Archive for December, 2009

DVR History : Main “Players”

Monday, December 14th, 2009
Portable DVR

Portable DVR

DVR HISTORY

As computer technology developed and chips became smaller and more powerfull the DVR industry really began to develop.

The two “main players” in this new industry were Anthony Woods who built up the DVR company , Replay TV and Michael Ramsay / Jim Barton who controller TiVo.

The visions of both companies to develop all purpose DVR’s for both domestic and business use became tangible reality as ever cheaper hard drives and new chip designs permitted , real time encoding of analog signals into digital signals. In the late 1990’s these were the core developments that jump started the DVR revolution.

The telecommunications industry also played a part in the new DVR industry. The main telco companies were planning the infrastructure of the future and as part of that planning they wanted the home of the future to be a digital “hub” with a main collection point / server for all the information needed for modern day living. This information could then be made available throughout the home on computers , televisions etc.

The idea of a specific set top box that would be part of the grander in house system was the genisis for TiVo’s focus on what it claims was the first commercial deployment of a DVR in late March 1999. The new set top box combined DISH Network programming with DVR capability and internet access from the home TV set.

Following the launch of of the first standalone DVR / set top box , Replay launched it’s first set top DVR . The great race for DVR dominance had begun.

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Digital Video Recorders : History (cont’d)

Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Mini DVR and Camera

Mini DVR and Camera

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER HISTORY

Following on from the last post we thought it appropriate to delve a little deeper into the history of the DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER.

It is very hard to escape the fact that DVR’s are really just an extension of computer technology.

In the 1960’s the development of the DVR as we know it today started to take place. As with a lot of technology the prelude to todays sleek and powerfull DVR’s was somewhat different indeed unrecognisable.

Initially Digital Video Recorders were used in the major television companies for rewinding and freeze frames of sports programming but it was not untill the 1980’s or 1985 to be precise that home based designs were developed and patented by Honeywell the large US conglomorate.

The first patent in the DVR industry was known as the Goldwaser Patent.

Fast forwarding to 2005 top executives at TiVO basically shortened shortened the Goldwasser patent to the standard industry terms of time -shifting or time warp.

It is here that the story of the DVR starts to get interesting.

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DVR Recorders : A Brief History

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

DVR

DVR

DVR RECORDERS : A LITTLE WALK THROUGH TIME

As you might have noticed, at spycamwarehouse.com we specialise in security equipment and in particular DVR Recorders, Covert Spy Cams and CCTV systems. It is our livelyhood so we make it our business to know eveything about the products we sell. Although not directly related to purchasing a DVR we thought a little DVR history could be of inteest. We do not plan to cover the topic in just one article so if you find it interesting just post a comment or look out for similar posts.

The history of the DVR is a metaphor for the history of the core industry segment within which Digital Video Recorders reside, that is, television and computers.

The advance of technology and it’s use in televisions and computers made a huge difference to people’s lives.  Access to information and entertainment was vastly improved, and this is what DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDERS are doing today.

DVRs are having an impact in both domestic and business environments. For example the security applications of DVR’s are many and varied. All you have to do is consider the range of mobile and mini DVR equipment.

But it is not only security applications that are driving the growth of DVR equipment. In today’s busy world people want choice in entertainment and this can be achieved using DVRs and set top boxes.

As with all industries there are leaders and patterns of development. Over the next few weeks we will post more information about the history of DVRs

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Digital Video Recorders : Integrated

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

16 Channel DVR

16 Channel DVR

DVR EQUIPMENT

A lot of the information in our blog relates to DVR equipment and it’s use in security situations. However we are aware that not all people looking for a Digital Video Recorder have security and monitoring on their mind.

Another type of DVR is the integrated set-top DVR which is typically part of a set-top box that has a broader function as well as that of delivering and decoding cable and satellite signals for viewing by television.

These days the set top boxes usually have in built Digital Video recorders. These however cannot be connected to a CCTV system.

Although great for entertainment the set top box and DVR combination are no substitute for the standalone 4 channel and 8 channel DVR. These DVR’s can record footage from multiple cameras and are very easy to set up and control.

