| Although the application of CCTV security has not | | | | are relatively easy to implement. Bullet cameras usually |
| changed very much over the past years, the tools and | | | | come with 3.6mm lens witch are considered to be |
| equipment have significantly. Surveillance cameras | | | | suitable for most standard installations (good for |
| became smaller, cheaper and better, but the major | | | | covering small to medium size room or equivalent). For |
| breakthrough happened in recording equipment. | | | | larger rooms or longer distances, cameras with 6mm |
| Therefore many customers shopping for complete | | | | or higher lens may be required. They are great choice |
| CCTV monitoring and recording systems are | | | | for any do-it-yourself installation. Board cameras in |
| confused by such a verity of available products. Goal | | | | contrast are widely used in covert camera installations, |
| of this article is to guide buyers toward best possible | | | | sometimes called Spy Cameras. Many wireless |
| and most economical type of CCTV equipment, based | | | | cameras are basically board cameras with built-in |
| on intended implementation and requirements. | | | | transmitter. We are not going to go into wireless |
| Selecting the right surveillance cameras. | | | | cameras right now, as this would be enough material |
| It is virtually impossible to describe all types of available | | | | for completely new article. Board cameras are sold as |
| CCTV cameras in this short article. We will focus our | | | | plain circuit board, for integrating into hidden camera |
| attention on most popular and widely used camera | | | | devices. They are also available in dome housing, as |
| types instead. | | | | vary popular Dome Camera or integrated with Smoke |
| CCTV security cameras produce images using CMOS | | | | Detector, Motion Detector, Exit Sign and so on. Most |
| or CCD (Charge Couple Device) chips. Tiny, very low | | | | board cameras also come with 3.6mm lens although |
| price CCTV cameras usually use CMOS technology, | | | | some will allow lens to be replaced. Over the time, |
| produce poor quality images and have very poor light | | | | most practical design has been Dome Camera with its |
| sensitivity. Decent quality CCTV cameras use CCD | | | | esthetic appearance it blends into surroundings, |
| technology. The size of the CCD chip is normally 1/4", 1 | | | | especially with drop down sealing, great for use in |
| 3" or 1/2". As a rule of thumb, the larger the size, the | | | | stores, lobbies, gas stations and other public places. |
| higher the quality of the image produced and the higher | | | | Practical solution for covert installation are also, Motion |
| the price. However, higher density 1/4" and 1/3" CCD | | | | and Smoke Detector cameras, they are absolutely not |
| chips can now produce as good an image as many 1 | | | | substitute for your security alarm or fire protection. |
| 3" or 1/2" chips. The number of TV lines in the security | | | | Cameras should always be selected based on the |
| camera image is a measure of picture resolution | | | | location of the camera (inside/outside), distance from |
| (sharpness). The larger the number of TV lines, the | | | | the monitoring object, light condition and budget. When |
| better the resolution and hence, overall picture quality. | | | | shopping for security cameras, customers are faced |
| Standard resolution camera may have 350-380 lines, | | | | with the fact that they will need to select one or |
| over 400 TV Lines is generally considered good | | | | another recording device. The days of well-known |
| resolution while over 500 TV lines is considered high | | | | CCTV time-lapse VCR recorder are almost over. |
| resolution. B/W chip cameras produce greater | | | | Although some customers still prefer this old fashioned |
| resolution and better light sensitivity, therefore suitable | | | | recording solution, it is well worth to invest some extra |
| for use in dark areas where light conditions are poor | | | | money to purchase a good quality digital video |
| most of the time. On the other hand color cameras | | | | recorder (DVR). Digital recorder transfers analog |
| offer more realistic and natural picture. | | | | camera video feed into digital format, and stores it on |
| CCTV cameras are usually divided into different types | | | | hard drive. There are two major types of digital |
| based on the body of the camera used. | | | | recorders on the market right now. |
| Professional grade cameras. | | | | PC Based CCTV Systems. |
| Have box type body with the ability to use different | | | | A special board and software installed on the |
| types and size of lenses. Exchangeable lenses enable | | | | computer will allow camera inputs and store video on |
| this camera, to monitor objects from virtually any | | | | the hard drive. Many people are under the |
| distance. Although for indoor use, they can be used for | | | | misconception that personal computer with additional |
| outdoor when combined with weatherproof housing. | | | | hardware installed, will do the job. This explains the |
| They are considered to be the most flexible and | | | | hundreds of companies that have hung up a sign, |
| widely used by professionals for commercial | | | | taken out some ads and begun working out of |
| installations. | | | | basements and garages, holding themselves out to be |
| Bullet cameras. | | | | DVR manufacturers and security specialists. The main |
