How to make video surveillance with your own hands for your home. How to make video surveillance with your own hands Data cables and electrical wires

Home video surveillance– an excellent household service when you need it. Keep track of what children do without parents; how hard workers work in the absence of management; find out how an elderly relative feels on the other side of town; to protect your home from the risk of theft or the pranks of neighborhood mischief-makers - there are many pressing examples of using a couple of “electronic eyes.” The article will give you an idea of ​​how to make video surveillance at home or in the country – with your own hands.

How to make video surveillance at home

Among the components of self-design of the system:

• cameras– “eyes” (sometimes “ears”);
• video recorder (DVR)– the “heart” of observation;
• hard drive– to view what happened yesterday (or a couple of weeks ago);
• data and power cables– “nervous system”;
• computer, or smartphone, or TV to configure everything - the “think tank” of the platform.

How justified is it to entrust this task not to a specialist with exorbitant prices, but to yourself?

The task of building video surveillance is comparable to installing lighting in a garden gazebo. In the simplest case, you need a light bulb with a socket and wires. A little more difficult is to add a switch instead of a socket-plug connection. The addition of a floor lamp and a small calculation of lighting angles - all such “bells and whistles” are subject to even the most experienced hands, both in the analogy with a lamp and with newfangled cameras.

The essence of a video surveillance system is a construction kit, which consists of individual high-tech, but completely finished components, which in the worst case scenario will have to be opened and closed with a screwdriver (sometimes no tools are needed). In addition, fun during the installation process is almost guaranteed (that's a big word for screwing cameras to fences and walls, plus laying cables). Not friendly with electricity? But in the cameras and the recorder there are only 12 simple volts.

The difficulties are different: after self-assembly of video surveillance, you will have to fend off friends and colleagues for a long time with their requests to do the same for them. No more squabbles with your mother-in-law in the absence of your wife - with the omnipresent electronic eye this is fraught. And now we feed the cat strictly on schedule!

Warm-up: Five-minute introduction to video surveillance

A computer webcam can be a model of an “adult” system. How to make a video surveillance camera from a webcam? Buy a USB extension cable (if you’re lucky, this is plus 70-80 cm to the existing cord from the webcam), place the camera in convenient location, install on your computer any program for motion detection and alarm (WebcamXP, Ivideon, iSpy)… Done!

The capabilities of the simplest system described are sufficient for monitoring inside one room. True, you will have to come to terms with the need to constantly keep the PC turned on, the inability to extend the distance between the web camera and the PC, and the unreliability of the tracking utility for working 24/7. And it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to come up with something with night lighting.

Self-planning video surveillance

Before purchasing equipment and starting installation, it would be great to sketch out a plan of the protected area by hand and answer a few questions:

1. Where in the house will the video recorder be located? This device (also known as DVR) is a mini-computer that records the signal from cameras and broadcasts it to a TV, smartphone, thousands of kilometers away via the Internet. The place should be dry, at room temperature, and as hidden as possible from easy access by intruders. Cameras are more difficult to damage than this fragile center of the entire platform.
2. What territory will the cameras monitor, from what height and what is the width of the horizontal angle? And how many cameras do you need? A protractor with a ruler are the main assistants in answering this question. The selection of specific models is beyond the scope of the article, but there are general recommendations: the smaller the height of the cameras compared to the object of observation (a person’s face, a car license plate), the better. A narrow horizontal viewing angle (up to 60-90 degrees) is preferable to using wide-angle (up to 140-150 degrees) lenses. The maximum number of cameras depends on the class of the DVR, but usually it is from 4 to 16 channels (one camera can be connected to any recorder). Camera form factors are varied - miniature for stealth, mounted to the ceiling or wall, with an electric motor for rotation and/or movement of the lens.
3. What is the distance from the cameras to the DVR? It is imperative to take into account the additional distance - taking into account the beautiful laying of cables with wires along the walls.
4. How will you remotely access the DVR via the Internet? The ideal option is a wired (not mobile!) provider that offers access via ADSL or fiber optic at a speed of at least 1 megabit/sec, preferably with a static IP address. It’s even better if the house already has a router with a wired Internet connection and a free LAN socket.
5. Do you need to watch the “picture” on your home TV? If so, what is the length of the HDMI cable from TV to DVR? At a distance of up to 15-20 meters, a cheap wireless computer “mouse” will be of great help to control the recorder on the TV screen.
6. What are the weather conditions like? outdoor installation cameras? Not every cell can cope with extreme heat and severe frosts.

Planning additional accessories for home video surveillance:

• boxes for neat cable routing;
• a powerful lamp with a motion detection sensor - useful for additional lighting in addition to infrared illumination (parking lot, area around the house);
• Wi-Fi adapter for wireless broadcasting from the DVR to the router (the good old LAN cable, also known as twisted pair, will work more reliably, cheaper and faster);
• uninterruptible power supply (minimizes the risk of loss of control during a power outage, protects the delicate electrical subsystem).

