Security Camera System - Buyer's Guide

Although the application of CCTV security have not changed much in recent years, instruments and equipment have significantly. Cameras became smaller, cheaper and better, but the big change happened in recording equipment.

As a result, many customers buy entire CCTV systems for monitoring and recording of such a truth of products available are confused. The purpose of this article is to guide buyers to the best possible and most economical type of CCTVDevices, based on intended implementation and requirements.

Choosing the right camera.

It 's almost impossible to keep all types available to cover what in this short article. Instead, we will increase our focus on the camera and widely used the most popular types.

CCTV security cameras produce images with a CMOS or CCD (Charge Couple Device) chips. Tiny, very low price CCTV cameras usually use CMOS technology, produce poor quality images andvery low sensitivity to light. Good quality CCTV cameras use CCD technology. The size of the CCD chip is normally 1 / 4 ", 3.1" or 2.1 ". As a rule of thumb: the bigger, higher quality product image and the higher the price. However, a higher density 4.1" and 3.1 "CCD chips are now a good picture as many 3.1" or for the production of 2.1 "chips.

The number of TV lines in the image of the security camera is a measure of image resolution (sharpness). The greater the numberof TV lines, the better the image quality and comprehensive resolution. standard resolution camera may be 350-380 lines, over 400 TV lines is generally considered good resolution while over 500 TV lines is considered high resolution. B / W chip cameras produce greater resolution and better light sensitivity, therefore suitable for use in areas with dark lighting conditions are bad, most of the time.

In other hand color cameras offer more realistic and natural picture. CCTVCameras are usually divided into different machine types on the basis of the body used.

Professional cameras.

Have box type body, with the possibility of using various types and sizes of the lenses. Objectives enable this camera to track objects from any distance. Although for indoor use, can be used outdoors when combined with weatherproof housing. They are considered the most flexible and widely used by professionalsfor commercial installations.

Bullet cameras.

Bullet cameras are, as the name suggests, bullet-shaped inner chamber.

Most bullet cameras are weatherproof and sealed without the ability to use different lenses. A major advantage of the bullet camera is the small size and integrated design, some bullet cameras will also have infrared LED future built-in. The infrared technology is simply the light in the infrared spectrum (not visible to human eye) LEDs. ThisThe light is on screen and allows monitoring in total darkness. This is a great future, but only works up to a certain distance (usually 10-50 ft easy to install, depending on model) Vary and bullet cameras are designed estheticly good choice for home do-it-yourself installation where objects are located in 25 feet of monitoring the position of the camera (with standard 3.6 mm lens).

Council of cameras.

Board cameras areBasically fixed lens mounted on a PCB. These cameras may be packaged in bulk in a small case (Mini Cameras) or dome (Mini Dome) or simply sold for installation by the purchaser. These lenses are either open industry standard or a "very small aperture pinhole lens. Pinhole lens cameras are often installed as a" spy "cameras and can, on a secret hidden for surveillance purposes. The best known examples of paper under cover are fire alarms and motion detectorsCameras.

Since the lenses are mounted in cameras on board, a fixed diaphragm and usually have short focal length (ie wide angle), their flexibility of usefulness is limited. However, the type of camera can be a convenient solution in the right situation, especially in the home. We have briefly described most popular types of cameras, now lets discus, how and where mite be used.

Professional models with C / CS lens offers the plant is generallyImproved performance and many important futures, like lens control output, Back Light Compensation and more ...

Distance to object to the surveillance camera is not a problem, so the ability to select different targets on the basis of the site is so important. Installation is somewhat complicated and professional installation is highly recommended. We recommend this type of surveillance cameras for commercial installations.

Most cameras do not offer higher than BulletResolution and target selection flexibility, but the weather may be some built-in infrared light and, especially, are relatively easy to implement, is. They are usually equipped with 3.6 mm lens witch are considered for most standard installations (good for covering small and medium size room or equivalent) suitable.

