With the cost reduction in computer hardware and software, items that used to be for the rich and wealthy are now within the reach of the average consumer. Virtually every suburban house in America now has a security system installed. But theft still runs rampant in these houses. So what is the solution to the problem.

Many people have turned to Surveillance Camera systems. These systems were previously connected to a looping videocassette recorder system or tape system and took up considerable space and cost a considerable amount of money.

The current systems on the market from Geovision and others allow you to use your home PC with an upgraded video surveillance card to record all the happenings in your home. No longer will you need to worry about the people attending your party or that wayward concern that the nanny is not taking proper care of your children. With the current systems available from Geovision and other manufactures. A standard computer system can be converted into a complete surveillance system.

You simply mount a Surveillance card supplied by Geovision into your computer. Then run the cable from the Geovision Surveillance Camera to the Card and you are ready to begin your integrated home surveillance. With the proper Internet connection for your Surveillance Camera system you will be able to log into the IP port and watch the video on the camera.

With an upgraded Geovision surveillance card you will be able to connect up to sixteen cameras for surveillance, not just the single card from the old VCR days. Your limitation on the amount of video you capture is limited to your hard drive space.

The Digital Video Recording occurs in a compact format allowing you to capture days of video on a terrabyte drive. This video can then be exported for future keeping and documentation or deleted.

How hard is the system to install is a genuinely unique question and varies by manufacturer. Geovision a prime manufacturer for these systems sells surveillance cameras and surveillance cards that can be installed in a matter of hours. With simple drills and screwdrivers you can mount the surveillance cameras and run the proper power lines and computer cables to your computer.

Plug in the surveillance card and power up your windows XP system and within minutes you will begin receiving the signals from the surveillance cameras. Properly divide your hard drive and start collecting the DVR signals from the camera's. With up to sixteen cameras per system you should have adequate coverage of any household.

No longer will you need to wonder if the babysitters boyfriend is over while you are out, as you will have recorded evidence you can review when you get home. The surveillance camera will send the babysitters every move to the surveillance card, which will convert the signal to a personal computer recordable signal.

The current costs of the surveillance card and surveillance cameras have put this technology within the financial grasp of virtually all American households. Companies with easy install systems have made the systems available to the masses. So you will no longer worry about items in your house or businesses being unwatched while you are away.