FAQ

How do I access the C.A.M.E.R.A service?

Through the C.A.M.E.R.A customer portal, via any standard browser, or using our Android, Windows or iPhone/Pad application configured with your personal C.A.M.E.R.A credentials.

Is the video quality good enough to identify an intruder?

Yes. The right camera in the right location can provide video and snapshot pictures of sufficient quality to identify an intruder.

Does the system work at night?

Yes. C.A.M.E.R.A will monitor 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, using a day and night camera where required and (if applicable) additional external, normally Infra Red, light source(s).

How do cameras 'see in the dark'?

Cameras have a wide visible spectrum and can see Infra Red light to some degree. This is blocked (using an IR-cut filter) to allow correct reproduction of colour during the day, but unblocked during the night allowing IR light to pass through for night vision.

What is PTZ?

PTZ is an abbreviation for pan, tilt and zoom. A PTZ camera has the ability to Pan on the horizontal plane, tilt on the vertical plane, and Zoom to adjust the focal length causing objects to appear closer of further away.

How secure / reliable is your service?

The C.A.M.E.R.A service is hosted in a secure EU based data centre, built on the latest high performance, secure and reliable computer hardware. It benefits 24 hours a day / 7 days a week support ensuring peace of mind as the internet never sleeps.

Who else can view what is happening on my property?

Nobody. Only you can view what is happening on your property using your personal C.A.M.E.R.A credentials.

Two trusted C.A.M.E.R.A administrators can additionally access to monitor the overall service and make adjustments to various parameters, for example to reduce false triggers.

Can I turn the cameras on and off myself?

Yes. You can switch off your camera(s) at anytime and the service will automatically resume normally once you turn them back on.

Our Watchdog will alert you after a prescribed period of time where there has been an interruption to your connection.

What happens if there is a local power failure?

The system would respond as if you had turned the cameras off yourself and our Watchdog will trigger an alert to you after a prescribed period of time.

The service will automatically resume normally once the local power is restored.

What is the cost of C.A.M.E.R.A services?

Our competitive installation quotes are dependent upon several factors determined during a FREE (subject to distance) site survey.

The monthly subscription cost for connecting the first camera to our system is a low as £11.95. The connection of additional cameras is just £4.00, then £3.00 each.

When is the install fee due?

50% upon order and 50% upon installation and connection to our system.

How is the monthly subscription handled?

By Standing Order, with the first Monthly subscription payment starting the 9th of the month you are connected to our system.

The minimum contract length is 12 months.

Can I connect my own cameras to your system?

Yes. We can connect most makes and model of IP-camera. A once off configuration change to your broadband hub will be required to enable this.

Will I need a fixed IP address?

Ideally, but if not most broadband hubs and cameras now support Dynamic DNS (DDNS), a mechanism which can record your change of IP address automatically. We will offer assistance in configuring your router where this is required.

What impact will the cameras have on my broadband performance?

Minimal, typically none is recognised. We customise each installation dependent upon circumstance, considering the bandwidth available and any cap (increasingly this is unlimited) on your ISP service.

What bandwidth is required?

A H.264 IP-camera with reasonable video quality at 1FPS requires less than 150Kbps (kilobits per second), 0.75mbps (megabits per second) or less than 50GB per month.

What if I do not have access to broadband at my property?

This service is dependent upon a broadband or other reliable Local Area Connection (such as is available in office premises) to the internet.

Can I save local copies of the video recordings / snapshots?

Yes. This option is available to you both through our customer portal, and our smart phone / portable device applications.

How long are recordings kept for?

A minimum of 14 days before being permanently deleted, unless otherwise requested.

Are the camera cables protected from interference?

This is not normally considered necessary. The system will alert you upon any interference and secure the video taken just before. However, in circumstances where a higher level of security is required the cabling can be laid and protected as far as the installation permits.