I find myself once again writing about Arecont Cameras! A few weeks ago WebCamProShop.com reported on the rise of the Mini Dome IP Camera. These small, discreet cameras have been gaining in popularity due to their ease of use and high resolution pictures. Arecont Vision has already started pushing the limits of “mini” and released their HD MicroDome™ Series cameras. These H.264 Ultra Low Profile cameras are Day/Night cameras that are easily recessed in a ceiling. 

Small and Discreet vs Large and visible.

The new Arecont Vision MicroDomes deliver an excellent HD picture. Starting at 1.3MP and advancing all the way up to a full 5MP, these cameras deliver crystal clear performance in an increasingly small package.

Large camera size has long been a deterrent for bringing the safety and security of a camera surveillance camera system into the home or business. With these new, incredibly small cameras being introduced it is now easier than ever to bring this technology into your home or business. 

Larger, more visible cameras definitely have their place. Studies show that just the presence of a surveillance camera, whether it is on or off, is enough to deter some crimes. The smaller domes now being offered are perfect for more discreet deployments such as hallways, home entrances and small shops. 

Check out what we have available at WebCamProShop.com and protect your home today!

Arecont Vision is making a name for themselves in the IP camera community with their unconventional design. For the past few years, Arecont has been trying to reduce the number of cameras needed for a full security solution while still providing complete coverage. To this end they have created their line of 180 and 360 degree cameras. Utilizing multiple lenses in one housing, the cameras record a 180 or 360 degree view in High Definition. Their latest camera, the AV40185DN is the highest resolution offered yet. A full 40MP image capture gives an unparalleled image. You can view the camera HERE and read on for Arecont’s own message regarding their exciting new camera!

             

                “Arecont Vision Ships Industry's First 40-Megapixel 180° Day/Night Panoramic Camera

             

All-in-One SurroundVideo® Camera Replaces Many Conventional Cameras



Los Angeles, CA -- Arecont Vision, the industry leader in IP megapixel camera technology, announces the availability of the world's first 40-megapixel day/night panoramic camera providing a 180° field of view. The new all-in-one AV40185DN SurroundVideo® camera is a cost-effective solution for applications where mechanical pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) devices might otherwise have to be used or where multiple cameras would be needed to view expansive coverage areas. The higher-resolution panoramic view camera can be used to replace many conventional cameras.



The newest SurroundVideo® camera represents Arecont Vision’s fourth generation of panoramic megapixel cameras. Arecont Vision first introduced multi-sensor SurroundVideo® panoramic megapixel cameras in 2006, and continues to lead the industry in megapixel solutions including multi-sensor panoramic cameras. The SurroundVideo® 12-Megapixel WDR 180° Panoramic Camera began shipping earlier this year. A new 360° 40-megapixel camera will be available before the end of the year.



“Arecont Vision is without peer in multi-sensor, multi-megapixel technology and the 40-megapixel SurroundVideo® sets yet another benchmark for the industry,” said Raul Calderon, Senior Vice President, Arecont Vision. “Arecont Vision panoramic cameras enable users to view and record extremely wide fields of view while simultaneously digitally zooming in to multiple regions of interest, something a PTZ cannot do. At 40-megapixels of resolution, our value proposition of seeing more with fewer cameras further revolutionizes the return on investment of a video surveillance system.”



The market’s first 40-megapixel panoramic camera provides a 180-degree panoramic view using four high-sensitivity 10-megapixel sensors, each offering a 3,648 x 2,752 pixel view at 7fps, for a total image area of 14,592 x 2,752 pixels at 1.5fps. The AV40185DN camera uses dual H.264 and MJPEG encoders for great flexibility depending on compression preferences. The panoramic camera also can be binned to 2.5-megapixels per sensor, increasing light sensitivity and frame rate.



Both the 180-degree and 360-degree SurroundVideo® 40-megapixel cameras offer standard hard in-ceiling mount or surface-mount configurations out of the box, plus wall and pendant mount using optional accessories. The units are available with an optional integrated heater and blower. The IP66-rated environmental chassis and polycarbonate dome are vandal-resistant and eliminate the need for external housing. An easily adjustable 2-axis gimbal provides 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt adjustment.



On-camera privacy mask enables video to be blocked in multiple regions in any desired shape. Extended motion detection provides a higher-granularity grid of 1,024 distinct motion detection zones per channel.



ABOUT ARECONT VISION



Arecont Vision is the leading manufacturer of high-performance megapixel IP cameras. Arecont Vision products are made in the USA and feature low-cost massively parallel image processing architectures MegaVideo® and SurroundVideo® that represent a drastic departure from traditional analog and network camera designs. All-in-one products such as the MegaDome®, MegaView®, MegaBall™, MicroDome™ and D4F/D4S/D4SO series provide installer friendly solutions. True Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and remote focus/remote zoom enhance camera utility. Compact JPEG and H.264 series of cameras address cost sensitive applications. These innovative technologies enable Arecont Vision to deliver multi-megapixel digital video at IP VGA camera price points.”



