The Charleston, South Carolina area is a great place to live or have a vacation home. The weather is great, the beaches are fantastic, golf courses are abundant, there are many historical sites, the architecture is unbelievable, the dining is unbeatable, and the people are the friendliest in the country. It is because of these reasons that I believe Charleston SC Real Estate is truly unique. I look forward to helping you with any of your Charleston SC Real Estate needs in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester counties. Today’s article is titled:
Charleston SC Real Estate Blog Home Security Cameras: Peace of Mind While You’re Away
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Les Shu
Published: February 17, 2011
Easy-to-install security cameras let you keep an eye on your home from afar, ensuring safety and security for you and your family.
Camera surveillance was once available to business owners and the ultra-rich, and required professional installation. Thanks to Internet-based web cameras (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webcam), adding home security cameras is an affordable weekend project.
Security cameras offer peace of mind. They let you log in remotely and view what's happening at home, like keeping tabs on an elderly relative, the babysitter, and your pets. They also let you monitor your home while you're away on vacation. These cameras can help deter break-ins, and you may get a discount on home owners insurance (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/homeowners-insurance-time-for-annual-check-up/), depending on the system you've installed.
Network cameras
Internet-based network cameras are a quick solution in setting up home surveillance. They connect to your broadband connection and don't require difficult wiring or mounting.
Logitech's Alert lets you view either real-time or recorded footage-with audio-of the inside and outside of your house through your iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry smartphone, and the system is expandable by adding additional cameras. You'll get text or email notifications on your phone or computer if the camera's motion sensor is triggered.
Panasonic's BL-C131A goes one step further by giving you remote pan and tilt control from your smartphone or computer, allowing you to view in eight different positions.
The Alert 750i Master System starts at $299.99. (A similar device from D-Link (http://mydlink.dlink.com/DCS930L) costs $119.99.) The Panasonic BL-C131A costs around $300.
Riding the Z-Wave
If you have a Z-Wave-based (http://www.z-wave.com/modules/AboutZ-Wave/) home automation system installed, you can add wireless cameras to create a security network inside and outside of your house.
ADT's Pulse (http://www.adtpulse.com) is a complete home alarm system that uses Z-Wave cameras for home monitoring from your iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android. ADT Pulse service plans start at $48 a month, not including installation and cameras.
Schlage's LiNK (http://link.schlage.com) offers its Z-Wave Wireless Camera as an option to its electronic locks. Like ADT's Pulse, you can also perform additional home management functions with compatible Z-Wave products like thermostats. Schlage LiNK starter kits cost around $300, and the Wireless Camera costs around $150.
Similar wireless security cameras are available for X10 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X10_%28industry_standard%29) home automation systems.
DIY camera
You can turn a basic computer webcam into a surveillance system using free downloadable software from Yawcam (http://www.yawcam.com/) and EyeSpyFX (http://www.eyespyfx.com/index.html). You're required to have your computer remain on, but once set up you can log in remotely from another computer-say, at work-and view streaming video of your home. Just position the camera at what you want to monitor.
Yawcam offers motion detection and can send a snapshot to your email when triggered; while EyeSpyFX lets you view footage from dedicated iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry apps.
An affordable webcam like Microsoft's LifeCam VX-2000 (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=017) costs about $30 or less.
A writer covering the latest technologies and trends for a variety of national publications, Les Shu is currently automating his home with the newest doodads to make it smarter than he is.
As always, your thoughts, questions, or comments are greatly appreciated.
Let me know if I can help with any of your Charleston SC Real Estate needs or questions.
See Charleston SC Real Estate Blog for local attractions and current Charleston events.
Look at Charleston SC Real Estate homes anywhere in the tri-county area.
View my entire inventory of VisualTours of Charleston SC Real Estate homes at http://www.visualtour.com/inventory.asp?U=182210
Sincerely,
"Carolina Joe" Idleman
http://www.carolinajoe.com
I own a security company in Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston Security Systems, LLC (http://www.charlestonsecuritysystems.net) I stumbled upon this article during my daily routine and thought it was excellently researched and written. Keep up the great work!
Regards,
bh.