Protect you computer and your data


Security Camera System - Buyer Guide

Although the application of CCTV security haslens selection flexibility, but are likely to
not changed very much over the past years,be weatherproof, some will have infrared
the tools and equipment have significantly.light built-in and most of all they are
Surveillance cameras became smaller, cheaperrelatively easy to implement. Bullet cameras
and better, but the major breakthroughusually come with 3.6mm lens witch are
happened in recording equipment. Thereforeconsidered to be suitable for most standard
many customers shopping for complete CCTVinstallations (good for covering small to
monitoring and recording systems are confusedmedium size room or equivalent). For larger
by such a verity of available products. Goalrooms or longer distances, cameras with 6mm
of this article is to guide buyers towardor higher lens may be required. They are
best possible and most economical type ofgreat choice for any do-it-yourself
CCTV equipment, based on intendedinstallation. Board cameras in contrast are
implementation  and  requirements.widely used in covert camera installations,
sometimes called Spy Cameras. Many wireless
Selecting  the  right  surveillance  cameras.cameras are basically board cameras with
built-in transmitter. We are not going to go
It is virtually impossible to describe allinto wireless cameras right now, as this
types of available CCTV cameras in this shortwould be enough material for completely new
article. We will focus our attention on mostarticle. Board cameras are sold as plain
popular and widely used camera types instead.circuit board, for integrating into hidden
camera devices. They are also available in
CCTV security cameras produce images usingdome housing, as vary popular Dome Camera or
CMOS or CCD (Charge Couple Device) chips.integrated with Smoke Detector, Motion
Tiny, very low price CCTV cameras usually useDetector, Exit Sign and so on. Most board
CMOS technology, produce poor quality imagescameras also come with 3.6mm lens although
and have very poor light sensitivity. Decentsome will allow lens to be replaced. Over the
quality CCTV cameras use CCD technology. Thetime, most practical design has been Dome
size of the CCD chip is normally 1/4", 1/3"Camera with its esthetic appearance it blends
or 1/2". As a rule of thumb, the larger theinto surroundings, especially with drop down
size, the higher the quality of the imagesealing, great for use in stores, lobbies,
produced and the higher the price. However,gas stations and other public places.
higher density 1/4" and 1/3" CCD chips canPractical solution for covert installation
now produce as good an image as many 1/3" orare also, Motion and Smoke Detector cameras,
1/2" chips. The number of TV lines in thethey are absolutely not substitute for your
security camera image is a measure of picturesecurity alarm or fire protection. Cameras
resolution (sharpness). The larger the numbershould always be selected based on the
of TV lines, the better the resolution andlocation of the camera (inside/outside),
hence, overall picture quality. Standarddistance from the monitoring object, light
resolution camera may have 350-380 lines,condition and budget. When shopping for
over 400 TV Lines is generally consideredsecurity cameras, customers are faced with
good resolution while over 500 TV lines isthe fact that they will need to select one or
considered high resolution. B/W chip camerasanother recording device. The days of
produce greater resolution and better lightwell-known CCTV time-lapse VCR recorder are
sensitivity, therefore suitable for use inalmost over. Although some customers still
dark areas where light conditions are poorprefer this old fashioned recording solution,
most of the time. On the other hand colorit is well worth to invest some extra money
cameras offer more realistic and naturalto purchase a good quality digital video
picture.recorder (DVR). Digital recorder transfers
analog camera video feed into digital format,
CCTV cameras are usually divided intoand stores it on hard drive. There are two
different types based on the body of themajor types of digital recorders on the
camera  used.market  right  now.
Professional  grade  cameras.PC  Based  CCTV  Systems.
Have box type body with the ability to useA special board and software installed on the
different types and size of lenses.computer will allow camera inputs and store
Exchangeable lenses enable this camera, tovideo on the hard drive. Many people are
monitor objects from virtually any distance.under the misconception that personal
Although for indoor use, they can be used forcomputer with additional hardware installed,
outdoor when combined with weatherproofwill do the job. This explains the hundreds
housing. They are considered to be the mostof companies that have hung up a sign, taken
flexible and widely used by professionals forout some ads and begun working out of
