Motion Detection Security Camera Guide

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 The motion detection camera, otherwise known as the motion activated security camera is an invaluable part of your intruder deterrence system.

How does a Motion Detection Camera Work?

A motion detection/activated camera is basically just a digital video camera that has a built in motion sensor. It only starts working when the motion detector is triggered by something moving, and then the camera begins recording digital video images. In other words the camera is in resting mode most of the time.

What exactly is the motion sensor, and how does it work on a motion activated camera?

The motion sensor is called a passive infrared detector, known as a PIR detector, and it works by constantly monitoring infrared radiation known as IR for short within the camera’s range and field. When the radiation changes suddenly the sensor detects it, on the assumption it is triggered by something moving.

The PIR motion sensor is connected to a relay switch, which turns the camera on. The camera remains on until the motion has stopped or a programmed time for it to stop after there is no motion.

What kind of pictures does the motion detection camera produce?

The first point to make is that it won’t be like a video you see on television, because the digital video images that you see are just the same as digital photographs. They are however taken very rapidly one after the other in succession. What this means is 30 frames a second, frames being the video word for photographs, and when these run together what you see is known as high quality fluid motion, quite different to video. 30FPs is the technical term for future reference, so you will understand that depending on how long the recording lasts there could be several thousand to hundreds of thousands of these ‘frames’.

Advantages of a Motion Detection Camera.

A motion detection camera starts when the motion sensor detects a change in the IR.
Imagine a camera running all the time at 30 FPS for hours on end.
One high quality digital photograph uses a fair amount of data. Imagine that, but multiplied hundreds of thousandfold. The video data file would be impossibly large.

Imagine a digital Video Security camera running all the time producing 30FPS.
This creates 1megabyte of data per frame, that is 30MB per second, 1.8 Gigabytes per minute, 108 GB per hour. If you had a 500 GB DVR then all the storage space would be used up in 5 hours, thus rendering it useless.

A Motion Detection Camera only records when motion is detected. Used in the right way this dramatically reduces the need for DVR storage space.

Second Benefit of Using a Motion Activated Wireless Security Camera  

As we have already mentioned, a motion detection camera only records when movement is detected, so it only runs a fraction of the time that other CCTV cameras run. If the motion detection camera is wired and connected to the mains as the DVR will be, then this limited running time will generate a lot less power, so saving money.
Additionally the camera may be a wireless camera and may well run off batteries, and of course they will last a lot longer as they are not used so much, so what we are looking at here is a money saving.

Where Should I Position my Motion Activated Camera? 

Firstly the motion activated camera should be placed to cover areas where you feel you are vulnerable. Every home has vulnerable entry points, whether it be behind a wall, or a bush obscuring a window from the neighbours and the street, or a large dark garden. It is certainly sensible to consider a complete system of outside security cameras, the bulk of which should be motion detection, but dummy cameras with motion sensors, especially if you buy quality, will also have a considerable deterrent effect

Motion Activated Camera Features to Consider.

Some motion activated security lights can be expensive, and quite complicated. Others a lot more basic and affordable. A couple of things you need to consider are:

A Pet immune Camera system, which means you can get the sensor to effectively recognise a small animal as opposed to a human intruder, and not switch itself on.
Also you can get an auto light switch on, which is a real deterrent to any intruder.
Finally you can set a timer when you want the camera to be active, which when you know the house isn’t going to be occupied is a bonus.

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   Recommended Motion Activated Outdoor Security Camera Products: Approved by Outdoor Security Cameras Info