For larger rooms or longer distances, cameras with 6mm lens or higher is required. They are good choice for do-it-yourself installation.

BoardCameras are widely opposed in covert camera installations, sometimes called Spy Cameras. Many are in fact those transmitter board with built-in. We are not entering the wireless cameras now, because this would be enough material for completely new products.

Board cameras are sold as a normal circuit, the integration into equipment hidden camera. They are also dome housing, dome camera as various popular with smoke detectors or integrated Motion detectors, exit and so on. Most also come with 3.6 mm lens is possible, even if certain targets are replaced.

Over time, the design was more practical places Dome Camera with its esthetic, is part of an environment, particularly with the descent of the estate, ideal for use in stores, lobbies, gas stations and other public places. practical solution for installing hidden cameras and bikes are also smoke, are not completely cover the replacement of your> Security alarm and fire protection. You should always be selected and budget for the position of the camera (inside / outside), distance from subject to monitoring, lighting conditions.

When shopping for security cameras, customers are choosing to face the fact that they need one or another recording device.

The days of well-known CCTV time-lapse VCR recorder are almost over.

Although some users still prefer the old fashioned photographsSolution, it is worth a little more money to invest to buy a good digital video recorder (DVR). Digital recorder transfers analog camera feeds into digital format and stores it on disk. There are two main types of digital recorders on the market at this time.

PC-based systems.

A special board and software installed on your computer disk allows camera inputs and store video on hard disk.

Many people are under theMisconception personal computer is installed with additional hardware is to do the work. This explains the hundreds of businesses, garages have hung a sign, but some ads and begun by wineries and specialists will be left out of the manufacturers of DVRs and security. The main problem with this type of CCTV recorders lies in the principal en ... Yes, there is a computer designed to do unlimited tasks, but no good. The truth is that any computer baseddigital video recorder is, and will always be vulnerable to shocks software hang-ups, system instability, virus problems, etc. ..

Autonomous systems.

Very similar in appearance and control functions to standard VCR recorders, are truly remarkable devices. Most video processing is done by hardware, so no system crashes, video is saved to disk in digital format. The base operating system, usually Linux, is permanently storedspecial processor, witch is impossible to overwrite or corrupt. Designed and made only one question in mind, is much better in terms of performance and reliability to its PC based rival.

Some DVRs even remotely monitor, useful for monitoring needs in various locations through the Internet or network. Above all, look for futures in choosing the right DVR recorder are motion detection and frame rate. The higher the frame rate morefluent video recording. Motion detection allows you to record video from any camera is only when motion is detected, this is for extending the recording time great video.

Safety monitor.

TV video recorder security monitor may appear on a regular basis. It 'OK to do it that way, to monitor child or residential application, when the quality is not so important. However, professional installation, security monitorare as important as the cameras. They offer life-picture tube (with all the necessary static images enhanced to deplete the photo) and much grater resolution.

Cables and wires.

Finally, each installation of cameras require proper wiring. high quality cable to prevent video degradation over long runs away. It is recommended to use RG59 or RG6 coaxial cable, since it is fully shielded to prevent video loss up to 400 m of coaxial cabledemand led BNC connectors and proper installation, possibly by technical experts. In short runs plug and play non-coaxial cables with factory installed BNC connectors are used (up to 150 feet). The plug and play cables are easy enough to be installed by users.

Cables for CCTV cameras consist of two cables supplied in a jacket. One cable for video and one for power delivery.

Conclusion.

Each CCTV system is so good and reliable as itsweakest component. In this sense, investing on highest quality and performance cameras, while purchasing low performance recorder, the economic and practical terms it makes no sense.

For example, for CCTV cameras with 500 TV lines of resolution with monitor that offers only 380 or less. benefit of all, high resolution camera is affectively sacrificed by limited performance monitor. ask questions related to security is important before buying videoSystem and its suppliers will be likely to recommend further details and equipment for the needs and requirements.