Selection and purchase of “designer” parts for video surveillance

DVR, aka video recorder

The average model of a DVR (the center of the entire system) is capable of:

• receive and broadcast video (+audio) from 4 to 16 cameras of different models and types;
• record video to a hard drive (you need to buy it separately);
• copy files to a MicroSD card and flash drive, work with a “mouse”: the more USB ports, the better;
• connect to a computer, router and, therefore, the Internet via LAN (more reliable) or Wi-Fi (slower, not all adapters are suitable);
• broadcast video to a TV or monitor (HDMI, VGA);
• “talk” to the user in Russian with minor translation blots in the menu;
• send alarm signals via e-mail, FTP, SMS and voice communication via a SIM card;
• control the movement of cameras, if they support such a function;
• understand the commands of a program installed on a computer or smartphone;
• take up 1.5-2 times less space than a household DVD player.

Cost per good models is constantly decreasing. It’s hardly worth purchasing a model that costs less than $100, but spending more than $400-500 on a DVR for a video surveillance system is most often a waste. Need to pay attention to support high resolution(FullHD or higher for confident visual recognition of faces), the presence of a high-speed gigabit LAN, the number of ports and connectors.

Storage device (hard drive) for a video recorder at home or in the country

A practical example: a HDD with a capacity of 1 TB and a price of approximately $70 stores about 25 days of video recording from two medium-resolution cameras (720p). Less capacious disks are slightly cheaper, 2- and 4-GB ones are not too expensive. “Green” series of disks are good for recorders: the task of recording a video signal does not require high speed, but heating and power consumption are minimal.

The HDD form factor is necessarily “laptop”, 2.5 inches.

Data cables and electrical wires

The cheapest part of the video recording system - perhaps due to its low price, it is usually underestimated. Stable electricity without power surges is the key to long-term operation of all equipment. The wires have to perform the task in extreme conditions of temperature changes, rain, snow and ice. A strong base, high-quality braiding and excellent insulation will help the cameras serve without electronic diseases.

Power supplies, UPS

They are entrusted with the responsible task of converting “outlet” 220 Volts into “computer” 12. All video surveillance components vitally require high-quality and stable power. Cameras are more likely to fail due to power surges than due to weather, hooligans, or defects. Savings are inappropriate here.

A mid-class UPS is capable of providing power to a couple of cameras, a recorder, and a router for an hour and a half. You shouldn't expect more, but you can't settle for less battery life.

Important note! The electrical part of a video surveillance system places slightly more demands on its installer than cameras and DVRs. If there is the slightest doubt that wiring and connecting wires is a feasible task, then it is better to call an electrician. And it’s not so much the danger of electricity, but the risk of damaging equipment.

Cameras

With a rotary mechanism or stationary; with mounting to the ceiling or to a vertical surface; with infrared illumination or... Vandalism protection, microphone/speaker presence, focal length, interchangeable lenses, horizontal/vertical angle width.

The questions are simple, there are many answers, even from little-known manufacturers. The reliability of cameras for video surveillance systems is acceptable, as long as the power supply does not let us down. Important parameter– video signal resolution. Resolution standards of 360*288 and below are categorically outdated. The values ​​of 640*480 pixels are close to the “museum” values. The golden mean of 720p is good. Heavyweights of the FullHD class often place increased demands on DVR, HDD network and Internet channels.

And finally, about the equipment. Chinese engineers, programmers and even translators work quite well. Their products are worth considering, especially for home video surveillance.

Network matters: router, modem, Internet

Recording video from surveillance cameras to a hard drive is half the battle. Using existing equipment, it is easy to organize broadcasting throughout the entire house (dacha, plot). Transmitting signals via the Internet? Easy, if you have a stable provider.

Picture on PC or phone

So, the signal gets from the camera into the bowels of the DVR, and recording occurs on the HDD. The DVR is capable of transmitting the current signal (or already recorded video from the drive) to other data consumers. The simplest case is through a connection via a LAN cable to a laptop or desktop PC. But a different connection scheme is more convenient - to the router local network, which already transmits the Internet throughout the house via Wi-Fi or the same network cable. Then several devices will be able to connect to one DVR at the same time: phone, laptop, computer. In the router, it is enough to set the registrar a permanent IP address (192.168.120, for example. The main thing is that the subnet matches, as is the case with conventional devices).

