Security Camera System - Buyer Guide

Although the application of CCTV security has notare relatively easy to implement. Bullet cameras usually
changed very much over the past years, the tools andcome with 3.6mm lens witch are considered to be
equipment have significantly. Surveillance camerassuitable for most standard installations (good for
became smaller, cheaper and better, but the majorcovering 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 completeor higher lens may be required. They are great choice
CCTV monitoring and recording systems arefor any do-it-yourself installation. Board cameras in
confused by such a verity of available products. Goalcontrast are widely used in covert camera installations,
of this article is to guide buyers toward best possiblesometimes called Spy Cameras. Many wireless
and most economical type of CCTV equipment, basedcameras 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 availablefor completely new article. Board cameras are sold as
CCTV cameras in this short article. We will focus ourplain circuit board, for integrating into hidden camera
attention on most popular and widely used cameradevices. They are also available in dome housing, as
types instead.vary popular Dome Camera or integrated with Smoke
CCTV security cameras produce images using CMOSDetector, Motion Detector, Exit Sign and so on. Most
or CCD (Charge Couple Device) chips. Tiny, very lowboard 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 lightmost practical design has been Dome Camera with its
sensitivity. Decent quality CCTV cameras use CCDesthetic appearance it blends into surroundings,
technology. The size of the CCD chip is normally 1/4", 1especially with drop down sealing, great for use in
3" or 1/2". As a rule of thumb, the larger the size, thestores, lobbies, gas stations and other public places.
higher the quality of the image produced and the higherPractical solution for covert installation are also, Motion
the price. However, higher density 1/4" and 1/3" CCDand Smoke Detector cameras, they are absolutely not
chips can now produce as good an image as many 1substitute for your security alarm or fire protection.
3" or 1/2" chips. The number of TV lines in the securityCameras should always be selected based on the
camera image is a measure of picture resolutionlocation of the camera (inside/outside), distance from
(sharpness). The larger the number of TV lines, thethe 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 goodanother recording device. The days of well-known
resolution while over 500 TV lines is considered highCCTV time-lapse VCR recorder are almost over.
resolution. B/W chip cameras produce greaterAlthough some customers still prefer this old fashioned
resolution and better light sensitivity, therefore suitablerecording solution, it is well worth to invest some extra
for use in dark areas where light conditions are poormoney to purchase a good quality digital video
most of the time. On the other hand color camerasrecorder (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 typeshard 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 differentA special board and software installed on the
types and size of lenses. Exchangeable lenses enablecomputer will allow camera inputs and store video on
this camera, to monitor objects from virtually anythe hard drive. Many people are under the
distance. Although for indoor use, they can be used formisconception 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 andhundreds of companies that have hung up a sign,
widely used by professionals for commercialtaken 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 containedproblem with this type of CCTV recorders lies in the
inside bullet shaped housing. Most bullet cameras aremain component of it... Yes, it is a computer, designed
weatherproof and sealed without the ability to useto do unlimited tasks, but non well. The truth is that any
different lenses. Great advantage of bullet camera iscomputer based digital video recorder is, and will
the small size and integrated design, some bulletalways 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 infraredStand Alone Systems.
spectrum (not visible to human eye). This light willVery similar in appearance and control functions to
illuminate viewing area, making possible monitoring instandard VCR recorders, are truly remarkable devices.
complete darkness. This is great future, but it onlyMost video processing is done by hardware, therefore
works up to certain distance (usually between 10 andeliminating system crashes, video is also stored on
50 ft. depending on model) Vary simple to install andhard drive in digital format. The basic operating system,
estheticly designed, bullet cameras are great choiceusually Linux, is permanently stored on special
for residential and do-it-yourself installations whereprocessor, witch is impossible to overwrite or corrupt.
monitoring objects are within about 25ft from theDesigned 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 aremote monitoring capability, useful when monitoring is
circuit board. These cameras may be packaged in arequired in different locations thru Internet or network.
small case (Mini Cameras) or dome (Mini Dome) orMost important futures to look for when selecting the
simply sold unpackaged, for mounting by theright DVR recorder are motion detection and frame
purchaser. Lenses in these cameras are either of aspeed. The higher the frame speed the more fluent
normal industry aperture or a "pinhole" lens of veryvideo recording. Motion detection will allow recording
small aperture. Pinhole lens cameras are often calledvideo from each camera only when motion is
"spy" cameras and may be mounted in a concealeddetected this is great for extending video recording
way for covert surveillance purposes. The mosttime. Security Monitors.
popular examples of covert board cameras areVideo from Security recorder could be displayed on
smoke detector and motion detector cameras. Sinceregular TV monitor. It is OK to do it this way, for baby
the lenses in board cameras are pre-mounted, have amonitoring 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 costcameras. 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 ofwiring. Finally any camera installation will require proper
cameras, lets now discus, how and where they mitewiring. Good quality cable will prevent video
be used. Professional type cameras with C/CS mountdegradation over long distance runs. It is recommended
lens attachment generally offer best performance andto use RG59 or RG6 coaxial cables as it is fully
many important futures, like lens control output, Backshielded and will prevent video loss up to 400 ft.
Light Compensation and many more... Distance fromCoaxial cables will require BNC connectors and proper
monitoring object to the camera is not an issue, that isinstallation possibly done by experienced technician. In
why ability to select different lenses, based on camerashort runs plug and play non-coaxial cables with
location is so important. Installation is bit complicatedfactory 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 forinstall by not experienced users. Cables for CCTV
commercial installations. Most Bullet cameras incameras consist of two cables bundled in one jacket.
comparison, do not offer high resolution and lensOne 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