| Bullet cameras are, as the name suggest contained | | | | problem with this type of CCTV recorders lies in the |
| inside bullet shaped housing. Most bullet cameras are | | | | main component of it... Yes, it is a computer, designed |
| weatherproof and sealed without the ability to use | | | | to do unlimited tasks, but non well. The truth is that any |
| different lenses. Great advantage of bullet camera is | | | | computer based digital video recorder is, and will |
| the small size and integrated design, some bullet | | | | always be vulnerable to software crashes, hang-ups, |
| cameras will even have infrared LED future built-in. | | | | system instability, virus related problems etc... |
| Infrared technology is simply LED light in infrared | | | | Stand Alone Systems. |
| spectrum (not visible to human eye). This light will | | | | Very similar in appearance and control functions to |
| illuminate viewing area, making possible monitoring in | | | | standard VCR recorders, are truly remarkable devices. |
| complete darkness. This is great future, but it only | | | | Most video processing is done by hardware, therefore |
| works up to certain distance (usually between 10 and | | | | eliminating system crashes, video is also stored on |
| 50 ft. depending on model) Vary simple to install and | | | | hard drive in digital format. The basic operating system, |
| estheticly designed, bullet cameras are great choice | | | | usually Linux, is permanently stored on special |
| for residential and do-it-yourself installations where | | | | processor, witch is impossible to overwrite or corrupt. |
| monitoring objects are within about 25ft from the | | | | Designed and manufactured with single application in |
| camera location (with standard 3.6mm lens). | | | | mind, it is by far better in performance and reliability to |
| Board Cameras. | | | | its PC based rival. Some DVR systems will even have |
| Board Cameras are basically fixed lens mounted on a | | | | remote monitoring capability, useful when monitoring is |
| circuit board. These cameras may be packaged in a | | | | required in different locations thru Internet or network. |
| small case (Mini Cameras) or dome (Mini Dome) or | | | | Most important futures to look for when selecting the |
| simply sold unpackaged, for mounting by the | | | | right DVR recorder are motion detection and frame |
| purchaser. Lenses in these cameras are either of a | | | | speed. The higher the frame speed the more fluent |
| normal industry aperture or a "pinhole" lens of very | | | | video recording. Motion detection will allow recording |
| small aperture. Pinhole lens cameras are often called | | | | video from each camera only when motion is |
| "spy" cameras and may be mounted in a concealed | | | | detected this is great for extending video recording |
| way for covert surveillance purposes. The most | | | | time. Security Monitors. |
| popular examples of covert board cameras are | | | | Video from Security recorder could be displayed on |
| smoke detector and motion detector cameras. Since | | | | regular TV monitor. It is OK to do it this way, for baby |
| the lenses in board cameras are pre-mounted, have a | | | | monitoring or residential application, when quality of the |
| fixed iris and are usually of a short focal length (i.e. | | | | picture is not that important. However for professional |
| wide angle), their flexibility of usefulness is limited. | | | | installation, security monitors are as much important as |
| However, this type of camera can provide a low cost | | | | cameras. They offer extended life of picture tube |
| solution in the right situation, particularly in a home | | | | (necessary with any static picture, that can cause |
| environment. | | | | picture burnout) and much grater resolution. Cables and |
| We have shortly described most popular types of | | | | wiring. Finally any camera installation will require proper |
| cameras, lets now discus, how and where they mite | | | | wiring. Good quality cable will prevent video |
| be used. Professional type cameras with C/CS mount | | | | degradation over long distance runs. It is recommended |
| lens attachment generally offer best performance and | | | | to use RG59 or RG6 coaxial cables as it is fully |
| many important futures, like lens control output, Back | | | | shielded and will prevent video loss up to 400 ft. |
| Light Compensation and many more... Distance from | | | | Coaxial cables will require BNC connectors and proper |
| monitoring object to the camera is not an issue, that is | | | | installation possibly done by experienced technician. In |
| why ability to select different lenses, based on camera | | | | short runs plug and play non-coaxial cables with |
| location is so important. Installation is bit complicated | | | | factory installed BNC connectors may be used (up to |
| and professional installation strongly recommended. | | | | 150 ft.). The plug and play cables are easy enough to |
| We recommend this type of security cameras for | | | | install by not experienced users. Cables for CCTV |
| commercial installations. Most Bullet cameras in | | | | cameras consist of two cables bundled in one jacket. |
| comparison, do not offer high resolution and lens | | | | One cable for video and one for power delivery. |
| selection flexibility, but are likely to be weatherproof, | | | | Conclusion. |
| some will have infrared light built-in and most of all they | | | | |