Camera Special
FAQ
WHAT DOES A BASIC CCTV (CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION) SYSTEM CONSIST OF?
ARE MOST CCTV SYSTYEMS STANDARD OR ARE THERE SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCES?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING A SYSTEM?
WHAT DOES A BASIC CCTV (CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION) SYSTEM CONSIST OF?
In its simplest form, it would include a camera designed to capture activity, and some way to view it elsewhere, AS IT IS HAPPENING, either on a video monitor designed for that purpose., or an existing TV.
A good example of this might be a single camera stationed at your front door, which you can view without having to get up from your recliner in the living room. Is that the pizza delivery guy or a band of terrorist intent on kidnapping you? Good to know BEFORE opening the door! Such a system can be equipped with two-way audio, so you can talk with the person at the door. This system can be used strictly for convenience or personal safety.
Adding a third component, some type of recording device, adds a different dimension to your system. Now you can not only view things as they are happening, but save and review what has gone on previously. This has far too many uses to begin to explain them all-from the individual who robbed the bank and shot the teller, to the much more trivial-So, as you suspected, your neighbor DID, willingly and with malice aforethought, encourage his 200lb St. Bernard to leave his calling card on your lawn! This second application, capturing the video rather than just viewing it as it happens, is by far the most widespread application of CCTV.
ARE MOST CCTV SYSTEMS STANDARD OR ARE THERE SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCES?
CCTV systems can range in price and complexity from a few hundred dollars for one camera, front door, view only residential surveillance system to a city wide wireless municipal system costing in the millions. Generally, an on-site survey by a qualified professional is necessary to design the appropriate system for a particular application.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING A SYSTEM?
By far, the two most important considerations are (1) What do I want to see? And (2) How clearly do I want to see it? The considerations are primarily dependent on the CAMERAS one chooses, and the individual characteristics they have. Cameras have many very technical aspects too numerous to mention here. And would only make sense to experts in the industry-but here are some simple basics: (1) What do I want to see? Or, put another way, what is the RANGE of the camera? Do I want to see JUST my driveway, or do I want to be able to view ALL the front of my property? That specification is usually a function of the LENS chosen for the camera. You can choose between very narrow and precise (telephoto) or wide and comprehensive (wide angle.) Want to be able to make-out the license plate of the car entering your 200 foot long driveway?? Telephoto is a must! Want to know what KIND of vehicle?? An armored car or dune buggy?? You’ll need a wide-angle and you WON”T be able to make out the license plate. Insist on one camera that does both, unattended?. Get out the checkbook and be prepared to spend thousands for an automatic pan, tilt, zoom speed dome with auto tracking!! Rarely necessary in normal applications! The only way to know for SURE if the camera’s viewing capability will satisfy you?. Most CCTV professionals can actually show you precisely, with a viewing monitor attached to the actual camera and lens being considered.
(2) How clearly do I want to see it?? Or, as it is generally referred to in the industry, resolution. How clearly can it display to the viewer the images it has captured. Not ALL applications require the same amount of clarity. A silly example to illustrate. You are the owner of a retail store and you KNOW one of your two employees is stealing from you! Pocketing merchandise and walking out with it. You want to catch in on video. One of your employees is a 6’10” male with a full beard who always wears a coonskin cap. The other is a 5’1” bald female. You DON”T need a high resolution camera to do the job!! BUT, if they are identical twins, always dress EXACTLY alike, and the only distinguishing feature between them is a small freckle on one’s cheek, you better go for the high-resolution!!!
A matter related to clarity is WHEN you want to capture the video! A clear, bright day is easiest, and will require only a fairly basic camera. Getting dark?? A low-light camera should be utilized!! Pitch black?? You’ll need an IR (Infrared camera) which requires NO light. (Think of a National Geographic Special showing tigers hunting at night) THAT’s infrared. It will NOT distinguish colors! Fortunately, many manufacturers now make multipurpose cameras that are capable of adjusting to almost ANY of the above conditions.
CAN I ACTUALLY USE A CCTV SYSTEM TO KEEP AN EYE ON MY HOME OR BUSINESS WHILE I’M AT ANOTHER LOCATION?
Yes!!! This is probably the most significant and helpful development in the CCTV industry in many years. Even relatively “low-end” systems can provide this convenience., and more advanced systems have lots of added bells and whistles! This is known as remotely viewable, internet viewing, web-enabled, and a variety of other names. In short, it means using the internet to connect with and view your system from virtually anywhere in the world where you have access to the internet. This has been expanded to include most modern cell phones and PDA’s The system can even automatically send LIVE video to your portable device upon motion activation.