gimmick. The most unfortunate thing is that the leaders who devote an overwhelming percentage of their attention to social media, often end up using all these wasted efforts as evidence that they have used all methods available. Any method, if not used properly or optimally, will result in minimal results.

Statistically, and from a cost to benefit point of view, professionally designed, bullet-point, postcard marketing experiences the most “band for the buck.” While organizational leaders defend the large scale use of social media on the fact that there is no cost, there most certainly is when one factors in the time and staff costs generated by even attempting to do it effectively. There is also a need to weigh the opportunity cost of over-depending on this type of communication, when it takes away from other efforts, that may have been more successful in delivering the desired results. Organizations should certainly use social media, but it should not be their exclusive or dominant methodology.

Organizations succeed and flourish or fail and flounder based on human factors and human relations. If organizations devoted their efforts more to their members and to improve communication and effective spending, as well as professional leadership and staff training, they would enhance their possibilities for success.

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What is the difference between a electronic keyboard and a digital keyboard?

I am searhing to purchase a musical keyboard. What is the difference (besides pricing) of a electronic and digital sound?

They are both the same thing really except that the digital has a better sound and it can download different sounds. (depending on the brand of the key board)

Home security is one of the most ignored issues of homeowners in the country. There is that “it will only happen to the other” guy mentality. Guess what? Out of a random pick of six homes, on an average basis one of them will be the victim of a burglary. So if you want to take that chance of not being the “other guy” go ahead.

But for less than $300.00 you can get two home security cameras-one each for the front and back door-

In the four years that I’ve been a major distributor for hidden security cameras several come to mind as the most popular. They are based on my customers’ preferences.

1. The vandal proof dome camera offers protection are almost any environment. It’s vandal resistant and offers 36 infrared LEDs for night vision capability up to 80 feet away at night. This dome camera has the highest rating for durability and the amount stealing you have against whether it manually rotates 360 degrees and has a manual zoom.

2. The day night camera with 56 infrared LEDs is whether in tamper proof and has high sensitivity in total dark that’s the 56 infrared illuminators allow you to see up to 60 feet at night in total darkness, which makes it perfect outdoor use camera. It comes in a wired or wireless model.

3. A High Resolution color camera is completely waterproof and is perfect for short range and outdoor applications. It has enough LED’s to provide 150 feet of night vision.

When you need to keep an eye on what’s going at your home, office or business get a Hidden Security Camera. It will keep you in the know without anybody knowing what you’re doing.

When are you getting one?

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Can you buy a night vision camera at Wal-Mart?

I enjoy ghost hunting, but my night vision is just a little green flashlight… >:(

If you going ghost hunting, you will need more than light amplification. Try something more like these http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2|1&Ntt=flir&N=0 so you can detect the temp changes they say ghosts exhibit.

Understanding The Role Of Megapixel In A Digital Camera

By awareness of the purpose of megapixels in a digital camera, you will be able to buy the finest alternative at the cheapest value. Even beginners will be able to decide on a better camera.

Higher the megapixel count, better is photo-quality?

This is one of the most misunderstood opinion about rating of digital camera and their photo quality. Consider a mosaic of tiles, each megapixel is like a tile and a mosaic of these tiles make a picture clearer. That is all right, but it doesn’t mean that picture taken by a 10 or 12 or 50 megapixel camera will be more sharp than a 3 megapixel camera, because for most functional purposes, 3 megapixel quality is fine enough. At the most you may require 6 – 8 megapixel for photo-quality as appears in magazines. Anything ahead of that isn’t of much use to a non-professional photographer.
One megapixel is like one tile. When a picture is taken, the CCD or CMOS sensor in the camera receives an array of such tiles to create an image. It then converts it to electrical signals which are processed to create a picture. An array of 2048*1536 generates a pixel count of 31,45,728 pixel which is the same as 3.1 megapixels.

What affects the quality of pictures then?

The quality of the lens, the algorithms used to make the photo from raw data composed by the sensor and the focusing mechanism are some of the other factors that affect the final result.
It should also be well thought-out, how large is the sensor in the camera. Consumer digital cameras have tiny image sensors. They are measured in microns. A micron is a millionth of a meter. Most sensors in consumer cameras are less than 10 microns. It is kept so, so as to shrink the size of the camera so you can carry it in your pocket.

DSLR cameras have bigger sensors. The main disadvantages of a smaller sensor is that it produce images with more noise than a large sensor. If you have to focus on a small area, it is difficult to do with a small sensor. Further, any shaking in handling the camera is inflated in a small sensor.