Access to the recorder is carried out through a specially installed program of the CMS category (Camera Management System - camera management system): there are many both paid and free products in Russian. As a rule, applications are universal, i.e. work with different models DVR. Software in this category is capable of:

• configure the registrar functions;
• control cameras (brightness, backlight, motion detection, color);
• record the broadcast signal, edit video files;
• alert the user about events (signal loss, power surge, motion detection);
• display an online image from one or more sources, or view videos recorded on the recorder.

Picture via the Internet

A wired provider that provides a static IP address (even for a fee) is the ideal for a beginning owner of a video recording system. It is enough to configure the DVR or a home computer connected to it for access from outside (the setup is similar to the work of the TeamViewer, Radmin or Remote Desktop Manager programs) - and everything is ready to receive a signal even on the other side of the planet.

Mobile operators rarely allow you to work with a static IP. Each time you connect, the provider allocates a new address from its range. In this case, you will need to connect the DVR to a cloud service - a remote service for broadcasting and managing content on powerful servers. In this case, the video signal viewing circuit receives one more link than with a direct “recorder-router-client” connection. The client device (it receives a remote signal via the Internet) connects not directly to the router with the DVR, but to the “cloud” server. The server, in turn, takes a signal from the home network in which the video surveillance system is located. A cloud “intermediary” is often needed when organizing remote monitoring of a country house, countryside, and in sparsely populated areas.

To receive stable images without any significant delays, a channel of 1 Mbit/sec is sufficient, the higher the better. You should remember about the significant amount of traffic passing through the Internet channel. If the provider charges it (especially the outgoing stream), then in practice you should calculate the amount of transmitted information per 5-10 minutes of broadcast. Traffic is consumed only when the device is remotely connected to the video surveillance system. When there is no connection, no data is transmitted over the Internet.

• A demonstrative collection of cameras and spotlights hung throughout the protected area often helps against hooligans and vandals. Attackers will prefer not to get involved with a dangerous “object” if they see modern analogues of the good old “beware, evil dog!” sign.
• It makes sense to direct each camera not only to a certain sector of the territory, but also in such a way that other cameras fall into the field of its electric “vision”. If one of the cameras fails, you can quickly determine the cause of the problem.
• Covert surveillance with mini cameras is not always justified from an ethical point of view, although this is a philosophical, not a technical issue. It should be remembered that surveillance can be carried out not only by you, but also by you. In any case, compact cameras are considered more fragile and less functional devices than their full-size counterparts.
• After successful self-assembly platform, many people have a desire to further upgrade the system. The author of the article once encountered a curious case: to protect a small warehouse with goods worth about 3 thousand dollars, the enthusiastic owner of the facility built a system of the same value. Technically everything was flawless and beautiful, but from the practical side of the issue it was inappropriate.

Conclusion

The goal of today's workshop is to give an idea of ​​the ease of creating a video surveillance system with your own hands. Therefore, recommendations for choosing specific models and brands of equipment are beyond the scope of this article. Separate large topics are setting up a local network, selecting optimal parameters for the recorder and preferred software, including the “cloud”.

Good luck in further studying aspects of the video system. Everything in this topic is not so complicated, but incredibly interesting!

Now there are frameless modular video cameras on sale, the cost of some copies is reduced to 300 rubles.

Frameless video camera

But the use of such modules outdoors is not justified - the lifetime will depend on the first exposure to rain or morning fog. Of course, you can buy a casing for a video camera in the same store, but its cost will be higher than the cost of the module. What if, instead of buying a casing, you buy 1 - 4 more modules with this money and make casings for the cameras yourself?

I share my experience in making a casing for a video camera. The base of the casing will be an aerosol can; I came across a can of hairspray. Before you start cutting the cylinder, press the button and release the remaining gas and varnish. For safety, before opening, I first recommend making a small hole with an awl to finally equalize the pressure inside and outside. I don't smoke, so I don't know what will happen if I release gas in the face of a smoking person. We cut the balloon with a sharp knife or scissors.

We cut the balloon at an angle. In the bottom we make a hole for the electrical seal PG11 with a mounting diameter of 18 mm. The edges of the hole should be smooth. The oil seal can be screwed on immediately. We will make a lid with transparent glass from a polystyrene plate. Polystyrene is now sold in hardware stores. You can use a piece of plastic from some case. Using metal scissors or a hand jigsaw, we make a circle with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the casing. The choice of glass is a creative task; I found several protective glass filters from the lenses of amateur film cameras - that’s what I used. The glass is attached to the hole in the circle.

