Video door peephole: how to choose and install do it

The days when the signs on the gates, announcing that there is a guard in the form of an “evil dog” in the courtyard, were the only means of protection against unwanted invasion of private possessions. Today in fashion door video eyes - surveillance devices that make it possible to ensure the safety of the house or apartment and in the absence of the owners.

The video in this article on the topic: “Video-eye with door recording” will provide an overview of the models, will tell about their features. In addition, we will offer information about the types of eyes with a built-in camera, their technical characteristics and selection criteria.

Video peephole: home security appliance

The most valuable thing in the models of the new generation is that the video door eyes with a recording camouflage under the usual optical peephole. Being from the side where the doorbell button is located, it is absolutely impossible to determine the visual capabilities of the device.

Maybe for European countries this is not relevant, but with us any technique turns out to be incredibly attractive for vandals of all stripes, and, accordingly, cannot hold out for long. Well, if a person does not see what is in front of him for the technique, then he does not feel the temptation to damage it.

How it all began

The first eyes, which appeared on the domestic market in the mid-90s, on closer examination, were easy to recognize. Therefore, at the beginning of the zero these devices were refined: the ordinary lens was equipped with an optical nozzle, which greatly expanded the viewing angle, and at the same time imitating it under a simple door eye.

At the same time, the developers created lenses with an elongated body and a wide angle, through which the image could be transferred to another plane. Accordingly, a door peephole with a DVR was mounted on the door in the most usual way, and other elements of its camera were placed, for example, on a wall near the door.

Given the poor lighting of staircases, and sometimes its absence, the option of infrared illumination, invisible to humans, but perfectly perceived by the ocellus camera, was thought out. Usually, the source of such illumination was located in the immediate vicinity of the peephole, but camouflaged under a fastener screwed into the door, or a number plate.

Species of eyes

The extensive sales market, which is our country, has long been interested in major video equipment manufacturers in countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea. Therefore, in the product line of their products appeared door video peephole with a record - and each manufacturer offers its own models, the characteristics of which can differ very much.

Note! Proceeding from the technical possibilities, these devices are classified as follows: a video camera without a case, a video-eye case is black-and-white, and a color-color video eye, which is shown in the photo below.

Features of unpackaged video cameras

Lens of unpacked video cameras differ in the form similar to the truncated cone. They have a fairly high sensitivity, there is an audio channel, these devices can be equipped with infrared illumination.

Their price depends on many criteria:

• monitor size;
• camera resolution;
• viewing angle;
• the possibility of connecting the motion sensor and the same backlight;
• write to the card.

Some models have a built-in module that allows you to connect the device to the phone or WiFi. Naturally, these are the most expensive options, the cost of which varies between 6300-12800 rubles. In simpler models, and the viewing angle is only 78-120 degrees, and the infrared illumination, as well as the motion sensor, is not included. But the price is also influenced by the thickness of the door leaf, into which the peephole can be installed.

In some models, this is a maximum of 34 mm, while in others it may be 105 mm. A peephole that can be placed on a thicker door will cost more, even if it is smaller in diameter, has a small viewing angle, and a camera with a small resolution. To date, the minimum cost of unpackaged video cameras for doors is 2700-2900 rubles.

The disadvantages of devices of this type include the fact that it is very difficult to mount, and even more customize them with your own hands. And then, so that the video eye does not fall into the category of equipment for hidden tracking, it should not have a remote lens, and there is a glass cap in the unpacked cameras, which differs in appearance from the usual eye. This fact may provoke neighbors to questions regarding the legality of using a hidden camera.

Color and black and white video eyes

Body video eyes, in form and appearance are absolutely identical to traditional door eyes. They have less sensitivity, but a greater viewing angle, higher resolution, and, accordingly, image quality.

• There is still a lot depends on which matrix: CMOS or CCD, are used for the manufacture of devices. The second option has more extensive capabilities, and therefore video eyes based on it are more expensive. The ability to use infrared illumination in the hull eyes too.
• But the most important thing is that installing a video door with your own hands, in this case, is no more difficult than a peephole. Despite the fact that in these models there is no monitor, their cost is practically not inferior to simple models of encased video cameras.

