Portable Surveillance cameras are becoming more and more popular these days especially with technology advances yielding smaller and smaller cameras. Generally but not always, the smaller the camera device the easier it is to hide or disguise and the smaller it is the easier it is to make it portable.
Portable Surveillance camera systems differ from standard counterparts simply because they are portable. A typical digital surveillance camera is not portable, in fact it is usually securely mounted to some surface with screws.
However, if a system is portable, what does that mean for the “system.” It means that the camera and the DVR must be in the same “unit” in order to be entirely portable. In addition batteries or some sort of portable power pack are also required for a portable surveillance camera.
Portable surveillance cameras have many applications. “Helmet cams” are one such application that enables “hands free” portable video recording because the unit is attached to a helmet that is worn by the user. Some examples of helmet cam use include skydiving, the aerospace industry, medicine, mining, and down-hill skiing.
Another type of portable surveillance camera is often referred to as a “bumper cam.” Although the camera is usually not attached directly to the bumper, an on board high speed digital color video camera system is normally attached on a vehicle with the camera’s target area being somewhere behind or at the rear of the vehicle. This type of camera set up is often used to aid the driver when backing up or for monitoring the “rear view” when abnormally large payloads make this difficult using just mirrors.
Perhaps one of the most frequently used overt applications of a portable surveillance camera is in surveillance and security of mass transit vehicles. School buses are now being equipped with on board high speed digital color video camera systems to monitor the students’ as well as the drivers’ activities. The mere presence of a portable surveillance camera unit in school buses has drastically reduced the number of disorderly conduct cases among transporting students. When incidences do arise, the system can provided a recorded audio/video account providing protection to both students and drivers.
Subways and mass transit buses are employing on board systems not only to provide security/surveillance but to deter and prevent false injury claims. Mass transit vehicles equipped with portable surveillance cameras systems have shown drastically reduced crime rates. In addition, these systems can provide monitoring of passengers in the event of an accident, helping to keep false injury claims at a minimum and insurance rates low.
Yet another popular application of portable surveillance cameras is legal work for police. FBI, DEA, etc.. In addition, police departments across the world are instituting the use of on portable surveillance cameras to provide evidence and monitor activity of potential law breakers. Highway pursuits, disorderly conduct cases during police stops, and an array of other activities are recorded and may be used as evidence if necessary. They also can protect officers from false claims of inappropriate behavior.
Portable surveillance cameras consist of a small, compact color digital camera, a self contained power supply if necessary, and a high speed video processor and recorder. Most systems also include a small liquid crystal display or LCD monitor. Many on board systems record video to compact flash cards or other types of “flash” memory so that vibration that could interfere with hard drive use has no effect on recording.
There are several additional features available today for portable surveillance cameras. Systems can be purchased that include an optional Global Positioning System or GPS module. These systems can record the coordinates as well as the speed of a vehicle and display it on-screen superimposed over the video captured by the system’s camera.
Timer kits are also available. They are useful for racing applications where lap times, equipment changes, and over all race timing are required. This can be an invaluable tool for any race team.
As you can see there are a wide variety of applications for on board high speed digital color video camera systems and there is also a wide variety of accessories and features that are available to enhance their productivity. Speak with one of our digital security experts to determine which system and features are right for your application by contacting them via on-line Live Chat or by telephone at 866-573-8878 Monday through Friday from 9AM to 6PM EST.
