Eagle Eye Surveillance Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the recording work?
	Both DVR's (Digital Video Recorders) and NVR's (Network Video Recorders) work on the same premise when it comes to recording. All incoming video data is captured on a computer (occassionly more than one), and the data is then converted to a proprietary data format and saved to a local hard drive/drives. Typically, each type of recorder offers software with a graphic user interface (GUI), which allows users to view multiple cameras at once without the use of an archaic multiplexing system. The GUI will also generally allow users to access a historical database of all of the recorded data saved on the hard drive/drives. Most systems have a calendar that will show the days in the recorded history in red (or another color), and the days that have no recorded data in black. It is very easy, then, to reference the days that have a recording on them. In addition to the calendar, you will generally see a timeline for each day when a day with recorded data is selected from the calendar. There are different types of recording modes, usually 3: continuous, motion, and sensor.
		Continuous recording is pretty self-explanatory. In this mode the recorder will record all incoming video data all the time. This type of recording will drastically reduce the amount of recording time available on the hard drive. But it may be recommended for an area where it is necessary to have a non-stop recording to monitor activity. Motion based recording is generally the preferred mode of recording for most applications. This mode will allow the user to set motion sensitivity levels, a pre-record time, and should allow for motion masking. Masking simply means that certain areas of the video input can be masked out if not all of the video image is needed. For example, the right side of the image needs to be recorded, and will record when there is motion detected in that area. But the left side of the image will not record even if there is motion in that area. You may want to see what's happening on the sidewalk, but are not concerned with recording the street traffic passing by the sidewalk. Masking would come in handy in this case and would greatly increase the overall time that the system would record. Sensor based recording simply means that a recording may be triggered by any open/close contact device. This might be useful if you have a camera looking at a door that no one typically uses, and the door opens and has a contact placed above the door, the contact would send a signal to the system and it would then begin to record what is going on in that area. Motion based recording however, can generally achieve this same type of response without the use of additional sensors. Scheduled recording can be used in an environment where one wishes to record, let's say, in an office environment, only continuously during the week from 9 to 5, but only record motion on the weekends. Any combination of the aforementioned recording modes can be scheduled as wished. Scheduling can also help to maximize recording time. Scheduled recording can be used in an environment where one wishes to record, let's say, in an office environment, only continuously during the week from 9 to 5, but only record motion on the weekends. Any combination of the aforementioned recording modes can be scheduled as wished. Scheduling can also help to maximize recording time.
	Recorders, as a general rule, will have a maximum capacity for recording time. The hard drive/drives will become full of data at some point, and then begin to record over the oldest data first. The result is to end up with a range of time recorded on your system, while continually recycling the oldest recordings in order to make space for the newest data. So you don't have to change tapes, or have someone forget to change a tape, just as in the 'good old days' of analog tape recording. Both types of recorders will offer a way to output media to either a CD/DVD, USB device, or other external storage device.

2. What is the difference between a DVR and a NVR?
	Digital Video Recorders (DVR) is a common and generally less expensive way of recording analog video signals that are wired back to a central recording system. A capture card is installed in the computer that will convert the analog video signals coming from each camera to a digital format. Once converted to the digital format, you are then able to view multiple cameras on the live screen without multiplexing, and review recorded data in a non-linear fashion. Network Video Recorders (NVR) is the most modern method of recording video. NVR's work much in the same way as a DVR, but there are some very important differences worth noting. First, with an NVR, video data is captured over either a local area network (LAN), or through the Internet. NVRs require output from either an IP camera, or from a network encoder. A network encoder will allow for the use of analog cameras, but rather than requiring a capture board, as in a DVR, the encoder will convert the analog data at the encoder point, and then send that converted digital data over a TCP/IP network. Secondly, since data can now be sent over a TCP/IP network, it is no longer necessary to make individual wiring homeruns back to the head-end site of recording. In fact, this data could be sent to multiple locations where there are multiple computers recording and monitoring the data with NVR software. It could be within an office building, or over the Internet half-way across the world. Third, the beauty of network video recording is that if an office/building/campus already has a pre-existing Local Area Network (LAN), it is possible to leverage the often costly network that you have already invested in to install a surveillance system without having to install a completely new set of wiring that would be required when using traditional analog cameras, thus saving the additional cost of materials and labor of wiring. Lastly, NVRs, when used with the most up to date IP cameras can allow you to record images with greater quality possible than ever imagined with traditional analog cameras.