We attach the module to the resulting lid blank using a U-shaped frame, which is glued to the circle. My experience in using simple modules shows that they operate normally at temperatures of -10..15 C°, and if the internal volume of the casing is sealed and contains a desiccant, then the glass does not fog up. But still, for reliable operation, it’s a good idea to provide a little heating. Heating is carried out using a two-watt resistance of 100 Ohm, connected using a thermal contact to open at +10 C°. Readers of the site suggested a thermal contact of the KSD-301 type at +20 C°, I think would be better suited sensor at +10 C°. Electrical diagram shown in the figure. We solder the power wires and video cable (75 Ohm TV cable) to the assembled module. At this stage, you need to try on the design at the installation site and carefully adjust the lens for the sharpness of the picture. After setting up, we pass the wires and cables through the gland and tighten the module with the cover into the housing. It is important not to confuse top and bottom; the picture can already be monitored on the monitor by applying power to the module. Inside the case you need to place silica gel, such as shoebox perfume. Silica gel must be fresh, that is, it must be able to absorb moisture. Once again we check the centering and sharpness. Tighten the gland with cables.

If everything is satisfactory, then all that remains is to seal the casing. As a sealant, you can use silicone putty-glue for mirrors in a tube, although cheap construction adhesive in the same tubes will work just as well. I do not recommend using aggressive sealants that smell like vinegar. Carefully coat the edge of the circle with glass, the edge of the glass itself and the cable exits from the gland. We lay the structure to dry. After drying, all that remains is to construct the mounting bracket. In this design, it is a ring belt with a shank for fastening to the wall. As you can see, the video camera has a lens with a low aperture ratio, which of course did not allow us to see the picture late in the evening, but in low ambient light visibility was restored. Additional illumination can be organized in the infrared range by using ready-made solution in the form of a board with IR LEDs, follow this link http://ali.pub/2b9i5c . Happy designing! Well, for those who don’t have time to be creative, here is a link to a ready-made solution at a ridiculous price

Protecting your own property is an important task that can be solved with the help of various systems and security complexes.

There are many options for organizing the security of private properties. One of the ways is to install video surveillance systems - their presence will allow timely identification of strangers at the site and alert the relevant services and owners about this.

In addition, the presence of elements of a video surveillance system at a facility has a deterrent effect on intruders, since it is unlikely that anyone will try to enter the territory that is guarded by video cameras.

Why is a dummy video camera necessary?

Modern video surveillance systems are quite expensive, both in terms of purchasing the appropriate equipment and in terms of its subsequent maintenance, installation and configuration.

Not everyone can afford the financial costs required to fully protect their property with the help of modern video cameras. The solution to this situation will be fake CCTV cameras.

They are devices that look exactly like real CCTV cameras.

The only difference is that inside such dummies there is no hardware system that provides the ability to film what is happening and transmit a video stream.

These types of devices are used to create a deterrent effect on burglars. After all, no one knows whether a real camera or a dummy video camera is installed at the facility.

Advantages

The main advantages of dummies include:

1. low cost compared to original cameras;
2. ease of installation;
3. there is no need for specialized installation;
4. no device maintenance required;
5. there is no need for software and computer hardware to view, record and store video;
6. You can make a dummy CCTV camera yourself.

Flaws

• there is no possibility of monitoring;
• only a psychological impact on the attacker is provided;
• if information that a false CCTV camera is installed at a facility is available to a larger circle of people, its protective effect will be completely neutralized.

How to make a dummy yourself?

Considering that simulated video surveillance is a fairly effective tool for protecting your property, the popularity of these devices is quite high. The high demand for these devices leads to the fact that their prices also rise.

For those who do not want or do not have the opportunity to pay for a dummy camera made in production conditions, there is an option to make a dummy CCTV camera with your own hands.

This is quite simple to implement, and the resulting devices are practically no worse than their factory counterparts. Below we will look at how you can make your own dummies of the most commonly used cameras.

Dummy with motion sensor

A dummy CCTV camera with a flashing red LED is a very effective means of scaring intruders away from the property.

In addition to the fact that the device looks like a real security system camera, a flashing red LED indicates that the camera is recording what is happening. This provides an additional protective effect.

To make a dummy camera, any available means can be used. For example, for cameras that are installed indoors or under reliable protection from the external environment, they can be made from thick paper or cardboard.

To make a dummy, you need to find on the Internet a “cutting out” of a real camera, which is similar to children’s craft toys that are made from paper.

It will be enough to cut out the camera parts according to the found pattern, glue them and assemble them into a single device, which will be installed on site.

Metal or plastic rods, a piece of wire and other fasteners that may have been left at home from other devices can be used as a holder.

To make the simulation of a video surveillance camera more believable, you can install a red LED inside the device, which is connected to a regular battery.

Its glow will resemble the camera's operation in recording mode. Instead of a lens, you can install a circle made of transparent plastic.

To make the dummy look as realistic as possible, you can paint it in colors that match the original cameras.

Dummy dome camera

Dome cameras have received widespread practical use in various types of objects. They have a wide viewing angle, which allows you to control a large area with one device.

