How is a NAS Different from a Hard Drive Connected to Computer?

-->

You're probably familiar with having an external hard drive connected to your computer, which provides additional storage capabilities as well as a way to back up your most important files, photos, videos, and music. But with that one-to-one cable connection between the external hard drive and your computer, it can be difficult to share those files with other computers and devices in your home or business.

With a NAS device connected to your network, you can store all your photos, movies, songs, and documents in a single centralized location and have them be visible on every computer as well as compatible Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phone and tablet, networked TV and set-top box, and game console that's connected to your network.

Additionally, most NAS devices are actually computers themselves with an internal processor and RAM to complement the hard drive storage, as well as an operating system (such as Microsoft Windows Home Server). This allows the NAS to multitask in serving files to multiple devices at the same time while also backing up files from your computers.

And when your network is connected to the Internet, many NAS devices allow you to connect to it remotely and securely via the Web using computers or mobile devices--as long as that remote device has the proper permissions or software installed on it.

Synology DiskStation 4-Bay (Diskless) Network Attached Storage (DS413j) Reviews

-->

Synology DiskStation DS413j is the Synology j series are the "basic" models of their Network Attached Storage products with the "plain" (DS413, DS213) series being midrange and the "+" series being the highest end consumer versions.

It's Features

• With Synology DS413j, you can centralize and share up to 16TB of data and files with coworkers and friends.
• The Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) automatically builds an optimal RAID volume with data protection based on the hard drives installed, eliminating the need to have hard drives of identical size, while still offering a manual setup option for advanced users.
• Photo Station simplifies photo, video, and blog sharing to the public. Features such as theme personalization, blog, and user privilege settings make Photo Station your state-of-the-art lifestyle sharing center on the Internet.
• Build Your Own Cloud
• Flexible Storage Management
• Share your Memories to Friends
• Versatile Multimedia Center for Home
• Your 24x7 Download Server

Unlike many other companies, Synology doesn't artificially cripple their models depending on their cost for the most part. The j series model has all the same features from file sharing, video sharing, IP camera recording, etc. The two things which change between the series are the CPU/RAM and external ports.

As a j series model the DS413j has only the basic 2x USB 2.0 ports and a 1.6 GHz ARM-based CPU. Moving up the line you start to get things like eSATA, USB 3.0 and SD card readers. The highest end models have either PowerPC (Freescale) or Intel Atom CPUs. Do you need the faster CPU? If you're just using it for file serving, etc. No. You probably don't. If you're going to use the NAS for either photo viewing or video transcoding - yeah, you might want to spend the extra money as the lack of a floating point unit makes image thumbnail generation really slow on the ARM CPUs and some transcoding packages are only available for the x86 Atom chips.

As for the ARM chip and 512 MB of RAM in this model, it's pretty easy to max out the processor doing a couple things at once, but it doesn't really slow things down. Under normal use you won't notice it. The RAM is rarely full past 40% or so.

Synology DiskStation DS413j is a budget-friendly 4-bay NAS server for small offices and home use, specifically designed to provide a solution for file storage and sharing with data protection for your home environment with low power consumption, quiet operation and reliability.

List Price: $379.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver

Click ====>> FOR MORE INFO

What specifications should I look for in an outdoor surveillance camera?

-->

Outdoor home videos are a special challenge- lighting, background, and subjects are often in motion. You cannot go wrong to select of outdoor surveillance cameras.

The most important specification for an outdoor security camera is its IP classification (a rating based on the International Protection Rating code). An IP rating has two digits, with each digit corresponding to a different type of protection.

• The first digit refers to the level of protection an enclosure provides its internal parts from solid foreign objects. It has a rating range of 0 (no protection) to 6 (highest level of protection).
• The second digit refers to water resistance, and it has a rating range of 0 (no protection) to 8 (highest level of protection).

The rating range goes from 0 (no protection) to 6 (highest level of protection). Optimally, an outdoor security camera should have an IP55 rating, which means it's resistant to both penetration by dust and water.

Outdoor surveillance cameras are easy to install and can be up and running in minutes. They come in both wired and wireless versions. Infrared capability so you can see-in-the-dark is usually only a few dollars more than the cameras without it.

Wireless cameras require mounting the camera and hooking up the video receiver inside your home to a video monitor or TV. Wired cameras require running cable inside the home to your monitor or TV. When buying a wired camera, look for models that come with their own cable. Ensure when purchasing an outdoor surveillance camera that it is listed as weatherproof.