3. What is the difference between IP and analog cameras?
	Traditional analog cameras transmit video signals over an analog line, usually coaxial cable, back to the head-end of the recording system. When using analog cameras it is therefore always necessary to make a direct wiring connection between the camera and the recorder. Depending on the type of installation, wiring can be either extremely easy, or extremely difficult, so installing analog cameras can vary widely in cost depending on the difficulty of the installation. The newer, IP based cameras transmit video output through an ethernet jack. Encoding of the video is generally done at the camera itself. By using IP cameras it is possible to leverage a pre-existing LAN to transmit images back to a remote computer located on the same network, or to transmit images over the Internet to a remote location. Many of the newer IP cameras are either 1 or more megapixels of resolution, essentially providing image quality comparable to your point-and-shoot consumer digital camera. Since you can use a network to transmit images, it is no longer necessary to make a direct point-to-point wiring run between the camera and the recording system.

4. What is the difference between day/night and infra-red cameras?
	A day/night camera is generally equipped with an auto gain control mechanism within the camera. This means that when light levels (lux) reach a certain point of darkness, the auto gain control (AGC) will begin to operate and automatically brighten the image to compensate for the low-light environment. An infra-red camera is different in that it contains a varying number of infra-red LEDs that will stay off when the environment is light enough, and turn on when a sensor in the camera measures a significant absence of light, even in complete darkness. Often an IR camera will also turn from color during the day, when it is bright out, to black-and-white at night when the IR LEDs are on. This is because it is easier for the camera to capture the image with LEDs in black-and-white.

5. What is the difference between a dynamic and a static and IP address?
	This is most easily understood if you think of an IP address as your telephone number. A dynamic IP address is most commonly used for home user Internet subscriptions, and internet service providers (ISP) will shuffle different IP addresses out to customers on an as-needed basis. As a result, with a dynamic internet service, your IP address may change as often as once a day. Using the telephone number analogy, if your phone number is changing every day, it would be much harder for another person to call you than it would if your number was always the same. A static IP address is more common in business applications. A static IP address is simply an address that is assigned to you by your ISP that will never change. Therefore you can always make a reliable, remote connection back to a certain computer that is assigned a static IP address. Your telephone number, to go back to that analogy, is a static number, and it never changes.

6. Why shouldn't I buy a system from a consumer retailer and install it myself?
	It is true that one could go to any technology store and likely be able to purchase a video surveillance system. In our experience, these systems tend to lack the quality and life-span of professional equipment. What happens when it stops working, something breaks, or you have a specific question about using your system? The retail store that you purchased it from certainly will not come to your home or business to address problems or questions. In the long run, it is a higher value to work with a company that will take care of the often complicated installation work; a company that will follow through on their work and be there in the end to support the product that you purchased; that will provide one-on-one training; that will provide you with professional quality products; that will provide custom and professional installation; and a company that will have the longevity to service products and your questions over many years to come. The goal of Eagle Eye Surveillance is to strive to take care of all of these things for you

7. How can I watch my surveillance system remotely online?
	It is possible to view all of our surveillance systems either over a LAN, or over the Internet. Most of our systems offer the capability to view your cameras through Internet Explorer, or by using client-end software. The distinction is that typically using a browser only allows you to view your cameras, without any additional functionality. By installing client software on your desktop or laptop, however, you would be able access all of the same functions that you would be able to access at the recording system itself, such as viewing, searching archives, system settings, and archive backups, just to name a few. It is recommended if you wish to view your system remotely that you subscribe to a static IP service through your internet provider (ISP).

8. Where should I consider putting my cameras?
	Eagle Eye Surveillance is a custom installation company. We are ready to install cameras in just about any location you can think of. We do typically recommend certain locations, however. We suggest covering all entrances and exits, high foot traffic areas in your business, at the point-of-sale(s), and outdoor perimeter coverage, or at least areas that may be easily broken into, such as windows and doors.

Eagle Eye Surveillance Chicago, LLC / 819 N. Milwaukee Avenue / Chicago, IL 60642 / P: 312.787.7795 / TOLL-FREE: 866.907.7795 / F: 773.751.0683