The standalone DVR’s sold by spycamwarehouse can be accessed remotely and come with a USB stick. They are very easy to operate and are proven to help prevent crime and anti social behaviour

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Standalone Digital Video Recorder

Saturday, December 5th, 2009
MINI DVR

MINI DVR

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER EQUIPMENT

DVR’s come in many shapes and sizes. For example there is the mini DVR and camera that is small enough to fit into a chewing gum packet and then there are the larger standalone Digital Video Recorders that are used as part of a more permanent security system.

The one thing that all Digital Video Recorders do is keep a permanent digital record of the footage you record. In most cases the footage will be date and time stamped, which is invaluable when trying to prevent crime or apprehend a thief.

So what type of DVR should you purchase. The answer to that is , IT DEPENDS. Before purchasing a DVR you must have a clear idea of what you want to achieve.

For example, one customer wanted a record of the seriel numbers on solar panels that he installed for customers. For this task he decided to purchase a handheld mini VGA camcorder and DVR and with it he took a brief clip of the solar panel when installed and zoomed in on the seriel number. This proved to be an invaluable record. However it would not have been practical to use one of the larger standalone Digital Video Recorders for this task.

In contrast another customer had a management company that looked after small apartment complexes. He wanted to have the facility to monitor on site activity and keep a record of that activity for six months. For this task the 16 channel DVR was perfect. With the facility to record and store footage from 16 different CCTV cameras he was well equiped to prevent crime and counter fraudulent insurance claims.

The important point is, both customers analysed their requirements and purchased the correct equipment. At spycamwarehouse.com we are always willing to offer advice and guidance to customers purchasing a DVR. We want to help solve your problems in as effective and cost efficient way as possible.

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Crime and Women

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Covert Bag Camera
Covert Bag Camera

THE FEMALE TARGET.

As a group , women are the most frequent victims of crime. It is not just robbery or mugging but cases of domestic violence and sexual assaults are increasing all the time.

Again the key is PREVENTION and yes the mini covert camera systems we sell can help. They are not the one and only solution but they do have a role to play.

For example the covert backback camera can be used when on the move or placed stratigically in a home or business environment in order to record criminal behaviour.

Domestic Violence

 

The statistics are frightening, one in every four women is likely to be abused by an intimate male companion at some time in her life, but very few report the incident to the police.

The best form of defence against domestic violence is to avoid bad situations and most importantly unstable and unsuitable characters. If in doubt get up and leave a situation you are not comfortable with,  attend self defence classes, confide with friends.

It all sounds easy but the steps above can seem totally beyond your reach if you are stuck in a rut and afraid of a dominant personality. But always remember you will suffer in the long run if you do not take action.

There are many local self help groups, contact them and get the support you need.

Stalking

 

Both women and men can be the victim of a stalker. Again to prevent such crime you need to be aware of your surroundings and identify possible danger situations. never walk home alone, avoid dark streets and change your routine.

The above is only a small introduction into the subject of crime against women. It is up to you to be proactive and get help.

In some cases help can be easy to get. For example the covert camera systems sold by spycamwarehouse can be invaluable but if you feel the situation is getting very serious you should contact the local police.

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Crime and Victims

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

CRIME : LIKELY VICTIMS

At spycamwarehouse.com we regularly  talk to people who have been the victims of crime as well as those who use our wildlife cameras and covert camera equipment.

After many years obsevation (not stistically verified) we have come to the conclusion that there are patterns of behaviour that  make someone more or less attractive as a target for criminals.

Many victims bury their heads in the sand and do not even contemplate the possibility of a crime . In many cases it is only afer the event that action is taken. We are all guilty of “putting things off” , our advice is don’t.

For example one of our customers is a landlord and has a few vacant properties. One of those properties suffered damage due to vandalism. This could have been avoided. A covert CCTV placed at strategic points could have alerted the landlord to potential problems and saved him well over £5,000.

Some victims of crime just bury their heads and try to erase the memory of the traumatic events from their memory. In short they do not learn from the experience. If anything the trauma has made them even more vunerable. Again aour adive is , take heed and take action.

Get focused and aware of your surroundings. Criminals will target the easy victims. we are not suggesting that you radically change your lifestyle, just a few small proactive steps can protect you from unwanted criminal attention.

Covert CCTV

Covert CCTV

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