Such devices have significantly fewer dead zones and it is almost impossible to pass near them unnoticed. Taking these factors into account, placing a dummy dome CCTV camera on site has a fairly good deterrent effect.

The difference between the dummies of these cameras is the ease of making them yourself. It is enough to find a suitable size hemisphere that is attached to a base that can be cut out of cardboard, plastic, plywood or wood.

The hemisphere can be made from transparent children's balls or from plastic New Year's decorations.

A mock-up of a miniature camera is installed inside the hemisphere, which can be cut out of paper or cardboard and painted in the required color.

An LED connected to a battery is attached near the camera layout - it will simulate the recording process.

To camouflage the inside of the camera as much as possible and make it look like the original device, the surface of the hemisphere must be coated with a translucent dark varnish. It will darken the camera dome, as is done in many models of real camcorders.

Street camera

The dummy of an outdoor CCTV camera is done in almost the same way as for cameras used indoors. But in this case, they should be cut not from cardboard, but from thin metal.

You can use a can of beer, cola or deodorant as a blank. As a lens, you can use a piece of plexiglass cut in the shape of a circle. You also need to install a flashing red LED inside the dummy body, which is powered by a battery.

To prevent it from malfunctioning, it is necessary to ensure the tightness of the dummy body, which should not let moisture in. Ensure the stability of the CCTV camera dummy with a motion sensor external environment can be done by painting the external elements with powder paint.

The coloring of the dummy should be selected in accordance with real cameras - this will give a visual resemblance to the original.

Conclusion

Dummies of CCTV cameras are quite effective means to protect their territory from intruders.

It is important to keep information about the installation of dummies secret from strangers, and then the deterrent effect of these devices will be the same as that of real video surveillance systems.

How to make a dummy CCTV camera with your own hands was described above - improvised means are suitable for this.

For those who do not want to waste their time on crafts, you can go to specialized stores and purchase ready-made dummies, although the cost will be significantly more expensive than those made by yourself.

Video: How to make a dummy CCTV camera

To make your own video surveillance systems in an apartment or house, you need to understand what you need first. That is, what tasks do you assign to this complex. For example, monitoring children in their own room from the kitchen is one option. Creating a reliable security system is the second option. This means that we can say that any most complex video surveillance system can be assembled by the owner of the house himself without outside help.

There is one point in this whole matter that involves reducing the costs of the assembly process itself. It's whether you buy a specially marketed CCTV kit or don't buy one. The second option involves purchasing each device and unit separately, and, as experts say, it is cheaper. By the way, the majority of consumers use it to organize a video surveillance system in an apartment or house.

How to make a DIY CCTV camera from a webcam

Let's move on to the simplest system, which will allow you to use your computer or laptop as part of it. To do this, purchase a webcam (it is better if there are 4-5 of them in the apartment), which is connected via a USB cable or wirelessly to the receiver. It should be noted that modern systems smartphones and phones also contact the webcam and understand it well. In this case, the webcam will serve as a security camera.

It should be noted that webcams are small in size, which is very convenient in terms of their hidden placement. In addition, not every stranger entering the house will immediately realize that he is being monitored using a webcam.

There is a second option in this system - this is when the laptop or computer has Internet access. True, you will have to buy another laptop or tablet; you can use the systems of a smartphone or phone that will be with you all the time. Communication with the home device will be made via the Internet.

The only thing that should be noted is that the remote video surveillance system combines both security and control functions. That is, setting up such a complex is an order of magnitude more difficult. Unfortunately, some home craftsmen are unable to do this. It will be very difficult to set it up yourself, so if there are serious doubts that you cannot handle it yourself, it is better to invite a specialist. If you nevertheless decided to do everything yourself, then you need to familiarize yourself with some information.

Security System Principles

There are several principles that underlie everything security systems security.

1. It is better not to catch a thief, but to prevent a crime.
2. High security of the cameras themselves.
3. The reliability of a security system is the reliable communication between cameras and receivers.
4. The security system itself must recognize the danger and sound an alarm; a person should not be directly involved in this connection.

Based on these principles, it is necessary to correctly choose the system itself, which would work not only correctly, but also as efficiently as possible. Therefore, the first question that requires an answer is: which connection is better: wired or wireless?

The wireless system is better in many respects. For example, it is more economical because for its assembly there is no need to deal with the process of laying cables. True, any errors in the broadcast lead to poor performance. Therefore, it is recommended to install the wireless method in the apartment. In courtyard and street areas, it is better to use a wired circuit.

But what should those who are in the city do and want to control the situation in country house and on its territory. It is clear that a wired connection will not help here. The only possible option is the Internet using a mobile phone, smartphone, and so on. To be honest, this is not a problem inside the city. Controlling your own apartment is simple and easy, since your provider allows you to do this. It is more difficult with long distances, because the channel capacity is far from the declared characteristics. So there is no need to talk about good communication today.

