Welcome To The Safety & Surveillance Blog Posts

Surveillance App

May 22, 2012

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We all know there is an app for everything. And although many provide hours of mental escape, most are admittedly trivial. But we are pleased to announce a family of apps that provide security, safety and reassurance.Hex View Of Surveillance Cameras

More and more customers are requesting surveillance cameras be included in the home electronics system design. First of all, the sight of a camera, and intruders do look for them, serves as a huge deterrent. But even a very low profile, aesthetic friendly camera greatly enhances peace of mind.

• Check for flooding of storm damage while you are out of town.
• Keep an eye on the pool area, nursery or in-law apartment while working in the home.
• Get a visual of visitors as they enter the driveway or knock at the door.
• Leaving the teenagers in charge for the weekend?………
• And obviously, deter, detect and record the identity of potential intruders.

dome surveillance cameraTypically, we install 4 strategically placed cameras, a dedicated 4 channel DVR to record the activity caught on camera, a local monitor for real-time viewing, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and an app which provides remote access ( real time and recorded video) via your smart phone, tablet pc or computer. You can set up the app to send an email when certain events are triggered such as motion detection. With certain cameras, you can even use the app to remotely pan, tilt and zoom the camera to get a better view of the location.Bullet Surveillance Camera

You can view the video of the Wirepath Surveillance app on our website by clicking here!

Cameras are designed to suit a variety of functions including indoor/outdoor use, 360 degree capture (dome camera) and ‘covert’ cameras which look like a smoke or motion detector. Like most products, pricing is based on the camera’s features. Some are optimized for recording in low light, high resolution or include pan/tilt/zoom functionality.

The DVR Price points vary depending on the amount of data (time and resolution) which can record and stored.

We are currently providing a complete surveillance package for $2495. The system includes: 4 indoor/outdoor, standard resolution, fixed view cameras, a 4 channel DVR, a 17” local monitor, power supplies and UPS, the free mobile app, installation of cameras, system calibration and user tutorial. Wiring material and wire installation are priced separately based on installation conditions. Installation site requires high speed, wired internet access.

Call to Action! Give us a call to set up an appointment today!

A Really Useful App

May 3, 2012

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We all know there is an app for everything. And although many provide hours of mental escape, most are admittedly trivial. But we are pleased to announce a family of apps that provide security, safety and reassurance.

More and more customers are requesting surveillance cameras be included in the home electronics system design. First of all, the sight of a camera, and intruders do look for them, serves as a huge deterrent. But even a very low profile, aesthetic friendly camera greatly enhances peace of mind.

• Check for flooding of storm damage while you are out of town.
• Keep an eye on the pool area, nursery or in-law apartment while working in the home.
• Get a visual of visitors as they enter the driveway or knock at the door.
• Leaving the teenagers in charge for the weekend?………
• And obviously, deter, detect and record the identity of potential intruders.

Typically, we install 4 strategically placed cameras, a dedicated 4 channel DVR to record the activity caught on camera, a local monitor for real-time viewing, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and an app which provides remote access ( real time and recorded video) via your smart phone, tablet pc or computer. You can set up the app to send an email when certain events are triggered such as motion detection. With certain cameras, you can even use the app to remotely pan, tilt and zoom the camera to get a better view of the location.

You can view the video of the Wirepath Surveillance app on our website by clicking here!

Cameras are designed to suit a variety of functions including indoor/outdoor use, 360 degree capture (dome camera) and ‘covert’ cameras which look like a smoke or motion detector. Like most products, pricing is based on the camera’s features. Some are optimized for recording in low light, high resolution or include pan/tilt/zoom functionality.

The DVR Price points vary depending on the amount of data (time and resolution) which can record and stored.

We are currently providing a complete surveillance package for $2495. The system includes: 4 indoor/outdoor, standard resolution, fixed view cameras, a 4 channel DVR, a 17” local monitor, power supplies and UPS, the free mobile app, installation of cameras, system calibration and user tutorial. Wiring material and wire installation are priced separately based on installation conditions. Installation site requires high speed, wired internet access.

Call to Action! Give us a call to set up an appointment today!

Tablet or Dedicated Touch Panel – That is the Question

May 1, 2012

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Can an inexpensive iPad or mobile device app replace the need for a more expensive ‘purpose built’ control interface for your automated home systems.