How to Choose a CCTV System for Home?

-->

However modern technology has made CCTV products much more affordable and for the average DIY person, easy to fit. But finding the right home CCTV System for your home can be a difficult task. There is a lot to take on board if you want to ensure that you have purchased the best product for your requirements.

Before purchasing the right CCTV and video surveillance equipment there is plenty to think about. Below we have listed some questions to ask yourself when it comes to buying surveillance equipment.

• Why do I want to install CCTV?
• What equipment will I need?
• How can I store images?
• How can I monitor images?
• Do I need fixed or moving cameras?
• Do I need IP or analogue cameras?
• Should I integrate my CCTV with my other security systems?
• How do I make the most of my budget?
• Should I upgrade to a digital system?
• What accreditation or references should I look for in a CCTV installer?

To choose the best CCTV system for your needs, consider factors such as camera types, monitoring options, image quality and remote access.

• Compare camera options.
• Consider when the system will be used.
• Evaluate whether you'll need a black and white or color CCTV system.
• Match the display quality of each system to your needs.
• Ask about monitor options. Some CCTV systems allow viewers to observe camera activities using a television set, while others require a computer monitor. Some specialized systems will only work with special high-security monitors.
• Inquire about remote access.
• Decide how the system should be operated.
• Check on available storage space. For CCTV systems with built-in storage, capacity is often fairly low. Users will need to remove video recording files frequently and save them to another source, if required.

A good home CCTV System defines the area's level of security. It is better to invest in good quality materials even when they are more expensive.

How to Install a Digital CCTV System?

-->

A CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is used to monitor or surveil an area. It is now easy for almost anyone to install an affordable, complete digital CCTV system that comes in a box, ready to go.

CCTVs come in various categories based on their way of transmitting signals. They are analog, digital, wired and unwired. Each of these have unique operating methods. All CCTVs come with generic components like camera and lens. Wired CCTVs use co-axial wires to transmit signals to a monitor; wireless CCTVs broadcast signals.

The signal can be received by your television set, PC, laptop or an internal website. Analog CCTVs use television monitors, since they are wired, while the digital / wireless CCTVs use broadcast technology to relay the signal directly to a computer monitor. Analog CCTVs use a VCR (video cassette recorder ) to record video capturing while digital CCTVs use DVRs (digital video recorder).

How to install a CCTV

Wireless systems might just need an electric outlet and related software installed on your computer whereas analog systems will need cables. You might need to drill holes into your wall to accommodate the analog systems connectivity path to your monitor. So be your own judge and decide if this is feasible.

After you have figured out, start of with the following:

• Decide whether you want to monitor the system via in the Internet. If so, ask your Internet provider for a static IP address. Your wireless-capable computer or a standalone digital video recorder (DVR) gives you recording capability if desired.
• Survey your area and determine how many cameras you'll need. Systems with 1 to 4 cameras are available at many electronic and home stores. Many one- or two-camera systems can expand to accept more cameras. Wireless cameras need an electrical outlet to work. If the outlet is easily accessible it may allow someone to unplug the camera and avoid being seen.
• Install the software on your computer if it is being used or turn on the DVR and allow it to boot up. Click on the setup menu and follow the instructions for that particular software. You'll need your static IP address and a user name and password to protect your security.
• Attach the first camera to a stable surface and plug it into a wall socket or extension cord. Point it in the coverage direction and turn it on. Have an assistant near the video display help you adjust the camera so that maximum coverage is available. Label the camera in the software with an easy-to-remember name such as "Swimming Pool" or "Garage Door."
• Continue to install the other cameras in the same fashion.
• Test the system after the installation is complete by bringing up a browser in an Internet-capable computer. Type the static IP address into the browser address bar. A login page should appear where you enter your user name and password. Once that is done you should be able to see the software, which allows you to choose which camera view to see and even to check what has been recorded.

A complete CCTV system includes the cameras, DVR and software. Alternatively, purchase the cameras and software and use your own wireless-capable computer as the DVR. The installation is identical, but the software will vary slightly for the setup.

Reference:
How to Install a Digital CCTV System By Jack Burton
Installation Instructions.pdf

What is a closed circuit monitoring system?

-->

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) refers to a video system that is closed to a limited amount of viewers. A CCTV system can refer to something as large as a multi-camera monitoring system for a bank to something as small as a single camera monitoring your baby.