That means in right hand, with a proper sized sensor, a 6 MP camera is also good enough. In few scenarios a larger megapixel count may be useful, but for general purposes, it is not required.

In what scenario is a higher megapixel beneficial?

If you have to take the photograph of an airplane or a bird flying at a distance and you start zooming with a digital camera, you use digital zoom to reach it, the picture becomes grainy. This is a typical defect of the digital zoom. In such a case, if you have a higher megapixel count, you won’t need the digital zoom.

Buy wisely choosing the appropriate megapixel rating you will be able to get a cheapest yet a better digital camera.

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I am looking for a wifi based webcam with a handheld receiver to use as a baby monitor. Any recommendations?

I want to use a wifi based camera as a baby video monitor to eliminate interference and the possibility of others being able to see our house on their monitor. However, I don’t want to have to view the webcam on my computer, I want a handheld monitor instead. Has anyone used something like this?

This one should do you just fine

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3516396&CatId=130

Sony DSC W320- Let’s Shoot the sight

Sony is the name of innovations, high class technology and great sense of fashion which make the company leader of the field. When it comes to Sony Cyber shot Digital Cameras no other brand stands against its exceptionally designed & technically sound modes. Sony DSC W320 is the fresh and valuable beat of this chain which has number of creative and innovative list of features. This ultra portable digital camera has got the smooth, curvy and compact appealing body. Your fingers silly spin on it well displained and organized effective buttons. This 14.1 mega pixel Song DSC W320 Cyber Shot has peak resolution of 4320×3240 pixel to offer you pin-sharp and bright pictures with perfect clarity. It is supported by BIONZ image processor having ½. 3 Super HAD CCD sensor which sensibly captures images in perceptive mode and makes you available with high class experience of pie has optical zoom of 4X and refined digital 300m upto 8x which provides the new definition to your photography.

Carl Zeiss Vario – Tessar lens attachment supports the name of Sony DSC W320 Cyber Shot as the extremely qualified and refined digital Camera. It captures the images in perfect mode in order to provide you crispy and clean prints. Blurry and unclear images are gone cases now with Sony DSC W320 digital Camera. Its Steady Shot Picture mode automatically adjusts the focus of image till its clear & perfect mode and captures with clarity even if object have a bit movement. This Sony Cyber Shot piece has strong support of ISO auto approx 0.3-3.5m (W) and ISO 3200 approx. 7.1 m (W) to enhance the mechanical efficiency & performance of the camera with every shoot.

Sony DSC W320 Digital Camera has an intelligent support of different memory types including Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick Pro Duo (High Speed) / Memory Stick Pro HG Duo having expansion support of SD Memory Card and SDHC memory card. It is equipped with powerful Li-Ion battery which enables it to take 240 shots at a time and provide non-stop energy upto 120 min. This elegant and well-toned digital Camera has collection of all basic & advanced auto mechanism to offer you ultimate fun of shooting. It has easy and accessible functioning that could be easily understand by its instructional manual. Sony DSC W320 Cyber Shot is available in four funky colors: Pink, Green, Black and Silver with very worthy price tags. This approachable brand has number of servicing centre across the India to solve each & every problem of its customers and to provide them service and 100% product / brand satisfaction.

For more detail on sony digital camera logon to http://www.naaptol.com

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I can not get my Cyber-shot DSC-S650 to power up for photo shooting. Have access to menu in view mode. Help?

Press the power button to shoot pictures camera turns off. Push review button and it allows you to view photos and access the menu. Have reset camera to factory settings, formatted the memory stick, rest the camera, and tried every menu option. Nothing has changed. Any suggestions?

Have experienced this same problem and found the solution which is detailed below. Hope it helps you also. Your camera requires more power to take pictures than in the view mode.

Camera reports batteries low, but is it low charge or bad electrical contacts? Overcharging can ruin good batteries! The secret to making digital cameras work better is having good electrical contacts between batteries and camera.

Digital cameras require lots of power. Bad electrical contacts can cause lots of problems so battery and camera contacts must be cleaned properly. Batteries may be fully charged, but will be viewed as low if contacts are not really good. The LCD screen is a low steady load, but when lens extension, optical zoom, focus, and flash charging are added in the capture mode; the load is very heavy. Bad contacts make cameras do strange things like making bad pictures or shutting off with the lens out.

CAUTION Do not overcharge! Batteries can be severely damaged. Use an automatic two or more hour Energizer Compact smart charger with safety timer, temperature monitor, and trickle charge technology ($9.76) at Walmart. For longer life, use Duracell 2000mAh batteries and a full cycle charge monthly. To preserve battery charge, use the view finder and not the LCD screen when possible.

