Security system warns owner away from home

Date: 27/03/2005
Source: Courier Staff
Author: Burton Speakman

Changes in technology are allowing businesses and homeowners to monitor their property from anywhere in the world.

David Juarez, owner of Sight and Sound Solutions, said cameras are available that will send a message to owners via e-mail, a Web site or PDA, notifying them that someone is at their house or business.

"They can then go online and view the camera and speak to the person at the home through a small network microphone on the camera," Juarez said.

More and more people are starting to ask for these types of security options at their homes, Juarez said. For companies with several locations, cameras can be placed at all of them with someone watching at a central location.

Juarez said he is working with a local builder to install infrared motion-sensitive cameras at his worksite because of the theft of construction materials. The infrared cameras would take video at night that would be as clear as daytime images, he said.

Video security technology has been around for 25 years, but recent technology in network cameras has been since the mid to late 1990s, Juarez said. Options for these systems are pretty much limitless, said John Maynard, owner of Home Automation of Texas in Conroe. There isn't much demand for specialty cameras, but more people are talking about it, he said.

"We just finished a house in Houston that has cameras throughout," Maynard said. "They have a housekeeper to watch the kids during the day, and it was peace of mind for them." More builders are having homes wired during construction so security systems can be linked with the home's existing audio and visual equipment, Juarez said. Nearly all custom homes contain this type of prewiring, Juarez said. This allows cameras and other equipment to be installed anywhere in a home with additional wiring. The technology is decreasing in cost as well, so more builders will include it in more basic homes in the future, he said.

These systems start around $700 for a single camera with installation and can become as complex as desired, Juarez said. There are approximately five companies in the county that offer these services. Customers must have high-speed Internet access to use the system without a web server a more or a lower speed connection that offers only still images. Most of the local business in this area is in Lake Conroe and The Woodlands, Juarez said.

Typical homes below the $170,000 to $200,000 range don't get wired for any special equipment, Maynard said. But starting in homes of about 4,000 square feet, there is heavy amounts of automation, he said. Carol Coleman said Juarez makes sure the technology is simple enough that his customers can use it. "He makes sure you don't feel intimidated by all the equipment," she said. "David will adjust the equipment to my budget, lifestyle and knowledge."

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