CCTV is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes.

Depending on the system you choose, CCTV video can be viewed live or recorded using a digital video recorder (DVR)--either a dedicated device or your PC.

CCTV is commonly used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Maintaining perimeter security in medium- to high-secure areas and installations.
• Observing behavior of incarcerated inmates and potentially dangerous patients in medical facilities.
• Traffic monitoring.
• Overseeing locations that would be hazardous to a human, for example, highly radioactive or toxic industrial environments.
• Building and grounds security.
• Obtaining a visual record of activities in situations where it is necessary to maintain proper security or access controls (for example, in a diamond cutting or sorting operation; in banks, casinos, or airports).

CCTV is finding increasing use in law-enforcement, for everything from traffic observation (and automated ticketing) to observation of high-crime areas or neighborhoods. Such use of CCTV technology has fueled privacy concerns in many parts of the world, particularly in those areas in the UK and Europe where it has become a routine part of police procedure.

How easy is it to set up a home monitoring system?

-->

A home monitoring system need not be expensive or difficult to set up. A few hundred dollars and some of your time is a small price to pay for safety and peace of mind.

Networked cameras are different from webcams because they operate independently of a computer. You can access a live stream of video and audio from each camera via the Internet or 3G, using a computer or smartphone.

While you can create your own do-it-yourself (DIY) home monitoring system using a variety of components and software, that kind of system often requires more technical know-how and computer savvy than you might possess (or have time to learn).

However, there are many products and packages that offer a multi-camera monitoring system in an integrated solution that brings together the hardware and software for nearly plug-and-play ease of set-up--and some even provide subscription-based Web monitoring.

For example, the Avaak Vue Personal Video Network comes with two wireless cameras and a gateway receiver that connects to your network router. Set-up is performed using a Web browser (hence the need to connect it to your computer network), and you'll also use a Web browser to monitor the incoming video. Additionally, you can remotely view video from your monitoring system from anywhere in the world when connected to the Web when you sign up for a subscription (and even your iPhone, via a dedicated downloadable app).

The media streaming devices that connect to the cloud

-->

With the growth of cloud-based streaming video, there is a wealth of choice for media streaming devices that connect to your HDTV and serve up rented or purchased content as well as subscription sites and web videos. Here's a sampling:

Click this image to view large image

Other home entertainment devices can also connect to cloud-based media streaming services, including Internet-capable Blu-ray Disc players and HDTVs plus game consoles:

Click this image to view large image

Click this image to view large image

Cloud computing takes files off of your computer's hard drive and makes them accessible wherever you roam and have access to the Internet. However, if you want to share your music and video library with just the multiple computers and media streaming devices in your home, you can create your own personal cloud using a Network-Attached Storage device--also known as NAS.

A NAS device connects hard drive storage to your home or small business network and allows that data to be accessed by other computers and devices connected to that local area network (LAN). With a NAS device, you can store all your photos, movies, songs, and documents in a single centralized location and have them be visible on every computer as well as compatible WiFi enabled mobile phones and tablets, networked TVs and set-top boxes, and game consoles connected to your network.

Additionally, most NAS devices are actually computers themselves with an internal processor and RAM to complement the hard drive storage, as well as an operating system (such as Microsoft Windows Home Server). This allows the NAS to multitask in serving files to multiple devices at the same time while also backing up files from your computers.

NAS devices enable you to create your own cloud storage and provide remote access to files from the server in your home or small business over the Internet. This is a great way to allow far-flung family members to access home movies and photos and co-workers to collaborate on projects, as well as give yourself the ability to stream movies and music while traveling.

For example, Iomega's StorCenter NAS devices now offer a Personal Cloud feature that can be set up in minutes and doesn't require any additional Internet hosting. You can invite up to 250 remote users to securely access the Personal Cloud from a wide variety of devices--from PC, Mac and Linux computers to Apple iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

While a NAS device serves multiple computers and connected devices over a local area network and can even be remotely accessed over the Internet, a new type of NAS device adds portable functionality. The Seagate GoFlex Satellite is a portable hard drive with an integrated battery, Wireless-N Wi-Fi, and a web server. This enables you to serve music, video, photo, and document files to up to three iPads simultaneously. While a free iPad app is available, other tablets as well as PCs and Macs can access files using a web browser.