Great question, and the answer is, “Absolutely –your tablet or smart phone will work wonderfully-in most situations…”

Tablets, like the iPad, or mobile phones are an excellent and cost effective tool for getting system controls for much less money than a purpose built device like the Crestron wireless touchpanelCrestron Touchpanel Control or handheld WiFi touchpanel.Crestron Hand held control

You can do everything on a tablet that a purpose built device can do. Control music, lights, heat and even see cameras – all from one app. Crestron has even developed the Mobile Pro App for just that purpose. this.

So what is the drawback and why not use tablets and mobil devices for everything?

The simple answer is convenience.

Convenience you say…..but a tablet and mobil device is always by my side……how can that not be convenient?

The reality is that these mobil devices are not entirely convenient when it comes to quick simple tasks like turning down the volume or changing channels on the TV.

Imagine for example, that you have the tunes going at a good volume while cooking dinner. You’re jamming out, enjoying the music and all of a sudden a phone call comes in. What do you do? How do you quickly turn down the volume? Answer: With a mobile device, there is nothing quick about it. You have to first locate the device…maybe your pocket, maybe on the counter, or maybe little Jonny is playing a game with it. Then you have to activate the device (2 seconds), open the app (2 seconds), let it sync up (4 seconds) and then turn down the volume. Now 8-12 seconds may not seem like a lot, but in this scenario, it’s an eternity and will leave you feeling anxious and rattled. Enough so, that you may stop jamming out to loud music. Now that’s a shame.
Instead, imagine a keypad or touch panel permanently fixed to the wall that has dedicated buttons for volume and mute. You calmly walk over and push the button. Instant response. No anxiety. No pole vaulting around the kitchen. No swearing at your kids for using the iPad like a toy. And when the call is over, just turn it back up and rock out baby.

So what does this mean? Well, having mobil control is convenient in one way and is great as a back-up tool, but it should never be relied upon as a primary device in rooms or areas of the home where you need real convenience. Mobil devices will allow you to save expense but will not supplant the usefulness of at least one or two dedicated devices.

What is an ‘Integrator’?

February 1, 2010

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Most contractors enjoy relative clarity with regard to their business name and the work they provide.  After all, it is pretty easy to figure out  what you’ll be getting when you call  DJ’s Drywall, Perry’s Plumbing  or Fiona’s Framing.  But who are Ira’s Integrators?

A few years ago, electronic systems contractors adopted the term ‘integrator’ as an industry classification.  Although the professionals working in  this industry appreciate the comprehensiveness of the term ’integrator’,  consumers and industry partners are still coming to understand the breadth of services provided by these electronic systems professionals. 

So, what the heck is an integrator and when would you need to hire one?

Integrators provide the design, engineering and installation of  low voltage electronics.  Integrators are the experts responsible for all of the wiring infrastructure and equipment to support the comfort, convenience and entertainment elements of the home.

Comfort:  lighting systems, surveillance, motorized window shading, HVAC management

Convenience: telephone, cable, satellite,  internet, secure wireless networking, intercom, programmable remotes

Entertainment: home theater, media rooms, video displays, distributed audio, surround sound, outdoor music…

Most importantly integrators marry these individual disciplines together through thoughtful engineering and control devices which enable  the homeowner to access and operate all of these home enhancing technologies with ease and reliablility. 

In a non-integrated home, you might have an electrician installing computer and phone wires, a security contractor installing cameras and in-wall speakers and an HVAC contractor putting in programmable thermostats. Great! No, not really.

  • Who will design and install the home computer network, ensuring the system is properly sized and wired to interface with the security system, music controls and thermostats?
  • Who will make sure that the thermostats can communicate with the security system when you leave so that heat gets turned down?
  • Who has calculated the gains and losses on your television wiring and sized the proper amplifier and downstream hubs to ensure optimized TV picture, free of snow, lines and pixilation?
  • Who will provide the specifications to your cabinet make to be sure that all of your components will fit, have easy access and remain properly ventilated?
  • Did any one mention the important benefit on energy management by using lighting control systems and motorized window treatments that can harvest natural sunlight?
  • Who makes sure all of these devices are lined up properly on the wall, intuitive to use and properly coordinated?
  • Who will make sure you have enough wire, infrastructure and product mix to accomodate future electronics needs?
  • Who of these contractors has formal training and certifications in designing, engineering and implementing multi-discipline systems?

These are the roles of the integrator. Who to call? Ask your builder, designer or architect who they have come to trust on their projects.