commercial  installations.basements and garages, holding themselves out
to be DVR manufacturers and security
Bullet  cameras.specialists. The main problem with this type
of CCTV recorders lies in the main component
Bullet cameras are, as the name suggestof it... Yes, it is a computer, designed to
contained inside bullet shaped housing. Mostdo unlimited tasks, but non well. The truth
bullet cameras are weatherproof and sealedis that any computer based digital video
without the ability to use different lenses.recorder is, and will always be vulnerable to
Great advantage of bullet camera is the smallsoftware crashes, hang-ups, system
size and integrated design, some bulletinstability,  virus  related  problems etc...
cameras will even have infrared LED future
built-in. Infrared technology is simply LEDStand  Alone  Systems.
light in infrared spectrum (not visible to
human eye). This light will illuminateVery similar in appearance and control
viewing area, making possible monitoring infunctions to standard VCR recorders, are
complete darkness. This is great future, buttruly remarkable devices. Most video
it only works up to certain distance (usuallyprocessing is done by hardware, therefore
between 10 and 50 ft. depending on model)eliminating system crashes, video is also
Vary simple to install and estheticlystored on hard drive in digital format. The
designed, bullet cameras are great choice forbasic operating system, usually Linux, is
residential and do-it-yourself installationspermanently stored on special processor,
where monitoring objects are within aboutwitch is impossible to overwrite or corrupt.
25ft from the camera location (with standardDesigned and manufactured with single
3.6mm  lens).application in mind, it is by far better in
performance and reliability to its PC based
Board  Cameras.rival. Some DVR systems will even have remote
monitoring capability, useful when monitoring
Board Cameras are basically fixed lensis required in different locations thru
mounted on a circuit board. These cameras mayInternet or network. Most important futures
be packaged in a small case (Mini Cameras) orto look for when selecting the right DVR
dome (Mini Dome) or simply sold unpackaged,recorder are motion detection and frame
for mounting by the purchaser. Lenses inspeed. The higher the frame speed the more
these cameras are either of a normal industryfluent video recording. Motion detection will
aperture or a "pinhole" lens of very smallallow recording video from each camera only
aperture. Pinhole lens cameras are oftenwhen motion is detected this is great for
called "spy" cameras and may be mounted in aextending video recording time. Security
concealed way for covert surveillanceMonitors.
purposes. The most popular examples of covert
board cameras are smoke detector and motionVideo from Security recorder could be
detector cameras. Since the lenses in boarddisplayed on regular TV monitor. It is OK to
cameras are pre-mounted, have a fixed irisdo it this way, for baby monitoring or
and are usually of a short focal length (i.e.residential application, when quality of the
wide angle), their flexibility of usefulnesspicture is not that important. However for
is limited. However, this type of camera canprofessional installation, security monitors
provide a low cost solution in the rightare as much important as cameras. They offer
situation, particularly in a homeextended life of picture tube (necessary with
environment.any static picture, that can cause picture
burnout) and much grater resolution. Cables
We have shortly described most popular typesand wiring. Finally any camera installation
of cameras, lets now discus, how and wherewill require proper wiring. Good quality
they mite be used. Professional type camerascable will prevent video degradation over
with C/CS mount lens attachment generallylong distance runs. It is recommended to use
offer best performance and many importantRG59 or RG6 coaxial cables as it is fully
futures, like lens control output, Back Lightshielded and will prevent video loss up to
Compensation and many more... Distance from400 ft. Coaxial cables will require BNC
monitoring object to the camera is not anconnectors and proper installation possibly
issue, that is why ability to selectdone by experienced technician. In short runs
different lenses, based on camera location isplug and play non-coaxial cables with factory
so important. Installation is bit complicatedinstalled BNC connectors may be used (up to
and professional installation strongly150 ft.). The plug and play cables are easy
recommended. We recommend this type ofenough to install by not experienced users.
security cameras for commercialCables for CCTV cameras consist of two cables
installations. Most Bullet cameras inbundled in one jacket. One cable for video
comparison, do not offer high resolution andand one for power delivery. Conclusion.



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