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Frequently Asked Questions - email us if your question isn't in the list:
Q. What is a network camera?
A. A network camera, also known as an IP camera or an internet camera is NOT a webcam. It is a new generation of digital surveillance camera, capable of passing its images over a computer network such as the internet or a company ethernet. These cameras do not need to be attached to a PC in order to operate - they are small computers in themselves, and just plug into the network or a phone line via a box called a router. Network cameras are gradually replacing traditional analogue CCTV cameras, because of the additional features that they offer, such as automatic recording and sending of images if motion is detected, and the ability to see live images at any time on any PC anywhere, just using a standard browser like Microsoft Internet Explorer. You can also log in to see live images on most modern mobile phones.
Q. Is the technology reliable?
A. Yes. The first of these cameras appeared in 1996, and since then the leading players have continually improved their products to the point some years ago that they became a workable option for surveillance. Now, these cameras are often as not the equipment of choice for new security camera installations. The leading manufacturer, whose products we use, has 300,000 units installed.
Q. Can you guarantee that the camera will record a crime that occurs in its field of vision?
A. No, we cannot give such as guarantee as there are so many factors that are outside our control. What we can say is that all equipment is installed and supported by experts in their field and we only use proven "industrial-strength" products from the leading manufacturers, not the cheapest - and this is why our prices are not the cheapest that you will find!
Q. Will the camera deter intruders?
A. Common sense and numerous surveys say yes - if you were a burglar, would you choose a property where your every move would be recorded in full colour? This is why we provide you with signs for the outside of your property, so that potential burglars will have the opportunity to think again before acting.
Q. If I rent out my home, how can I assure the occupants that I will not use the camera to spy on them?
A. We realise that even if you tell your visitors the camera has been deactivated, it may give little comfort if the lens is still pointing at them. That's why we supply a lens cap or camera cover with all cameras, that you, your staff or your visitors can physically put in place for the duration of the rental period, for complete reassurance. Some guests will actually prefer to have the protection of the camera, as long as they are reassured that nobody can see the images except authorised personnel - i.e. you.
Q. Won't tenants be able to plug a phone into the phone socket and make lots of international calls at my expense?
A. All of the main phone companies offer various call-barring options that can be switched on and off with a simple phone call. You can choose to bar international calls, or even all outgoing calls. This would still enable you to market your rental property as having an ADSL internet connection - very valuable for business people. This is because the router has extra sockets that a tenant (or you!) could use to connect a PC or laptop to the internet - this adds nothing to your phone bill and still works with call barring in place.
Q. So I can plug my own PC into the router when I am at my property and use the broadband line for my own purposes?
A. Yes, of course, it is your broadband line. However, your PC may take bandwidth away from the camera, so may reduce the camera's frames per second if it is transmitting a live picture at the same time. We should also add the proviso that if, following your own use of the broadband line, your camera system is found to be not working, we will need to make a chargeable visit if we cannot sort the problem out remotely.
Q. What if an intruder disables the camera?
A. Motion detection is designed to ensure that the "act" is caught on film and transmitted in near real time for safe storage away from the premises.
Q. What if a tenant or cleaner switches the camera off at the mains, or if there is a power cut, or a temporary fault on the phone line?
A. If the power is accidentally switched off, or there is a power cut, or a phone line fault, the equipment is designed to reset and operate correctly when power returns or the fault is corrected, and will do so the vast majority of the time. We only use commercial-grade Axis cameras, used in shops, schools and airports, where reliability is paramount. Having said that, we cannot guarantee absolutely that your equipment will always reset following a fault on the phone line or a power cut. Switching off and on usually resets the system, but in the unlikely event that we need to carry out a site visit to reset equipment following such a service failure for whatever reason, this will be chargeable at our normal rates.
Q. I have no broadband line. How much will this cost and can you arrange it?
A. We have a page all about this - please click broadband for the full story!
Q. Who owns the camera and other equipment?
A. Once you have paid our initial invoice, you own outright all of the equipment that we supply. We retain ownership of your web page, as it forms part of our customer website.
Q. Who has access to the camera images?
A. You decide on this. Your agreement with us prevents you from publishing the images or any passwords and usernames, but you may give the password to chosen people as you see fit, for example so that friends can take a look at the weather outside your villa, or your new swimming pool. Your agreement gives our staff the right to access your camera remotely and view images for specific support and maintenance purposes only, and we do not record images from it.
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