                                                                                     -Arecont Vision
     425 E. Colorado St. Fl 7
     Glendale, CA, 91205
     USA

How Low can you Go?

If you're like me then you have definitely uttered this line while out shopping, "I can find it cheaper online.". And that is true! with Google and Amazon and Ebay, in just a few clicks you can find those pants or jacket or television or car or house cheaper than what you saw somewhere else. However, you might end up buying from someone less than reputable.

With Webcamproshop.com you no longer have to worry about that! Not only do we try to have the best pricing on all your security camera needs but we are taking things one step further and introducing price match. Yes, you heard that right. Webcamproshop.com now offers price matching! Find it somewhere else for less? Come see us and we will match it!! check out our policies and start saving today!

Price Match Guarantee!

The Next Biggest thing in Security Cameras: The Mini Dome!

The newest trend in security cameras is the Mini Dome. Large manufacturers are focusing more on the discreet side of security surveillance. As the price of HD security cameras continue to drop, more homeowners are looking to protect their properties with a small, high resolution camera. Mini Domes offer just that. Typically no larger than your palm, these cameras often achieve resolutions above 720p making them ideal for discreet deployments.

   Compact design allows for discreet deployment

With 1- 5 megapixel options available, you are almost guaranteed to find a model that will fit your needs whether that is a high def security surveillance system in a shop or a cam placed above a home’s front door to act as an electronic peephole.  
Take a look at all the Mini Dome Cameras we have to offer. Let us figure out the right fit for you!
www.webcamproshop.com/mini-dome

How Security Cameras are reshaping Safety

Brazil is set to host the World Cup next year and the Summer Olympics in 2016, arguably two of the biggest sporting events in the world. Played on the world stage and participated in by nearly every country, these two events will draw hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world. Along with these fans will be people hoping to take advantage of them. Pickpockets, scalpers and criminals will be crawling all over these events.  With as much coverage as these two events will have there is also a real possibility of someone trying to replicate the tragedy in Boston.

This article is not meant to rehash tragic events but instead focus on how we are learning to prevent such atrocities from occurring again. Brazil has invested 900 million dollars in updating their electronic security measures as well as beefing up their manpower and physical presence.

Johnson Controls Security recently won a 29 Million dollar grant to install hundreds of cameras in the 12 stadiums that will be hosting World Cup matches. This includes analytic software and biometric scanners to make sure that the people entering for the games are who they say they are. Johnson Controls and the Brazilian police are also taking a preemptive role in reducing crime by integrating the World Cup ticket purchase system with local police records and cross matching known felons and troublemakers in an attempt to curtail violence before it happens.

In addition to the new cameras and recording software that is being added to the stadiums, Brazil has brought in extra police officers to beef up their presence. The current plan calls for 1 officer per every 50 spectators in the stadiums and 1 officer per every 80 spectators at publicly displayed matches. This added manpower will utilize high tech, state of the art ground vehicles and helicopters to provide immediate support. Brazil has also purchased 30 security robots capable of bomb removal and surveillance.

The World Cup preparations are a perfect example of how Hi-Tech security solutions are being integrated seamlessly with Police forces and private security teams worldwide resulting in a more organized and efficient use of manpower and increased productivity in crime prevention.

The good news is that you don’t need 29 million dollars to have a discreet and powerful camera system to protect your home, business or property. Webcamproshop.com specialists are available to help design a system that works for you. Whether you need 3 cameras or 300 cameras, Webcamproshop.com has the resources to help.

What do you think about the World Cup preparations? Do you think it will be enough to provide a safe experience for fans? Let us know in the comments!

News reports are saying that there is a heat wave headed for the Western States. MSNBC is reporting temperatures as high as 118 in Phoenix, AZ. As a graduate of the University of Arizona in Tucson I know that Arizona is a pretty warm place in general but 118 is getting up there!

 As security professionals we take a lot of things in to account when we are setting up our own systems or a system for a customer. We think about ideal placement for the best viewing angles. We think about whether or not the camera can be tampered with. How are the local hooligans going to react to being filmed? And of course, we think about the weather. Will the camera be exposed to the elements? How much sun, wind, rain or dirt will it be subjected to? Rarely though, I think, does heat come in to play. We tend to think in terms of our own comfort and while 110 degrees may be uncomfortable it is certainly something that we can deal with.

 But now I want you to shift your thinking a little bit. Imagine that you run a little warm already. Now imagine yourself in a tiny box. Breathing the same arid air, no breeze blowing by you to give you a moments reprieve. These same conditions are what your cameras go through during the summer months! Constant breakdowns and overheating can make your life a pain. So what can you do to make sure your cameras stay cool and functional during these hot times? Quality, cooling enclosures. I've said before that the Dotworkz COOLDOME is the best cooling enclosure on the market!