If you have doubts about the bandwidth of the Internet channel, by the way, it must be at least 1.0 Mbit/s, then everything can be checked on the spot. How?

Testing conditions - all manipulations are carried out on site. Checking should only be done from the security system server.

Video surveillance system and server

What can be used as a server? In principle, assembly at home implies simplicity of the circuit and low cost of materials. For the home version, you can use any device such as a computer. As mentioned above, it could be a laptop, netbook, tablet or even a 3G modem.

The best option to create an entire system with several cameras in an apartment is any device that has several USB ports. Their number will determine the number of connected cameras. True, you will have to minus one port, the mouse will be connected to it. But it should be noted that the USB connection is not the best. It is susceptible to interference, and the length of the connected cables should not exceed 20 m.

A few words about the IP address of the cameras. Their presence does not mean that the camera itself can access the Internet. It requires a host and a provider anyway. And if you are assembling a video surveillance system of six cameras, then know that for each of them you will have to purchase six connection points from the provider. This, of course, is the case if a wired connection is established.

And a few words about archiving the information received. Everything will depend on how long the information should be stored. For example, the hard drive of the laptop itself is 120 GB. It can fit 4-5 months worth of pictures if you use frame activity up to 50%. Then some of the information can be reset or automatic erasure can be set. Don't discount old tried and tested DVDs. If you manually reset information on them in accelerated viewing mode, then four of them will be enough to download an annual volume of all information coming from webcams.

CCTV cameras

What you need to pay attention to when choosing cameras for a video surveillance system in an apartment or house. Let's start with the fact that there are two types of devices: open and hidden. It is clear that there is no point in installing open cameras in an apartment if you are going to monitor your household. For safety, it is better to install hidden models. They are most often installed in private homes.

The difference between them is the size of the devices. The former can be quite large, the latter, on the contrary, have small dimensions. The most popular mini cameras today, although they are the most expensive. Manufacturers are clever, trying to please the picky consumer, so today you can buy cameras disguised as various lamps and other decorative elements.

And another type of separation of cameras is outdoor and indoor. From the definition itself it becomes clear that the former can withstand bad weather well and sun rays, the latter quickly fail under natural loads.

How to properly place cameras and install them yourself

When it comes to your apartment, there are a few places you need to keep an eye on. These are the windows and front door, therefore, opposite these elements of home furnishings, you need to install cameras under the ceiling. If the owner of the house is also interested in other rooms, then he will have to choose the right viewing area and point the lens at it.

As for the installation of the entire video surveillance system, anyone can do it with their own hands. Firstly, the cameras are installed with self-tapping screws or glued with suction cups or Velcro. The first option is more reliable and durable. To do this, you need to remove the mounting casing from the camera, make marks through the holes, for example, on the ceiling, in which the holes will be aligned. Plastic dowels are inserted into them, to which the casing itself is screwed with self-tapping screws. After which the rest of the camera is installed.

Laying wires with your own hands is also a simple process. It is important to do everything secretly here. For this, you can use special boxes, but the ideal option is to lay the cables in floor skirting boards.

Setting up a video surveillance system yourself

Setting up is not the easiest process. If you purchased D-LINK brand cameras, then they come with their own software. How to do everything:

• A local network (camera-server) is being assembled.
• The server is connected to the Internet and logged into the World Wide Web.
• One of the cameras is connected to the local network.
• The software starts.
• The webcam software itself finds it using the IP address of the device.
• After which the address is entered into any search engine.
• A control panel opens where you can make any settings.
• Other video surveillance devices are configured using the same principle.

Attention! Tune remote access this simple system is not very simple. It is impossible to do this with your own hands, if you are not a specialist. Call an IT specialist for help.

A few words about control programs. It should be noted that the software for D-LINK cameras provides excellent information protection and complete confidentiality. But using them is a problem and hassle. There are paid plugins on the Internet that can manage video surveillance and security systems. They cost a lot of money. Therefore, stand-alone programs are extremely popular today. With their help you can easily get a good picture. And this, by the way, applies not only to conventional video surveillance devices, but also to web cameras.

Therefore, more and more often, home craftsmen are turning to installing web cameras, and setting up the entire system is carried out using stand-alone programs that are available on the Internet. They are free to download.

Someone periodically rummages through your things, but you don’t know how to catch this person? Whether it's a friend, family member, colleague or blood enemy, to obtain evidence and identify the culprit, you can use a hidden camera to stop the intrusion into your personal space.

Steps

Place the camera in a piece of furniture

Buy an inexpensive webcam. You can find a suitable model for a price of several hundred rubles. Do an online search for the phrase “inexpensive webcam.”