In general, it depends mainly on the resolution of the device, and on what kind of camera: color or black and white is installed in it. Naturally, the colored eye will cost a bit more. The remaining differences are relevant for those and other options.

Characteristic differences video peepholes

The main characteristic of video devices is the matrix type and resolution, expressed in megapixels. All video cameras, including those designed to be installed on the front door, differ in how they record the image and transmit the received information. According to this feature, they are divided into analogue and digital versions.

• Although it should be noted that initially an analog signal is also fed to the digital camera. Technically, this happens as follows: the data received by the analog matrix (CMOS or CCD), the converter generates into digital format (IP). If the camera itself is digital, then the format does not change, if it is analog, then the same converter sends data to a decoder (DVR or NVR), where they are encoded.

• In fact, the encoding takes place in a digital camera, but for this it is not necessary to transmit information to any other devices. The type of matrix that was used in the device is necessarily indicated by the manufacturer. Usually, the abbreviations CMOS or CCD are applied with indelible paint directly on the body of the device.

In order to make the video better, many manufacturers use a new technology (Pixim), in which each pixel is processed using a converter. This allows you to balance the shadows and eliminate noise. Accordingly, the more pixels in the camera, the better the image.

Advantages and disadvantages of cameras

If we talk about video peepholes with analog cameras, then their advantage is the ease of installation and ease of setup. Moreover, they are performed through the menu, available in the device, and are perfectly combined with equipment from other manufacturers. The disadvantages include the fact that this video is not viewed through the Internet.

• That is, the data obtained can not be played on a computer - that is why, the DVR is connected to them. Since analog cameras have a rather low resolution, the objects in the image do not have clear outlines, but, as it were, are slightly blurred. In addition, they can not work complete with a motion sensor.
• If the owner needs to control the front door when he is not at home, then it is necessary to install a video peephole with an IP camera. It can work in conjunction with other elements of video surveillance, and transmit a high-quality image for viewing via the Internet.

• It can not only be viewed on any portable gadget, but also controlled by the entire system. All that is needed is a single data transmission cable, and no additional devices are required - although there are also wireless options. A backup power supply to devices equipped with an IP camera is not required. By the way, the microprocessor built into them allows you to record individual video files if necessary.

There are digital cameras and disadvantages. If in analog models every second is recorded, then in digital, some fractions of a second can be skipped.

The devices are quite expensive and difficult to connect and configure, therefore, acquiring a digital video peephole, you need to contact a specialist for installation.

Selection criteria and equipment

Before you make a purchase of a video eye, you must clearly define what tasks it should perform. If you just do not want every time a visitor appears, go to the door to look through the peephole, the equipment of auxiliary elements will be the simplest.

• But in the case when you need to organize a full-fledged video surveillance, so that the image is recorded and saved on the DVR, and the model of the peephole should be more expensive, and some other equipment will be required.

• To study the visitor's identity online, an inexpensive peephole equipped with a power unit that can transmit a picture, say, to a television, is quite suitable. For this purpose, you only need a DMV modulator. To transfer data to a computer monitor, it will need to install a special board - an analog signal converter to digital.
• To equip round-the-clock surveillance, the eye must be selected with a high level of sensitivity, with a 12V power supply. You will also need to connect a DVR equipped with a hard disk to it. All this will need to be completed with a PC board, a motion sensor, a cable, or a video signal radio unit.
• Each of the devices used must have its own power supply, since one unit cannot supply energy to all the equipment. Uninterrupted operation of the system, which is not dependent on electricity in the network, will be provided by a UPS-battery, which is usually used for computers.

• When choosing a video-eye, it is also necessary to take into account that the larger the viewing angle of the device, the smaller the shooting distance will be. Therefore, you need to focus on the size of the landing and the location on it of your entrance door.

If, for example, it goes into an elongated corridor, then the eye must be selected with a maximum viewing angle (180 degrees). In this case, the image range will cover only the perimeter, limited to two meters.

For the end location of the door on the staircase, you should choose a peephole with a view of 120 degrees, then the range will be about three meters. Well, the video eye housing is inserted into the door leaf in absolutely the same way as an ordinary eye.