Video security is often a concept that can baffle you, as security companies may charge several thousands of dollars for setting up a system for you.  Home owners concerned about intrusion on their property or business owners looking at loss prevention or after-hours intruders can take the time to do a bit of planning and build systems just as good for far less.

KGuard Security, a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer, has stepped up the level of small DIY devices with tiny Linux-based microPC digital video recorder (DVR) devices.  The SHA108 (8 camera) and SHA104 (4 camera) DVRs are more than a multi-cam recorder and viewer, offering a full internet suite for viewing and playback on Windows PCs, as well as plug-ins for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry smartphones.  The DVR is even smart enough to be set to email the user if it sees movement when a site is supposed to be empty.

I have used KGuard DVRs in the past, and my satisfaction with them previously led me to recommend the SHA108.  Installation was a breeze, but as I dug into the options I can say I was amazed at the amount of features KGuard has chosen to add to what was essentially a glorified VCR.  Video output is now possible both on standard and widescreen monitors in a variety of resolutions on top of the standard composite BNC jack that any TV can display.  Composite BNC inputs allow connection of almost all analog cameras, from high-security security cams down to lowly camcorders, and everything is captured at a full 30 frames per second at DVD resolution.  Obviously, older cameras may not get full clear 480i images, but decent resolution cameras are cheap now.

The motion system can be used to trigger recording, or simply to alert the user on a system that records 24×7.  Recording is hard disk based on a standard 3.5″ SATA I/II drive mounted inside the system, and as the disk fills, the system will automatically delete older entries so a set block of time can be viewed from beginning to end.  A terabyte hard disk is currently enough space to hold over 45 days of footage compressed with H.264, an MPEG4 standard very similar to DivX which results in small video file sizes without sacrificing video quality.

Furthermore, with the fact that a dedicated web channel is provided for mobile devices, it is refreshing that you can simply pull out your phone and have access to all cameras in an instant, and have the ability to contact law enforcement as the crime happens rather than after the fact.

KGuard even provides the ability to use Dynamic Domain Name Systems access through a DynDNS account, to provide stable access to modems and gateways with rotating DHCP addresses.

Multiple users can be created, with the ability to restrict deletion of video or even viewing of cameras, based on your needs.

Even an optical mouse and infrared remote are included.

Overall, considering the DVR is around the $300 mark, hard disks are cheap and available, and cameras start at around $25 each or $50 for nightvision, with a little planning you can build a great addition to your security without spending yourself dry!

Source: KGuard Security