Reset by removing power up to one month is the ultimate non-physical repair for DVD recorders and other software using digital devices. Digital cameras reset to original settings if batteries are removed. Time required varies with function and camera, but try one minute. Check display and setup menu for non-auto functions and date/time. Remove extra memory to eliminate this as a possible problem. Insert fully charged batteries and restart the camera.

Click the source link for other camera tips and help with making digital cameras work better.

It’s been several years since I installed my X10 wireless alarm system. X10 is a simple way to control wireless devices with or without a computer. X10 devices are inexpensive and easy to install. Here’s an example. I’m looking at a 25 piece alarm system on eBay right now that you can buy for $91.99 with free shipping. This system has (1) wireless console with a phone dialer, (3) remote controls that looks like a keychain, (you can even attach your keys to it) (1) lamp module, (5) door/window sensors, (1) remote console, and (1) infrared motion sensor. Various decals and splitters are included as well.

This is a complete alarm system and entirely wireless. That’s one of the reasons it’s so easy to install…no wires to run. About all you need is a screwdriver. The sensors come with screws and double-sided tape. Installing them is a breeze. You’ll need a sensor for each door or window you want to protect. Extra sensors can be found on eBay for a few dollars each. Motion detectors cover a wide area. I only needed one motion detector, three door sensors, and one window sensor to cover my entire house. Placement of the motion detector played a critical part in this setup.

The alarm system comes with a control console but I interfaced mine to my computer. I looked on the Net and found a USB computer X10 interface and a software package called “Active Home” for $49.95. The software can be found ‘free’ on the Net. This is where the fun began. My computer can turn on or dim the lights, sound alarms, turn on radios or TVs, and best of all- control three wireless color cameras. You’ll find X10 wireless color cameras on eBay for just over $40 each including shipping. I also found someone selling three used ones as a package for only $30 total! Got to love eBay! I set one camera so I can see who’s at the front door, the second one looks out the back towards the lake, and the third camera is hidden and watches over my computer equipment.

Hidden cameras are big business these days. They are so small that they can be hidden inside of radios, books, toys, lamps, pictures, clocks, etc. You really have to look to find them. They send their image over the X10 wireless network just like any other sensor. The “Active Home” software can even pan and tilt the outdoor cameras.

What good is an alarm system if you can’t record who’s breaking in? Well, with iWhitness software (an Active Home add in costing about $20) you can turn your computer into a digital recorder. The recording process can be set for “time of day” or it can be triggered by one of the sensors.

This is a nice and inexpensive alarm system as long as someone doesn’t break in and steal your computer! Hopefully, the sounding of alarms will scare a burglar off. One nice touch with the systems included console is a phone dialer. You can program in four phone numbers that will be called if the alarm is triggered. It delivers a message you’ve previously recorded.

An X10 wireless alarm system might not be secure enough if you needing to protect a business. Because it transmits on a frequency that’s also used by mobile phones, it’s not nearly as secure as a wired system. But considering the ease of setup, the cost, and knowing the limitations of the X10 technology, I couldn’t be happier with my setup and intend to keep it for many years to come. It’s definitely worth considering!

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What do I look for when looking for QUALITY in Digital Cameras?

Hello. I know Megapixels means nothing. I’ve seen HUGE pictures that look terrible. I’ve also seen tiny pictures with less resolution than my camera phones resolution that look a thousand times better.

There are little technical aspects that determine the image quality of a camera except for the size of the sensor. The larger the sensor, the better the quality. This is why DSLRs with their sensors many times larger than point-and-shoots, have superior image quality: http://ninofilm.net/blog/wp-content/sensor-size-1.jpg

The ISO range a camera has has nothing to do with their image quality. A point-and-shoot camera may have up to ISO 3200, but image quality is very poor at anything higher than ISO 400. However, some DSLR cameras will perform superbly all the way up to ISO 6400, this again is due to their large sensor size.

To find out how good a camera is for shooting moving subjects, you need to read reviews. Nowadays, all cameras have a shutter speed of at least 1/1500th of a second, more than enough for sports. So what you’re looking at is something called “shutter lag” and “autofocus speed”. These specs are usually not provided by the company’s spec sheets, so you’ll have to read reviews. In just about all cases, DSLR cameras have much superior speed compared to any point-and-shoot camera.

To find out how well a camera takes pictures in low light, once again, the sensor size is a good reference.