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Terry Williams susses out the latest hi-tech developments that will ensure your home is safe.

At last, a solution for people who own static or touring caravans, boats on canals, yachts, motor cruisers, holiday cottages, remote buildings – in fact anywhere that needs a security monitoring system but has no line phone or even mains electric. It is now possible to achieve this objective using mobile phone, Internet and GPRS technology.

The system is very simple in the way it works. What you need is a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) with suitable software and one or more Infra Red CCTV cameras. IR cameras can see black and white images in complete darkness.

A monitor is needed to set the security system up, but is not required again until system maintenance or playback is required. However, depending on the type of unit purchased, the machine could easily double up as a PC with email and Internet connection, and an entertainment centre with DVD player, digital or analogue TV and radio, and surround sound system, all connected to a TFT panel which is ideal in a caravan or on a boat.

GPRS is an “always-on” connection, where you only get charged for the amount of data transferred. Most of the mobile phone operators offer various options. All you need to do is to put a GPRS-enabled SIM card into the modem and configure the software.

When someone enters the monitored area – say a boat cabin – the DVR software detects the motion. Firstly, this can trigger an ear-splitting audio alarm such as a siren, bells or whatever noise you choose; plus a snapshot or series of snapshots are taken and emailed to you as attachments.

These can be sent to your POP3 account which can then forward them on, if needed, to a web-based account that can send your mobile phone a text message telling you of an intrusion at your property. Emails or texts can be sent directly to a compatible mobile phone.

Once the DVR has sent out a picture by email to your in-box, the culprit is captured even if he finds and steals the DVR. If a standard telephone line is present, or better still, broadband, the remote cameras on the boat or in the caravan can be viewed from the office or home.

For systems located away from the mains, the DVR can be configured to accept 12V DC direct from a car battery. This can be kept charged up from solar panels, a wind turbine or a combination of both. These systems can be set up in fields, hedges, building sites, car parks, barns and so on, where anti-social behaviour may be occurring, or in boats and caravans laid up for winter storage.

Valuable touring caravans and boats can have a system integrated into the structure with covert cameras installed. A tiny camera can be externally located at the front of the caravan and powered separately from the 12V towing circuit. This takes pictures of the rear of the tow vehicle and is only active when connected to a tow car.

It is also possible to track the device on the Internet (subscription service) and pinpoint the position to about 200m. We are presently developing a satellite solution for more out-of-the-way places, which should be ready this month.

GPRS-ready DVRs start from just £695 + VAT for a machine capable of handling four cameras (not included) and two channels of audio. At the time of writing, these are being supplied with a SIM card and £15 of pay-as-you-go data credit. The cost of a GPRS DVR as above, but with the entertainment pack of DVD player, CD-RW, TV and radio, and multimedia speakers, starts from £795 + VAT.

Terry Williams is Managing Director of Lickey End-based Shepley Computers & CCTV. 

If you have any computer-related questions you would like him to answer
in future columns, please email them to:support@shepleydirect.co.uk

For more information on CCTV and PCs and links to related sites, see: https://www.shepleydirect.co.uk