 I know the COOLDOME is the best because it will be keeping all the cameras at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix up and running just as they have been for years.

Time Lapse in the home and workplace!

The summer months are the best time to remodel and make home improvements. It is also the best time for large scale contractors to do their work as well. Ski resorts can make improvements without all those pesky skiers and snowboarders hanging out and you can get that kitchen redone without the kids running around getting ready for school! One of the more enjoyable things about doing a remodel or massive improvement is being able to show your friends, family, customers and clients all the changes that your space has gone through.


Webcamproshop.com and HD Relay have come together to offer you the ultimate “Before and After” experience! Using a unique and proprietary code, HD Relay is now able to give you a full HD Time Lapse and live streaming experience. We have combined our live streaming services with the ability to capture and catalog 1 image every minute. These images can then be played back by the day, week, month or year. Show off your project and let people see it built right before their eyes!

Dotworkz in the News!

A Cleveland neighborhood became a little bit safer recently with the addition of 12 PTZ surveillance cameras protected by the Dotworkz vandal and weatherproof D2 enclosure. Many residents are supportive of the cameras, expressing hope that it will help deter crime in an area with excellent restaurants and shops.
The Dotworkz enclosures help not just because of their ability to protect the cameras recording the action happening in the streets but also because they have been painted with a custom black and white Police motif and are fitted with a blue siren style light. Making these cameras highly visible is one simple step proven to reduce criminal activity.
See full story here:

Dotworkz at WKYC.com
Dotworkz at Fox8.com

Spring is here and Summer is on its way! The Midwest may be hit with blankets of snow but here at Webcamproshop.com we think the heat will come back with a vengeance. To make sure your cameras stay up and running we have a few ways to help protect your equipment from the soon-to-be soaring heat.

We often forget that our surroundings play a big part in heating up our world. Parking lots and roads send an enormous amount of heat right back up at cameras. Direct sunlight will also heat the guts of a camera to near peak temp and let’s not forget that an ordinary camera housing is going to act like a tiny little insulator that will easily drive your camera past its overheating point.

We have the perfect solution for you. The D2 COOLDOME enclosure from Dotworkz was designed for hot environments. With its actively cooling technology is will keep your camera at a cool and crisp 75 degrees. Dotworkz patented COOLDOME technology senses when the temperature inside the camera housing surpasses 95 degrees and automatically turns on, eliminates the excess heat and returns the internal temp to optimal camera operating conditions.

Whether your camera is on a beach in Miami, a mall parking lot in Los Angeles, or out in the Sahara, the COOLDOME will keep your camera up and running!  

See what happens when a camera gets too hot!

We are back and here to answer questions!

Let’s Talk Cameras!

There are many different cameras on the market today and for a person with no experience it can be pretty confusing. In my last blog post I laid out what the basics are to get a fully functioning security camera system up and running. This week I want to talk more about one of the critical pieces of that puzzle and break down what to look for based on your needs.

What is a PTZ Camera?

When you are looking for a camera you will run into two terms right away, PTZ and Fixed. All security cameras will fall into one of these two categories. PTZ stands for Pan/Tilt/Zoom. This type of camera will allow you to move the lens and look around almost 360 degrees. These cameras do very well inside shops and homes. They are also great for large areas such as parking lots and large floor plans. Another upside to PTZ cameras is that you can give control of the camera to a potential customer and allow them to experience your business before going in person. We put a camera on the Ocean Beach Hotel in Pacific Beach California that lets you see a live video of the beach that you can control. Check weather conditions, see the sand and surf, all from the comfort of home.

What is a Fixed Camera?

The second category is a “Fixed” camera. This is a camera that sits in one spot and covers one angle of viewing. It doesn’t move. These cameras are excellent for recording doorways and other access points. Most businesses have a camera that captures the image of everyone walking in to their store so that they have a visual record of who is coming and going. Lately, more and more families are adding cameras to their front entrances so that they can monitor who comes to their doors, when packages get dropped off and as a deterrent for burglars. In today’s security systems it is not uncommon to see a house with multiple cameras covering all the entrances and areas hidden from plain sight like side yards and garages.

How many MP's do I need?

After deciding whether you want a PTZ or Fixed camera you are probably running into the whole “megapixel” thing. Just like your digital camera, more megapixels equals a clearer image. I have found that 3 megapixels is a good number to go with. You get a clear picture that allows you to identify people and faces but it isn’t so expensive that you break the bank. However, if you are looking for something very inexpensive, you can go as low as 1 megapixel and still receive a decent image.

You might also see that every camera offers multiple ways of recording. The most common is H.264. All this really means is that the video is compressed (like an mp3) to make it easier to watch and send. You get excellent images and it doesn’t take a lot of data to do it.

So that is a short introduction into cameras. There are always more things to learn but that is a very basic breakdown and a few tips on how to get started looking. Here at Webcamproshop.com we try to make things simple and easy to understand. Our specialists are here to help you figure out the right system for your needs. Drop us a line!