Disassemble the camera body. Inside you will find a board with optics attached to it. This will make the camera much smaller and easier to hide.

Select a location to install the hidden camera. Let your imagination run wild! The camera will not be so noticeable if you place it inside some ordinary object. It must be something that is usually present in your room or office. If an object appears in a room that should not be there, it may arouse suspicion.

• For example, find an old electric pencil sharpener that no one uses. You can take out its internal parts and place the camera eye into the pencil hole. Simply unscrew the sharpener body, remove the motor from it, remove the wires and power cord. Don't forget to unplug the sharpener first!
• Try using cardboard box from shoes or paper napkins. Cut a small hole in the side of the box through which the camera can “peek” out. It should not be too large so as not to arouse anyone's suspicion!
• Consider mounting the camera on a bag or gift box. Again, make a small hole on the side of the bag. It will be less noticeable if the surface of the bag has a 3D texture or pattern. On a black or dark bag the camera will be even less noticeable.
• Consider placing a hidden camera among the leaves of a houseplant or in a secluded corner of a bookshelf where no one is likely to look. Make sure the camera is pointed in the direction you want to shoot.

1. Place the camera inside an object that disguises it. Point the camera eye into the hole prepared for it. Make sure the camera is well hidden in the item and is not conspicuous.

   • If you expect the camera item to move around, consider supergluing the camera securely to it. Apply glue to the outer ring of the camera optics to adhere it to the hole. Do not apply glue too close to the lenses themselves, as this will cause the lenses to form a coating from the drying glue fumes, which will be very difficult to remove, so the quality of the photo may become blurry.

2. Secure fishing weights inside the item with tape or glue to prevent it from appearing unusually light. This is especially important when installing the camera inside equipment (sharpeners, watches and similar weighty objects).

   • If you don't have fishing weights, any heavy enough piece of metal will do. Be careful with metal objects that have sharp, jagged edges.

3. Pass the USB cable (the cable for connecting the camera to the computer) through the back of the object masking the camera. If the wire is not very long, you will have to place this item close to the computer.

   • Cover the USB cable with something. Carelessly laid out papers or an abandoned jacket are suitable for this, but everything should look natural. If it is clearly visible that a pencil sharpener is connected to your computer, then an attacker will probably suspect something is wrong.

4. If you hide a camera inside a device, consider creating a sign for it that says "out of order" so that no one would think of using it. If someone tries to turn on this device, they will most likely detect your camera.

   Point the camera at the desired location. Think of yourself as a filmmaker setting the scene: think about what you want to prove with the footage and how you might capture the suspect's face.

   • If you just want someone to stay away from your room, say a pesky sibling, point the camera at the door so you can capture the person entering the room.
   • If you want to stop certain unwanted behavior from other people, such as getting a sibling to stop taking your clothes without permission or stopping a co-worker from stealing office supplies from your desk, aim the camera to capture the events that interest you.
   • If you want to film a range of criminal activities indoors, position the camera further away so that the image captured covers a wide enough area of ​​the room. Consider installing two cameras at once, just hide them in different objects.

   Use your phone as a hidden camera

   1. Buy a smartphone. Any old model of Android phone, iPhone or iPod with network access will do - anything on which you can install the application and connect to the Internet.

      • Remember that the phone itself will be a hidden camera housing. Therefore, you will not be able to use it for any other purpose while shooting. It's best to use a phone that you won't need on a regular basis; can be purchased old phone from a friend or a used phone store.
      • You must have charger to the phone. Taking continuous video shots is a power-intensive process, so you'll have to keep your phone plugged into power.

   2. Remember the network address (URL) provided by the video recording application. You will need it when connecting your phone to your computer.

      Connect your phone to your computer. Make sure both devices are connected to the same wireless network. You can remotely monitor what is happening on your computer and record a video stream from your phone. Use any video player with the ability to display streaming video for this purpose, for example, VLC or Windows Media Player.

      • If you're using VLC, click Open Streaming Video in the Media menu and enter the URL provided by the video app installed on your phone. After entering the URL, you will be able to connect to your phone camera.
      • Free programs like VLC and Windows Media Player are great for watching webcam video streams on your computer, but they won't provide high-quality recording. If you want to get serious about organizing video surveillance, consider using more expensive software to work with streaming video from webcams.

   3. Place the camera in the desired location. The phone will need to be charged, so plan your location accordingly. Point your phone's camera at the area of ​​the room you want to capture, being careful not to drop the phone.

      • It will be quite enough to casually lean the phone against a wall or a stack of books, especially if it lies on its side.
      • You can hide your phone in a piece of furniture. To do this, refer to the information contained in the section “Place the camera in a piece of furniture.”
      • Turn off sound and vibration on your phone, especially if your phone is not set to receive calls and messages. A loud call at the wrong time can completely ruin your plans.

