South Bay Audio Video

Costco Surveillance camera review

2009-08-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

Why pay a licensed contractor thousands to install and configure a security camera system when you can get a bundled package for $1000? read this review and you will see why you "get what you pay for"

Who will support you costco system when something goes wrong?

Link

Why use a Licensed Contractor?

2009-06-18T12:33:00.001-07:00

Sure you can get a cmeras system installed by someone on Craigslist for $1000 4 cameras and a DVR. But once you are lured in by that nice low price, some flaws may bceome apparent. Are they Licensed? You may be opening yourself to big liability. Quality of materials? Anyone can buy a basic surveillance camera system from Costco these days for cheap, just odn't forget you always get what you pay for. Cheap cameras will give poor images. Cheap DVRs may be extremely frustrating to use. Support? Support, what's that? once these low ball installers are done, they are DONE. Don't expect to get much post install support on why you are having trouble viewing your cameras remotely, or backup up an event should an incident occur.

Hiring a licensed contractor ensures they have invested the time and money into their business, and have experience in their field. They must carry liability insurance and are expected to conduct themselves professionally.

The money you save upfront may cost you much more down the line...

Article

Surveillance cameras and DVRs explained

2009-06-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here is an easy to read guide to the diffreent tyopes of video recorders and camera types available. IT givees a brief background from older types of recorders (VCR) to modern Standalone DVRs.

There is one omission, though. The latest generation of Standalone DVRs also act as IP Surveillance converters, allowing the advantages of a linux standalone DVR ( no PC required) and IP cameras, which are quite expensive, to be viewd on a a PC over an internet connection, from anywhere in the world!

Article

Standalone - IP DVR

Electric Door strikes

2009-05-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

Many People balk at the price of installing an electric door strike for a front gate or door. The caost may come as a shock to someone unfamiliar with the planning, materials, and labor that is invested in an access control system. Add in a camera to view your visitor, and the cost is increased accordingly. Hopefully once you can get over the rpicing of these systems you will see the benefits you will get from these systems and the small cost of convenience.

iPhone Surveillance Camaera App

2009-05-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Nice little netcam camera that lets you view your surveillance camera through a PC connected to the internet.

Spygearco

Ethernet cable can transmit any video signal type

2009-03-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

There are many, many video adaptors that use the versatile CAT5 (ethernet cable) cable.
S-video
HDMI
composite RCA
VGA
component
Audio RCA
1/8" Audio jack
internet RJ45
phone RJ11
surveillance camera video and power

If you are remodeling your house, and you have your wall open, stuff as much cat5 as you can in there before you drywall over the studs. Make sure you use colored plastic sheathing, or label each end so you know where they go later. You could always use a toner, but that is tedious work.

iPhone Sirius XM streaming coming soon.

2009-03-11T19:34:00.000-07:00

Sirius Xm has an official streaming player soon to be released for the iPhone and iPod Touch, along with an independent developer; the NiceMac's uSirius StarPlayr. This would let you listen to your Satellite stream wherever you are, rendering the "stilletto" redundant if you have an iPhone.

Orbitcast

Siirus XM almost bankrupt- gets a years stay of execution

2009-03-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

A $530 million investment deal with Liberty Media prevented Sirius Xm from filing for bankruptcy. Sirius is an excellent pay for satellite radio for your car, and at home, though the choices at home are vast once you have an internet connection to stream music and news from around the world.

Sirius XM has been heavily in debt since the beginning, while delivering excellent content, is trying to make the business model profitable.

Russound and many other Home theater manufacturers will continue to offer Sirius and XM tuners.

The Street

Security camera networked DVR- Viewing Online

2009-03-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

Many new Surveillance camera DVRs (Digital Video Recorders) have the capability to access your live and recorded images through an internet connection.

Be careful, as most programs are PC based, so Apple users may need to install bootcamp, which will let you run windows natively on your computer.

Remote access is an extremely useful tool, if you have slingbox for your TV, it works in a similar fashion.

Many users that have weekend homes, or a business where they are not in the office everyday, can feel secure knowing what is going on while they are away.

Choosing Surround Sound 5.1 or 7.1 for your home ?

2008-11-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

5.1 surround sound means 5 speaks and 1 subwoofer. That's 2 behind you, and 3 in front of you, left, center and right; plus the subwoofer for bass.

7.1 adds 2 more speakers, one on either side of the where you sit.

But wait, there is also 10.2 and even 22.2, if you need the sound that will blow you away.

MOST people, and this probably includes you, will not notice a difference between 5.1 and 7.1 in your home. so spend your dollars elsewhere, like better speakers.

Wikipedia

Sirius XM Merger New Channel Lineup

2008-11-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

The revised sirius XM satellite channel lineup has just been revealed, and it is a compromise between the two companies. As a compromise has been explained before, it's a resolution where no is happy. XM gains 22 new channels and loses 15 old ones. Likewise, Sirius hands in 11 and draws 10 new channels.

How does this affect You, the homeowners trying to understand which one to choose? Some Manufacturers offer both, so you can simply buy a Sirius and separate XM tuner, which would be separate audio inputs into your whole house system.

You can new get an XM tuner and subscription and add the "best of sirius" package. this will let you listen to select Sirius channels on your XM tuner.

A similar package is available for Sirius subscribers as the "best of XM"

Sirius Channels

XM Channels

Many Manufacturers offer an integrated Satellite tuner. Russound is a trusted name in the business and offers Metadata and control of the tuner from touchscreens in each room of your home, making it easy to select and view your favorite stations.

Electronic House Expo 2008

2008-11-14T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Electronic House Expo Just concluded it's fall conference this year in Long Beach, CA. The vendors were showing off their new products for this coming year, and they just keep getting better. From Home Automation to Home Theater, There was enough Gadgets to overwhelm.

Stay tuned as I review the different manufacturers to choose from , and how you can educate yourself on these products and the companies that install them in your home.