CCTV Cameras
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CCTV systems vary from a single camera connected to a monitor, to systems of hundreds of cameras, multiple operators and digital recorders. They are used for commercial and home security, and whatever CCTV you choose, it will make your business or property safer, more efficient and less prone to theft and accidents.
Before purchasing a surveillance system consider what you want to monitor and what quality of picture you need. The scene and quality are the most important factors that will affect your decision.
Cameras
Most security cameras use Charge Coupled Device (CCD) technology. This converts images that come through the camera lens into electronic impulses. CCDs provide low cost and good quality pictures. CCTV camera formats are measured in inches. Most cameras fall between 1/4” and 1”, with 1/4” or 1/3” cameras being the most common in CCTV sales. It may be beneficial to buy a larger format if the camera is being used in a dimly lit environment, so that it can gather more light.
Most companies choose a colour security camera, rather than black and white. For security and evidence purposes, they provide a more detailed picture. Black and white cameras can operate better in low light environments, but most high quality colour cameras can switch between colour and black and white.
The detail, or resolution, of a picture is shown by the measurement in horizontal TV lines (TVL). 350 to 400 TVL produces a normal picture, with high resolution pictures increasing to 480 or 500. You need to ensure that your whole system (recording system and monitor) can support this resolution though.
Signal to noise ratio (s/n) signifies how much signal or picture the camera transmits as opposed to noise which is shown as static. A s/n ration of 40db results in an acceptable picture. 30db produces a poor picture and 60db produces an excellent picture with no static.
Lux measures sensitivity to light. As a general rule, 21 lux cameras can see well in the light of a 40W fluorescent bulb, and 0.5 lux camera can identify images in dim light. The lux you will need will depend on the lighting where the camera is to be positioned.
Types of Cameras
- Professional grade cameras – these have box type bodies and can be adapted with different types of lenses, such as variable focal length lenses, zoom lenses or motorized zoom lenses. Although for indoor use, they can be used outdoors when combined with weatherproof housing. They are considered the most flexible and are used for commercial installations.
- Bullet cameras – contained inside bullet shape housing, this type is weatherproof but sealed without the ability to use different lenses. Some have infrared LED built in (like burglar alarms) which allows it to monitor in complete darkness. These small cameras are useful for home security systems and do-it-yourself installations.
- Board cameras – consisting of a fixed lens mounted on a circuit board, board cameras may then be packaged in a small case (Mini Cameras) or dome (Mini Dome). These lenses are either of a normal industry aperture or of a ‘pinhole’ aperture. Pinholes are used for covert surveillance, and can be used as part of a home security system, planted in dummy household objects such as smoke detectors and burglar alarm motion detector cameras.
For outdoor CCTV cameras, look for a lens with an automatic iris. Like a human eye, the iris controls the amount of light let in, so this is important for environments where the light level will change. Buying a manual iris will save you money, as long as you know that the scene illumination will not change.
Other specifications you may look for in a camera are pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ). This allows the camera operator to pan (scan left to right), tilt (look up or down), and zoom in or out. PTZ cameras are considerably more expensive than fixed cameras.
Surveillance system monitors
When selecting a monitor, take into account the type of use it will receive. Televisions do not make good monitors as they are not built to be on up to 24 hours a day, which is what some surveillance cameras endure. Computer monitors can make acceptable substitutes. Flat-panel LCD screens make great CCTV monitors for larger systems as they take up less space, have excellent resolution, and generate less heat. Make sure you monitor resolution matches your cameras.
The size of the monitor depends on it use too. A 9” monitor may be sufficient if the operator is sitting directly in front of it, but a 15” monitor is the smallest you should use if multiple images will be shown on it.
Security system recorders
It is essential to record if you do not have an employee watching a monitor at all times, and also necessary for you to show evidence in court. There are two options for recording: the VCR or DVR.
VCR’s have rapidly been taken over by the digital video recorders (DVR) which record straight onto hard drive instead of tapes. This is probably due to the ongoing costs of VCR’s (buying, rotating, replacing VCR tapes), and although VCR’s offer a time elapse that lets them record for long periods of time, the images are not very precise. They record only one snapshot every eight seconds.
Advantages to the DVR are ease of locating events, storage quality, multitasking and smart monitoring. They can also record for weeks or even months. DVR’s are more expensive than VCR’s; however, the price of DVR’s has fallen considerably in recent years.
Connecting a surveillance camera
Most surveillance cameras are connected to the rest of your CCTV system by coaxial cable, the same cable used to connect your video equipment at home. Some installers use unshielded twisted (UTP) cables, as they reduce interference caused by electrical currents and they are also cheaper than the coaxial cable. A switching device called balun can connect coaxial to UTP cables, combining both in a single system.
Companies with complex systems of CCTV surveillance, such as banks, may want to upgrade their fibre optics to increase band width, allowing more signal to be carried in one wire. Additionally, security is improved because tapping a fibre optic line is difficult to do without disrupting the signal.
Wireless connections are not recommended for most businesses as it can suffer from interference from cordless telephones, air conditioning, fluorescent lighting, and almost anything with an electric motor. Also, they need specific expertise to diagnose problems, and fine-tune the set up. However, when it is not practical to lay wires, such as across a public street, it is necessary to use wireless. Wireless is also better suited to rural areas, where there is les interference, and they can make potentially impossible installations viable.