   4. Secure your network connection. Consider installing a secure, password-protected wireless network. If you connect the camera to an unsecured or public network, then anyone logged into this network will be able to connect to it and see the scene being filmed.

      • Ask your Internet service provider about secure network options. If you use wireless Internet, you should be able to set a password for the network connection through the router.

   5. Watch the video stream through your computer. If you need to leave the house, you can connect to a public wi-fi network in a cafe, restaurant or library.

   Take a Shoot

   Familiarize yourself with the laws regarding video recording. If you are filming inside own home or in a public place, it is usually considered legally permissible. Every citizen has the right to the protection of privacy, therefore the installation of video devices in office premises, restrooms and fitting rooms violates the rights of citizens and is not recognized as legal, even if it is carried out to prevent theft of personal property.

   1. Download a webcam video recording program. Enter the search query “free webcam video recording program” and install the found program on your computer.

      • You can use Windows Movie Maker or iVideo if you already have them installed on your computer. Look at the list of programs in the Start menu (the button in the lower left corner of the Windows desktop) to see what programs are installed on your system.

   2. Connect the USB cable to your computer. When you leave the room or just to start recording video, launch the appropriate program and click the “Record” button in it.

      • Cover the USB cord with something so that it does not give an obvious indication of the location of the hidden webcam. Books, papers, and even an abandoned jacket are quite suitable for this.

   3. If you already have a computer webcam, consider using it for video recording purposes. This will be quite cunning on your part only if your video camera is usually always located near the computer.

      • Remember that although straightforward this method, an attacker will be more careful if he notices a camera facing in his direction, even if he is unaware that it is filming.
      • Don't forget to turn off, hide, or disable the LED that indicates the webcam is working. The presence of a “recording light” will inform the attacker that he is being watched.

   4. Remember to turn off your computer monitor screen. If it is turned on, the attacker will immediately see the image sent from the video camera to the screen, which will reveal information about the ongoing video surveillance. To catch the intruder, you must maintain stealth mode.

      • If you have a desktop computer, you can turn off the monitor and leave only the system unit running.
      • If you are using a laptop, you can enable the screen to sleep while the recording program is running. You can also try covering the laptop a little before the screen turns off, but not until it closes completely. It will appear to be turned off, but will still continue to work.

   5. Continue video surveillance until you receive the necessary recordings. Leave the camera on when you think the event you're interested in is most likely to happen. If you cannot confidently determine the appropriate time for this, then leave the camera running as often as possible.

      • If over time you still haven’t managed to capture anything, reconsider the situation. Was the violation of your personal space an isolated incident? Could an attacker find a way to trick your video camera?

   Use footage evidence

   1. Use a program with video editing functions to trim a specific moment of the crime. Your computer may already have a program pre-installed with these features (Windows Movie Maker or iVideo); otherwise you will need to download from the Internet free program for video editing.

      • Make sure that the prepared video file proves your case. Whether it's witnessing your brother stealing your things or a co-worker stealing office supplies from your desk, the video should start a few seconds before the specific event and end a few seconds after it ends.
      • Save the trimmed video with evidence separate file, but do not delete the original. Sometimes additional evidence can be obtained even at a moment when you do not expect it at all. You may find something else interesting as you watch the rest of the video.
      • There is no need to immediately report the installation of a hidden camera. It may still be useful to you in case the person does not stop his actions even after talking with you. If he decides to continue his inappropriate behavior, then you should not show him the evidence you have.
      • If an attacker knows that you have installed a hidden camera and finds out its location, he will probably find a way to avoid being captured on video. Therefore, do not reveal your trump card to him.

   2. Forgive the attacker, but do not forget what happened. Some people don't immediately learn from their mistakes after being caught red-handed the first time. You should be well aware of the kind of person you are dealing with; even if you catch him in the act, it may not stop him.

      • Consider turning on the camera at a time when you think the attacker will return to shady dealings. It never hurts to play it safe.
      • If the problem continues, report it to an authorized person. If it's about a brother or sister, tell your parents. If a co-worker is the source of the problem, notify higher-ups. If it is a criminal offense, contact the police.
   • If your camera's LED turns on while recording, turn it off.
   • If the camera is equipped with a microphone, make a small hole in the object hiding the camera to capture sound and cover it with a “out of order” sign.
   • If you have a Macintosh, download Macam from . This is a great program as it will allow you to create both videos and photos. However, remember that many webcams are not compatible with Macintosh computers.

   Warnings

   • When disclosing information about the evidence you have, tell your sibling and parents that you left a regular video camera on in the room. Don't reveal your secret weapon.
   • Remember that it is generally illegal to film people without their consent in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms or their private quarters.