Making the Right Choice for Cctv Security Cameras

security cameras

There are normally six things to look at before Selecting a CCTV security systems;
1. Camera Selection
2. Recording Options
3. Detection
4. Time and Date Stamping
5. Cable and Connectors
6. Camera Protection

1.0 Camera Selection
1.1 Location
Is the camera to be located indoors or outdoors? If outdoors then you need to ensure that it is appropriate for the environmental conditions that are likely to be encountered such as rain, snow, sun-glare, low light etc.

1.2 Light Levels
An ordinary colour or even monochrome camera will not give very good pictures in low light conditions although the monochrome will perform better than an equivalent colour one. Solutions available for low light conditions can include:

* B&W cameras with built in IR illumination
* Colour Day / Night cameras
* Use of additional security lighting
* Use of a separate IR illuminator in conjunction with a monochrome camera.

1.3 Colour, Black and White or Day Night Cameras
B&W cameras generally provide better image quality than colour ones at lower light levels. Colour cameras require the availability of good lighting and will generally provide better recognition capability. Day Night cameras provide the best of both worlds in an external environment.

1.4 Wired or Wireless
Wireless CCTV cameras are easier to install. Typical range for wireless camera systems is 100m free-space but this can reduce significantly to around 20 meters in a typical household environment.

1.5 Visible Deterrence or Covert / Discreet Monitoring
For visible deterrence the use of larger cameras housed in traditional enclosures are ideal:
- Very small and can be installed in covert locations, or
- In enclosures designed to disguise the presence of a camera.

1.6 Audio
If the ability to monitor or record sound is important then the camera needs to have a built-in microphone.

1.7 Camera Viewing Quality
Resolution - This is expressed as the number of television lines (TVL) that the camera is capable of producing. The higher the TVL value the greater the resolution and hence the quality of the images. A typical entry-level camera will be around 300 TVL with higher resolution cameras having a value of 400+ TVL.

Size - A larger image sensor will give a better image definition than a smaller sensor. For example, a 1/3″ image sensor will produce a better image than a 1/4 ” sensor.

Type - There are 2 types of image sensor. CMOS sensors are mass-produced and used in entry-level cameras to provide cost savings. CCD sensors are used in professional CCTV cameras and provide a higher quality image.

2.0 Recording Options

2.1 Domestic VCR
VCRs can be used to provide continuous recording of up-to 8 hours or event led recording when used in conjunction with a PIR camera and a VCR activator.

2.2 Domestic DVD Recorder
These operate on a similar principle to the domestic VCR but offer the additional benefits such as higher quality digital recording, increased storage capacity, improved search and retrieval capability.

2.3 Standalone Digital Video Recorders
Essentially a DVR is a standalone piece of hardware that is designed exclusively for recording CCTV footage. It has a number of Digital Security camera recorders clear advantages over the traditional analogue systems and these include:

* Storage Capacity - Days, weeks and even months of high resolution recording is possible through use of large capacity hard drives
* Consistent Quality Recording - No deterioration of image quality no matter how many you overwrite onto the recording device or how long you store the images for
* Viewing and Retrieval - Quick and easy access of footage due to digital format
* Transfer and Storage -Transfer and storage capability is further enhanced by DVRs with built-in CD writers and USB ports.
* Remote Access - Many DVRs have the capability for remote access from anywhere in the world through use of a remote PC
* Multiplexed Recording - Capability to view and record multiple cameras simultaneously.

2.4 PCI Cards
These are digital video capture cards that can be fitted inside your existing PC to allow the connection of multiple CCTV cameras.

3.0 Detection
Event-led recording is a more efficient means of capturing relevant footage and can be achieved by:
-PIR Movement Detectors
-Video Motion Detection

4.0 Time and Date Stamping
This feature superimposes the time and date onto your CCTV footage.

5.0 Cable and Connectors
Co-axial cable with a local power supply to the camera can enable the camera to be sited upto 250m away from the monitor or recording device.

6.0 Camera Protection
This not only saves your security cameras from vandalas but protects any evidences collected during the vandal acts.

You may wanna check our reviews about Camera Cctv and Cctv security