A CCTV camera is a type of security device used to capture video footage. It is usually used to monitor areas of your property for a variety of reasons.
The camera can either be wireless or hardwired to your home network. It also comes in a range of different sizes and resolutions.
Cameras
Cameras are the most essential part of any CCTV security system, and they’re often the first thing you need to consider. They can be hardwired, wireless or network-connected to a recorder or monitor for remote viewing and storage.
How you want to use your cameras is also important. Some are primarily designed to act as a deterrent, whilst others are more discreet and help blend into the environment.
If you need to see a large area, but don’t want to call attention to yourself with your movement, consider a pan-and-tilt or wide-angle lens camera. These cameras can also rotate up to 350 degrees, which is a huge advantage for monitoring larger areas and giving you a wider field of vision.
If you need to capture images in very dark conditions, infrared CCTV cameras are ideal. They are specially designed to pick up coloured images in low light conditions, and they can operate even without a lighting source.
Monitors
Monitors are a vital part of CCTV systems, as they display the video feed from surveillance cameras. They are a significant investment in any CCTV system, so it is essential to choose the right one for your needs.
There are a variety of types of monitors to choose from including CRT, LED and LCD monitors. The main difference between them is that CRT monitors use a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) to produce the picture, while LCD monitors use an LED panel.
When selecting a monitor, you should consider its size and resolution. Smaller monitors are ideal for monitoring a narrow area and displaying several camera feeds. Larger monitors allow you to see more information at once.
You can also choose monitors that support the current output formats of your CCTV camera, DVR or NVR. This can help ensure future flexibility in the system.
Recorders
Recorders are a crucial part of CCTV cameras, as they allow you to view recorded footage. They can store hundreds of hours or even a day’s worth of video, and come in many different memory capacities.
A digital video recorder (DVR) or network video recorder (NVR) receives all of the video feeds from a security camera, broadcasts them to a monitor and saves them on a hard drive. The hard drive will typically be a “surveillance grade” device that is designed to run 24×7 and made more durable than a normal computer hard drive.
Most security DVRs and NVRs are plugged into an outlet, but you can also install them without power. If you choose to do so, remember that most DVRs with coaxial cables lose their image quality after around 300 feet.
Installation
CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras are used to monitor and protect people and property. They can also be used to help identify suspicious individuals and gather data about the community.
CCTV systems vary in how they work but the general process is simple: Cameras capture a picture and send it to a control centre. That image is then transmitted to a monitor where it can be viewed.
In addition to that, the cameras can be programmed with features such as PTZ auto-tracking which helps to keep an object in frame when it moves. This makes it easier to detect and record moving objects, thereby providing more evidence against intruders.
To install a CCTV system, residents will need a variety of tools and supplies. Some items to consider include a drill, Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers, and needle-nose pliers.